s4jones

OMG. NEVER use Tide (of any form) with a septic tank system. I know there are a lots of folks here on the east side (particularly in unincorporated King County) that are on septic. Those of you lucky enough to be on "city" sewage can ignore this. Those of you with septic systems: Well, you might want to pay attention.

We pumped out today. OMG. There was a 3-foot thick solid crust formed by solidified laundry detergent. Ok, it's been nearly 5 years since our last pump out, but there are only 3 of us (and one is only 11).

Pete Couty of Alberta Septic said this: "Looks like you guys have been very bad. Did you put something down here that you shouldn't?"

"I don't think so."

"Do you guys use Tide?"

"That's pretty much all we use."

"(censored). Well stop. Throw that (censored) away."

Apparently it is the ONLY detergent (liquid or powder) that causes this problem, according to Pete (who has been pumping out septic systems for 17 years and just got his real estate license so he can stop).

So: Consider yourselves warned. Hah! OMG. I have pictures.

If you have been using Tide with a septic system, you might want to get someone to check it out. Thankfully, no other problem here.

I just hate septic systems.

GoCougarsWSU

iussue like that and there were 5 of us in the house hold.

s4jones

Although we have only been here since 1996. Pictures? Hah. Ok. I have one that is relevant. I'll post it in just bit.

s4jones

After the pump out and test, the system is in relatively good shape. However, the crust was about 4 feet thick. This is a snapshot looking down into the "main" tank. The opening is about 2 feet in diameter. The light colored mass is the solidified detergent. The "dual tank" setup saved us from a much worse fate.

<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~s4jones/images/smallDSC01785.jpg">

GoCougarsWSU

Thats pretty nasty. *Mental Note* Don't use tide.