TP and septic systems

[uppityperson]

I just cruised through another top forum and it got me thinking about toilet paper and septic fields. Don't ask. We have used Scott single ply for yrs because it is what Mr.UP thinks is best for the septic, but I really hate that thin rough fast dissolving stuff. So, knowing we all have opinions and someones might have some facts too, any opinions or facts about the best TP to use with a septic? Thanks.

[trotsky]

1. I grew up with a septic system.

My mom INSISTED on Charmin. The soft stuff. We never used anything else, and we never had a problem with our tank.

[Kali]

13. Really? Charmin seems to clog our "system" more than any other brand.

I can handle Scott just fine, but the wimpy men in the house need softer. Usually get Northern on sale or Safeway brand. Neither seem to clog thing much.

[Warpy]

2. All of it will break down eventually

but you really want to stay away from the toilet clogging premium stuff, plus any brands that feature dyes and fragrances. Enough of it can overwhelm your system.

I used good old scratch yer butt, 1000 sheets per roll Scott. I still use it because here in the desert with ultra low flow toilets, that this stuff just doesn't go down.

Scott seems like a good compromise between the industrial stuff that really does abrade your pink parts and the toilet clogger brands.

[uppityperson]

3. That is the stuff we use too.

No scented or extra bitty stuff but it just would be nice to get past "scratch yer butt, 1000 sheets per roll Scott"

[napi21]

4. I've lived in houses with septic systems all my life. We USED to use

Scott or whatever other package said "single ply". For the last 2 years, we've been buying our TP from Costco (their brand). It's not only single ply, but fairly soft and disintigrates rapidly when it hits the water. Great price too!

[uppityperson]

5. Thanks, I've thought of buying Costco brand, it's softer? that would be nice.

[napi21]

9. Yes and not just my opinion. My sil was visiting this summer, and

she lives in a VERY EXPENSIVE house on a lake in Va. They have a septic tank too. She came into our LR and said I LOVE IT that Costco TP is so much softer than that grungy stuff we've been using, and it's single ply too! I'm switching to THAT!

[pscot]

6. Regular use of a garbage disposal

puts a lot more stress on the system than any TP. Have it pumped every few years and keep the drain field in good working order and it should be fine.

[uppityperson]

7. We have a big dog and a bunch of chickens. No garbage disposal.

Just dealing with the tp issue here. Think will try Costco brand single ply next time and see if Mr even notices.

[enough]

8. To be blunt, don't flush the TP unless it is actually soiled.

Put the merely wet TP into a bag and burn it. This will cut down drastically on amount of TP the septic system has to handle. We got this advice from a guy who install/services septic systems.

[Vincardog]

10. we put all the used TP in a garbage bag and throw it all in the garbage. None in the septic tank.

[Upton]

12. We do the exact same thing

The TP was having an annoying habit of clogging up where the wastewater enters the tank.

[unkachuck]

19. some tanks....

....have a baffle at the inlet....this area might get clogged when it rains hard and the solids rise....I broke my concrete inlet baffle out with an iron bar and let it fall to the bottom of the tank....now the solids can rise and fall at the inlet without wedging between the inlet and baffle....

....also, an old 4 inch cast iron drain pipe from the house to the tank may rust/scale up and the hole may shrink to less than 2 inches inside diameter....long hair will snag on this rust/scale and build up over time blocking flow....you may have to rod this pipe out periodically depending on how many people use the system....we keep strainers in the tubs to keep hair from going down and we use short silk stockings on the washer drain to keep the lint out....

[LWolf]

11. I use the scotts.

I actually prefer it. I don't have to change the rolls as frequently. I've never had a problem with it.

A year ago, I got a house guest. She prefers the soft cushy stuff, and was been using it in the bathroom at the other end of the house. When plunging became a routine activity, I insisted that she use the scotts. No problems since.

[hippywife]

14. We use Angel Soft.

Our septic tank was installed 11 years ago. We just had it pumped out for the very first time this past fall. So no problems here with TP. I absolutely hate, hate, hate Scott TP. We got some free and it's kept in the cabinet for emergency need only.

I stopped using the disposal, mostly because we compost everything. And washing laundry a little at a time through the week rather than all at once on the weekends does help, too. Keeps too much water at once from overwhelming the system.

[NMDemDist2]

15. that's what we use too, and I've taken your advice on the couple loads of laundry

a day instead of all on Sunday

luckily, on an average week we only do 3 loads anyway and I still do the most on Sunday when the electricity is cheaper, but have taken to doing a load or two on Saturdays too

[randr]

16. Regular addition of a septic bacterial product

is a must. This alone will extend the life of the system
Information:
http://www.soil.ncsu.edu/publications/Soilfacts/AG-439-13/

[NMDemDist2]

17. huh?

Are Septic-Tank Cleaners Necessary?

No. These products include biologically based materials (bacteria, enzymes, and yeast), inorganic chemicals (acids and bases), or organic chemicals (including solvents). They do not reduce the need for regular pumping of the septic tank. Some of these products contain organic chemicals and may even damage the drainfield or contaminate the groundwater and nearby wells.

[randr]

18. We have been using a non toxic additive

maybe once every two years on a system we built with our house 25 years ago. Two boys and two girls and a routine of only biodegradable products along with infrequent use of disposal have been through the system.
Never have needed to pump. I even dug up the lid a few years back out of curiosity and found a healthy tank with no significant accumulation. I suspect the condition of the leach field and percolation of surrounding soils has more to do with how long a system lasts than most of our considerations.