Washing powder clogging drains

J

jrewing

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We are experiencing problems with our drains becoming clogged with washing powder. This built up to the point where we had to get a specialist drain company in to clear the drains last week. This is no doubt caused by the fact that we have very little slope to the septic tank, which leads to washing maching outflow moving very slowly through the pipes and settling out.

Is there a magic solution to this problem ? Would moving to a certain type of powder, or to a liquid detergent help ? Is there something that can be added to the drain at intervals to prevent such build up ?
 
I'd say you must be using too much powder in the first instance, is your water hard or soft? Limescale can deposit on pipework and reduce their effectiveness leading to build-upof sediment and grease. If you have an unsoftened, hardwater supply you should consider getting a softener installed. This will enable you to reduce the amount of detergents you use which are not good for a septic tank system anyway.
 
I would recommend the liquitabs like Aeriel or Bold. This would definately alleviate the problem with the washing powder clogging drains..... " and you only need one in every wash" :D
 
Perhaps I am wrong here but my understanding is that a water softener itself isn't the best for septic tanks. I think its something to do with the brine wash which is produced during the rengeneration process of the softener.
On a side note with regard to septic tanks and washing powder I believe its better to use non bio powders.
 
Its my understanding that washing machine wast-pipe should go to a seperate soak-pit and never to a septic tank
 
Nothing should be going to the septic tank only the waste from the toilets. The waste water from the house, sinks, bath, washing machine etc. goes to a different soakaway. Are you sure it's going into the septic tank? The washing powders, in my experience, do not disolve sufficiently in the machine unless it's on a hot wash (60c ) which is why I had to stop using the powders long ago and changed to washing liquid. This will keep your drains healthy. Can you alter the slope of the drain? sounds as if it would be worth doing.
 
I have a similiar problem. we are digging a better slope to solve it. my dishwasher was a culprit but you can buy finish dishwasher cleaner which clears its pipes. I use lidl liquid in washing machine as I find it more gentle on children's skin than non- bio brands. I do the washing mostly on a quick wash which uses less water and does the job perfectly. Some things need the full wash obviously but mostly they don't. I'll post again when our problem is sorted.
 
Swallows said:
Nothing should be going to the septic tank only the waste from the toilets. The waste water from the house, sinks, bath, washing machine etc. goes to a different soakaway.
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WRONG! Never divert foul water (waste water from WCs, WHBs, sinks, baths, washing machines, dishwashers etc) to a soakaway- if you do so you can contaminate the groundwater as the waste passes, untreated down to the water table. There is a common misconception that washing machines should not discharge waste to a septic tank- a septic tank system which is properly designed and constructed with adequate percolation areas should be able to handle the waste from a domestic machine. Consult the Irish standard SR^: 1991 for further info on septic tanks.
 
Carpenter said:
- a septic tank system which is properly designed and constructed with adequate percolation areas should be able to handle the waste from a domestic machine. Consult the Irish standard SR^: 1991 for further info on septic tanks.
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I come accross so many people that have this problem on an ongoing basis ie. after a couple of years, the washing powder is responsible for clogging up the system. In laymans terms, what does this standard mentioned above include to prevent this buildup?
 
That's SR6, 1991.
The EPA site has a guidance document which may be of help:

[broken link removed]
 
I'll quote from the document (as a coincindence I've just corrected a work colleague who was advising someone incorrectly this morning with regard to washing machines and soakaways!) as follows:

"The concensus of modern expertise favours the treatment of all domestic sewage in a single septic tank. Since household detergents and disinfectants have no adverse effects on septic tank operation, the tank design given in these recommendations is intended for the discharge of all domestic sewage. However under no circumstances should rainwater or surface water or farmyard washings be discharged into septic tanks."

I rarely come across an older septic tank installation that was properly designed or constructed in accordance with SR6. It is well known that percolation tests and their results were often "fudged" or manipulated so as to ensure acceptance when the soil conditions were clearly unsuitable and not appropriate for their use. Tanks are often undersize and percolation areas poorly constructed, poorly located or of indaequate area. This is why we have such problems with poor water quality in many parts of the country. Thankfully local authorities are tightening up on this aspect but as SR6 states: "In many areas in Ireland the soil and subsoil are unsuitable for the treatment and disposal of septic tank effluent. consequently dwellings with septic tank systems are not recommended in these areas and alternative suitable sites should be chosen if at all possible."

I am not suggesting that the OPs tank installation is in any way sub standard but perhaps it is worth investigating the basics, such as tank size, length of percolation area etc. We are all using more water now due to increased reliance on washing machines, dishwashers etc and this places an additional burden on septic tanks. Use of too much detergents is not a good idea anyway and does impact on the environment. As a by the way most people with septic tanks don't realise that it is recommended that the tank be inspected twice a year and that desludging is essential to ensure correct performance; again SR6 provides detailed information on all this.
 
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Is it right that you should not use bleach if you have a septic tank as it kills the bacteria that allow it to work?
 
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