Washers and Septic Systems

[cadman]

Just curious how many members use septic systems with their washer collections.....

As I understand it, there are two problems here: microscopic lint clogging the drain field, and too much water too quickly pushing effluent out of the tank and also upsetting the "digestion" balance.

Has anyone had the opportunity to size their system with washers in mind? Did you install a separate graywater pit? Any expert recommendations? What's been everyone's experience?

 

[rpm]

one reason they clog and back up,

I have heard one of the reasons septic systems get backed up is do to lint.
With so many modern fibers made out of synthetic fibers, they don't break down naturally like wool or cotton.

 

[petek]

In 12 years we never had one problem. I have no idea what size the tank or field was. The only thing I was adamant about was absolutely positively NO bleach or bleach containing cleaners used in the house. As well I would pour a pouch of Septo Bac down the sink every month provided I remembered to do it. Sometimes two pouches just for the hell of it LOL

 

[gyrafoam]

In the old days when people used a lot of chlorine bleach, people liked to by-pass the septic line and run the washing machine hose out into the yard to drain. (Supposedly all the constant use of bleach would kill the bacterial growth needed to break-down the solid waste in the septic system.)Of course, local ordinances apply. In the neighborhood I grew up in people who did that were pretty stealthy about it. In my best friend's grandparents neighborhood everybody did it and no one thought anything about it---sometimes they would just run the hose down the middle of the driveway and drain right into the street! Go figya.

It did not kill the grass though and in the heat of the summer you always knew where the wash water went from the sight of healthy grass at the end of the drain hose!

Of course dishwasher detergent can contain chlorine too, but considering all the food particles than are emmited I don't think the yard would be too good for that.

Just food for thought.

 

[turquoisedude]

Funny, but I have been wondering what the effect of the GE condensor dryer is going to be on our septic system...
My father was a building inspector for 45 years and he always reminds me not to use a lot of bleach for laundry or general cleaning, too.
I have seen some filtration units for washers and I have been thinking about getting one. I remember some people used to put an old stocking over the discharge hose on their washer to catch lint, too. I guess that would be fine if you drain into a tub, but I can't imagine it being any good with a standpipe...
The one thing I find odd about newer washers is the lack of a lint filter... I grew up with a sucession of GE Filter-Flo machines, my first Kenmore right up to the last Viking I bought had some kind of lint filter. My '21st' Century Magic Chef and GE washers have no filter, alas!

 

[cycla-fabric]

I was wondering about that too with washers discharged into septic systems. I have a septic and only 1 washer discharges into the septic at this time and the other machines go outside. I have a filter on the end of the hose to catch the lint from the Kenmore since the filter cleans itself when draining and does it produce lint so why put it down the drain. I know I have a healthy septic and have it pumped out every 3 years like clockwork. As you have to take care of them otherwise if they fail, you are in for some big bucks in getting a new one. Once I finish working in the utility room getting it set up the way I want, my 3 machines will all discharge outside in the yard and not into the septic.

 

[brisnat81]

In Australia, Septics usually handle black water and a greywater system takes care of the the grey water.

Growing up our septic handled the Toilets only, and all other water went into a well that was then pumped onto the garden.

That system always seems to work pretty well, and we never have the worry of overloading the septic.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Bleach and Septics

Considering the size of most septic tanks, a few cups of bleach now and then isn't really going to hurt anything. We had one for years in a vacation home we had, and mom believed in the power of bleach! Never a problem with the septic tank or the drain field. Problems generally occur in improperly sized systems or drain fields that are too small to handle the discharge of the tank. The more piping you have, the better off you are! It was funny watching the grass turn bright green that lied over the drain field, while the rest was just blah. I guess the phosphates of the day helped too!

 

[gansky1]

A reasonable amount of bleach shouldn't harm any septic system, especially if you're adding the healthy enzymes now and then. I know several people with septic systems and they have never had problems with any type of cleaners, bleach, etc.

Here is a little gadget to filter the wash-water before it goes into the house drain - looks like it would catch most of the offending lint that might clog the drain field.

septicsnooper.com

 

[toggleswitch2]

Softener.

Heard that is a big no-no in septic systems in that is clogs and interfers and the like....

 

[bpetersxx]

Have to ask Dad but Grandma used Final Touch and Downey for decades in her GE and Maytag washers and she had a Septic tank next to the house

 

[johnb300m]

An old dress sock or nylon stocking work great on the end of a washer hose too.

My aunts have well and septic. their well regen. water is put into the sump pump so that water goes to the yard, not interfering with the septic.

 

[gizmo]

We have one of these systems, an all waste worm farm composting system. It is different to a septic as it is not full of water - the tank contains a compost pile, all the waste empties onto the pile, liquid slowly percolates down through it and drains to the disposal field down the hill from the tank. It works fantastic, no smell and for two people should only need to be emptied every 20 years or so. You don't empty liquid, only clean compost which is removed with a hand cranked auger placed down the empty chute.
I don't use chlorine bleach and generally choose gentle/enviro products but I do use a citrus-oil based cleaner which the worms might not like. We have had not one minutes trouble with it.

Chris.

Biopod™ Systems | Waterflow NZ

It's all in the Pod. Nature meets innovation in a gently aerated wastewater system that’s compact and simple to install, even on challenging sites.

www.biolytix.com

 

[cadman]

Sounds like some good ideas!

Reason I was curious is that while I did build a graywater pit when my foundation was being excavated/poured, I still have no idea how well it'll work...especially in Iowa winters : ) Fast forward to now and I'm laying plans for the septic and may have to fall back on it at times for the washers. I've run the gpm numbers and it looks like I'll be alright. And it sounds like a lot of folks are trouble free, I just wonder how many of them have my penchant for sending a handful of machines into final spin at the same time!! : )

Thanks guys-