Should You Add Bacteria To Your Septic Tank? (Explained)

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A good deal of conducted research has proven that there is no overall positive effect to expect from adding bacteria to a septic system. Also, adding bacteria to your septic tank could cause more harm and damage to the tank. Seek professional advice before adding anything to your septic tank.

septic tank lid

Should I Add Anything To my Septic System?

People either add stuff to the septic system that isn’t meant to be there or don’t remove what has built up over time, which causes most septic problems.

Septic systems work best when only human waste is put in them, and kitchen and laundry waste should be minimized.

Septic system backups can be prevented by buying a variety of products found at grocery stores and pharmacies. There’s a widely held fallacy that if you put something in your septic system, you won’t have to worry about having to have your tank pumped out again.

The opposite is true, as you will see.

Septic tank sludge cannot be cured with a single chemical. Any septic tank’s primary goal is to keep solids contained in the tank and separate them from liquids.

Solids from your septic tank may only be removed using a vacuum truck to pump them out.

For example, several businesses use the claim that the sale of septic system additives helps maintain the tank’s microbial balance to sell their products. The truth is that every time you flush the toilet, bacteria are added to the tank.

Additives aren’t necessary until the system is overloaded or residents are flushing things down the toilet or drain that they shouldn’t be flushing down the drain.

A decent balance of bacteria can’t still exist in systems that are constantly subjected to abuse, even when additions are used.

Should You Add Bacteria to Your Septic Tank?

It’s possible that introducing bacteria will help keep the bacterial population more steady if you predict that your septic tank users will overburden the system or place items in the toilet or drains they shouldn’t (such as chemicals or sanitary products).

Many products on the market claim to add healthy bacteria to the septic system, so you should be able to discover one that works for you. Because these products are readily available, there is no longer any ambiguity regarding what kind of treatment to take or how much to use.

Another benefit of ingesting yeast is that it has been proven to add healthy bacteria to your waste. So you can choose to pour some yeast into your septic tank rather than use some store-bought chemical.

If you don’t feel the need to pump empty your tank just yet, you can keep using it.

You must, however, seek expert assistance as soon as signs of stress appear. If your tank does not have enough healthy bacteria, it will have an unpleasant odor since the bacteria cannot properly break down the waste.

The trash in your tank, by its very nature, should generate its own microorganisms. If there aren’t enough bacteria present to stimulate waste breakdown as quickly as needed, this can happen.

Talk to your septic services specialist if you’re still not sure about adding bacteria to your septic tank. To be on the safe side, get guidance from someone who has already shown their worth as an expert.

How to Add Good Bacteria to a Septic Tank?

It’s important to note that not all bacteria flushed down your toilet are “healthy,” which means they can’t all break down trash quickly. In addition, not all bacteria are capable of breaking down waste such as grease and toilet paper.

Cleaning agents such as bleach, washing detergents, chemical drain cleaners, and other household cleaners kill “good” bacteria; therefore, it’s important to refill them when necessary. These are the reasons a septic tank has to be supplemented with “good” bacteria. To introduce beneficial bacteria to a septic tank, follow these simple instructions:

  1. Find out the best products recommended by the firm that maintains your septic tank. A treatment that is only available through them may be recommended. The Washington State Department of Health gives consumers plenty of approved options.
  2. An excellent choice for your tank treatment is one that promotes beneficial bacteria while also being suitable for the type of septic system you use.
  3. Once a month, flush a packet of dry brewer’s yeast down the basement toilet. The yeast will aid in the growth of beneficial bacteria in your septic tank, which will speed up the process of decomposing waste.

Solids, grease, and oil are separated from wastewater before it enters the drain field by your septic tank. Water is cleaned, and organic particles are broken down by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria found in the tank. Grease and oils accumulate as “scum” on the tank’s surface.

Those solids that can’t be broken down, known as sludge, settle to the bottom of the tank. The liquid that collects in the space between the two membranes is channeled into the drain.

Consequently, every three to five years, even the best-functioning septic system will necessitate septic tank pumping. If your tank’s bacteria balance appears to be out of whack, it’s time to pump it.

Even a ten-year-old septic system may require an upgrade or replacement.

Do Septic Tank Additives Really Work?

There debates raging on the effectiveness of septic tank additives. The most common reason people are advised against utilizing septic tank additives is the belief that they totally eliminate the need for other maintenance methods.

While additives may improve the efficiency and longevity of septic systems, the septic system owner must still continue with the regular pumping schedule.

Septic tank additives from chemicals can harm the septic tank by eliminating good bacteria and polluting the environment. Therefore, it’s smart to avoid them altogether.

On the other hand, biological additives are safe for the environment, safe for the septic tank, and actually help improve the tank’s efficiency and longevity.

The only caution when opting for biological additives is that all biological additives are not made equal. Opt for additives that are only made from bacteria and enzymes.

Cement septic tank for waste water.

Bacteria As a Septic Additive Ingredient

After feces waste and you flush the toilet, you’ll be adding good bacteria to the septic tank because of your waste.

The digestive secretions of the human body contain a wide variety of bacteria. A pH balance and normal body temperature are ideal conditions for these microorganisms.

So why would you need to add bacterial additions to your septic system? There are a few reasons for this.

It will help the septic system run more efficiently by introducing specialist bacteria, which are better equipped to deal with temperature and pH changes naturally occurring in a system.

Second, most people inadvertently flush dangerous things down the toilet daily, which kills microorganisms. Using a good biological additive to replenish the system is important since hazardous compounds deplete bacteria and alter pH levels.

By using a biological component such as Bio-Sol, millions of bacteria and enzymes are introduced into your sewer system. This results in a cleaner sewer system.