Graphic of septic system - why Rid-x is bad for your septic

More than than 21 million households in the United States rely on septic systems to remove and treat household wastewater. Touted as the eco-friendly culling to the chemically-laden waste product treatment facilities used by many cities, septic systems work to naturally purify wastewater. And while a properly functioning system requires little more than routine cleanings every 2-4 years, some homeowners strive to make their septic systems more efficient by using additives, like Rid-X, to requite the bacteria in their tanks a picayune boost. But beware! Those expensive additives not only interfere with your system's treatment procedure, but they also put your entire septic system at risk of catastrophic failure.

Septic Systems 101

Earlier we can tackle the reasons why additives, like Rid-X, are bad for your septic system, we demand to first generally understand how septic systems work. In a properly operation septic organisation, wastewater from your house empties into the septic tank, where solids settle to the lesser, assuasive liquids to rise to the top before exiting through the outlet baffle and filtering through the drain field to be purified and reabsorbed into the water table. The bacteria plant in homo waste material works to decompose the solids in your septic tank, allowing them to settle into a layer of sludge. This layer of sludge needs to exist pumped out of your system every 2-4 years. The bacteria in your septic arrangement efficiently breaks down solids and slows the accumulation of sludge so long as a properly balanced surroundings is maintained.

How additives, like Rid-x, interfere with your septic arrangement'due south eco-organisation

As well much of a skillful matter tin be bad. There are a lot of tips and products for homeowners looking to enhance the bacteria in their septic systems, from commercial additives like Rid-X to more outlandish ideas that include packets of yeast and raw liver! Just in a properly functioning bacterial environment, these additives have little positive consequence and can actually cause enough damage to ruin your entire septic system.

So what's the problem with additives like Rid-Ten? Co-ordinate to the EPA and the Ohio Department of Health, not but are additives like Rid-10 non recommended, but they actually have a detrimental and potentially chancy issue on your septic organisation's waste handling process. Rid-X contains a much stronger form of enzymes than the natural bacteria found in a good for you septic system and, as a effect, solids are cleaved downward further than they normally would be. Yous might remember a more constructive breakdown of these solids would be a proficient matter, that it would allow you lot more time between septic cleanings. However, these particles are so small they don't settle to the bottom of your septic tank and instead make their way through the outlet bamboozle and into your bleed field. Before long thereafter, the drain field will get chock-full and need to be replaced. And when the average cost to replace a septic system is $13,000 simply tin can range upward of $25,000, you may desire to recollect twice before dumping potentially organization-killing additives into your septic system.

Ameliorate methods for maintaining bacteria in your septic system

The all-time thing you tin can exercise to make sure your septic system is working the best it tin can is to keep a shut eye on what yous pour downwards the drain. Never care for your toilet or your sinks like a garbage can!

  • Avoid putting harsh chemicals – bleach, paint thinners, pesticides, gasoline, antifreeze, etc. – into your organization as they can destroy the leaner that works to go on your organization functioning properly.
  • Garbage disposals are not recommended for a home that has a septic arrangement because they flood the system with organic solids that the bacteria in the septic tank is not equipped to tackle.
  • Never flush inorganic materials, like feminine hygiene products, kitty litter, cigarette butts, or paper towels. They clog your septic tank with non-biodegradable solids.
  • Exist aware of how much h2o you're putting into your system and conserve wherever you maybe tin. Combine loads of laundry when yous can and only run your dishwasher when it'southward total. Flooding your septic organization with grey water (water from the washing automobile, dishwasher, bathtubs, and showers) volition interfere with the bacterial composition in your septic tank and saturate your drain field to the point of exhaustion.