How to Break Down Poop in a Septic Tank

Your septic tank collects solid waste from your home's plumbing.

A home that is not attached to city plumbing requires its own septic tank to collect solid waste. A healthy septic tank will produce its own natural bacteria to help break down the build up of material. If not properly cared for, a septic tank can become backed up and cause an expensive problem for homeowners. This can be avoided by not flushing foreign objects and using a septic system treatment to add beneficial bacteria and enzymes.

Things You'll Need

• Rid X septic system treatment

Instructions

1. Determine the size of your home's septic tank. If your home is three bedrooms or less, the standard septic tank size is 1,000 gallons. For each additional room, add 250 gallons to the total size of the tank. Your tank size will determine the amount of Rid X needed.

2. Open the Rid X container and pour all of the powder into your toilet bowl. You can do this from any toilet in your home.

3. Flush the toilet. Try to refrain from long showers or laundry for about four hours afterward.

4. Wash your hands after handling Rid X.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on its size, your septic tank should be pumped every three to five years. Adding a septic treatment to your tank will help break down solid materials and keep your tank at low level but does not eliminate the need for pumping.

References

• The Septic System Owner's Manual - Paperback; Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones and Peter Aschwanden; Feb. 2007

Resources

• Rid X Frequently Asked Questions