The Mushroom Factor

Figuring my septic saga has readers sitting on pins and needles of suspense, I’m continuing with a follow-up.

We’ve recently been blessed with two visits in two days from the liquid and solid waste recycling company (doesn’t that sound so much cleaner than it actually is?) Happily, we now are unplugged and ready for use. But not without some interesting conversation with James, a very knowledgeable journeyman plumber. He offered further advice on how home owners can help the environment, pamper their delicate septic systems and defer what could easily be a $20,000 replacement.

Water, Pee and Poo

According to James, the knowledgeable plumber, we should be putting only three things into our septic systems. You’ve got it, I won’t repeat them again. To help my very right-sided brain visualize, he compared the septic system to the human stomach. They are very similar and both use bacteria to digest solids. In fact, the very bacteria present in human solid wastes is necessary for their decomposition in a septic system. When we introduce unnatural substances into our septic systems, we disrupt the chemical balance and kill the natural bacteria.

Ladies, are we listening? I know we hear this over and over, but once again let us be told we should not be flushing our you-know-what’s down the toilet. As if I don’t hear that enough from my husband. I can’t tell you how painful it is to admit he’s right.

But what about the biodegradable feminine hygiene products on the market? Are these bad too?

Apparently so. According to James, the plumber, these products are designed to be passable in newer systems with pvc piping. Even in these systems, however, they are slow to decompose. This, combined with other destructive factors such as artificial scents in feminine products and toilet papers which disrupt the chemical balance, creates a reduced life span for the septic system, whether old or new.

Which brings us to toilet paper. Of course, we have to add this to our list of three allowables. It’s an allowable and necessary sub-item. But we should keep it as that—a sub-item. While delicate on our derriere, today’s multi-ply toilet paper is not so delicate in the septic. Like feminine products, toilet paper today is taking much too long to break down. It’s also clogging in the pipes, as was the case with our system.

Now here’s another interesting issue. We know we shouldn’t be flushing food down our toilets. In fact, if you have an old septic, it’s advised you do not have a garbage disposal. Food disrupts the chemical balance of the system. But what I found concerning was the plumber’s mention of medication. He said they’re finding more and more chemical imbalances in the septic systems due to pharmaceutical residues retained in human wastes. Not only are pharmaceuticals showing up in our water supplies, they also are leeching their way into the soil through our septic systems.

Obviously, there’s more to flushing the toilet than one cares to think about. But, believe me, thinking green is much better than seeing another color that was rising in my toilet a few days ago!

Whether it’s in March or April, Easter in the Midwest is never predictable. This year certainly was an example. Various areas in southern Wisconsin received 7-12 inches of heavy, wet snow, which made for a true March Madness.

Unpredictable madness can also occur when living in an old house, especially a country house. Take for example, this Easter weekend. A houseful of company proved too much for our old, old septic system and it strategically chose to back up just as everyone was settling in for the weekend. Needless to say, they didn’t stay around too long!

So, what do you do when nasty, foul smelling you-know-what begins working its way up your lines and near to overflowing the toilet? 

Well, you act pretty darn fast. One unfortunate person—yeah, you got it, that handy husband of mine—had to remove the stuff while everyone else made less-than-handy suggestions such as “Uh, would you mind shutting the bathroom door so the odor doesn’t come through the rest of the house?” The same handy and now considerably less cheerful guy also had to dig an 18-inch hole to the expose the septic cover for pumping. Did I mention it’s still winter here in Wisconsin? 

Septic systems are definitely something to consider if you’re contemplating life in an old country house. Barry Chalofsky, in his article for Old House Journal, describes the ins and outs of old house septic system care. I won’t necessarily promote the article as fascinating—you have to remember the topic at hand here. But, as one who’s lived and cared for an old system for twenty years, or rather my husband has, I can vouch for the author’s informative advice: flush only biodegradable paper products, avoid planting invasive vegetation near the tank and disposal field, and have your tank pumped periodically.

So, you could say we had a crappy Easter. Well, not completely. Remember, we’re easy-going people and above all, Easter means a lot to us.

Jesus lives!