Winter Care Routines That Work For Your Septic Tank

Isn’t it fun to spend time in the backyard during winters, soaking up the sunlight and feeling the warmth envelop you in a comforting embrace? But what a buzzkill it would be if the septic tank in your backyard gets choked with sludge and emits some rotten, noxious smell, and you find flies and cockroaches feasting on overflowing waste? It would be a disgusting sight indeed.

Let us first understand how a septic tank works. The waste from the kitchen and bathrooms flows into the septic tank. The heavy solid components of the waste settle at the bottom, oils, soap scum and grease float on the top, while the liquid effluent between the two flows out via the sewage network into the nearest large body of water. Sustainable Development Goals prescribe the standards for safe sanitation technology, and septic tanks and single pits are considered safe options that do not allow fecal waste to damage the environment or contaminate groundwater.

There are numerous indigenous bacteria in organic waste (kitchen and human waste) that get carried along to the septic tank. These bacteria work on the fecal matter that gets stored there. The bacteria digest all the organic waste, which reduces the volume of the waste. This process creates gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide and water that keeps the septic tank ‘fluid’. The waste that is undigested settles as sludge at the bottom of the septic tank.

Periodic cleaning of septic tanks is important to ensure that sludge accumulation does not choke the septic system. Besides, offensive smells from excessive sludge build-up can also move back up the pipes into the washroom and make the restroom ambience extremely unpleasant.

To keep the septic system functioning well in winters can be a challenge. The naturally occurring bacteria in the septic system are very sensitive to variations in temperature. During winters, low temperatures slow the bacteria down. It may even lead to the bacteria becoming dormant and not digesting the waste in the septic system at all. Ensuring that the septic system functions efficiently in winters is not easy. Choked drainage lines, sludge accumulation and offensive smell happen very often in winters in residential areas as well as commercial establishments, malls, restaurants, and hotels, IT parks, hospitals and offices.

At very low temperature, and in rare cases, the sludge in the septic tank may also freeze over, and that can worsen matters, causing sewage pipes to burst, or choke. Poorly planned or maintained drainage and sewerage system can worsen in winter months, and the microorganisms that keep the system healthy can become less efficient. Moreover, grease, oil, and fats that come with wastewater into the septic tanks thicken and accumulate in winters making the problem further unmanageable.

Just like bathroom cleaners, many chemical cleaners for septic tanks are also readily available. But they do not give lasting results, and exposure to these products can lead to many health issues. It cannot be debated that commercial cleaners have many chemicals that ostensibly give a sparkling shine to any bathroom. But they are corrosive and spoil the natural pH balance of the septic system. They also promise to disinfect the bathrooms but in reality are strong chemical formulations loaded with harsh chemicals that kill all bacteria that they come in contact with, whether good or bad. There is no doubt then, that when these formulations make their way to the septic system, they kill all the microscopic bacteria present there as well. And after the wastewater is released into water bodies, these chemicals also kill the aquatic animals there. Obviously, chemical-based cleaners are not good for you or for the environment or for your septic tank.

The first step to keep the septic system efficient in winters would be to have it emptied before winter sets in. After that, it is important to use cleaning products that boost the natural waste biodegradation process without causing any harm to the ecosystem of the septic tank. Biological cleaning products are completely biodegradable and do not harm the bacterial colonies in the septic tank. Their broad-spectrum power works better than most chemical-based cleaners as they boost the microflora in the septic tanks so that all waste is naturally and effectively decomposed. These products do not disturb the pH levels in the septic tank and are non-corrosive. It also makes sense to add bacteria to the septic tank since a healthy bacterial presence will ensure that maximum possible waste is digested. Apart from the indigenous bacteria, task-specific bacteria designed for wastewater degeneration can be used for the purpose.

Bioclean Septic is one such product that works well even in winters. Formulated with advanced microbial technology, it ensures optimal septic tank performance in any weather. It has a unique microbial combination that has a remarkable strain of microbes, that are strong enough to break down the sludge in septic tanks and sewage carrying pipes. The microbes secrete enzymes that digest all kinds of oils and fats, grease, starch and protein that come to the septic tank along with the organic waste. It is an environment-friendly solution that prevents clogging of the drainage systems and septic tanks while also reducing the cost of maintaining the septic tanks by eliminating the need for multiple sludge clean-ups.

Use Bioclean Septic on all outlets like washbasins, showers, faucets and toilet flushes, and you will see a substantial reduction in sludge accumulation and odours. With less use of chemicals, the cost of maintaining the septic system will also reduce significantly. Bioclean Septic inhibits the growth of putrefying bacteria and puts an end to foul smells. Blockages in pipes get dissolved, and there is no risk of overflow or backflow anymore. A 100% natural and safe cleaner, Bioclean Septic is a must for keeping septic tanks healthy in winters. What’s more, you will need the same dosage of Bioclean Septic in winter as during any other time of the year. One packet of 250 gms, used once a month, is sufficient for tanks up to 5000 litres. A healthy septic tank, no offensive smells, reduced cost of maintenance and complete peace of mind during winters – what more could you ask for, eh? Oh, a backyard? Sorry, that we can’t help with. But when you do get a backyard and want to grow a wonderful little garden there, we will be there to help.