Should you use drain cleaner if you have a septic tank?

Answer 1

No you shouldn't, a septic tank contains live bacteria that digest the sewage. Drain cleaners, bleach and other chemicals will kill off the bacteria.

Look for products that are listed as being okay for septic tanks. For a clogged drain try a plunger or drain snake to physically remove the blockage or remove the drain and clean it by hand.

Drain cleaners are rarely useful even when they can be used.

Other septic care details include having it pumped out once a year and don't bother with adding any special enzymes or other products to help it digest. A septic tank works fine as designed without adding anything special to it or doing anything special other than don't poison it with chemicals and have it pumped out once a year.

Answer 2

Drain Cleaners & Septic Treatment Chemicals , such as used to unclog building drains, of all types, caustic or organic, should be OK provided that you follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Regular, daily, weekly, or monthly use of drain openers, drain cleaners should not be needed in residential septic systems and some products that are caustics may be harmful to the system and to the environment when used often or in larger-than-recommended quantities.

Septic treatment chemicals are generally not needed, sometimes contaminate the environment, and are illegal in many jurisdictions in the U.S. and all of Canada.

For general household use there are many "Green" and septic safe products available.