Houses, particularly in the rural areas have septic tanks where the water from the sinks and toilets gets collected. The natural bacteria present in the tank are responsible for breaking down a huge amount of solid material into gas or liquid. However, the bacteria are unable to break down certain types of solids such as plastic and other similar materials. These solids settle down at the bottom of the septic tank and form sludge. The solids, which are lightweight float on the surface. Septic tank additives work towards breaking down such types of solids.
Septic additives are of two types biological and chemical. In fact, chemical additives are responsible for breaking up oil and grease. Some chemical additives contain sulfuric acid as the prime ingredient. Although, the acid is highly capable of breaking down heavy solids, it also causes a physical damage to the septic tank. Therefore, additives containing sulfuric acid are no more in production.
Unlike the chemical additives, biological additives contain bacteria, enzymes or yeast. In new septic systems, these additives act as starter agents. Flushing these additives down the toilet on a weekly or a monthly basis will keep your septic system in a good shape. Numerous studies have proved that biological additives cause no harm to the environment.
For almost more than four decades now, the effectiveness of septic tank additives have been a huge point of debate among researchers and the companies manufacturing septic additives. Some of the researchers are of the opinion that the anaerobic decomposition process is rarely of any use to the septic systems. However, experiments and researches carried on the recent past tell a different story.
Septic tank additives are easily available in the supermarkets and hardware stores nearby. You must have come across several septic additives commercials on the television as well as Internet. All of these claim to be the best. However, blindly falling for such claims will not really help. It is important that you choose an additive only after you have carried out a good amount of research. Before buying one, check out its ingredients.
Some chemical additives when flushed down the toilet or the sink may kill the bacteria present in the tank. Therefore, most of the experts suggest homeowners to go for organic septic additives. The best thing about these additives is that they, in most of the cases, eliminate the foul odor caused due to the over-filled septic tanks.
With some products the quality of bacteria in a biological additive is too small as compared to the quality already present in the tank; commercial grade additives with high count bacteria colonies will make a huge amount of difference. Most of the people are unable to differentiate between a biological and chemical additive and therefore, believe that additives kill all the good bacteria present in the septic tank. You need to know that the ones that kill bacteria are chemical additives and not the biological ones.
Even though there are various other ways that can help you in taking good care of your septic system, septic additive turns out to be one of the most effective ways. To get the most desirable results, it is important that you choose the right additives.