Myths

Many myths exist in the septic industry today. These can range from how septic systems work to how to maintain them. The following will help you to distinguish between what is true and what has become myth.

Myth: You should throw a dead squirrel/cat/small animal/raw meat into a septic tank to help it work better.

Truth: This old wives tale has been around since septic tanks were first developed. You should never put any meat into the septic tank because it will not help it work better, it will most likely cause you more problems. Meat decomposes very slowly in a septic tank and does not help the bacteria work any better. Throwing a dead animal in the tank might cause your inlet and outlet pipes to get blocked and might jam one of the hoses of the company who pumps out the septic tank :-)

Myth: Septic systems are very hard to maintain and manage.

Truth: Most septic systems are quite easy to maintain. It usually takes only a few minutes a month, with nothing more than a good pair of boots and eyes to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Myth: You need to know a lot about septic systems to be able to properly take care of your system.

Truth: While it is recommended that you know all you can about your system, you do not need to know everything there is about it to take care of it. Though it is also recommended that someone with more experience with septic systems takes a looks at your system every now and then just to make sure.

Myth: It costs a fortune to get a septic system serviced.

Truth: In most cases the fee for getting serviced is very reasonable. Only in cases such as:

- the owner has an elaborate septic system such as a Eco-Flow system

- large system that takes much time to service

- located some distance from service company

can the cost be somewhat high. (a reminder: an Eco-Flow system must be serviced by an authorized Eco-Flow Technician or else you will void your warranty).

Myth: It doesn't really matter what you put into the septic tank.

Truth: This is very untrue. Things such as meat, bones and plastics do not decompose in the tank. These can pile up in the tank and cause problems like the blockage of pipes and backups into the building. These things can also clog the hoses of the person who comes to clean the tank.

Please e-mail us your myths to add them to our list.