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By way of excuse, I enjoy the off topics that emerge on FR when a Freeper seeks some oddball advice. I know there's a Freeper out there that knows a lot about septic tanks and the best way to manage them. I have a property that has a delicate septic system and I want to treat it in such a way as to avoid stressing it. I was considering getting RV type toilet paper, which dissolves much more easily, and using Rid-X regularly. I have been told that it doesn't help any--but it seems to sell well over many years, so some people must believe in it.

Advice would be appreciated.

1 posted on 09/15/2007 2:42:52 PM PDT by Mamzelle
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To: Mamzelle

I’ve always wondered the same thing!


2 posted on 09/15/2007 2:46:40 PM PDT by acoulterfan
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To: Mamzelle
No need to buy RV toilet paper, just an extra expense for something you can buy off the shelf. If you have any questions about the paper breaking down, just put a few pieces in the jar with water and shake, if it breaks up you are set.
3 posted on 09/15/2007 2:49:21 PM PDT by engrpat
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To: Mamzelle
From the guy who cleaned out our septic tank NO it doesn't’t.

And I tend to believe him cus until he told us we used it religiously.

4 posted on 09/15/2007 2:49:55 PM PDT by RedMonqey ( The truth is never PC)
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To: Mamzelle

If you’re down to one sheet of tissue... try using only a half.


5 posted on 09/15/2007 2:50:13 PM PDT by johnny7 ("But that one on the far left... he had crazy eyes")
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To: Mamzelle

From the guy who cleaned out our septic tank NO it doesn’t.

And I tend to believe him cus until he told us we used it religiosly. It didn’t seem to make any difference


6 posted on 09/15/2007 2:50:51 PM PDT by RedMonqey ( The truth is never PC)
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To: Mamzelle

I don’t know about older septic systems, but my newer one (it’s more of a mini treatment plant, by Norweco) doesn’t need anything like that... just don’t dump tons of bleach or other junk into it.


7 posted on 09/15/2007 2:51:21 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: Mamzelle

Well Mamzelle, you came to the right place.

Here’s what you do. Rid-X won’t hurt anything. It doesn’t help but feel free to throw your money away.

Yes, get special toilet paper. Don’t need RV stuff...we use Scotts...one thousand sheets per roll and says “safe for septic systems”. Used it at our old house with a septic system and here. Available at most stores.

Now...here’s the secret...”IF IT’S YELLOW LET IT MELLOW; IF IT’S BROWN, FLUSH IT DOWN”

Put a trash can next to the toilet and tell all females to depost their toilet paper there after use. Get a trash can with a lid to avoid smells.

I do laundry once a month. Buy everybody a whole bunch of underwear and socks and tell them when the laundry will be done...NO EXCEPTIONS.

Be cognizant of shower and dishwasher usage.

I love septic systems. Treated right, they are the way God meant it to be. All the squirrels, deer, birds and bugs on the planet poop and pee right into the ground. A septic drain field makes your grass and flowers grow.

Tell that to the enviro-wackos.


8 posted on 09/15/2007 2:56:10 PM PDT by Fishtalk (http://patfish.blogspot.com)
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To: Mamzelle

as someone in rural Maine who has been on the recieving end of a bad septic system, I will give you my two cents..

If you add that to the tank, it may break down the sludge in the tank as advertised but the sludge will particulate into small pieces and clog up your pipes in the leech field. This obviously creates an even worse problem. My advice, pump the tank once every two years depending upon size of the tank and how many in the household.


9 posted on 09/15/2007 2:57:10 PM PDT by DeusExMachina05 (I will not go into Dhimmitude quietly.)
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To: Mamzelle
Crappy Vanity!

; )

10 posted on 09/15/2007 2:57:19 PM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: Mamzelle
The septic tank pumping guys have told me the same thing that the other posters have said: Rid-x doesn't work.

However, a few years ago, I wanted to get rid of the flesh from a deer's head so that I would have a nice pretty skull for display. I put the head in a garbage can full of water and Rid-x. The flesh was completely gone (skin, hair, muscle, cartilage, everything) in just a couple of weeks. Rid-x did a much better job than maggots.

So, I think maybe Rid-x does work.

11 posted on 09/15/2007 3:01:51 PM PDT by j. earl carter
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To: Mamzelle

One way to avoid stress on your system is to limit the amount of water that flows through it. The more liquids that it has to handle, the shorter the time that solids suspended in that liquid are in the tank(s) to break down. As such, low flow toilets and shower heads are recommended. Also, washing one load of laundry a day is much better for your system than having a “wash day.” Another thing to consider is a lint trap on the outflow of your clothes washer, as synthetic fibers in many fabrics do not break down in the tank at all and help clog drain fields over time.


16 posted on 09/15/2007 3:13:14 PM PDT by Sparticus (Libs, they're so open minded that their brains leaked out.)
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To: Mamzelle
"Seeking ways to avoid stressing a delicate septic system."

Have you considered a change in diet perhaps?

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

17 posted on 09/15/2007 3:14:29 PM PDT by expatguy (Support Conservative Blogging - "An American Expat in Southeast Asia")
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To: Mamzelle

Sorry, couldn't help myself :)

18 posted on 09/15/2007 3:16:06 PM PDT by upchuck (The President has an Agenda, and it's not promoting The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave.)
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To: Mamzelle

The biggest clogger of septics is the polyester fibers from your washing machine. They do not break down. Put a secondary filter on the washer line and check it every 2-3 months.


20 posted on 09/15/2007 3:19:36 PM PDT by mirkwood (Come to visit Maine now..The weather is perfect.)
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To: Mamzelle

I’ve been using Roebic for 20 years and haven’t experienced a problem with my septic system. I empty one quart of Roebic K-37 Septic Tank Treatment sometime in the fall before cold weather sets in. One (quart) bottle treats a 500 gallon septic tank. And my lawn experience great growth because of the increase in worm activity (I was told that the increase in clumps of dirt signified increased worms which means I had a good lawn).


22 posted on 09/15/2007 3:25:48 PM PDT by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: Mamzelle

Yes, but it tastes terrible...


23 posted on 09/15/2007 3:26:30 PM PDT by tje
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To: Mamzelle

My Grandparents had a septic system that lasted over 40 years and it was still working fine when the tank finally rusted completely through, a few years ago. I dont remember it being pumped out in the past 25 years...

She claims it lasted that long because of two things.
They always use only white toilet paper and they flush a package of yeast down the toilet once a month...


24 posted on 09/15/2007 3:33:05 PM PDT by AzNASCARfan
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To: Mamzelle

BTW, friends of mine in their late 70s buy a block of yeast and crumple it into their toilets and take care of their septic sytem that way. They’ve use that procedure for years without any septic problems.


25 posted on 09/15/2007 3:34:01 PM PDT by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: Mamzelle
Does Rid-X work?

Exlax works better.

26 posted on 09/15/2007 3:37:32 PM PDT by South40
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To: Mamzelle

Oh boy, I agreed to an offer for this septic stuff in a gel pouch. They sent me a bucket full of the pouches, and charged me 200.00 bucks! I’m sending it back.

I was expecting one pouch, which was supposedly free.

Try Scott brand toilet paper. Try not use bleach, or any other chemicals that are not septic safe. Yeah, it’s a bitch, but I’ve lived with septic overflows...


27 posted on 09/15/2007 3:40:44 PM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (Midnight Hallway Hockey scores: Cats 3-Humans 0)
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