You may have heard of these additives that suppliers claim provide an effective alternative to getting your septic tank emptied regularly. But what a lot of you may be wondering is whether they really work, or whether they actually are a sustainable alternative to getting your septic tank emptied annually.

WHAT ARE THESE ADDITIVES?

The additives in question are said to provide biological treatment for digesting organic waste. The producers behind the substances claim that they are made up of completely organic product and will not counteract the necessary bacteria already in your septic tank. They are said to reduce the need for repeated tank clear outs and soak-away repairs or replacements, naturally restore and maintain sewage systems, unclog drainage systems and remove odours.

To utilise them, it would require you to pour the liquid down your toilet at regular intervals. These intervals must be met otherwise this will lessen their effectiveness.

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS SAY?

Researchers have stated that, for septic tanks, there’s really no need to add bacteria.  This is because, in the UK, the moderate climate means that the rate of anaerobic digestion is very slow, meaning that sewage systems, such as septic tanks, function more as a sedimentation tank than a bio-digester. What this means is that physical processes are much more important than biological ones, so there is no need to try to optimise the biological processes with additives. A healthy sewage system should already have all the micro-organisms it needs, and therefore you may be doing more harm than good by adding these substances to your sewage system in its long-term life-cycle.

Scientists advise that maintaining a healthy sewage system can be achieved by monitoring water usage and ensuring that it is emptied regularly in accordance with the rate at which it is filling up.

ARE ADDITIVES A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

The Environment Agency states that you should have your septic tank or sewage treatment plant emptied every twelve months regardless of whether it is full or not. Therefore, with the cost of these additives at around £30-£50 a year, you will still need to arrange for annual sewage clearances to be made at an additional charge.

Finally, for the additives to take effect, it requires monthly maintenance work on your part, remembering to add them in order to ensure optimal effectiveness. Is it worth the hassle?

What do you think? Do additives really work? Leave your comments below.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY SEWAGE SYSTEM?

Ultimately, maintaining your sewage system will save you money in the long run. In accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations, regular maintenance and repair work should be undertaken and may cost roughly between £200 and £300 annually, whereas replacing a damaged system can incur a one off cost up to £14,000.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT YOUR SYSTEM IS FAILING?

Look – check for pooling of wastewater or muddy ground surrounding your sewage system. Also, check for your sink and toilet backing up.

Smell – check for odours of sewage or a ‘rotten egg’ smell around your system or even in your basement or cellar.

HERE ARE SOME HOME REMEDIES! 

Be water conscious – the volume of water your tank can hold will determine how often you need to empty it. If your tank holds less than 1000 gallons it will fill up faster and require servicing more regularly, therefore monitoring your water usage can greatly improve your systems working capacity.

Protect your tank – try not to put anything heavy on the ground over or around your tank or soak-away such as a shed, parked car, above ground pool or hot tub. This can compromise the effectiveness of the soak-away.

Only flush biodegradable products – ideally only toilet paper and waste water should be flushed down your toilet; try not to flush anything non-biodegradable or chemicals. Flushing solids down your toilet can clog the tank and soak-away and chemicals can kill bacteria that help break down solids.

Finally… Consult the Experts! – SepticTanksAndCesspits offer a comprehensive maintenance & repair service, providing inspections and pump repairs in order to ensure your sewage system is running smoothly.