Septic Tank Home Remedies Save Hundreds Of Dollars Proven Tips [2024]

Please follow and like us:

Learn the septic tank home remedies that can save you hundreds of dollars from the costly septic tank cleaners, and potentially save you thousands from fixing a broken septic tank down the road.

Over the years, septic tank systems have become the latest method of waste management for households. While septic tanks are a super-effective way of disposing of waste, they can be hard to clean and maintain, especially if you do not have any prior experience in cleaning them.

As tricky as it is to look after the functioning of your septic tank, it is also super essential. While there are tonnes of chemical treatments for cleaning the septic tank systems readily available on the market, they can be quite expensive, and inconvenient. Plus, they may also have a negative impact on the good bacteria that breaks down the waste in your septic tank system.

Besides, why would anyone want to invest a huge amount of money on chemical treatments when you can achieve just as good results or maybe even more effective results just by using effective septic tank home remedies.

Not sure what we are talking about? Don’t worry, we have got you covered. In this article, we have combined all the septic tank home remedies you can use to clean and break down solids in your tank and have a properly functioning septic tank system in no time at all.

Let’s get started!

But before we begin, let’s talk about why natural remedies for septic tanks are a better alternative to chemical treatments for cleaning and maintaining your septic tank systems.

Why Are Septic Tank Home Remedies Better Than Chemical Treatments?

A range of chemical treatments can be found all across the USA markets. Still, many people seem to lack awareness about their usage and side effects, probably because these agents are not tested or regulated before they are made available for sale.

We tend to prefer septic tank home remedies and variations over chemical treatments because of the following reasons:

• Chemicals can lead to corrosion and leaks in your septic tank if it is made from concrete.
• It can cease the function of good bacteria inside the tank, which can stand in the way of your septic tank system’s proper functioning.
• It can be deadly for the good bacteria inside your septic tank, which means there won’t be any breaking down of waste after the bacteria has been killed.
• It can result in a declined effectiveness of the septic tank system.
• Other secondary septic tank home remedies and treatments might not be able to produce good results after a chemical cleaning treatment.

For these reasons, septic home remedies are a better way of cleaning your septic tanks because cleaning is not just the point – you must also preserve its functionality!

Do you have a septic tank system or a usual sewerage system for discarding household waste? Here’s how you can find that out:

How do you find out if you have a septic tank system?

If you have recently moved to a new home, then you should ask your landlord or the previous owners about the type of septic system they have. If that’s not possible, here are a few things that you can do to figure out if you own a septic tank system or not:

• Go to your yard and take a look around. Do you see any uneven surfaces or any raised horizons? If so, your septic tank might be underneath it.
• Please pay a visit to your neighbors and ask about their system. If they own a septic tank system, chances are you might too. Ask them where it is located in their yard, then go back to your place and look at the same location.
• Check if your water bill is from the county. If it is not, you most likely have a septic tank system.
• Visit your local government’s office and request to see a copy of your property’s records. Your septic tank system should be clearly mentioned in those papers. 

Let’s give you our two cents about how septic tanks perform their everyday functions!

How Do Septic Tanks Work?

Bacteria naturally grow inside your septic tank. Unlike other forms of bacteria, these are considered good because they consume the solid waste particles in your septic tank and dissolve them to make breaking down the dirt particles easier.

Once all the solid waste has been removed, only the liquid is left behind, which is drained into the drain field via the minor holes in the drain pipes.

This process is fast, effortless, and crucial for your septic tank system to function properly.

How Do I Know If My Septic Tank System Is Working Properly?

Call a professional to know if your septic tank system is performing up to par.

As homeowners have little to no knowledge about a home’s sewerage system, it is impossible to know about your septic tank’s functionality without inviting an expert to inspect your septic tank visually.

Call a reliable contractor to come and take a look at your septic tank system.

They will conduct a thorough inspection and let you know about its condition. Depending upon the inspection results, you can then choose your next steps more carefully.

Below, you will find a list of some of the best septic tank home remedies and variations you can perform using products easily available within your home and achieve a spotless and smooth-running septic tank system!

Septic Tank Home Remedies And Variations

Before you start implementing septic tank home remedies on your septic tank, it is important to take into consideration your septic tank size.

The size of your tank is crucial as it will help you determine the number of products you need to clean your septic tank system effectively.

If you use a quantity that is too large for your septic tank system, you might end up damaging the ecosystem in your tank, which will hinder its performance.

Similarly, if you use a quantity of too little, you won’t be able to clean your septic tank effectively, and you will be disappointed with the results.

Putting in too much effort, for what? Nothing!

Now let’s have a look at some septic tank home remedies that can help you achieve a clean and high-functioning septic tank system:

1. Active Yeast

Pour about a quarter or half a cup of dry active yeast into your toilet bowl and flush it. Avoid taking a shower or doing the dishes for some time afterward to ensure the yeast has enough time to sit in the pipes and perform its function. Yeast will enhance the function of enzymes and bacteria in your tank by keeping them happy!

• Rotten Tomatoes

The idea of throwing rotten tomatoes in your septic system might sound insane because it feels like you might be clogging the drains even more, but it is quite effective in reality. The logic behind this is that rotten tomatoes have ample protein known as pectinase. They help remove solid waste by decomposing pectin and the cell walls of plants.

You can add rotten tomatoes to your tank by chopping them into small pieces and throwing them in the garbage. Please ensure the pieces are small; otherwise, they might clog the pipes. Also, throw some water down the drain to ensure the tomatoes reach the tank. Not only is this home remedy effective for cleaning septic tank systems, but it is also a great way of getting rid of rotten tomatoes without having to dispose of them.

Using this technique around four to five times a year is more than enough to keep your septic tank system functioning properly.

• Hydrogen Peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is a great way of cleaning septic tank systems, it is often not recommended if you do not have prior experience using it. Hydrogen peroxide must be diluted to an optimum concentration before it can be used for septic tank cleaning. If you use a strong concentration, it will do more harm than good.

• Inorganic Acids

Inorganic acids are considered one of the best ways to clear septic tanks of dirt, debris, and solid waste, but they can also be pretty harsh on your septic tank. They may destroy the bacteria in your tank, leading to leaks of raw sewage and a much bigger issue. These caustic chemicals may harm your septic system’s walls and pipes.

• Pumping

Another effective way of dissolving the solid waste in your septic tank system is to call a professional and ask them to pump it. Pumping a septic tank is an extensive job and should only be done by experts.

Many companies include it in the septic tank maintenance plan.

We would also like to highlight that before you decide to get your septic tank pumped, beware because it can cause a bad odor to spread throughout your property. As the removal of waste and sludge occurs, your entire household will suffer from its smell.

In order to ensure that your septic tanks keep working properly, sign up for periodic septic tank pumping with a reliable contractor. They will send workers every few months to clean up your tank to ensure it does not clog and always works efficiently.

• Vinegar and Hot Water

This is one of the most useful septic tank remedies for keeping the main line of your septic tank clean and clear. For this, you need half a gallon of warm water and half a gallon of vinegar. Mix these two liquids together and flush them down the drain in the toilet closest to the tank’s mainline.

When you perform this home remedy, make sure it is right before you go to bed so the toilet does not come into use overnight.

When you wake up the next morning, flush your toilet again. This helps loosen up any build-up in the mainline and melts the grease, so your pipeline remains clean and unclogged for a longer period of time.

You should perform this home remedy at least once a month to ensure the full functionality of your septic tank system. 

Now that you know several septic tank home remedies, let’s learn how to know when your septic tank is full and needs a thorough cleansing.

How do you know if it is time to clean your septic tank?

Septic tanks are not always right in front of your eye, so it is practically impossible to know when they are full and require cleaning.

Yet, you should always have it in the back of your mind, as neglecting it can lead to bigger problems.

If you ask us, we would suggest you get your septic tank cleaned and emptied every four to five years.

Emptying your septic tank at this frequency prevents the build-up of sewage from forming, which can be a nightmare to get rid of. The Environmental Protection Agency gives the same instructions to all homeowners.

Secondly, you must hire a licensed and certified professional when you want to get your septic tank cleaned or emptied.

This is because you cannot afford an inexperienced individual causing damage to either your tank, pipes, or drainage field, as the repairs can be quite expensive.

Licensed professionals can proficiently remove the dirt and build-up from your septic tank, including breaking up the scum and solid waste.

We realize how gross everything sounds but trust us – it is extremely vital for the upkeep of your home’s drainage system!

Also, here are some tips for septic tank maintenance. Please give them a read and make sure to start implementing them ASAP!

Septic Tank Home Remedies Proven Tips For Septic Tank Maintenance

• Don’t Throw Meat or Vegetables in Garbage Disposal

If your home has a septic tank system, then using the garbage disposal to throw meat and vegetable scraps might be the worst thing you can do to your septic tank drainage system.

It is better to use a compost bin for discarding these items as it would clog the pipes.

• Don’t Throw Anything Greasy in the Garbage Disposal.

Grease can accumulate on the walls of pipes and tanks. With time, it can create a build-up that leads to clogging, and you will need to clean your septic tank more often than usually necessary.

• Don’t Pour Toxic Cleaners Down the Drain.

As mentioned above, toxic cleaners might effectively clean your septic tank system, but that comes at a greater cost. They will also damage and corrode the walls of your septic tank and even create holes in the pipelines, which could lead to leakage and other bigger issues down the line.

• Use Septic-Friendly Toilet Paper

A septic-safe toilet paper is ideal for homes with a septic tank system. This is because these toilet papers are designed to be easily broken down by bacteria when in the septic tank. As compared to regular toilet papers, they cause less harm. Also, if you are on a septic tank system, try to limit the use of toilet paper, whether septic-safe or not.

• Don’t Flush Anti-Bacterial Products.

While flushing anti-bacterial agents might sound like a good idea because it encourages septic tank hygiene, it can also lead to a lot of trouble if you have a septic tank system. For starters, it will ruin the bacterial balance inside your septic tank by killing them. If your septic tank does not have an ample quantity of bacteria inside, it will be unable to break down the solid waste and other dirt particles, which means it will fail to perform to its peak potential.

• Don’t Flush Unnecessary Things.

And lastly, NEVER flush anything besides human waste or toilet paper down the drain. The list of things that should never be flushed includes but is not limited to the following:

• Diapers
• Sanitary Pads
• Cigarette Butts
• Condoms
• Wipes
• Medicines
• Paper Towels
• Paint
• Pesticides

More Home Remedies For a Full Septic Tank

Dealing with a full septic tank can be challenging, but there are some home remedies for a full septic tank and some preventive measures you can take to manage the situation.

It’s important to remember that if your septic tank is full, professional servicing is often the most effective and safest solution.

However, here are a few tips to help in the meantime:

1. Conserve Water: Reduce your water usage to prevent the tank from overflowing. This includes avoiding long showers, fixing any leaks, and not running the dishwasher or washing machine unnecessarily.
2. Proper Waste Disposal: Be mindful of what goes down your drains. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste. Things like cooking oils, coffee grounds, and non-biodegradable items can clog the system.
3. Natural Bacterial Additives: Some homeowners use natural additives like yeast to help break down waste in the septic tank. While these aren’t a cure-all, they can assist in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your system.
4. Regular Pumping and Maintenance: Regularly scheduled pumping (typically every 3-5 years) is crucial for preventing septic tank overflows. If your tank is nearing capacity, it’s best to schedule a pump-out as soon as possible.
5. Drain Field Care: Ensure your drain field is free from heavy equipment, vehicles, and extensive root systems from nearby trees, as these can damage the field and reduce its effectiveness in filtering wastewater.
6. Monitor and Reduce Household Product Use: Some household cleaning products can disrupt the bacterial balance in the tank. Using septic-safe products and reducing the overall use of harsh chemicals can help maintain your septic system’s health.

Remember, while these tips can help manage a full septic tank, they are not permanent solutions.

If you’re experiencing issues like slow drains, bad odors, or water pooling near your drain field, it’s time to call a professional.

They can provide a thorough assessment and the necessary services to get your septic system back in top shape.

Septic Tank Home Remedies Final Conclusion:

So now you have a complete guide to maintaining and cleaning septic tanks with the help of septic tank home remedies.

Next time you encounter any problem with your septic tank, make sure to turn to this article. We hope you can find a solution that fits your needs!

For the best septic tank home remedies that can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars on potential future septic tank problems, be sure to check out our number #1 recommendation for septic tank maintenance on the link directly below.

More Home Remedies For A Full Septic Tank Video Tutorial