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Chemical drums found during a home inspectionChemicals That Should NOT Be Flushed into a Septic Tank

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about septic system chemicals and about using septic systems to dispose of certain chemicals and substances that may harm the drainfield or contaminate the environment

What items and chemicals are NOT safe to flush down the toilet and into a private septic system besides normal household cleaners and household chemicals?

This document explains how to extend the life of the septic system by being careful about what goes into it.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Effects of Other Chemicals Flushed Into a Septic Systems

Used motor oil stored for recycling - Canyon Auto Tucson (C) Daniel Friedman

List of other chemicals & substances that we have seen dumped into septic systems and in one case, into a well - don't do this!Do not use septic tanks, wells, even abandoned wells and septic tanks to dispose of chemicals.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Interesting Questions & Answers about Spilling Chemicals & Treatments Down Toilets

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On 2022-01-26 by desertdune

Actually, Kleenwise does NOT run thru the distiller! Put some in the water container, add hot water to activate, cover and let sit a few hours.

I've put it in the toilet and let sit several hours. Sometimes with hot water, other times not.

On 2022-01-25 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@desertdune,

Thanks for the follow-up; that's pretty interesting; typically a distiller de-scaler expects to be run through that appliance at high temperature, so I was skeptical that it'd work at all at normal household water supply temperature such as found in a toilet.

How long do you let the de-scaler sit in the toilet bowl?

On 2022-01-25 by desertdune

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, I appreciate the reply. Honestly, it's been working better than the industrial descaler that IS recommended for toilets. Maybe I can use the industrial for maintenance. Thanks, again!

On 2022-01-25 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Desertdune,

Kleenwise de-scaler, at the normal levels of household usage such as you describe -a teaspoon - will be perfectly safe for a septic system. That de-scaler is so very dilute in the septic tank (figure a teaspoon in 750 gallons or more + further dilution as more wastewater enters the septic tank) that it's harmless.

See this KLEENWISE DISTILLER CLEANER SDS [PDF]

and you will read that Kleenwise is Sulfamic acid which is indeed corrosive and could be harmful if not used as directed.

See these KLEENWISE DISTILLER CLEANER INSTRUCTIONS [PDF]

You'll also read that this product is designed to clean a portable water distiller. It is not intended for use in a toilet trap and is not likely to be effective.

On 2022-01-25 by Desertdune

Will Kleenwise distiller + descaler (made with sulfamic and citric acid) be ok for a septic system? Trying to descale the toilet trap. Using about a daily teaspoon for a few days, allowing it to sit in the bowl. Then will move to maybe weekly use. Thanks!

On 2021-12-26 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Davidv,

In my OPINION you can safely use salt or you can also use other ice melt alternatives (Calcium Chloride, Vinegar, Sand or other alternatives) near a septic system - at normal levels the quantity of salt in normal homeowner use isn't likely to be sufficient to kill off soil bacteria in the septic drainfield.

On 2021-12-26 by Davidv

Is there a product that is safe to melt ice on stairs of my cottage with the septic nearby? Salt? Other products? If the answer is that nothing is good, what is the least bad, as I need to use at least a little. Thx

On 2021-11-07 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Kay,

Thank you.

I certainly agree that in that quantity there can't be a concern for damage to the septic system.

It would help us to understand why you were using this product at all. Can you say more?

On 2021-11-07 by Kay

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator, Thank you for your reply. I have looked over the PDF document you recommended, and it appears that using Odo Ban should be no problem with our septic.

We use approx. 2 tablespoons per week. We have a 1500 gallon septic. As far as being ultra careful when handling it (or any chemical), something we always do, Thanks again!

On 2021-11-04 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Kay,

OdoBan is a biodegradable product designed to break down fats, oils, grease. "Biodegradable" should also mean harmless to the septic tank, BUT

For details about product safety, take a look at the ODOBAN SDS SAFETY DATA SHEET [PDF]

where you'll see important safety warnings.

On 2021-11-04 by Kay

Is Odo Ban harmful to a septic tank.?

On 2021-08-05 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Monica,

"Used as directed" by the manufacturer the hair clog remover should be ok; you're not leaving straight, un-diluted lye in the drain system and you're further diluting it as the clogged fixture is used afterwards.

But

Watch out: any corrosive chemical drain cleaner is likely to be dangerous if you get it on your skin or in an eye. Read and follow the directions and handle with great care..

On 2021-08-05 by Monica

Is instant power hair clog remover safe for grinder pumps. It contains lye. Thank you.

On 2021-07-11 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Purplt01,

I'm guessing that the white sludge in your kitchen drainage tank is, as is often the case, a mixture of soap and "FOG" - or Fats, Oils, Grease - as known in the plumbing trades; Even taking care to avoid solid food waste (which I doubt is ever reduced to zero at a kitchen drain), FOGs and some soaps will build in the tank;

While in general there is not a shred of evidence that septic tank additives are needed nor helpful for conventional septic systems, and while some such additives are actually illegal in many jurisdictions, for your situation Rid-X® contains Lipase - a protein produced by the human body (and of course by other means) intended to help break down (and absorb) fats.

But there may be other products, natural enzymes, for example, that help break down FOGs without forming an environmental contaminant.

Details are at SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS where you'll see lists of approved treatments.

FYI what commercial kitchens do is install a grease interceptor - a special trap that collects FOGS for easy removal from the drain system, combined of course with an effort to dump less grease and oil down the drain; You would normally install a commercial grease interceptor on a residential building (costs are between $1,000 and $10,000).

But nevetheless, your kitchen waste tank is acting like a FOG or "Grease Interceptor".

When I have a pan of cooking oil after frying, I prefer to soak that up with paper towels and dispose of that oil or grease directly into our household garbage; don't dump oils and greases down the drain. I find that what's left is broken down substantially by our dish soap (saponification) so that in a residential system FOGS are not usually a problem.

On 2021-07-11 by Purplt01

Question-I have an auxiliary tank (capacity about 50-60 gallons, about 20" diameter, and 3 ft. deep. Manufactured by Zoeller Pump Company ) for waste from our kitchen in an added on area of the house.

Waste water flows to this tank, then is pumped through interior PVC pipes to the cast iron pipes that flow to the main septic tank. We do not put waste other than water from the sink and dishwasher into this system. No disposal.

This tank occasionally (every 8-10 months) starts to "gurgle", and when I take the top off, I use my shop vac to empty it, and chip away at white solids (soap?) which have built up in the tank. I regularly add Rid Ex to the tank.

Any suggestions to keep the white solids from building up? We use minimal amounts of detergent in the kitchen. This tank is only connected to the kitchen sink, and the dishwasher.

On 2021-06-28 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@CJH,

Thank you, that's an interesting question. I don't think there has been enough research on your question to have an unambiguous answer.

But there is no doubt that pesticides ARE showing up in wastewater (Xie 2021).

I haven't researched long enough (yet) to be able to cite a complete body of authoritative research on this, but my guess and so OPINON is that it's fine to launder insect-repellent-treated clothing.

The claim would be that at normal consumer-use levels the pesticide that is removed by laundering will be sufficiently-dilute in the septic tank, combined, remember with other household wastewater, as to not be a detectable hazard to the drainfield. The second research article below seems to support that view.

The first article I'll cite pertains to municipal wastewaters.

Pesticides on pets and heavier-used pesticides on fabrics might be a concern in some cases, though, especially in urban areas. See

Sutton, Rebecca, Yina Xie, Kelly D. Moran, and Jennifer Teerlink. "Occurrence and sources of pesticides to urban wastewater and the environment." In Pesticides in Surface Water: Monitoring, Modeling, Risk Assessment, and Management, pp. 63-88. American Chemical Society, 2019.

Municipal wastewater has not been extensively examined as a pathway by which pesticides contaminate surface water, particularly relative to the well-recognized pathways of agricultural and urban runoff. A state-of-the-science review of the occurrence and fate of current-use pesticides in wastewater, both before and after treatment, indicates this pathway is significant and should not be overlooked. A comprehensive conceptual model is presented to establish all relevant pesticide-use patterns with the potential for both direct and indirect down-the-drain transport. Review of available studies from the United States indicates 42 pesticides in current use. While pesticides and pesticide degradates have been identified in wastewater, many more have never been examined in this matrix. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies are generally ineffective at removing pesticides from wastewater, with high removal efficiency only observed in the case of highly hydrophobic compounds, such as pyrethroids. Aquatic life reference values can be exceeded in undiluted effluents. For example, seven compounds, including three pyrethroids, carbaryl, fipronil and its sulfone degradate, and imidacloprid, were detected in treated wastewater effluent at levels exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) aquatic life benchmarks for chronic exposure to invertebrates. Pesticides passing through wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) merit prioritization for additional study to identify sources and appropriate pollution-prevention strategies. Two case studies, diazinon and chlorpyrifos in household pesticide products, and fipronil and imidacloprid in pet flea control products, highlight the importance of identifying neglected sources of environmental contamination via the wastewater pathway. Additional monitoring and modeling studies are needed to inform source control and prevention of undesirable alternative solutions.

Turner, Andrew. "Trace elements in laundry dryer lint: A proxy for household contamination and discharges to waste water." Science of The Total Environment 665 (2019): 568-573.
Abstract
Seventy samples of laundry dryer lint from 19 households have been analysed for trace elements (As, Br, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) by energy-dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Bromine, Fe and Zn were detected in more than sixty samples encompassing all households, with dry weight concentrations ranging from 5.5 to 213 μg g−1, 76 to 3580 μg g−1 and 24 to 3540 μg g−1, respectively. Lead and Sb were detected in twenty and eight samples from ten and seven households, respectively, with concentrations ranging from about 8 to 110 μg g−1 for Pb and 40 to 90 μg g−1 for Sb. In contrast, As was only detected in six samples from the same household with concentrations ranging from about 10 to 250 μg g−1. Analysis of 72 items of new or clean clothing and linen revealed the ubiquity of Sb in synthetic (largely polyester-based) articles and the presence of Br in a variety of natural and synthetic articles, suggesting that the dominant source of these elements in dryer lint is derived from clothing fibres themselves; specifically, Sb2O3 is employed as a catalyst in the manufacture of polyester and various brominated compounds appear to be used as disperse dyes. No detectable As or Pb in the clothing-linen samples indicates that their presence in dryer lint arises from contamination of laundry from extraneous sources (e.g. household dust and material accumulated from outdoor activities) and suggests that concentrations can be used as proxies for exposure or household contamination. Since dryer lint is representative of material shed during the washing of clothes and linen, its composition also serves as a proxy for contaminants entering the environment from this process. Of particular significance in this respect is the discharge of chemicals specific to textiles or associated with microfibers.


Xie, Yina, Robert Budd, Jennifer Teerlink, Yuzhou Luo, and Nan Singhasemanon. "Assessing pesticide uses with potentials for down-the-drain transport to wastewater in California." Science of The Total Environment 773 (2021): 145636.

Abstract
Pesticides and degradates are ubiquitously detected in municipal wastewater influent in the United States. However, little detailed information exists on their sources. The aim of this study is to investigate California Pesticide Use Report (PUR) and sales data to identify pesticide uses with a high potential for indoor down-the-drain (DtD) transport. The DtD transport of pesticides could result from direct applications to drains and sewers or through indirect activities such as washing pets, treated textiles, laundries, and cleaning surfaces treated with pesticides. An initial screening on pesticide products registered in California with DtD potentials showed that fipronil, imidacloprid, and seven pyrethroids were pesticides of concern due to the relatively high sales in DtD use patterns and high toxicity to aquatic organisms; and thus prioritized for additional evaluation. Uses and sales data of products containing the selected pesticides were analyzed for mass of active ingredient applied with specific DtD pathways and by different user groups. Professional uses were retrieved from the PUR and consumer uses were estimated by comparing PUR data to sales data. Overall, approximately 38,615 kg fipronil, 44,561 kg imidacloprid, and 240,550 kg pyrethroids were used annually in California from 2011 to 2015 with some likelihoods of DtD transport. The shares of professional use ranged from 56% (cypermethrin) to 98% (cyfluthrin), depending on the pesticide, with the majority of the mass applied in and around structures and for some pesticides (imidacloprid and permethrin) on landscapes as well. The remaining mass was applied by consumers on various DtD sources, including pet treatments (fipronil, imidacloprid, and permethrin), treated textiles (permethrin), indoor-only uses (cypermethrin), and mixed indoor/outdoor or outdoor-only applications (other pyrethroids). Results from this study help elucidate the relative significance of specific DtD pathways and pesticide occurrence in California waste streams.

On 2021-06-28 by CJH

I know not to drain-pour pesticides, including permethrin. But what about laundering permethrin-treated clothing? The specific product I'm considering using is "Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents," which contains 0.5% permethrin and recommends using 4.5 oz of product (so just under 638 mg permethrin) per outfit.

It says that clothes remain protected "for 6 weeks or 6 washings," before requiring retreatment, which would imply an average of just over 106 mg being "lost" per outfit per washing -- although I have no idea how that's distributed between washing off in the laundry and other routes of removal or destruction (evaporation (whether during initial drying after spraying or subsequently), in situ breakdown, rubbing off during use, skin absorption and subsequent metabolism, etc.).

I have a fairly large septic system for a single-family residence (I can find out the exact volume, but don't remember off the top of my head) and am probably the only one who would be using permethrin during the next month and a half. Is that level of permethrin entering my septic system going to be a problem?

The local tick population is both quite high and fairly heavily infected with Lyme disease, and I love tromping about in the woods, so I'd really rather double up on my protection, with both an insecticide like permethrin and a repellant like DEET. Speaking of which, what about runoff from clothing and exposed skin sprayed with DEET? Is that a septic tank issue?

On 2020-12-11 by (mod) - does the EverClean surface in some American Standard Toilets harm the septic system

Bottom line: No. A review of the company's description of the product and some basic reasoning argues that there is no effect on a septic system.

American Standard says:

EverClean® Surface

American Standard whirlpools with EverClean®, a permanent glaze additive right into the circulation piping to protect the pipes from mold, mildew, algae and fungus that could cause deterioration or staining of the pipes. On toilets the super smooth mirror like EverClean® surface is easier to keep clean, even after years of use. - www.americanstandard-us.com/everclean-surface

I searched for safety data sheets or SDS or MSDS information and did not yet find one for American Standard's product with certainty, though these two sheets may be of interest:

Ever-Clean Condensate Pan Tabs [PDF] - from Hydro-Balance Corp. - this appears to be a completely different product with similar intentions.

and

EverCoat, EverGlaze, from ITW Evercoat, Glazing Spot Putty [PDF] from ITW Evercoat, div of Illinois Tool Works, Inc.,

I am guessing from its literature that the American Standard glaze additive is a proprietary product for which more searching for an SDS will be needed.

In any event IMO there is not an iota of reason, from what we have read to date, to consider replacing your toilet that uses this glaze product.

Another except from American Standard on their EverClean coating for toilet:

American Standard offers a wide range of toilets with our unique EverClean® Surface.

It is an ultra-smooth glaze with antimicrobial properties which is applied on top of the conventional glaze and fired into all glazed surfaces of the toilet.

It gives the toilet a super smooth, mirror-like finish - which stays cleaner because the soil has a harder time clinging to it.

The EverClean® surface also inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew on the surface.- retrieved 2020/12/11, original source: https://www.americanstandard-us.com/parts-support/how-to/choosing-a-toilet

American Standard part of LIXIL ActiClean Toilet Cleaning Cartridge SDS [PDF] - this is a toilet cleaning cartridge, not a ceramic coating

On 2020-12-11 by Anonymous

Thanks for your reply. That makes me feel a bit better, although I am still not happy they market it that way. Have you been able to find out what they use in the glaze? If it were you, would you replace it?

On 2020-12-11 by (mod) - why doesn't American Standard warn that EverClean® that kills bacteria is harmful to septic systems?

Rachelle:

OPINION:

1. the company wants to sell their product - described as resisting surface staining and odors in toilets.

2. a toilet surface that kills some bacteria will not kill enough bacteria to harm a septic tank.

There is not a shred of possibility of the surface killing all, nor even most, nor even much of bacteria found in human feces. Simply consider the volume of a normal bowel movement and compare that with the surface area of contact in a toilet of those feces during excretion. The surface area and thickness of any deposits will be trivial compared with the mass and volume of the feces themselves.

The company's product specification sheet for their Edgemere Dual Flush Right Height Elongated 12-inch Rough Complete Toilet includes this statement:

Stays cleaner, longer with EverClean®.

EverClean® surface inhibits the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface

On 2020-12-11 by Rachelle

Rachelle said:

I have an American Standard with EverClean surface.

According to the website "The smooth toilet surface is finished with an EverClean glaze which includes an antimicrobial additive that inhibits the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface."

I am worried that this antimicrobial glaze is damaging my septic system bacteria. It sounds like it uses silver to do this. Do I have reason to be concerned? I have emailed the company and am waiting to hear back. Why wouldn't they put "not safe for septic" on the box if it kills bacteria?

On 2020-10-16 - by (mod) -

Does Mira-Cleanharm the septic system ? discussed at InspectApedia.comThanks for the question, Robert.

Take a look at the MIRACLE METHOD CLEANER MSDS [PDF] - original source: http://www.genlabscorp.com/ghspdf/02211_EN.pdf

Nothing therein warns against flushing down drains, but the MSDS states

Dispose of contents and container according to the local, city, state and federal regulations.

The company's product use instructions state simply: ALWAYS RINSE THOROUGHLY after cleaning, and wipe the surface dry. - source: https://www.miraclemethod.com/care-and-cleaning.htm

Typically household cleaners are used in such a low volume that when rinsed from a plumbing fixture with fresh water they are sufficiently dilute as to be harmless in the septic tank and drainfield.

Watch out: however, that does not mean that it's ok to DISPOSE of un-used chemical cleaners or chemicals by dumping them down a drain. Don't do that.

On 2020-10-16 by Robert Warner

Can chemicals used by Miracle Method to clean and refinish a bathtub be flushed down the drain of a septic tank system?

On 2020-07-27 by Anonymous

Can you put veet sensitive hair removal down a septic tank

On 2020-03-01 - by (mod) - Re-Bath's Silver Shield toxicity MSDS

Thanks for an interesting question about Re-Bath product safety, Barb.

Re-Bath's Silver Shield is a "100% virgin acrylic" bath or tub surround that is described as a "non-porous technology that prevents bacteria from growing and reproducing"

- which is interesting since bacteria is a completely different organism from "mold".

Similarly a claim to be "mildew resistant" is, to any mycologist, nonsense. "Mildew" is a very specific and very narrow group of two mold families, both of which grow ONLY on Living Plants. So you're never going to find mildew in your bathroom unless you're keeping living plants in there.

In defense of the "mildew prevention" crowd I acknowledge that many people like the word and use it more-widely than is correct.

But if you were a lawyer writing a guarantee, citing mildew prevention is a pretty safe claim to make, right?

My OPINION is that any non-porous bathroom tub surround will do a great job at mold resistance - including similar materials such as fiberglass; in general it's the avoidance of seams and also avoidance of reliance on grout or sealants that might be a bit more mold friendly than was the ceramic surface of traditional bath tile.

Watch out: other tub surrounds rely on an infused pesticide, Triclosan, that *might* raise health concerns. That product is not part of the Re Bath product - a point which its vendors will perhaps enjoy pointing-out.

I am looking for an MSDS for Re Bath's Silver Shield.
I suspect we won't find an MSDS nor SDS for Silver Shield from Re-Bath because it sounds as if the product is simply an acrylic plastic tub surround, not a pesticide or chemical additive or treatment.

On 2020-02-28 by Barb

Re: Bath Wraps that have a silver anti-mold and mildew Silver Shield. Will this affect or harm a 3 -bedroom septic system?

On 2019-10-08 by (mod) - Maximus cattle wormer impact on septic

It seems unlikely that Maximus cattle wormer would in small quantity harm septic tank bacteria; after all a home septic tank is going to contain 1000 gallons or more of sewage and effluent.

Here is the product MSDS http://www.ancare.net.au/assets/maximus_pour-on_for_cattle-sds_expires_20210428.pdf

Product name: MAXIMUS Pour-On for Cattle
APVMA Code: 67606
Recommended Use: Treatment & control of Moxidectin sensitive internal and external parasites of cattle.

Supplier name: Merial Australia Pty Ltd
Address: Talavera Corporate Centre Building D
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113 AUSTRALIA

Moxidectin 113507-06-5 5g/L not set not set
Solvent naphtha (petroleum), light arom. 64742-95-6 150g/L not set not set

Other non hazardous ingredients secret to 1L not set not set
This is a commercial product whose exact ratio of components may vary slightly.


I'm unsure what you consider a "small bit of residue" but you are diluting 5 g/L Moxidectin. Solvent: 150 g/L Hydrocarbon Liquid into roughly 4000 litres of wastewater. If you poured an ENTIRE 5L bottle of Maximus into the septic tank that's 25 grams of Moxidectin in 4000 litres of waste or a dilution of the original product by a factor of 800.

Now to that let's add your daily wastewater usage - typically in 3-5 days you've pushed another 4000 litres of water into the septic tank.

I agree that Hydrogen sulfide or H2S is potentially dangerous and smelly as might be bacteria and methane and other sewer gas components; But if odors are coming out of your drains it is not at all likely to be from Maximus residue;

If flushing your drains doesn't fix the trouble I suspect that there is either a sewer line blockage or a plumbing vent system leak or blockage. In that case it's time to ask a plumber to snake, or use a sewer cam to inspect your drain waste venting system.

On 2019-10-08 by Jenny Leslie

Accidentally let go of a little bit of residue of a bottle of cattle wormer ( Maximus ) into the drain and I have apparently killed the bacteria in the septic and caused a bad smell coming out of the drains, the husband says it is Hydrogen Sulphide. ZHe also says this can be poisonous. What do I do?

On 2019-06-02 - by (mod) -

Wax flushed into building drains invites a drain clogged and sewage backup into the building. A very small amount of wax entering a septic tank probably is harmless as I would expect it to collect on the floating scum layer in to be removed during septic tank cleaning.

However if you're running a business and flushing large amounts of that into your system you risk are loading your septic tank and causing a blockage. Of course if the septic tank baffles are not intact you're also sending wax into the drain field and running that.

See WAXY BIOFILM SLIME CLOGS in DRAINS & PUMPS

On 2019-06-01 by Pam

I make batik clothing wand have moved to a home with a septic tank. I use beeswax to resist the dyes and part of my process involves washing the clothes in cold water before boiling the wax out.

Will the bits of wax that come off during the wash harm my septic tank or drain field over time? This septic system uses a pump required by the county health department.

Question: Does sulfurated lime dip affect septic systems?

(Dec 3, 2015) Rob said:

Does sulfurated lime dip affect septic systems?

Reply: not if you dump 4 ounces of concentrate into the system

(mod) said: Rob (and for other readers)

Lime sulfur dip is a sulfurated lime solution used for animals including pets to kill mites and other parasites, and according to typical sulfurated lime dip vendors the dip also works against fungi and bacteria. It smells like rotten eggs - that's the sulfur content.

Sold for pet use the typical container volume is 16 oz. typically in a 97.8% solution (for veterinary use). You should consult a vet before using this treatment on your animals.

Because the solution is a type of biocide it's appropriate to ask if it's harmful to the necessary biota in a septic tank.

In typical preparation of the solution I describe above you dilute 4 ounces of the solution into one gallon of water and apply that solution topically to the animal.

Used in that volume and concentration and considering that a typical residential septic tank volume is 1000 gallons or more, you are diluting the dip from 97.8% lime-sulfur concentration twice: 4 0z in 128 oz (that dilutes to 2.31%) and then that diluted solution is further disposed-of into 128,000 ounces in the septic tank.

That dilutes to a 0.00002 % solution - before further wastewater enters the tank to dilute that solution further.

At that dilution I am doubtful you'd be able to detect the solution in the septic tank.

Question: effects of Miracle Method® bathtub refinisher on the septic system

2017/06/09 JWS said:

Hello - I'm considering hiring "Miracle Method" to refinish our tub. Do know if their chemicals would cause irreparable harm to our septic system? What's the best way to manage this process? Thank you.

Reply:

JW

You ask an interesting and clever question:

1. does tub cleaning to prep for miraclemethod tub refinishing contaminate the environemnt
and also you imply

2 is there a leach-out of chemicals from a tub re-finishing coating that will contaminate the environment as we then run bathwater through the tub and into a septic system?

Miraclemethod dot com, the company's site describes their process:

First, the tub is thoroughly cleaned using specially formulated two-step cleaners to remove soap scum, mineral deposits, and body oils. Next, all cracks and chips are repaired. Miracle Method's proprietary bonding agent, MM-4, is applied to ensure a solid bond between the old surface and the new finish. Finally, a trained professional uses a fine-finish spray process to apply a hi-tech, durable acrylic coating. - Miracle Method cited below.

Here is the MIRACLE METHOD TUB REFINISH PDS (product information sheet) for the resin used by Miracle Method to refinish your tub.

The product data sheet for the coating itself ( an acrylic ) notes that the resin is not particularly water-soluble, so I'm doubtful that there would be a measurable impact on the septic system from the finish tub coating once that coating has cured in place.

Noting that the "miracle" in any tub restoration is largely in the surface reparation we looked for a description of just what cleaners are used in tub preparation - without finding a clear answer, though the company does market separately cleaners and strippers for which they provide both product data sheets and MSDS.

Mira Clean #1 is a proprietary cleaner sold by Miracle Sealants.

Here is a MIRACLEAN® PRODUCT DATA SHEET PDS - product data sheet for this cleaner

Here is the actual MIRACLEAN® / PrarieChlor® MSDS where we see a bleach product - a mix of sodium hypochlorite (main ingredient by percent or volume) , sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride (salt)

Mira Strip is a floor coating and wax stripper also produced by the company; I could not determine if this is also used in bath tub prep for the company's tub refinishing acrylic coating or not.

But here's that product MIRA-STRIP® PRODUCT DATA SHEET PDS - it contains a "petroleum distillate". (Naptha)

And here's an actual MIRA-STRI®P MSDS

OPINION: I am doubtful that trace levels of naphtha would harm a septic system thanks to the dilution in the larger volume of wastewater.

I am also doubtful that at normal usage levels a bleaching product used to clean a bathtub would harm a septic system.

Perhaps the company can provide more information on your question if you ask - do let me know.


...

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