If you have a septic system in your home, you know how important it is to keep it functioning properly. A septic system treats all the wastewater that comes from your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room and disposes of it safely in the soil.

However, not everything that goes down your drain is good for your septic system. Some things can harm the system and cause clogs, leaks, backups, or contamination of the environment. Here are some of the things that you should never put in your septic system and why they are bad for it.

Non-Biodegradable Waste

Non-biodegradable waste is anything that does not break down easily or at all by the bacteria in your septic tank. This includes items like diapers, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, wipes, and synthetic fibers.

These items can accumulate in your septic tank and reduce its capacity to hold wastewater. They can also clog the pipes that lead to the drainfield, where the wastewater is filtered by the soil. This can cause sewage to back up into your home or overflow onto the surface of your yard.

Garbage Disposal Waste

Garbage disposals are convenient for getting rid of food scraps, but they can also send too much solid waste into your septic system. Food waste does not decompose as fast as human waste, and it can add extra organic matter and grease to your septic tank. This can overload the system and make it work harder to digest the waste. It can also increase the frequency of pumping your septic tank, which can be costly and inconvenient.

Chemicals and Toxins

Chemicals and toxins are substances that can kill or harm the bacteria in your septic tank or contaminate the soil and water around it. These include solvents, paint thinners, pesticides, motor fluids, fuels, bleach, drain cleaners, and some household cleaners.

These chemicals can disrupt the biological balance in your septic tank and prevent it from treating the wastewater effectively. They can also leach into the drainfield and pollute the groundwater or surface water with harmful substances.

Plants and Roots

Plants and roots are not something that you put in your septic system intentionally, but they can still damage it if they grow too close to it. Shrubs and trees can have roots that penetrate the pipes or the tank of your septic system and cause cracks or blockages. This can lead to leaks or backups of sewage in your home or yard. Grass is usually fine to grow over your drainfield, but avoid planting anything else that has deep roots or needs a lot of water.

If you are having issues with your septic system and need septic repairs, contact a plumber in your local area.