Laundry Detergent Can Cause Septic Problems

Your Septic Problems May Be Linked to Laundry Detergent

Believe it or not there are many homeowners who do not understand that laundry detergent has a negative effect on your septic system.  If you are one of them, do not feel bad.  But please understand that laundry is the number one septic system killer.  Septic problems can be caused by a number of household products, some logical, others not so much.  Laundry detergent does the most damage due to the sheer amount of it deposited into septic systems each and every day.  If you are interested in learning more about the negative effects of laundry detergent and just how it causes septic problems, our experts explain in detail below.

Septic Systems, by definition, use naturally occurring bacteria to break down solid waste, paper, greases and fats.  In theory, solids go into your septic tank, where it is broken down into a liquid.  That liquid then travels through the lateral lines and out into your septic’s drain field.  Theoretically, that liquid is free of organic particles.  The reality is that over the years, quite a bit of particles of waste make their way into the drain field.   Once they come in contact with the soil, they are collected.  The soil acts as a natural filter and the particles of waste accumulate at the soil line.  Over 10-20 years this build up develops into what is called Bio Mat.  Bio Mat is the source of most septic problems.  But what actually causes this build up happens way earlier on, inside your septic tank.

In our homes, we tend to think about the importance of killing germs regularly.  We use anti bacterial soaps, bleach, household cleaners that kill 98% of all germs, etc.  We want to keep our family and loved ones clean.  What we dont think about is what happens to those soaps and cleaners when they go down the drain.  Well they keep killing germs.  HOWEVER in your septic system you need germs and bacteria, otherwise the waste wont be liquefied efficiently, causing build up to begin.  Laundry detergents are also designed to kill bacteria.  But coupled with bacteria kill off, laundry also stresses the system with large amounts of water being deposited all at once.  The combination of the two sends septic systems into peril.

In order to avoid the damage and the septic problems you can try to control what types of detergent and cleaners you use, or you can supplement septic bacteria monthly. By giving your system back the bacteria it looses each month you can avoid bio mat build up and as such the vast majority of septic problems.