The coronavirus has more of staying home, which means we are using more water. But we are also doing a lot more hand washing, cleaning, and laundry. If we aren’t careful the antibacterial cleaning supplies and excess water can have detrimental effects on the septic system.
Your septic system operates effectively only when there is the right balance of beneficial bacteria. The bacteria that live in the septic tank is responsible for breaking down solid waste. The bacteria can also prevent raw sewage from backing up into your home.
Do to the Coronavirus, we are all using more antibacterial soap and household cleaners. These products do a great job of killing all types bacteria and germs, even the ones that keep your septic tank working!
Home Guides recently published an article on the best way to prevent clogging or even wastewater coming into your home.
Products for cleaning septic systems can undermine the tank’s effectiveness. The septic system requires beneficial bacteria for breaking down waste. Proper septic system maintenance keeps the tank working and reduces the risk of wastewater backing up into the toilet.
It’s not just antibacterial soaps killing the bacteria in your septic tank, other products include:
Cleaners used in the tub, shower, sink, and tiles
Laundry detergents
Toilet bowl cleaners
Cleaners used to clean the countertops and floors
Drain cleaners
Industrial and commercial cleaners
Why does your septic tank need bacteria?
All the waste water from your home flows into the septic tank. Once there, the solids sink to the bottom of the tank, the oils and grease floats to the top, and the water in the middle flows out to the drain field.
The bacteria in the septic tank break down the solids that sink to the bottom of the tank. But the antibacterial soaps and cleaners don’t just kill the bacteria on your hands and in your home, they also kill the bacteria in your septic tank. Without this delicate balance of bacteria, means the solids aren’t breaking down.
What happens without the bacteria?
Which means it will need to be pumped and new bacteria added. When there isn’t any solids breaking down in the tank, it will quickly get full, and if not pumped out, with no where to go, it will back up into bathtubs and showers. Toilets may start to gurgle and not work effectively.
If your septic system has any issues during the Coronavirus don’t hesitate to contact Orlando Septic Services.
We understand it is never convenient to have a septic issue, this is why we offer 10% off for septic pumping for first time clients and 15% off for all veterans and seniors.
