How To Unclog a Toilet Connected To a Septic Tank

This article may contain some affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on any of teh links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Toilets connected to a septic tank do not get clogged very often, especially when they are properly taken care of.

But when they do get clogged, it would be nice to know how to go about unclogging them yourself to get the septic tank functioning as it should.

If you carefully read through till the end, you will get to know what your plumber does not want you to know as we’ll be showing you exactly how to unclog a toilet connected to a septic tank.

Ready?

Let’s go!

How To Unclog a Toilet Connected To a Septic Tank

First, we will talk about one of the easiest ways to do this.

When it comes to unclogging a toilet connected to a septic tank, most people are quick to think of a chemical cleaning formula, but it is better to play it safe.

Chemical-based solutions are rarely used and not even advised because they can kill or reduce the bacteria population in your tank.

Yes, we have a lot of effective chemical cleaners around that get the job of cutting down on backed-up waste pretty well, however, the fact remains that some useful microbes are sacrificed too in the process.

These microbes are the ones saddled with the responsibility of maintaining low levels of waste.

Again, you must have heard suggestions from many sources about unclogging toilets connected to septic tanks using hot water.

How does this work?

You are to use hot but not boiling water to break through to the FOGs (fats, oil, and grease) and loosen the clogged items in the septic tank’s drain pipe.

Now, here’s our unpopular but very useful opinion: 

Boiling water is strongly not advised as it may compromise the quality of your pipes.

Furthermore, if your sinks or pipes are made with porcelain and PVC, do not attempt to use boiling water on them.

Away from that, how would you like some natural and safer means of getting toilets connected to septic tanks, unclogged?

Method #1

For this procedure, items you will need include baking soda and white vinegar.

Now to the steps:

You might know baking soda and white vinegar to be items used in producing most homemade cleaning solutions, but we’ll have you know that they are equally very effective when used to unclog toilets also. 

All you have to do is to have both ingredients mixed with warm water. The ratio of the measurement should be two parts of the baking soda to just one part of the white vinegar.

Once you are done mixing them, leave it be for about half an hour then, pour it down the drain.

Now, that is just one phase of the unclogging process. The other phase involves having to take out the septic tank drain pipe which is clogged. This phase is to be carried out carefully to avoid any form of damage. 

You might need to call in an expert if this is something you do not feel up to.

Method #2

To unclog a toilet connected to a septic tank, here is a proven and tested method that you can try.

The best part of this method is that the items needed for it are things that can readily be found around the house. Items needed are just a long pole, plunger, or an auger.

Now to the process:

Do a quick scan around your toilet drain to be sure that it is indeed clogged. If it isn’t, check around the other drains in the house.

The reason for all this is that we have seen some people jumping on to the next step which involves opening the septic tank only to discover that there is no need to have done that.

Once you have made sure that the toilet is indeed where the issue is, get your long stick and with it in your hand, open up the septic tank and poke the stick inside the inlet pipe.

This action aims to reach for that which substitutes the clogged waste and shoves it further down the system.

It is imperative to note that this method might not be 100% successful in every case of clogging.

We will like to sound a note of warning to everyone; We must always take extra care when working on and around the septic tank.

On no account must you go into the septic tank and while around it, you must protect yourself from getting subdued by the dangerous gases.

How To Maintain Septic Tank To Avoid Your Toilet From Clogging

It’s a no-brainer that regular maintenance will prevent your toilet from getting clogged. The fewer toilet clogging issues you experience, the more money you get to save.

Here are a few tips on how to properly maintain your septic tank:

1. Flush only septic safe items:

If you are in the habit of flushing baby wipes, sanitary pads, nappies, and the like, now is a good time to start. These items are known to cause instant blockages.

2. Avoid the use of chemicals

Cleaning agents made with chemicals even though they do quite a good job at cleaning, also kill or at the least, reduce drastically the helpful microbes in your tank. 

Natural cleaning products are recommended Instead.

3. Limit the amount of water you flush through your septic system: 

This is advised to avoid getting your septic system overwhelmed. This applies to other water-intensive machines, like dishwashers and washing machines. 

It is wise to limit your water usage as to much water use in a short time frame would result in overworking the septic system.

4. Have a waste trap installed: 

The good thing about waste traps is that they do a great job of taking fats, oil, and grease away from the septic system. 

This is the reason why you will find them used in big restaurants as they are for heavy-duty drainage of fat.

Conclusion

One of the most common plumbing issues we face is clogged toilets.

Those who have their toilets connected to a septic tank can be sure to do this effortlessly if they follow the guide above.

Related Posts:

Scroll to Top