Many homeowners dread having to make an appointment to have a septic tank repair done on their property. Usually, septic system and tank damage is the result of not having the tank pumped on a regular schedule.
One of the mistakes that many homeowners make is to try to maintain septic tanks themselves. One popular method for preventing and breaking up clogs is pouring Epsom salt down the home toilet. Knowing how this practice impacts septic tanks is important before scheduling your next septic tank pumping.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is the market name for magnesium sulfate. This is a material that has several uses throughout the home and other areas of a person’s life. Epsom salt has been used to ease muscle aches and even remove splinters from the skin.
Aside from these health benefits, Epsom salt is also used in:
- Gardening,
- Methods to improve sleep,
- Crafts,
- And skincare
It is evident that the material is used to help better our lives, but the real question lies in why people are flushing these salts into their septic tanks. Also, is it worth it?
Does Epsom Salt Damage Septic Tanks?
The short answer to this question is no, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a great thing to flush into a septic tank. Many people believe that flushing Epsom salt will help to speed up the breakdown of waste in their septic tanks.
Septic tanks need to operate at a certain PH level in order to be considered effective and in good condition. Epsom salt is believed to be acidic enough to break down septic waste, increase the effectiveness of your tank, and decrease the need for having a local professional pump the tank on a regular basis.
Although the salts have the power to unclog a toilet, regardless of the type of system that you have, the impact that Epsom salt will have on your system will be minimal coming from a typical household. In order for the acidic benefits of Epsom salt to really take effect, a very large amount of the substance would need to be flushed down into the tank.
Epsom Salt Impacts on Drain Fields
Although Epsom salt may not be powerful enough to clear out septic tanks, this doesn’t mean it can’t be useful in a drain field. One the salts pass through the tank and initial system, into the field, it raises the magnesium levels of the soil in ways that other methods just cannot.
This impact won’t have an effect on your system, however, the plants and grasses that grow in the area will benefit from it and grow stronger and healthier than ever.
Clean Your Septic Tank the Efficient Way Through Texas Johns
It’s clear that Epsom salt, while seemingly a good idea, is generally a fruitless effort unless you are pouring hundreds of pounds of the material into a tank. Don’t waste your money on something that is only a possibility for a clean tank. Get in touch with the pros at Texas Johns to schedule a septic tank pumping to ensure a healthy septic system.
