Septic tank question

[Blowmax10]

So I just found a place for rent for the same price as my apartment that is much more secure and out of the way

I went through all the paperwork and paid him - As he was walking out he said "by the way, don't flush toilet paper down the toilet - its too hard on the septic system"

This guy wants me to bag all my soiled toilet paper.

My question is, is he for real?

This can't be SOP with a septic system can it? You think he is just being extra cautious about it because he doesn't want to work on it or maybe he has had problems with it in the past and knows that there is a problem with it?


Need some input on this one - thanks

[slingshot]

That's a standard practice with septic tank systems. We're in the country and have a septic tank system, as well as most of our kinfolk. Everybody has a waste paper can sitting by the commode in each bathroom. In our case, we burn the used TP in our outside wood furnace. Think on the positive side: you can still flush your commode (if you have prepped a water supply) when the people on a sewer system may not be able to flush. If pumps are involved in a township sewer system when the grid goes down - they will be up s*&% creek without a paddle. No pun intended, well maybe a little bit intended.

[MustangGal]

I think it just depends. We have never done that, but DH P.O.'ed the guy who did the perk (or is it pert) test and we ended up with in excess of six hundred feet of lateral lines.

[tech]

It is a wise thing to NOT flush TP into a septic system. Not all TP breaks down readily, and if you get some of the stuff that doesn't decompose well, you will have problems.

Trust me, digging up part of your field is not a fun endeavor.

[Blowmax10]

ok so the next question is - what is the most sanity way to deal with the TP?

A open trash can next to the John full of waist isn't very appealing

[claymore]

Don't know how much it would cost, but maybe you could have the tank pumped out now and then. We've always just flushed everything down and never had a problem. Maybe talk with septic guy in town.

[1Admin]

Never heard this before. Heard don't flush tampoons, etc. but never TP. That's crazy.

I can't remember but just once or twice in my life living in a place where the DWV system was hooked up to a city sewer. Pretty much all the time it was septics.

8 years at one place in FL and 12 years in FloriGabama on septics. The FL one was never pumped out and never had any problems. We have pumped ours now twice in 12 years just to "be sure". Who wants the S to HTF with a tank full of S? ;)

Maybe it's actually a cesspool type deal instead of a septic? Maybe his waste run wasn't laid out too good and a big wad of tp clogs it?

Odd...

[Rmplstlskn]

In a bug-in event, a TP bag/can might be a good idea, but in normal times, it is not necessary in a PROPERLY OPERATING septic system that gets pumped out at least once or twice a decade. I wouldn't live in a place that demanded I bag up my used TP...

Back in the 80's-90's, I worked for a small water/wastewater utility company and had to pump out a few septic tanks and lift stations. What is a MUCH, MUCH bigger problem is GREASE... Kitchen grease and food scraps being dumped down the drain, into your septic tank, where it floats to the surface and CAKES and HARDENS. That is the true KILLER of septic systems, which is why zero food waste, oils and greases go down our kitchen drains.

Since you are a renter, you cannot control when or how often a septic tank is pumped, so you are at the mercy of the landowner and his demands. But I can tell you, I do not bag my stinky, sticky TP into a can or bags. Peee-uuuuu!

[monkeybird]

I've been using septic systems for many years. First for 19 years in Orlando, than 4 years in Huntsville, and a total of 12 years in Panama City. Have flushed toilet paper down every one of them and have NEVER had a problem.

1Adm is right - if TP causes a problem - it's not a properly functioning septic system.

[barfife]

I've been using septic systems for many years. First for 19 years in Orlando, than 4 years in Huntsville, and a total of 12 years in Panama City. Have flushed toilet paper down every one of them and have NEVER had a problem.

1Adm is right - if TP causes a problem - it's not a properly functioning septic system.

Having had septic tanks for over 50 yrs, I have only had to pump one (the current residence and it was over 20 yrs old and never pumped and it cost $225).

We have always been careful not to put grease and tampons down the pipes. Toilet paper has never been an issue.

You can also purchase chemicals to flush down your toilet once a month that will help the solid waste decompose easier.

[HDM]

After living with septic systems for most of my 53 years and building houses for many years I can tell you that I have only heard of this one other time and I told them they were crazy. If you can't flush the TP you might as well use a slop bucket!

[MustangGal]

We installed our septic system and have lived here for almost 23 years. Last year we had our tank pumped for the first time.

[old guy]

The TP in the bag concept goes WAY back to my grandparents day. Septic systems were usually way undersized and the TP that was made then wouldn't break down like most of today's will. My grandfather was the first liscensed plumber in his part of south Texas, and insisted on bag and burn the paper. He spent hours enlightening us on how to properly maintain a septic system. However, Grandpa and the other early plumbers were as full of stuff as the septic takn was! I've flushed the paper all of my life and I've hever had a tank pumped. Worry about the kitchen waste, not the TP!

[Bud]

Holy smokes!

We have lived in our 116 year old house for the past 27 years and we flush toilet paper as usual and normal. We have had the tank emptied once, one year ago, and have excperienced no problems.

When i first read this, I went "whhhaaattttt?????" and then asked several of my neighbors who had exactly the same reaction.

We all use toilet paper made for septic/rv systems which for most of is is made by Scott and is marked "Septic Safe".

We do not use a sink garbage disposal but TP is quite safe.

[Blowmax10]

I called the owner of the place back today and told him that something was fishy about what he wanted me to do - I told him that the brand of TP I already use is marked as "septic safe"

After a bit of a chat he relented on his position of bagging the stuff - I agreed to buy the chemicals to treat the septic system once a month or whatever the package calls for - He seems like a reasonable guy