Texas Transplant—August 11, 2019
UPDATE 4/22/2021 Just had my septic flushed for regular maintenance and was told that everything looks great now! 30+ year old system. Before I started using it two years ago. I was told that I should look at putting in an EXPENSIVE Aerobic system. Tried Down John as a "last hope" and IT IS WORKING!!!. My lateral lines are a being cleaned and there are NO problems. While I noticed a slight improvement after about 6-8 months, there is now a HUGE change from a couple of years ago. Septic is working like it was new. If someone on this website is complaining about Down John after only two or three MONTHS of use, its because they haven't given it a chance to work. Don't forget that there are usually YEARS of sludge and buildup that it has to work through. TRY IT! Update: 3/24/2020 My septic is 30+ years old. (installed in 1987) I was having problems with getting A LOT of solids in the second tank, which shouldn't be there. The lateral lines also had "issues". I used Down John for the first time about 8-9 months ago. We recently had some very unusual torrential rains in my area (4-5" in about an hour). This created a LAKE over my septic tanks and some lateral lines. The rain flooded my septic tanks and I had to have the rain water pumped out. When the septic was inspected this time, there were NO solids in the second tank. Down John did exactly what I hoped it would do! It looks like it will save me from having to install a new $8000++ Aerobic septic system. DOWN JOHN IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It has been two months since I added Down John. so far so good. NO issues or back ups. It will take another 10 months or so get a final reading. At that time my septic gets it's yearly pumping and I will be better able to see inside the tank and how everything has "broken down". When I originally used Down John, I liked that it was a three-part system. I am hopeful that this is a cure not a "band-aid" for septic systems like the one-part products. None of the one step products I had previously tried seemed to do anything. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unlike other"1-step" products I have used with marginal results in the past. This is a well-thought out system. 3 parts over three days to get the system back into shape. I had a question and called the company. The owner of the company, (and inventor / chemist!) took ten minutes to discuss my particular issues and made a few suggestions. Treatment takes time so I won't know fir a while how well it works but so far, it looks good! Given the cost of getting a new system, it is definitely worth a try. Read more
Nesa R—May 1, 2025
Had Septic problems and had it all dug up and new lines put in. We decided to use this product to keep our septic clean and keep it working good. Being we spent a lot of money fixing our lines and septic, we wanted something to keep it going nice. So far it looks good. This is the second year of using this product. I read somewhere to open up the septic lid outside and put that charcoal powder directly into the Septic. That will make it more easy than putting it into the toilet. It can stain the inside of the toilet and be a messy clean up. That’s what we do. The other two bottles are fine to flush down the toilet. Read more
Barones—June 15, 2019
I used Down John for the first time in April 2019. I was having trouble getting rid of a sewer smell even after using the advertised drain cleaner for septic system. I learned about Down John from a faithful user so I gave it a try. Maybe 3 days later sewer smell was gone and has not returned. This product is so easy to use and only once a year, cannot beat that. You will be surprised with the results, give it a try. I am once again buying my Down John septic treatment for this year 2020. I did not have the sewer smell coming from my drains this winter as I had before my 1st treatment last year. This product really works! Get some now to treat your septic system. Read more
GSquared—March 26, 2025
This item works but I have to use 2 boxes at one time once per year because my septic tank is 2,500 gallons. Its easier than using another product once per month. No smells. I recommend it. I probably add another monthly product once or twice per year if I think it needs it. Read more
Doris Cannaday—September 29, 2025
I have used this product for several years and it has kept our septic system in top notch shape. I will keep on using it. Read more
Customer—April 4, 2023
So I was ready to rip up my septic system because I was told that it needed to be repaired or I should should hook up to the city drain due to a stinky leak that I had any time we washed or had a busy water use day at home I was stressing out but I thought I would look for something online and found down John Wow this stuff works I just put it to the test about a week later after using the product no more stink no more leaks this product is awesome stress is gone my drains are working perfectly the only thing I think I would make people aware of is to check your septic system size because I originally had only bought one box but it wasn’t enough one box only treats 1000 gal system and my system was 1500 gal so I needed to buy a additional box it would be cool if they sold a 1500 gal system box appose to have to buy 2 complete boxes but I’m super happy with the results and I will be recommending this product to everyone I know that has septic systems I’m a believer thanks down John Read more
NorthernProducer—June 28, 2022
This is the 4th year I've used Down John and it seems to work well on my septic system. My only issue is that the 1st day treatment which is the carbon additive stains the toilet bowl. It is very difficult and messy to remove. On the advice of Down John, they said to remove the stain I have to mix a solution of baking soda and water to manually clean the bowl. My toilets are ToTo brand and apparently are made from a material that the carbon sticks to. It's such a messy cleaning job I am looking for another product. Read more
Joanne—July 10, 2025
We have a septic tank and were using RidX monthly. We;ve been using Down John for over a year and like that we just need to use it every 6 months. The only thing to remember is that the tratment needs to be given on 3 consecutive days in order for it to work Read more