Septic tanks are a common fixture in many American households, especially in more rural areas. Constructed from various materials including concrete, plastic, and fiberglass, the average septic tank in American homes ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 gallons in capacity. A well maintained septic tank can last up to 50 years and can provide you and your family with an efficient way to rid your house of wastewater. The best way to maintain your septic tank is to eliminate toilet paper and wet wipes - or in other words, use a bidet seat.
Challenges of Septic Tanks
Septic tanks come with a number of challenges and risks. If not regularly maintained and cleaned, septic issues can lead to some serious home damage, costly repairs and possible spreading of disease. A common way issues arise from septic tanks stems from non-biodegradable solids being flushed down the toilet. These items range from toilet paper, baby wipes, paper towels, hair, oil and grease. Even so called “flushable” wipes can contribute to a serious clog which can lead to an overflow of the septic tank, a rupture in one or more of the sewage pipes, and even soil contamination.
Reducing or even eliminating the use of and dependence on toilet paper and/or wet wipes can greatly reduce the chances of your septic tank becoming clogged or damaged and thus, will prolong the life of your tank. The repair costs associated with repairing a broken septic tank and the clean up from an overflow can also be reduced with a reduction in toilet paper/wet wipe usage.
Using A Bidet Seat
A great way to reduce or even eliminate toilet paper use is by using a bidet seat. A bidet can, if properly used, significantly reduce the need for toilet paper by using a water spray to clean you after having relieved yourself. In some cases, a bidet can even eliminate the need for toilet paper altogether by using the built-in air dryer to completely dry you after using the bidet’s wash cycle. This will greatly reduce the chance of non-biodegradable solids being flushed down the toilet.
Saving Money
Using a bidet can also save you a considerable amount of money as well. Throughout the course of one’s life, the average person in the United States will spend over $11,000 on toilet paper. A further $9,000 is spent on baby wipes. Furthermore, people in the US spend, on average, nearly $200 on toilet paper every year. This is a considerable amount of money that is literally being flushed down the toilet. A bidet can help you significantly reduce your toilet paper usage by 70-80% and some, as mentioned above, can even completely eliminate the use of toilet paper/wet wipes.
With the reduction in toilet paper usage users can also reduce the chances of a backup or clog occurring in their septic tank. These backups or clogs can be very costly, not only with repairing the actual hardware but with labor costs as well. Less toilet paper means less chance of toilet paper being flushed down the toilet. So not only will you save in reducing your toilet paper usage but also with possible repair costs associated with a clogged septic tank.
Bidets We Recommend
Below is a list of great bidet seats with wash and dry systems that are sure to enhance your bathroom experience, improve your hygiene, and help keep your septic tank running smoothly!
