Unusual Septic Tank Blockages
Septic tank blockages can be a real nightmare. Not only are they messy, but they can also bring your household routine to a halt. No one wants to deal with raw sewage backup, slow drains, an overflowing septic tank, or foul odors escaping into your home. Today, we will go through some of the common causes of septic tank blockages and what you can do to keep your septic system in top shape.
Some people regularly pour coffee grounds into their sink without a second thought and wash them down the drain. Unfortunately, coffee grounds have the tendency to clump together and collect in the pipe bends. The combination of coffee grounds, grease, and hair can cause a massive clog in the septic tank. Instead of dumping coffee grounds in the sink, carefully discard them into a trash bin or a compost bin.
Leftover grease and oil are tempting to pour down the sink, and most people don't think twice about it. They will simply dump the liquid grease or oil in the sink and rinse it with hot water. However, this habit can harm the septic tank over time. Grease and oil may seem harmless when they're in a liquid state, but they will eventually cool down and solidify in the septic tank, thereby creating blockages. Once they get to the septic tank, they'll combine with soap scum, hair, food waste, and other debris to cause blockages in the tank. This is the best way to dispose of grease or oil—allow the leftover grease or oil to cool completely in a pan or container on the counter. Scrape the solidified oil into a trash can lined with a disposable bag.
Dental floss may seem harmless, but it's not biodegradable and can easily clog the inlet and outlet pipes of a septic tank. When dental floss goes down the drain, it may combine with soap scum, hair, and other debris, forming a mass that will interfere with the proper flow of wastewater. Instead of flushing it down the drain, simply throw it in the trash.
Do not be fooled by the labels claiming that wet wipes are biodegradable. Wipes do not disintegrate like toilet paper; hence, flushing them can cause major septic tank clogs. They can clump together in the pipes to create a large ball that will cause nasty blockages. Toss wet wipes in the garbage bin instead of flushing them down the toilet to avoid septic tank clogs.
