latex paint & septic systems

44trxfun · Jan 22, 2004

Being relatively new to rural home ownership, I wanted to pick your collecive brains about cleaning latex paint stuff (buckets, rollers, etc.) in a home with a septic system. We're getting ready to paint several rooms so will have more than just a little cleanup to do. Any thoughts on this concern?

MikePA · Jan 22, 2004

I've been cleaning brushes, etc. for years. No problems.

herbenus · Jan 22, 2004

I always clean mine outside. I know... The environmental police will get me now. But what's the difference. I'm sure the chemicals go right through the septic system into the ground anyway. I try to minimize the chemicals I load into septic.

fivestring · Jan 22, 2004

The septic tank will probably have to be pumped out one day, so, like Mike has said, go ahead. I'm sure that some chemicals we use in our septic systems are probably worse than latex.
I wouldn't put large quantities in there, though.
I rinse my brushes, rollers, etc. outside, then bring them inside to finish cleaning them.

JDgreen227 · Jan 22, 2004

Late last fall we finished the interior of a 1450 square foot addition and during the process we used the septic system for cleaning tools and brushes of about 100 gallons of joint compound and 15 gallons of latex paint. As the tank was about due for pumping I had it done shortly afterward. Asked the serviceman if there was any problem with disposal of that kind of material, he said no, if you can clean something with water it will cause no problems with the septic system.

CTyler · Jan 22, 2004

I'm not sure what to think but avoided washing it into the septic as much as possible. The Motherearth site says avoid it all together. Another state/.gov site said small amounts is ok and to wash most of it into the lawn. Obviously you don't dump out a 1/2 gallon, just brush roller cleaning. about the only thing that went down the drain was the final rinsing after cleaning then in a couple 5 gal buckets.

In order to minimize waste and white dirt building our house we covered/wrapped everything when done for the day. This way you don't have to clean the brushes and rollers everyday.
If you wrap them tightly in plastic and get the air out thier good for many days. The problem usually comes from paint drying on brushes during use I.E. switching brushes, lunch, BS'ing etc..

Hambone · Jan 22, 2004

I have always cleaned brushes and rollers in the sink.
I guess I never thought about the enviromental issues.
What would make the difference if outside? Still going in ground. What are you supposed to do, clean in buckets, save the water till tox away day????

CTyler · Jan 22, 2004

The cleaning in the buckets was just to keep it out of the septic system. I wasn't sure how/if it would affect the bacteria.
We poured the bucket water on to the ground.

( What would make the difference if outside? Still going in ground. What are you supposed to do, clean in buckets, save the water till tox away day???? )

I had the same basic argument with the inspectors office about putting floor drains in my shop. What the diff if it drips oil in the shop to a pipe ouside or in the gravel drive??? That's a whole nuther issue in itself.

Hambone · Jan 22, 2004

The cleaning in the buckets was just to keep it out of the septic system. 

Okay, I am with you now. Do you ever add bacteria to your system? I do, but, don't really know if it does anything. Sounds good I guess.

I understand the drain deal. We have no floor drains in our shop at work. To do so we would of had to put in a separator system. Pretty expensive.

CTyler · Jan 22, 2004

I haven't added anything to it, couldn't hurt though. There seems to be a lot of controversy as to wether it really helps or not.

monkey · Jan 22, 2004

( Do you ever add bacteria to your system? I do, but, don't really know if it does anything. Sounds good I guess.)
It's a good idea. People don't realize how many standard household cleaners wipe out the bacteria, e.g. bleach, pine scented disinfectants, etc.

DKinWA · Jan 23, 2004

I've been studying to take the septic system installers test locally and our county is pretty adamant about not adding chemicals to your tank. Their view along with our states dept of ecology and usepa is that additives are only good for the folks selling them.

I actually did a lot of research on this when we put our system in and I couldn't find any scientifically credible literature to support adding additives to the tank. All the reading I did pretty much confirmed my assumption that septic tanks and folks selling additives have something in common.....they're both full of uhmmm stuff!!....... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

fivestring · Jan 23, 2004

"All the reading I did pretty much confirmed my assumption that septic tanks and folks selling additives have something in common.....they're both full of uhmmm stuff!!......."

I came to the same conclusion. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman · Jan 23, 2004

( "All the reading I did pretty much confirmed my assumption that septic tanks and folks selling additives have something in common.....they're both full of uhmmm stuff!!......."

I came to the same conclusion. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

How about the people that fill all those tanks???? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DKinWA · Jan 23, 2004

Junkman,

No question about it, my wifes always telling me I'm full of it. I just remind her I have blue eyes and she has brown /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

chrisjbell · Jan 23, 2004

I always clean mine outside. 

I usually do the same, but finish up inside. It is latex paint, and is supposed to be relatively benign. But I make sure to clean up away from where the well is - the septic leach field is on the opposite side of the property for a reason (don't want icky stuff seaping down into the well) and I figure keeping paint leavings away makes sense too.

BTW, I have only been dealing with my septic tank for about 8 years and here's some additional input, for what it is worth (free advice, ya know /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)... I started out having my tank pumped out once a year. The folks kept telling me that I didn't have to have it done that often. The last time I did it was after nearly three years, and again they said it didn't need to be done. This time I'm going to wait five years unless I have a problem. I guess that it depends on the size of the tank, what you put down it, etc., but apparently a healthy system doesn't have to be pumped out all that often. I have a neighbor that went 15 years - but she has a big tank and lives alone, so that might not be a good measure.

I don't use additional chemicals / enzymes, but I'm also cautious about what goes into the system. I've heard both sides of the story (good/bad) and figure that if you feed the "right stuff" into the tank that bacteria will grow real well /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif...

fivestring · Jan 26, 2004

Guilty. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm sure I've helped fill one or three! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BLUEBONNET2 · Jan 26, 2004

good morning,
when i was a kid... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif,my mom would put a couple of packets of baking yeast in the drain in the kitchen, about once every 18 -24 months.....can't recall any problems, other than willow tree roots....my dad finally got tired of messing with it and the willow went to the big forest in the sky....never had another willow in the yard /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif... the yeast helps the bacteria do its job...all natural
my older sister has a septic system and the have only pumped it out twice in 25 years....
"some old technology still works well".......

good luck,
bluebonnet2