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Rid-X septic treatment for sale at a Home Depot store (C) InspectAPedia Types of Septic Tank & Drainfield Treatments & Chemicals

S eptic tank treatments, additives & restorers and comments about their effectiveness, risks, legality

Septic tank additive, chemical or treatment product types.

This article describes the properties and usefulness of commonly-sold septic tank treatments, additives, restorers. Should you add septic treatment chemicals, nutrients, cleaners, bacteria, yeast, root killers, septic drainfield dec loggers to septic systems? Generally, no.

This article series discusses the need, choices, and use of septic chemicals or bacterial or other septic tank additives, septic system restorers, and septic tank treatments for septic systems. We cite expert sources all of whom advise against the use of septic treatments, additives, restorers and the like.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Types & Properties of Septic Tank Additives, Chemicals,Treatments

Septic treatment chemicals (C) Daniel FriedmanWhat do experts say about septic chemicals and septic treatments? Why do people use them?

Types of septic tank or septic system additives and effects on treatment processes

There are three general types of commonly marketed septic system additives:

Should I Put Baking Soda in the Septic Tank?

Baking soda in septic tanks:

Finally, baking soda and other flocculants are marketed as products that lower the concentration of suspended solids in septic tank effluent.

Theoretically, flocculation and settling of suspended solids would result in cleaner effluent discharges to the subsurface wastewater infiltration system.

Really? However, research has not conclusively demonstrated significant success in this regard. And the typical quantity that people would flush into a septic tank, a table spoon, or a homeowner sized box of baking soda is so dilute as to be irrelevant - and luckily, harmless.

Reader Question: how do I choose the best treatment to keep my drains clear and to help my drainfield

Rid-X septic treatment for sale at a Home Depot store (C) InspectAPediaI found your site very helpful as we had a clogged septic drain recently. However, now that the drain is clear I need a product that will continue to keep the drain clear and help my drain field.

The problem is that there are so many to choose from and I was hoping with your expertise that you could help me in the decision. I have narrowed it down to two and need to choose between them unless you know of something better.

Just an FYI, my system is almost 40 years old, not sure if that helps in your decision. I have narrowed it down to Rid X® and NewTechBio®. Can you please help me? - T.B. 3/6/2013

Question: should we use Rid-Ex each month to fix the effects of flushing baby wipes down the toilet?

We have incorrectly been flushing baby wipes down our toilets. When a septic cleaning company came to clean our septic they said we had this buildup in the tank.

They suggested we use RIDEX 12 oz./month and clean it again in 1 year. After reading this article I am uncertain if this is the correct approach? Do you have an opinion? or other suggestions?
Thank you. - John Burkard 10/27/12

Reply: no septic additives are needed, nor recommended by experts

For a residence there are no regular-use septic treatments or products that you need nor that you should be using in your septic tank or drainfield.

Worse, some of them are illegal in many states and jurisdictions (groundwater pollution issues) as you can read in the article above, and none of them is required for maintaining a septic tank or drain.

And worse still, also detailed in the article above, some of these products such as yeast-containing products, agitate the septic tank and shorten the drainfield life or even destroy it by pushing solids into the wastewater effluent.

Rid-X® is a combination of relatively harmless bacterial culture and some enzymes.

Disclosure: I too bought and used Rid-X® septic system treatment for many years when I owned my first home with a septic tank. The company would like you to dump a box of Rid-X® into your septic system every monty, by flushing the substance down a toilet. This treatment is without question good for the Rid-X ®company.

But on reading the explanation from experts, it's easy to understand that it's not required nor recommended to use any septic tank treatments. While I continue to have affection for the company, I've gone cold turkey in the septic tank additive department.

If on the other hand you operate a restaurant you'd be required to install a grease trap and you might on occasion want to use a biologically safe de-greaser in such drains.

The single most useful thing you can do to keep your septic drainfield working is regular septic tank inspection and pumping or cleaning.

See SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS

Second would be to keep water such as from roof or surface runoff away from the drainfield.

At SEPTIC BIOMATS we include a section

titled EXTENDING DRAINFIELD LIFE that may also be helpful to you in keeping that drainfield operating as long as possible. Frankly, as you report a 40 year old septic system I'm impressed that it is still working. That's a longer life than one would expect.

At SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS we give ten steps that make giant strides towards keeping your septic tank, piping, drainfield and other components working as long as possible.

John.

Using a root killer won't fix a problem in the septic tank nor will it reliably dissolve baby wipes. Pump the tank, check that the baffles are undamaged, and then use the system normally.

Take a look at TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST.

Odor Control For Septic Tanks & Septic Systems

Odor control additives for septic systems:

Oxygenating products adding oxygen to a septic tank are sold to reduce septic odors and are probably harmless to the septic tank.

Other products containing formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, quaternary ammonia, and zinc sulfate are advertised to control septic odors by killing bacteria.

This objective, however, runs counter to the purpose and function of septic tanks (promoting anaerobic bacterial growth) as does, in our opinion, adding bleach products directly to a conventional (non-aerobic) septic tank.

If odor is a problem, the source should be investigated because sewage may be surfacing, a line might have ruptured, or another system problem might be present.

Canadian Ontario ministry statement 3(f)(ii) in septic system regulations from the ONTARIO MINISTRY permits small amounts of chlorine bleach added to septic tanks as a measure for odor control.

Really? However we have not found supporting research for this view and in our OPINION that measure is not recommended because:

Treatments with bleach at a level low enough and infrequent enough to avoid harm to the septic system are also unlikely to have any lasting effect on odor control.

Also see OXYGENATION TREATMENTS below.

Oxygenation Treatments for Septic Tanks

Improving the level of oxygen in a septic tank by aeration or by additives may reduce septic tank odors.

Septic additives that assert improvement in the level of oxygen in the septic tank may reduce odors by stimulating the production of aerobic bacteria.

In a healthy conventional septic tank you should not require such additives, so again it may make sense to look for an underlying problem that needs repair such as improper tank installation, venting, or a baffle failure or tank or sewer line blockage.Some septic tank additives, particularly ones that harm the environment (that does NOT include Eco-Tabs™) are illegal in most jurisdictions.

See details at SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS

Oxygenation in aerobic septic system tanks? Bleach?

As we mentioned earlier, septic tank oxygenation by tablet additives is a separate activity distinct from aeration or air pumps used on aerobic septic systems where such treatment is required to reach the necessary level of wastewater treatment.

Some aerobic septic systems use manufacturer-required additives in addition to the aerobic pump. An example is Norweco® Blue Crystal tablets - essentially a bleach disinfectant product (73% calcium hypochlorite) chlorine tablets for aerobic septic systems.

Watch out : while the product advertisement at Home Depot stores describes the Norweco tablets as "10 lb. Pail Blue Crystal Chlorine Tablets for Aerobic or Septic Systems" you should not add bleach to a conventional (non-aerobic) septic tank. Pro Chlor tabs are a similar bleaching product of similar composition.

See aerobic septic system details at AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS, ATUs where we include separate articles on using additives in aerobic septic treatment units or ATUs.

Phosphorous Removal For Septic Systems

Phosphorous removers for septic systems: Another variety of consumer products is marketed for their ability to remove phosphorus from wastewater. These products are targeted at watershed residents who are experiencing eutrophication problems in nearby lakes and streams.

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for aquatic plant growth and limiting its input to inland surface waters can help curtail nuisance algae blooms.

Aluminum (as alum, sodium aluminate, aluminum chloride, and activated alumna), ferric iron (as ferric chloride and ferric sulfate), ferrous iron (as ferrous sulfate and ferrous chloride), and calcium (as lime) have been proven to be effective in stripping phosphorus from effluent and settling it to the bottom of the tank.

An important side effect of this form of treatment, however, can be the destruction of the microbial population in the septic tank due to loss of buffering capacity and a subsequent drop in pH. Treatment processes can be severely compromised under this scenario.

Yeast Treatments for Septic Tanks: Putting Yeast or Baking Soda in the Septic Tank?

"Yeast" which some of our clients like to toss into their septic tank is not helpful and may actually speed drain field failure by keeping the septic treatment tank contents in an agitated state.

First, the aerobic or anaerobic bacteria that help break down sewage in the septic tank are not yeast, and don't need "yeast" as a food or for any other purpose.

More important, agitating a conventional septic tank so that the level of suspended solids is kept high will cause high levels of suspended solids to flow out of the septic tank, onwards to the drainfield where solids speed the clogging of the drainfield piping and trenches, thus reducing the life of the septic system and ultimately leading the the need for costly repairs.

Question: Question on the use of Yeast and Baking Soda in the Septic Tank

I was looking on the web for the ratio for yeast in the septic tank and come across your site "InspectAPedia.com" I grew up watching and participating in the contribution of yeast going into the septic tank from the sink and the out side at the access opening(that's what my dad would call it).

Knowing this and doing this has never really caused any problems in the past, at least not over a short time range (i.e. less then 3-5 yrs). Mind you as I don't do septic tanks or any kind of plumbing for a living, I'm just just noting that it wasn't always the case in my life time that yeast and baking soda were kept out of the tank, rather we put them in.

My question is: If in fact "yeast" tossed into a septic tank "agitates" the slug causing it to rise and "baking soda"( and other flocculants ) lower the concentration of suspended solids in septic tank effluent then why can't you use both? I'm no scientist either so bare with me. Is there a chemical reaction when the 3 are merged together? or does one just void out the other? - Mary & John

Reply: Skip the Yeast and Baking Soda additives to the septic tank

Ultimately, we have to return to these basic points: all discussed above in this article and elaborated here:

Porosity Restorers for Cesspools & Drainfields

Reader Question: "seepage pit" - a cesspool - wants rejuvenation. Reader tried Aid-Ox® that gave only temporary relief

(Sept 18, 2014) Peter B said:
We have two site built, brick seepage pits in series in a 1938 system placed in sandy soil. The first pit has a baffle to separate solids then just water goes over the baffle to the second seepage pit for distribution to soil. The second seepage pit no long accepts water.

We had it pumped and there is a good foot of bottom sludge the pumper guy won't pump because he thinks he might undermine the lowest brick and cause a cave in. The system filled back up. We applied AidOx and the water level went down to the sludge! This effect was temporary and now we are back to full.

Is it reasonable repair to pump the second tank empty, hand dig down around all sides, poke rebar to open the holes and then back fill with clean gravel? In this instance (Massachusetts) it's $50,000 to replace the entire system with title 5 for the number of bedrooms we have. It's a summer house, occupied by 2 people for 3 months and 10 people for 3 weeks.

Otherwise empty. I imagine the low use is why it lasted so long.

The design, permitting and construction cost is so high, sewer is coming in 5 years and I'm told the new systems don't remove nitrogen anyway. I'm looking for a temporary solution that will run for 5 years and digging a new drywell is not an option.

This question was originally posted at DRYWELL / SEEPAGE PIT COLLAPSE or FAILURE

Reply:

Yes you can try to restore a failed drywell or seepage by a combination of excavating around it, poking soil, and removing sludge from the seepage pit bottom and sides. However without rather extensive work you might find that the added life is short in comparison with the labor involved.

Watch out: for fatal hazards such as falling into a seepage pit or being buried alive in a soil collapse. Do not work alone, and get help from a local excavation contractor.

I also agree that chemical treatments tend not to be very effective, or are caustic, illegal, and contaminate the environment.

Finally, I agree in concept but not in specific with your comment about effectiveness of seepage pits.

A basic problem is that because of the pit depth there is a dearth of aerobic bacteria - who live only in the top foot or so of soil - so the ability of the seepage pit or cesspool to treat pathogens is limited. In sum we're discharging untreated effluent into the ground. That's why many municipalities don't want to approve new cesspool installations.

Note: Cloroben Aid-Ox® is distributed by Oatey SCS (Supply Chain Services), and indeed we have used Cloroben products as plumbing drain treatments for decades, particularly where grease deposits in the drain piping system itself were a concern.

The company describes the product as an oxygen-based foaming porosity restorer and cleaner, frequently used on seasonal rentals, non-aid, non-caustic. The Aid-Ox® product contains sodium percarbonate (main ingredient), sodium carbonate, and sodium metasilicate. According to the MSDS for this product, it must be used with caution as skin or eye contact and other hazards are present; it is produced by

Hercules Chemical Company, Inc.
111 South St.
Passaic, NJ 07055
TEL: 973-778-5000

Watch out: while specific products are not themselves listed, generally septic and cesspool chemical treatments are prohibited in many jurisdictions.

Read more about soil porosity and septic field soakbed restoration at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?

Need for Bacterial Boost in Some Septic Systems

Really?: OK so there are some exceptions to the "no septic tank additives or treatments are needed" rule. While septic tank chemicals, treatments, additives are both unnecessary and often prohibited for conventional septic tank & soakbed or leachfield systems, there are exceptions: occasional treatments with a dry-pack (or wet pack) of beneficial bacteria may be recommended by the manufacturer / designer of BAT or biologically accelerated treatment septic systems and for some aerobic septic treatment systems that are left un-used for six months or longer.

That's because some septic designs continue to treat and remove bacteria during periods of dis-use. But in an ordinary septic system the tank and its wastewater are not normally sanitized.

In addition, flushing continuous or high levels of chemicals or drugs into any septic system can seriously damage the systems' biological process and equipment.

Paints, high-phosphate detergents, salty water softener discharge, heavy use of drain cleaners, concentrated detergents, antibiotics, and even high usage of antibacterial soaps can be a problem for more-delicate septic systems such as the BAT septic design cited above.

See BAT MEDIA SEPTIC PLANTS for an example of cases in which a septic design or manufacturer recommends the replenishment of septic tank bacteria formulated for use with aerobic or BAT (Biologically Accelerated Treatment) septic systems.

See TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST for complete details about stuff to keep out of the septic system.

Bottom line on septic treatments

Septic tank treatments and additives are not necessary for conventional septic tank systems, some can contaminate the environment, others can destroy a septic drainfield or soakbed, none will repair a failed drainfield, and such products are at best usless and at worst harmful.

This is the view of all of the septic system authorities we've found and are the views of most engineers and sanitation professionals. Those expert sources are cited here.

Types of septic system treatments and restorers, their use and effects are addressed here. Our page top photograph shows a collection of septic system additives, chemicals, cleaners, root killers, etc. for sale at a building supply store.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Despite that compelling evidence people still buy and use septic treatments or restorers. So did I - previously. Why? Because repairing a failing or failed septic system drainfield or soakaway bed is expensive the temptation to try a magic bullet is nearly overwhelming. Those bullets, generally, are going to shoot us in the foot.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Question: greywater line keeps clogging

(Oct 28, 2015) Christine said:
I just unclogged our grey water line 5 months ago and its plugged again. What can i do to prevent this every 5 months? It just washing machine and water from washing dishes that goes in the grey water line.

Reply:

SEPTIC FILTERS can address this problem.

Question: septic company says medications we take can kill off septic tank bacteria

2015/11/06 Larry said:
Our septic has had to be pumped every 6 months recently, We don't put anything down we shouldn't. The company that pumped said that taking medication could kill off the good bacteria in the tank. Is that true? My wife and I are both taking medication. Could this cause a problem?

Reply:

Having to pump a septic tank every 6 months does not fix an underlying problem of an under-sized or poorly designed system or more likely a failed drainfield; it doesn't make sense to me unless you're using your system with a failed drainfield and treating it as a semi-holding tank; a septic tank at a typical home is re-filled in a few days after pumping; faster if groundwater is leaking into the tank; so it's not right that the septic tank should be kept below its normally-full level.

See a detailed answer to your question and supporting research found

at DRUGS INTO the SEPTIC TANK?


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