Drain Cleaners Can Hurt Your Septic System
Drain cleaners can be an easy choice when your kitchen or bathroom drain becomes clogged, but they are not a great choice for the health of your septic system. Septic systems rely on natural bacteria to treat wastewater. The harsh chemicals found in drain cleaners can kill the beneficial bacteria needed by your septic system to process wastewater.
Chemical drain cleaners are one of the most dangerous of all the cleaning products on the market to human health. Most contain very corrosive ingredients such as sulfuric acid, lye, and bleach that can burn your eyes and skin. They can be fatal if ingested and these cleaning products are required by law to carry a warning label listing their harsh ingredients. Care must be taken to keep these out of the reach of children.
Even very low amounts of a drain cleaner used in a septic system results in significant decreases in concentrations of Coliform bacteria and a decrease in PH when higher concentrations are used. It could take up to 48 hours for bacteria population to recover to original levels.
What is a solution to your clogged drains? The best remedy is to prevent drains from being clogged by having good catch basins in all the drains of the home. Purchasing inexpensive plastic or metal screens for the drains can keep many wastes from going down the drain including hair and food products. Food scraps as well as oils and grease should never be allowed down the drain.
Most clogs occur about 6 inches below the drain opening in the trap. Taking apart and cleaning this area can remove the clog. Plungers can also be helpful in removing a clogged drain. If that doesn’t work, a snake or auger can be put down the drain to remove the blockage. Clean-out ports can be removes to help access the clog. If no luck, it’s always best to call a professional who has the equipment and expertise to get the job done.
If you feel you must use a chemical drain cleaner, look for an enzyme-based cleaner. They are less harsh on your system. You can also try a homemade recipe: Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda down the clogged drain. Then pour 6 cups of boiling water after it. Let it sit overnight and then flush with hot water.
Septic Preservation Services can help you with any of your septic system questions. Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com
Septic Preservation Services will be conducting septic inspections and routine septic maintenance in the following towns this week; Acton, Alna, Arundel, Bath, Belmont, Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Hebron, Lebanon, Turner, and Wells. If you would like a septic inspection please call our office. Call us at 877-378-4279 or visit us at 
In addition to Title 5 Inspections, septic repairs and cleaning services, Septic Preservation Services also provides professional consultations to property owners, both residential and commercial.
Most homeowners don’t think about their septic systems each and every day. Plumbing and sewage are those types of things that tend to be out of sight and out of mind for most people. The only time we really think about them is when there’s a problem: a drain that won’t go down, a toilet that won’t flush, a septic system that suddenly smells.
