This article will cover how salt can cause clogging in a cesspool. There are many issues that typical homeowners—deteriorating house parts, plumbing problems, short circuits, dirty gutters, and damaged foundations. Surely, there are other problems specific to other homes but the most common issue of all is clogging. When there is something clogged in the home, you will definitely have difficulty performing tasks. A clogged sink or toilet is one thing but a clogged cesspool is a whole new category. The cesspool is an old system of wastewater treatment. It is comprised of a tank with perforations and an inflow pipe that receives the wastewater from your household. The cesspool collects and stores both greywater and blackwater. Greywater comes from drains, sinks, washing machines, and dishwashers. Blackwater comes from the toilet. The cesspool has resident anaerobic bacteria that break down the solid waste materials in the wastewater so that the pre-treated effluent could be released into the surrounding soil absorption system free of particulates that could clog it. One known cause of cesspool clogging is salt. Understanding how salt can cause clogging in a cesspool is important so that you may know what to do to control the damage.
Salt here is sodium carbonate present in water softeners. Water softeners are used by homes with hard water issues. Hard water is very difficult to use. Cleaning is important around the home and if you have hard water it will take you forever to get it done. It will take cost you more money, time, and effort if you continue to use hard water. Using this type of water means that you have to repeat the cleaning tasks. You have to buy more soap and pay for higher water bills because of the double or triple washings. You can’t even complete several tasks because washing is all that you do. You also increase the water load in your cesspool. When water load increases, the solid waste particles are stirred up and bacteria can’t get a hold of them anymore. They cannot be broken down. The particles just float around until they clog the perforations and the surrounding soil absorption system. Hard water also produces slimy soap scum that clogs the drains and sinks.
Countering the effects of hard water in your cesspool needs the use of water softeners. Water softer use should be under the supervision of your septic expert because it has salt that can cause problems in the cesspool. You should be aware of how salt can cause clogging in a cesspool so that you could enjoy your wastewater treatment system for decades. Salt or sodium carbonate in water softeners replaces the calcium and magnesium that are flushed out of the water supply. Calcium and magnesium have stronger ions so they are easily attracted by the beads in the water softeners. The sodium carbonate that is left in the water softens the water, allowing it to lather up easily. The water is then called softened water, which saves you a lot of time, money, and effort.
Some homeowners are apprehensive in using water softeners because salt is a known preservative. It kills bacteria to prevent spoilage. It is also a known fact that freshwater organisms do not survive in saltwater environments. So, using a lot of water softeners frequently will cause the resident bacteria to die off. There will be no wastewater treatment process that will take place anymore when cesspit bacteria are eliminated. You have to seek the guidance of your septic expert to help with the hard water crisis. Your septic expert will administer helpful additives that will help your cesspool function optimally even if you use water softeners all the time. Also start using eco-friendly soaps and not harsh cleaners to help bacteria retain their ideal number for wastewater treatment.
Proper knowledge and practice are keys to the longevity of your cesspool. Always talk to your septic expert if you have hard water so that you won’t have to suffer the cesspool consequences.