We recently moved to the country and now have a septic system. Someone told us they put a package of yeast into the tank, twice a year, to keep it working well. If this is a good thing, is there a certain time of year that it should be done? Has anyone heard of this or done it? Any other suggestions. We've never had a septic system before. Thank you.

-- Janet in Kansas (whisperingpines@terraworld.net), November 29, 2001

Answers

We have had a septic system for years and have never had any problems with ours. We don't flush any toilet tissue down ours, also our washer does not go into the septic, as I have heard that the detergents mess up the bacteria. Also using bleach is not a good idea. I have heard of using yeast but I never have. I don't hink it would matter when you startd using it, because I imagine with it being underground the temperature remains pretty consistent.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 29, 2001.

I have an OLD septic tank and I add a package of yeast once a month. We have to have our tank pumped about once a year, and the septic guy said that adding the yeast was a good idea. Just flush it down the toilet. The main caution is to watch your bathroom toilet waste amount and if you have a disposal to only use it sparingly and then to run it very good. I have had septic tanks on other farms and had no problems. The problems here are from the tank being so old and us being a family of 5.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), November 29, 2001.

We just got a new to the tune of a $30 deposit and $2800. I've heard to put the yeast in at least once a month.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), November 29, 2001.

We have had septic tanks for over 20 years and there a few things you should never do: no washing machine water down them, the detergents kill the good bacteria; no bleach EVER; no paper except Scott tissue or the like that comes in 1000 sheet rolls, no two ply tissue; no Kleenex, nothing but Scott tissue; nothing other than human waste goes down the toilet, not food, nothing else; never, ever use the Charmin or Northern type toilet tissue, will clog up the system quicker than anything!!!

We have gone as long as 10 years and more before the tank needs pumped out so we must be doing something right.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), November 29, 2001.

We have a septic system as well. I have, in the past, purchased those packets of bacteria stuff to flush down. I have only done it twice in about three years. Our gray water goes out to the orchard, so the septic will not get those chemicals. It still gets the stuff from when we clean the bathroom, etc., so I try to add something every now and then. I have also read to flush a packet of yeast and some brown sugar to keep the septic going.

-- notnow (notnow@blabla.com), November 29, 2001.

If you bake yeast breads often you should not have to add yeast separately, I was told.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), November 29, 2001.

We have a septic system and it requires a little care. We never flush down bleach, or antibacterial soap/detergents. We don't use a garbage disposal, and don't flush down grease or food. I use a phosphate free, safe (they say) laundry detergent. We use a "safe for septic systems" toilet paper but if your unsure you can get a small container of water-say an empty peanut butter jar, and put three or four sheets of toilet paper in and fill with water. Shake pretty hard for a few seconds-if the paper breaks up pretty well its ok. I don't do all my laundry at once- I spread it out over the week, and we have a low flush toilet. I don't buy anything to put down the drain-I bake bread and make yogurt pretty regularly and my husband brews his own beer so we figure enough yeast gets dumped in. Now ours is pretty new, but my In-laws have used this system for thirty years and have not had any problems.

-- Kelly (Ksaderholm@yahoo.com), November 29, 2001.

We don't put anything as far as yeast down ours. We have a front loader that uses less detergent than top loaders do, and we compost most things. Although we do have a garbage disposal (came with the house), we seldom run it (I will occasionally run it while the dishwasher is draining).

What causes most septics to fail is too much water at once (doing load after load of laundry (which you do without a second thought on sewer), people taking showers/baths one right after the other, dishwashers, etc.). Early septic tanks were not designed to be large enough to handle homes with washing machines, dishwashers, and all the water they pump into the system. I think newer ones have double tanks or something.

We didn't have a washer growing up--put TP and whatever other normal things go down a septic, cleaners, etc., and it also went 10+ years without pumping.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 16, 2002.

My mom's septic system was installed in 1971. She has never had it pumped out, never adds anything to help it work (like yeast), has a washing machine (we were a family of four when I was at home), has two bathrooms and puts all different brands of toilet tissue down the toilet but has never had a problem with hers except for tree roots that got into the pipe between the house and the tank.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), January 16, 2002.