Sodium Hydroxide and the Septic tank

[george kirkpatrick]

Do you know if NaOH is detrimental to the "life" of a septic tank?

[Kirk Kerekes]

In article <georgek-0404...@ppp37.humboldt1.com>,
geo...@humboldt1.com (george kirkpatrick) wrote:

. Do you know if NaOH is detrimental to the "life" of a septic tank?

Like nearly everything else, it depends on how much. Filling the tank with
NaOH crystals would probably be a really bad decision. Putting a cupful of
them into a 1000 gallon tank would probably have no measurable impact on
septic performance.

A few tablespoons flushed down a sink drain is just about certain to have
no impact.

In all instances (except for the fill-the-tank absurdity) the lye will
react with organic material in the tank, forming reasonably innocuous
substances.

I would be more worried about putting copper compounds down the septic.

--
Kirk and Diane Kerekes/Red Gate Ranch
X-Face by "Saving Face" <http://www.santafe.edu/~smfr/utils.html>

[Dion Hollenbeck]

>> george kirkpatrick writes:

gk> Do you know if NaOH is detrimental to the "life" of a septic tank?

Certainly is. So is vinegar. You will have to have some quantative
measure of how much acid or base you are talking about in how much
septic volume. Then you can begin to calculate the effect in terms of
pH. A little of most anything base or acid (note: no hydrocarbons)
will not harm a septic tank because of massive dilution. To be
accurate, you would also need to know the chemical contents of the
septic system when you introduce acid or base, so that you can have
some measure of the sytem's buffering capabilities. A well buffered
solution can take much more acid or base without affecting the pH than
one with a small buffering capacity. For example, distilled water has
very poor buffering capacity and will be affected by a very small
amount of acid or base. Most detergents you use in your clothes
washer are basic and in normal quantities will not harm the life in
the septic system.

I know these things in general from college chemistry, but that was so
long ago, I cannot help you with equations to figure out. Also, maybe
someone else has a more "practical" explanation of how to figure out
how much acid or base is OK in a septic tank.

Also, if you have a concrete septic tank, undiluted strong acid that
comes in contact with the concrete will eat it badly, so even if a
small amount of undiluted acid will not be detrimental to the septic
system in terms of pH, if it gets on the concrete, you could have
trouble down the road.

dion

--
Dion Hollenbeck (619)597-7080x164 Email: hol...@vigra.com
http://www.vigra.com/~hollen
Sr. Software Engineer - Vigra Div. of Visicom Labs San Diego, California

[s...@mail.csonline.net]

In article <georgek-0404...@ppp37.humboldt1.com>,
geo...@humboldt1.com (george kirkpatrick) wrote:
>

> Do you know if NaOH is detrimental to the "life" of a septic tank?
>

NaOH will clean the septic tank as advertized, and do a fine job of it.
Problem is the septic tank is supposed to be "dirty", thats its purpouse in
life. Any kind of peroxide will disolve organic solids, but not as
effeciently as the natural anarobic bacteria that do the job (slower but
better). These solidified solids will then go the leach field where they will
creat a biological mat at the soil interface. Esentially, creating a plastic
liner under the gravel. Presto, you now have an inground swimming pool.
DON'T US IT. Pump the septic tank out once every 2 - 5 years, depending on
the size of the tank, how many people use it, and what you dump down the
drain. DO NO OTHER MAINTANCE. If your system still leaks sewage to the
surface or to a ditch, the damage is done, you will have to replace the field.
Make sure your state doesn't require permits to do repairs before doning any
thing that could cost you big in fines.

Rich

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[lion...@gmail.com]

The simple way to fix a clogged drain field is first to have the tank pumped. Then on the discharge side take about a 6 foot piece of 1 inch hose and insert it into the drain field line through the discharge side and leave enough to insert a large funnel. Take a five gallon bucket and put 3 inches of caustic soda in it and fill with water. I use a bucket with a lid and spout and fill it with a hose through the spout. Be very careful not to breath it or come in contact with it. Its acid pure and simple. It gets very hot. Then pour it into the drain line funnel slowly and let sit. I did this three times over 4 days before the 1000 gallon tank filled up. 5 loads of laundry, dishwasher, and many showers later it's working perfectly. Before it was plugged solid and over flowing

[Ken Olson]

On 6/14/2017 12:57 PM, lion...@gmail.com wrote:
> The simple way to fix a clogged drain field is first to have the tank pumped. Then on the discharge side take about a 6 foot piece of 1 inch hose and insert it into the drain field line through the discharge side and leave enough to insert a large funnel. Take a five gallon bucket and put 3 inches of caustic soda in it and fill with water. I use a bucket with a lid and spout and fill it with a hose through the spout. Be very careful not to breath it or come in contact with it. Its acid pure and simple. It gets very hot. Then pour it into the drain line funnel slowly and let sit. I did this three times over 4 days before the 1000 gallon tank filled up. 5 loads of laundry, dishwasher, and many showers later it's working perfectly. Before it was plugged solid and over flowing
>

It's not an acid, it's a base. Otherwise, good job!

[schol...@gmail.com]

So if I just use a small amount to keep my household drains clean, that should be ok??

[muza...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, April 4, 1998 at 3:00:00 AM UTC-5, george kirkpatrick wrote:
> Do you know if NaOH is detrimental to the "life" of a septic tank?

what effect will it have on the concrete itself

[Ken Olson]

At the amount used to unplug drain clogs wouldn't it be rather dilute in
the tank?

--
"We're going to fight racism not with racism, but we're going to fight
with solidarity."
- Fred Hampton

"A sword is never a killer. It is a tool in the killer's hand."
- Seneca

[Neon John]

On Wed, 21 Mar 2018 06:03:16 -0700 (PDT), schol...@gmail.com wrote:

>So if I just use a small amount to keep my household drains clean, that should be ok??

Yes.

John
John DeArmond
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.tnduction.com
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
See website for email address

[Keith Thompson]

On Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 12:57:05 PM UTC-4, lion...@gmail.com wrote:
> The simple way to fix a clogged drain field is first to have the tank pumped. Then on the discharge side take about a 6 foot piece of 1 inch hose and insert it into the drain field line through the discharge side and leave enough to insert a large funnel. Take a five gallon bucket and put 3 inches of caustic soda in it and fill with water. I use a bucket with a lid and spout and fill it with a hose through the spout. Be very careful not to breath it or come in contact with it. Its acid pure and simple. It gets very hot. Then pour it into the drain line funnel slowly and let sit. I did this three times over 4 days before the 1000 gallon tank filled up. 5 loads of laundry, dishwasher, and many showers later it's working perfectly. Before it was plugged solid and over flowing

About how much caustic soda do I need per 5 gallon bucket? If I did four buckets, 8 lbs? Thank You

[Stumpy]

I have a 3 chamber septic tank from 1932. It has much decomposition on
the lower surface of the concrete lids. This is presumably from hydrogen
sulfide gas trapped in the unvented tank. Adding a base periodically
might help my problem.