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Tissue's Destroy the septic tank?

Ceritus

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Jul 28, 2005
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Is it true that if you flush tissues for nose blowing ect will inevitably destroy your septic tank? I have heard this all my life and I have done it so many times and yet no tanks have been destroyed! I am just curious if there is any truth to this.
 
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So it's the lack of apostrophes that are to blame!

But what was the explanation you were given that tissues are not good? They are biodegradable and probably serve as a good surface for the bacteria to colonise.
 
Perhaps they speak of the effect "antibacterial" tissues might have on the tank microbes.
 
Ceritus said:
Is it true that if you flush tissues for nose blowing ect will inevitably destroy your septic tank? I have heard this all my life and I have done it so many times and yet no tanks have been destroyed! I am just curious if there is any truth to this.
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jerk!

Fair enough, I made a typo!
 
Kitchen paper has more "glue" in it so it stays strong and together even when wet. Toilet paper dissolves in water in minutes. That's better for all kinds of sewer treatment.
 
Yes, but I've often found that facial tissue holds together less well than toilet tissue, so what's the difference there?
 
ranson said:
Yes, but I've often found that facial tissue holds together less well than toilet tissue, so what's the difference there?
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Not much, really. But I guess the stories you've been told started their lives as that simple fact. So flush your tissues! The septic tank is safe.
 
I hope myth busters does a segment on this. I would really enjoy turning my grandmother's world upside down.
 
Paper can't destroy your septic tank (it's most likely a concrete box), but it can clog the lines that lead to your septic field. Solids settle to the bottom of the tank, the liquids come out the top into your septic lines/field. If too many solids build up (grease, paper, etc), you start putting solids in your septic lines. If paper (or anything solid) gets in the lines before it breaks down, you could have some clogging problems. Having your tank pumped regularly is cheap & good insurance against this - not to mention insurance against the subsequent hiring of a landscaper to clean up the mess that digging up & replacing of your septic lines & field (been there, done that).

BTW, our plumber recommends Scott's brand TP for septic systems - it seems to break down quicker.
 
The fibers in paper are cellulose, the same as in a "high fiber" grain products. So I wouldn't think the fibers are the problem. I know that glossy paper has clay in it, so don't wipe your self with Time magazine. Lots of papers use hide glue, which is water soluble. I suspect that all household 'tissues' are water soluble, in time. And don't forget all the soap in the sewer too, from dishs and laundry. I wonder where we could find comparisons of recipes for the binders used in different papers? Or do you think Scott would want you to know that their 3 types of household tissues are interchangable? Nose wipe, butt wipe, table wipe...why buy three when they are all the same?
 
Capsid said:
So it's the lack of apostrophes that are to blame!
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<Extreme pedant mode>
No. It's the lack (singular) of apostrophes that is to blame.
</Extreme pedant mode>


If you can help somebody, as you go along...:p
 
Ceritus said:
I hope myth busters does a segment on this. I would really enjoy turning my grandmother's world upside down.
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No need for Mythbusters, just call the company and asked. Some toilet paper still specifies whether it's septic safe (I assume they all are), and the current lack of septic tanks and... hey, why are you flushing tissues down the toilet, anyways? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HIDE?
 
Ceritus said:
I hope myth busters does a segment on this. I would really enjoy turning my grandmother's world upside down.
Click to expand...

Maybe then can also address the myth that you should dump yeast down the septic every once in a while? That will make her world spin...

(A septic system uses BACTERIA, darnit, not yeast)
 
I don't think ordinary tissues will cause any problem as long as they don't clog the lines. Once the paper gets to the tank it will rot pretty quickly. I recently had what was left of my 60-year old cesspool pumped to prepare for a new septic system. Even the most recent paper had been digested pretty quickly. Things like napkins and paper towels and diapers will cause plenty of problems, but mostly on the way to the tank.

But in the interest of saving water and energy, I wonder why anybody would want to flush tissues. That's what wastebaskets are for.
 
pgwenthold said:
A septic system uses BACTERIA, darnit, not yeast
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Yeast are unicellular fungi. Fungi are very important in the breakdown and recycling of organic matter. I don't know how well yeast is suited for the environment and available nutrients of a septic system, but it probably doesn't hurt to add it.
 
AK-Dave said:
Yeast are unicellular fungi. Fungi are very important in the breakdown and recycling of organic matter. I don't know how well yeast is suited for the environment and available nutrients of a septic system, but it probably doesn't hurt to add it.
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No, it doesn't hurt at all, which means that you should not worry about putting yeast down the septic tank.

But it doesn't HELP, either, which is the myth at hand ("you _should_ add yeast to your septic tank.") Yeast is not needed in a septic system.
 
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