In this article, we will discuss what breaks down toilet paper in septic tanks. You might have encountered having a blocked septic tank because of using too much toilet paper. While the toilet paper dissolves as soon as it gets flushed down the toilet, it takes a couple of years for it to fully decompose. It will stay at the bottom of the septic tank for a long time. Read the rest of the article below to find out what breaks down toilet paper in septic tanks.
What breaks down toilet paper in septic tanks? The bacteria inside the septic tank are what break down solid matters such as tissue paper using the anaerobic digestion process. The breakdown process happens slowly because of the lack of oxygen inside the tank. This is why you must be careful with the chemicals that you use in your toilet because they will end up in the tank and can disrupt the process.
How to tell if your septic tank is clogged? Can the bacteria inside the septic tank increase? Does bleach dissolve toilet paper? Do you need to add bacteria to your septic tank? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Find out more about the topic by reading the rest of the article below.
Should You Add Bacteria to Your Septic Tank?
If you have an unhealthy septic tank, then it is ideal to add bacteria to it to help re-establish a healthy balance. Using too many toxic substances can destabilize the bacteria inside the tank and affects how it works. On the other hand, you do not need to add bacteria to your septic tank because it has enough to support the biological processes that will treat human waste and wastewater. Moreover, if you add more bacteria into it, you will only do more bad than good because the tank may end up having conditions wherein bacterial populations compete against each other.
Different Ways to Increase Bacteria in the Septic Tank
There are many ways to increase bacteria in the septic tank and one of these is by avoiding the use of chemicals, especially those that are not septic-safe. Aside from that, you should also be careful of the things that you flush down the toilet. Feminine hygiene products and toilet paper can block the drain. You can also use septic treatments or bacteria treatments on the tank when needed. Let us learn more about this below.
Using Septic-Safe Products
As mentioned above, you need to be aware of the things that you flush down the drain. Avoid flushing thick toilet paper and baby wipes that are not septic-safe. Bear in mind that not all toilet paper is septic-safe and it can end up clogging the drain pipes of your septic system. Nowadays, there is septic-safe toilet paper that easily breaks down.
Moreover, not all soaps are septic-safe. Be careful about the dishwasher soap, hand soap, and detergents that you are using. Some of the soaps are made with chemicals that can affect the bacteria inside the tank.
Using Live Bacteria Packets
Another way to increase the bacteria inside the septic tank is by using live bacteria packets. It will help increase the speed that which paper and other waste products dissolve. The bacteria packets will ensure that everything inside the tank will dissolve. You can do this every few months or when needed depending on the size of your septic tank.
How to Unclog a Septic Tank?
There are steps that you need to take to successfully unclog a septic tank which include determining the cause of the clog, finding out whether the issue is mechanical or not, and finding the right and letting it do its job. A clogged septic tank is a common issue that a lot of homeowners have experienced. There are many reasons why this can happen and one of them is by using products that are not septic-safe.
Depending on the type of clog that you have, you might need to hire the services of a professional to help unclog it. Below are some of the ways how you can unclog your septic tank. We have also shared this article titled, how does bamboo toilet paper impact sewage systems? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Step 1: Determine What Causes the Clog
The first step that you need to do is to determine what causes the clog. Take note that there is no need to dig out your tank just to determine the cause of the clog. Most of the time, the clog is caused by stuff that gets accumulated through the years. It is recommended that you hire the services of a professional. They have the tools to determine what causes the clog.
Step 2: Finding Out Whether the Issue is Mechanical or Not
The next step is to determine if the issue is mechanical or not. Problems that are not mechanical are easier to solve because it does not need to involve the use of machines. You can solve the issue by adding bacteria into the septic tank to help unclog it. You should avoid using chemicals because it will allow the sludge to go into the system and make things worse.
Step 3: Choose a Bacteria to Use
Once you have determined whether the issue is mechanical or not, the next step is to choose the right bacteria to use for your septic tank. Nowadays, you can find a wide array of bacteria that can be used for the tank. Make sure to choose the most aggressive that you can find. Strong bacteria can penetrate the septic tank faster and help unclog it.
Step 4: Wait for the Bacteria to Do Its Job
The last step is to wait and let the bacteria do its job. It can take a few weeks for the bacteria to start breaking down the clog in the tank depending on the amount of sludge that is stuck in there. The more sludge that the tank has, the longer it will take to unclog. Take note that the bacteria can multiply quickly inside the tank, but it will still take them some time to get the work done especially if you have an old septic tank.
✅ Video – Clogged Septic Tank Toilet Bubbles and Backs Up
How To with Doc shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses clogged septic tank toilet bubbles and backs up. If you are experiencing this issue at home, then watch the video for helpful advice and information that you can follow to fix the issue.
How to Tell if Your Septic Tank is Clogged?
One of the common signs that you have a clogged septic tank is when water and sewage from sinks, toilets, and drains start to back inside your house. Aside from that your shower and sinks will start to drain slowly. Another sign of a clogged septic tank is when you hear gurgling sounds in the plumbing system. You might also notice bad odors coming from the septic tank. You can also read this article that discusses if bamboo toilet paper is flushable. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Is Yeast Safe for the Septic Tank?
You can use yeast safely on your septic tank. On the other hand, take note that fat, grease, and starches inside the tank need different enzymes to break down. Yeast can help break down starchy materials in the tank but it cannot break down grease, protein, or plant matter. Aside from that, yeast will not add bacteria to the septic tank.
Can Bleach Help Dissolve Toilet Paper?
Bleach can help dissolve toilet paper. On the other hand, how effective it will depend on the amount of toilet paper that is accumulated as well as the amount of bleach that is used. When it comes to removing toilet paper from the pipes, bleach may not be that effective. When it comes to dealing with a clogged toilet, you should use the right chemicals.
Aside from bleach, you can use try using a product that has enzymes that can easily break down tough materials. You can also use a plunger if possible rather than using chemicals that can affect the bacteria inside the tank. There are also instances that the build-up is too much that you need to hire the services of a professional to handle the job. You can also check out this article that discusses how long it takes for toilet paper to decompose in a septic tank. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what breaks down toilet paper in septic tanks. We have found out that the bacteria inside the septic tank are what break down toilet paper as well as other solid matter that ends up in your tank. Moreover, we have found out how to unclog a septic tank. Some clogs are easy to break down while others require the services of professionals. Thank you for reading!