Did you know there are many designs and sizes of septic systems? These vary greatly, depending upon whether it is in your neighborhood or across the country. They are divided into conventional and alternative systems.
According to the Journal of Urban Planning and Development, septic systems should be maintained appropriately to reduce surface and groundwater pollution as well as public health hazard potential.
Coming up with a suitable septic system requires taking numerous factors into account. These include lot size, site slope, soil type, household size, weather conditions, and proximity to sensitive water bodies.
Primarily the two components of a septic system are a septic tank and a drain field. The tank is designed to treat wastewater. It does this by capturing and restricting the soil-clogging particles from reaching the drain field, which is a distribution device of one or more drain lines.
Septic Systems — What You Need to Know
Septic systems and tanks may be unheard of for you if you have always been in a place that is connected to the main sewage line. For those who use it, it is of utmost importance.
Simply put, a septic tank is an underwater sedimentation tank that treats wastewater by biologically decomposing and draining it.
It can digest all kinds of organic and separate floatable matter such as solids, grease, and oils. It uses two pipes, inlet, and outlet pipes.
The inlet pipe mainly transports the water waste and collects it in the septic tank. Afterward, the outlet pipe or drain field moves out the processed wastewater out of the septic tank. This ultimately ends up spread evenly in the soil and watercourses.
The top layer is mostly made of grease and oils and is commonly called ‘scum’. Due to the density differences, it floats above all the waste. The middle layer is mainly wastewater with all the particles. The lower layer is comprised of particles and forms a sludge layer, which is heavier than water.
The most common type of septic system is the conventional gravity system. They are simple, and affordable, especially for small businesses or single households.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe for Septic Systems?
Yes, absolutely. Most often, septic system users manually add hydrogen peroxide to their setups to minimize pollution and odors. This is because septic systems heavily rely on creating an oxygenated environment. The environment is best suited for aerobic bacteria to thrive in.
When chlorine or bleach is used, it removes oxygen compounds from the water. However, hydrogen peroxide adds oxygen, reinforcing aerobic bacteria growth. This is beneficial bacteria that will aid in the proper functioning of the septic system.
Why Do You Need to Clean Septic Systems?
To ensure that your septic system is running smoothly and properly, it is vital to regularly pump and inspect your system. This will help to keep your onsite wastewater system running longer.
Other advantages of a clean septic system are that you can avoid costly repairs and protect your water quality. This will yield you a stronger system at a relatively lower cost.
#1 To Avoid Scum Buildup
According to the Owner’s Guide of Septic System, experts strongly recommend that you should pump your tank every 2 years. Nonetheless, this number depends on wastewater quality and quantity.
If you leave it for too long, scum and sludge can build up. This may be further carried into the drain field.
If the drain field is clogged, it can fail and may require replacement. The functioning may be reduced as the sludge and scum particles reduce the amount of available room for holding wastewater.
#2 To Minimize Costly Repairs
Many may overlook the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of septic systems as it is usually not visible. However, keeping up-to-date with your system can save you quite a bit of money in the long term.
If your septic system is not properly maintained, over time it may require more intensive repairs or even complete replacement. This will cost you multiple times the original price. Moreover, your property’s value will increase if you have a properly functioning septic system.
#3 To Kill Pathogens
If you have a malfunctioning or poorly running septic system, it will tend to release viruses, bacteria, and chemical toxins into the local waterways. This means that contaminated groundwater can pose a danger to drinking water and the surrounding environment.
There are good microbes and bacteria essential for the septic system to help break down the waste buildup.
However, during the cleaning process, you have to ensure that only the pathogenic microorganisms are eliminated and not the beneficial bacteria as the organic matter in the wastewater cannot be removed without them.
What Is the Best Cleaning Agent for Septic Systems?
Many cleaning products containing ammonia as well as water-based cleansers are safe for septic systems. But the best cleaning agent is hydrogen peroxide as it adds oxygen instead of removing it, unlike other cleaners.
Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water upon entering the septic system. It has been used successfully and widely recommended by many because it does not harm the bacterial ecosystem within the septic system when it is diluted correctly.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Septic Systems
If you have a household or small business using a septic system, you may want to consider using hydrogen peroxide to clean the tanks. It will be a cost-effective and low-maintenance method to ensure the proper functioning of your septic system.
You do not need any fancy or expensive equipment for this process as you can manually add hydrogen peroxide to your septic system.
#1 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Septic Systems
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizing agent. It is even better than any aeration system or chlorine and potassium permanganate.
It breaks down and decomposes into water and oxygen. The end-product does not leave any chemical residues as by-products.
When hydrogen peroxide is added, there is a large amount of dissolved oxygen released due to the potent oxidizing effect. Hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the manganese, iron, and sulfur to a solid form which is removed by the catalytic carbon. It overrides chlorine as well as a cleaning agent due to its chemical composition.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
When you add a pint of hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water, it can be used as an excellent disinfecting and cleaning agent. It is very effective in eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. However, you will notice a significant change in the septic odors.
There will be almost an odorless environment in your septic system after you introduce hydrogen peroxide into it.
A study describes this process as a method for prophylactically treating septic tank effluent beds. To be fully effective, the hydrogen peroxide should reach the crusted, clogged, and anaerobic areas of the tank.
Do not add to a bed full of standing water as the inaccessibility of the target areas will fail.
Avoid These Mistakes!
Hydrogen peroxide is fantastic to use as a cleansing agent in your septic system but you have to ensure the proper use.
The diluting solution quantity should be carefully measured while cleaning your septic tanks. This is because hydrogen peroxide is very useful and harmless when it is in its diluted form.
However, its pure form can be dangerous as it can harm the ground and affect drinking water. When using it, you have to make sure to store your dark-bottle stock of hydrogen peroxide in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, pets, and children.
#2 Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Oxidize Septic Systems
Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile oxidizing agent. It is reliable and environmentally friendly making it a strong oxidizer suitable to destroy a variety of pollutants. The only factors to keep in mind are control temperature, pH, and reaction time.
You do not need any additional additives or fancy equipment for this process. This is particularly beneficial for stubborn pollutants. You can use the combination with iron as catalyzed oxidation for rapid destruction.
What You Need
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Water
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
You can simply combine a pint of hydrogen peroxide with a gallon of water and introduce the mixture into your septic system.
When it reaches to the point of biologically active wastewater, the hydrogen peroxide will readily break down. It will decompose and give oxygen and water as by-products.
The reaction releases large amounts of oxygen and will allow the aerobic bacteria to grow and thrive in the environment. This will allow more effective functionality.
This process is particularly beneficial in situations where an oxygen deficiency exists due to heavy septic tank loading or insufficient aeration.
Avoid These Mistakes!
When handling hydrogen peroxide in your process, ensure to have eyewash and clean water ready as well as goggles and gloves in case of accidents.
Depending on the size and scale of your septic system, you can use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, but with caution. You can use any grade of hydrogen peroxide but it is preferred to use stabilized technical grades for extra safety.
Even though you can inject any point or several points in your system, it is better to simply pump, or pour the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution down the vent pipes which are normally located at the end of the distribution drain lines.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Septic Systems?
If you have a household septic tank, it is recommended to pump it every three to five years. Most septic tanks are sized between 1000 and 2000 gallons. If you are a family of four with a 1000-gallon tank, you should pump it every 2.5 years.
Typically, more people will produce more waste and this will result in affecting the frequency of when you should clean your septic tanks.
Furthermore, the cleaning items like cleaners, soaps, and chemicals that you use in your household also play a role in influencing the septic pumping frequency.
Why Is Hydrogen Peroxide Perfect for Septic Systems?
Hydrogen peroxide is ideal for septic systems due to it being a natural and environmentally friendly product. It has no toxic by-products.
It will remove any odors from the waste water systems, in a budget-friendly method. You can use it for easily maintaining your septic system for a longer period with minimal extra effort.
Incredible Oxidizing Properties Facilitate the Aerobic Bacteria
Hydrogen peroxide has been used over the years and has quickly replaced chlorination to eliminate odors and sulfide oxidation for stronger wastewater treatment. Upon coming into contact, it rapidly decomposes and produces oxygen.
This prevents the spread of anaerobic spores and creates an environment for aerobic microbes to thrive.
Aerobic bacteria are the kinds that are highly resistant against household waste and cleaners. They are also the best when it comes to breaking down human solids. This beneficial bacteria converts organic mater into carbon dioxide and new biomass.
During the process, air continuously circulates around the tank and eventually combines with the wastewater. The microorganisms feed on the waste contained in the water.
Antifungal Properties Keeps Fungi at Bay
Using hydrogen peroxide causes a significant decrease in total and individual fungi species. According to the Centers for Disease Control, hydrogen peroxide is very effective against fungi, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and yeasts.
Apart from septic systems, hydrogen peroxide is also readily used as a fungicide on just about anything. This includes growing crops, home surfaces, infections, body parts, and much more. However, you should note that it is not recommended to use hydrogen peroxide for internal body infections.
Ease-of-Use and Widespread Availability Add to the Convenience
Hydrogen peroxide is a antimicrobial chemical which is widely used and available in just about anywhere. It is used in both gas and liquid forms in multiple concentrations for all kinds of disinfection, preservation, and sterilizarion applications.
Moreover, it has a robust, potent, and broad spectrum antimocrobial activity. This makes it an excellent natural chemical with flexible use and a large safety index compared to many other commercial microbiocides.
You can easily source it from the first aid sections in any pharmacy or grocery stores, making it a convenient household item to have on hand at any time.
It may cause irritation to eyes, nose, skin, and throat when used in its concentrated form, depending on the level of exposure. Simply ensure to use it with caution, and store it safely.
What Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration Is Ideal for Septic Systems?
Hydrogen peroxide solutions are widely available in many different concentrations and strengths. The various options to use depend on the intention. The common variants are 3%, 6-10%, 35%, and up to 90%.
The lowest, 3%, is the safest and recommended concentration of hydrogen peroxide that you should use for this purpose. It will clean your septic tanks effectively and is safe to use. The 6-10% hydrogen peroxide is the common ingredient used in cosmetic products.
35% hydrogen peroxide is a food-grade level used commercially. In spite of its name, it is not advisable for anyone to consume it. The highest concentration, 90% hydrogen peroxide, is exclusively for industrial purposes and not intended for personal or home use.
The Takeaway
Keeping your septic system perfectly clean is as essential as it gets when it comes to maintaining home equipment. Any issues in the septic system directly affect your family’s health. Therefore, you cannot risk it by using a chemical that you aren’t sure of.
Hydrogen peroxide yet again proves to be the perfect solution for you in this regard. Its all-start properties make it ideal for cleaning septic systems.
Maintaining a septic system is not expensive but it can be quite costly to do the repairs from scratch. Therefore, we recommend you to ensure proper cleaning for a smoothly running septic system.
So, order your set today!
