We all know where waste water ends up—in the septic tank. The water flows down the drain, through a long tunnel leading up to the tank that is the heart of the septic system. What happens in the tank? In the tank, the liquid portion is separated from the solid portion; so, when the drain clogs up, you know what’s causing it. The tank has filled with solid wastes and it needs draining.
Some people try to delay their having to clean the septic tank—they think it unsanitary, or simply disgusting—by mixing septic tank additives into their waste water. Septic tank additives can be a good thing. Studies say it is used to break up scum, rejuvenate clogged absorption systems, improve settling, and even accelerate digestion of solid wastes. If septic system additives can pull all these off then what’s the need of cleaning the tank yourself, right?
Types of Septic Tank Additives
Septic tank additives fall under two distinct categories. Chemical additives includes organic and inorganic compounds. The second, biological additives, includes bacteria, yeast, and enzymes. Currently there are 1,200 septic tank additive products on the market and they usually get the job done.
However, be careful about relying too much on additives. While additives help liquefy scum, they don’t clean up everything, so one way or another you have to drain the septic tank yourself. Just in case, you can also call a professional service to drain the tank for you, and in fact, it’s highly recommended that you do. Working a septic tank without the proper equipment is dangerous and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
In addition, not all septic tank additives on the market have been tested. Take note of this because you won’t only waste your money on some additive product that doesn’t work, you’ll also clog your septic tank without your knowing it. So make sure you buy the right product that works.