Should I Put Yeast in my Septic Tank?

When it comes to septic tank maintenance, you’ve probably heard of various home remedies, one of which is the addition of yeast to your system. Many homeowners wonder, “Does yeast clean a septic tank?” The answer is not as straightforward as one might think, and it’s crucial to understand the science behind septic systems and how they work before deciding to use yeast as a cleaning agent.

The Role of Bacteria in Septic Tanks

Septic tanks rely on a delicate balance of bacteria to break down organic matter, primarily waste and toilet paper. These bacteria are typically categorised as anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria operate in environments without oxygen and break down waste, releasing methane and other gases in the process. Aerobic bacteria, on the other hand, require oxygen and are more efficient at breaking down waste, but they are not as prevalent in most septic systems due to the lack of oxygen.

Both kinds of bacteria will eat all of the types of organic solids in your septic system, including:

• Fats
• Oils
• Grease
• Proteins
• Fiber
• Carbohydrates

How Yeast Works in Septic Tanks (Not a Lot)

Yeast is a fungus, not a bacterium. It can aid in breaking down sugars and starches (which are complex carbohydrates) in your septic system via fermentation. While this may seem beneficial, the yeast does not break down the fats, oils, grease, and proteins, which constitute the biggest portion of the waste in your septic tank. Additionally, yeast does not eliminate the harmful pathogens found in waste, making it an inadequate solution for fully cleaning septic systems.

“Incomplete” is a good word to describe yeast’s role in affecting a septic tank. “Inadequate” is another good one.

When addressing the question, “Does yeast clean a septic tank?” it’s important to note that while yeast may contribute to some level of breakdown of waste material, it does not touch the vast majority of the organic solids in your system. It doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t help much, either.

But wait! It actually can hurt the system…

The Need for a Balanced Ecosystem

A balanced ecosystem within the septic tank is essential for optimal functioning. Introducing yeast can disrupt the balance between different microorganisms. This disruption can lead to reduced efficiency in waste breakdown, compromising the overall health and functionality of the septic system. Maintaining a balanced, healthy microbial community in the septic tank is crucial for long-term, hassle-free operation.

You Need Healthy Bacteria & Regular Septic Tank Maintenance

To maintain a healthy septic system, you need a healthy population of hungry bacteria. They’ll do most of the work to keep the septic system clean. If there are enough bacteria, they will keep the drain field clean and flowing smoothly as well. This is literally why we created Drain Field Cleaner by Dr. Pooper. It creates a massive army of hungry bacteria to eat up all those organic solids, fats, oils, grease, proteins, fibre, and carbohydrates.

Occasional inspections and pumping by professionals are indispensable to make sure your system doesn’t have any broken parts, disconnected baffles, or inorganics such as wipes, plastic bags, or toy prizes inside.

Biodegradable cleaners and minimal use of harsh chemicals help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the tank, ensuring efficient breakdown of waste. Household practices, such as moderating water use and proper disposal of waste, also play vital roles in maintaining septic system health.

Potential Downsides of Adding Yeast

The addition of yeast for septic tank promotes rapid fermentation of waste in the septic tank, particularly sugars and starches. As a result of this fermentation process, carbon dioxide and alcohol thus produced end up disrupting the overall healthy functioning of your septic tank. That’s not all, though. There is more than one downside to using yeast for a septic tank.

Hampers Balance Within the Tank

A natural balance of bacteria and other microorganisms within the septic tank keeps it functioning properly in the long term. The addition of yeast to this organic process ends up disturbing the natural balance. The fungal activity spurred by the yeast competes with the bacteria and renders the overall natural breakdown of waste matter futile.

Release of Gases

As mentioned earlier, fermentation triggered by the addition of yeast leads to the production of carbon dioxide within the septic tank. The gas bubbles produced interfere with the organic treatment of wastewater, and the sludge goes unprocessed. Matter like fats and grease remains floating on the surface.

Clogging of the Drainfield

Yeast can cause solid wastes in the wastewater of your septic tank to break down in an uneven manner. As a result, smaller particles float on the surface without being completely processed. They end up flowing into the drainfield and clogging it. Not only does your septic tank stop treating wastewater right but the overall functioning of the septic system takes a hit.

Additional Expense

Frequent use of yeast aimed at clearing out clogs or promoting the breakdown of waste matter within the tank can lead to higher expenditure. The disruption in the harmonious balance of bacteria, unprocessed sewage, and clogging of the drain field can cause you to incur higher maintenance costs.

By and large, therefore, yeast is an unsustainable and expensive option when it comes to promoting efficient treatment of wastewater in septic tanks.

Better Ways to Maintain Septic Health

Keeping your septic system running smoothly ensures efficient waste management and environmental protection. You can maintain the health of your system, especially septic tanks, in a sustainable manner that guarantees longevity. Here’s how:

Periodic Inspections

Monitor the functioning of your septic tank frequently and pump it in a timely manner to clear out excessive sludge. Timely inspections can help stage timely interventions, if required.

Limiting Water Usage

Prevent overloading your septic tank with excessive wastewater. Limit water usage to necessities so groundwater resources remain uncontaminated.

Use of Correct Drainage Solutions

Develop healthy sewage dumping habits and do not let non-biodegradable waste matter choke the plumbing of your septic system. At any point, if the system fails, use sustainable clearing and drainage solutions to restore the health of your septic system.

The Summary

The contribution of yeast to the overall breakdown of waste in a septic system is minimal (almost negligible) compared to the bacterial processes. Unlike bacteria, yeast does not consume or break down fats, oils, proteins, or fibre, leaving a significant portion of the waste untreated. Additionally, yeast cannot fully substitute the role of bacteria in managing waste breakdown.

Instead, allowing your septic system to undergo the natural waste management process that is inherent to it contributes to long-term healthy functioning. Practising healthy hygiene and waste dumping habits can prevent clogs or disruptions in wastewater treatment and contribute to smooth drainage. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Should I put yeast in my septic tank?

Only put yeast in your septic tank in very restricted quantities. Using too much can lead to an adverse impact on your tank.

2. Is yeast good for septic tank maintenance?

The harmonious balance for wastewater treatment within the septic tank gets disrupted due to the addition of yeast, thus proving harmful.

3. Does yeast help break down waste in a septic tank?

Yeast can help break down waste in the septic tank to a limited extent.

4. What does yeast do in a septic system?

Through rapid fermentation, yeast aids in processing the sugars and starch present in the wastewater of the septic tank.

5. Can yeast replace regular septic bacterial activity?

Yeast is not capable of effectively replacing the harmonious bacterial activity within the tank.