If your home uses a septic system for waste evacuation, then you probably already know the importance of routine maintenance. A septic system that’s well taken care of will last just about as long as your house, whereas without proper maintenance, or if an accident damages part of the system, you can expect large costs for replacement. Hopefully by now you’ve consulted with a septic system professional in your area to learn more about basic maintenance practices. If not, it may be time to schedule an appointment.
Some aspects of maintaining your septic system are pretty obvious, while others can seem a little confusing to many people. One issue that often comes up when speaking with clients is chlorine tablets in Bethel, OH. If you have ever wondered what these are and why you should use them, read on for more information.
Some areas have local regulations dictating that wastewater and effluents must be sanitized prior to leaving the septic system. Even if your area does not have this type of regulation, sanitizing the wastewater prior to its leaving your septic system is still a good idea. The bacteria from non-treated effluent pose significant danger to humans. Treating the effluent almost completely reduces this possible threat, which is the principal reason for using chlorine tablets in Bethel, OH. Once placed inside of the septic tank, chlorine tablets will actually kill 99 percent of bacteria within about 10 minutes. After treatment, the wastewater can safely leave your septic system without endangering you or your family.
Chlorine tablets in Bethel, OH are specifically designed for septic system usage. In most cases the product can be found at any local hardware store, and will specifically mention on the packaging that it is meant to be used in a septic system. The tablets are also certified by the EPA to ensure they will properly treat the wastewater before it leaves your septic system. These types of chlorine tablets are actually composed of calcium hypochlorite. This distinction is very important—any other type of chlorine tablet not made solely for septic usage will often have other chemicals in them.
The most common other type of chlorine tablet you’re most likely to encounter at your local hardware store is for swimming pools. Under no circumstances should you attempt to use this type of tablet in your home septic system. For starters, it will not kill nearly as much bacteria, and more importantly, it can actually produce a chemical reaction that can lead to an explosion. For this reason, only buy chlorine tablets that are specifically made for septic systems.
Another option is to have a regular maintenance schedule with a septic system professional. As part of routine maintenance, they can insert the correct chlorine tablets into your septic tank, or demonstrate how its done so, in the future, you can perform the task yourself. Learning a few techniques, like how to properly treat your septic system’s wastewater, helps ensure a longer lasting and better functioning septic system. For any more questions about chlorine tablets, consider calling a professional today.
Another option is to have a regular maintenance schedule with a septic system professional. As part of routine maintenance, they can insert the correct chlorine tablets into your septic tank, or demonstrate how its done so, in the future, you can perform the task yourself. Learning a few techniques, like how to properly treat your septic system’s wastewater, helps ensure a longer lasting and better functioning septic system. For any more questions about chlorine tablets, consider calling a professional today.
Chlorine tablets in Bethel, OH are specifically designed for septic system usage. In most cases the product can be found at any local hardware store, and will specifically mention on the packaging that it is meant to be used in a septic system. The tablets are also certified by the EPA to ensure they will properly treat the wastewater before it leaves your septic system. These types of chlorine tablets are actually composed of calcium hypochlorite. This distinction is very important—any other type of chlorine tablet not made solely for septic usage will often have other chemicals in them.
If your home uses a septic system for waste evacuation, then you probably already know the importance of routine maintenance. A septic system that’s well taken care of will last just about as long as your house, whereas without proper maintenance, or if an accident damages part of the system, you can expect large costs for replacement. Hopefully by now you’ve consulted with a septic system professional in your area to learn more about basic maintenance practices. If not, it may be time to schedule an appointment.
Some aspects of maintaining your septic system are pretty obvious, while others can seem a little confusing to many people. One issue that often comes up when speaking with clients is chlorine tablets in Bethel, OH. If you have ever wondered what these are and why you should use them, read on for more information.
The most common other type of chlorine tablet you’re most likely to encounter at your local hardware store is for swimming pools. Under no circumstances should you attempt to use this type of tablet in your home septic system. For starters, it will not kill nearly as much bacteria, and more importantly, it can actually produce a chemical reaction that can lead to an explosion. For this reason, only buy chlorine tablets that are specifically made for septic systems.
Additionally, any pooling discharge from a failing system is a temptation to children or animals in the area. They can be infected by direct exposure or they can transport disease-causing organisms back to their homes. This stagnant water, with its high levels of organic material, also provides a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes identified as the primary carriers of the West Nile virus in Illinois.
As you may know from researching this topic, failing Septic Tanks are a major financial and environmental problem in this country. Expensive septic repairs can often run from $5,000 to $20,000 or more and a large number of systems are failing throughout the country. For news stories related to failing Septic Tanks and tightening regulations you can go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/failing-septic-systems/regulations/
Many people are either not keeping up with the maintenance of the mechanical system or they’re not putting the chlorine in correctly.” For example, some people are adding too many chlorine tablets, thinking that “more is better.” But doing this can cause the chlorine dispenser to clog, defeating its purpose of killing bacteriain wastewater.
Conventional septic systems typically discharge wastewater through an underground drainage field. However, many homeowners, particularly in areas with clay soils, have septic systems that discharge wastewater into surface water, such as a drainage ditch. For example, there are approximately 140,000 such systems in Illinois. In these types of systems, wastewater from the home goes into a concrete or plastic tank that has some type of compressor. The compressor pushes air through the water to provide oxygen for aerobic bacteria to decompose the organic material. After some solids settle to the bottom of the tank, wastewater then flows through a chlorine tablet dispenser to kill any remaining bacteria before it’s discharged out a pipe into a waterway or creek.
Pool chlorine is ineffective and dangerous
Here’s what the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) says about it at TCEQ.com:
“When disinfection of secondarily treated wastewater effluent is required and you are using chlorine tablets, it is important that you use a chlorine tablet that is made from calcium hypochlorite and is certified for wastewater disinfection by EPA. They are very reactive and will kill 99% of the bacteria present in the effluent within 10 minutes. Follow all warning and precaution statements of the chlorine tablet manufacturer to protect yourself and the system equipment.
WARNING: DO NOT use swimming pool chlorine tablets in your disinfection system. The chlorine in these tablets are made from trichlorisocyanuric acid. Swimming pool tablets dissolve more slowly than calcium hypochlorite and do not thoroughly disinfect the effluent. Additionally, there is a danger of explosion using swimming pool tablets since the tablets will release an explosive gas called nitrogen chloride due to the fact that they are not totally immersed in water at all times while in use. They are not approved by EPA for wastewater effluent disinfection.”
FAQ
Where do you put a tablet in a septic tank?
How many chlorine tablets are in a septic system?
How often should you put chlorine tablets in your septic tank?
Can you use pool chlorine tablets in septic system?
