Importance of Bacteria in a Septic System

Bacteria get a bad rap. Go down any cleaning product isle in a grocery store and you will see hundreds of products touting their ability to kill bacteria. While many types of bacteria can pose a health threat, they can be beneficial in the right circumstances. Those same tiny organisms that can make you ill are important to your septic system. Here’s why bacteria are vital to your septic system and how you can protect them.

Septic Systems Depend on Bacteria

When the waste from your home or business leaves the building and enters the holding tank, it needs to deteriorate. The septic tank is designed to allow solid wastes to breakdown into liquid. For this to occur, bacteria are required. Bacteria feed on organic solid waste, such as food, fecal matter and even paper products. As they attack the solids, they are dissolved into liquid. This liquid wastewater, called effluent, can then overflow to your mound or drain field to be further filtered before entering the ground water below.

Protecting Bacteria

Unfortunately, all those cleaners and other chemicals that kill bacteria can be detrimental to your septic system. If anti-bacterial cleansers, paint thinners and other harsh chemicals are put down the drain, they can kill the bacteria in your septic tank. Even antibiotic medications can kill septic bacteria. To protect the bacteria needed in your septic tank, avoid allowing these chemicals to go down your drains.

If your bacteria balance is not correct, your septic tank will fill quicker and require more frequent pumping. To maintain a healthy septic system, make sure to schedule routine inspections with a septic professional – they can check your bacteria balance and help you protect your septic system.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Septic Maintenance Basics for New Homeowners

If you are a new homeowner, you have a long list of maintenance items that come with your property purchase. Owning a home is a wise investment, but it also requires preventive care to help maintain the value and minimize unexpected repair costs. One system that may be new to you is a septic system. While it may seem daunting to be in charge of your own waste disposal system, if you keep up with maintenance, you may be able to avoid many costly repairs. Understanding the basic of septic maintenance is key to avoiding expensive septic repairs and replacements.

Avoiding Unnecessary Disposal

One of the main aspects of maintaining your septic system is reducing the waste that goes down your drains. Make water efficiency a priority, using water conservation fixtures and techniques. Also, the items that go down your drain impact your septic system. Practice keeping chemicals, grease, non-biodegradable items and solid food products out of your drains to reduce stress on your septic system.

Protect Your Underground Plumbing

The majority of your septic system is underground. You need to protect the tank, pipes, drain field and distribution box from damage. Keep vehicles and heavy machinery off your lawn or property where septic equipment resides underground. Also avoid planting trees too closely to septic pipes; root invasion can cause serious sewer pipe damage.

Routine Inspections, Pumping and Repairs

You do not need to do much of your septic maintenance on your own. Hire a septic professional to come out at least once a year to inspect your system, perform pumping when needed, and repair/replace components. This can prevent expensive septic emergencies and keep your system working reliably throughout the rest of the year. It is a wise investment and one that will help protect the value of your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

Why You Should Replace Polybutylene Pipes

Sometimes an invention comes along that seems like a great idea, but turns out to be a literal bust. That is the case with polybutylene pipes, which was used in plumbing between the 1970’s and 1990’s. This blue plastic piping was very popular, thought to be the wave of the future. It turned out it is unreliable and will eventually corrode from the inside out, causing plumbing and sewer line failures. If you have polybutylene pipes in your plumbing or as your sewer line, you should replace it. Here’s why.

Repairs Will Get Expensive

Many home and business owners have opted to repair polybutylene pipes as they burst versus doing a full replacement. While this is less expensive at the time, it will not be in the long run. Running up plumbing and sewer line repairs at a few hundred dollars or more per episode will eventually cost more than replacement, which will need to be done anyway.

Possible Damage

If your sewer line breaks or a pipe bursts in your home, you can be in for expensive damage to your house and property. A broken sewer line can cause a sewer backup, creating a nasty mess, plus possible water and mold problem in your home.

It’s Not if They Will Break, It Is When

If your polybutylene pipes have not already begun to give you problems, they will. Proactively replacing polybutylene pipes will save you on repairs and damage.

Don’t wait for the next plumbing or sewer line emergency to occur. Talk to your local sewer/plumbing service company about replacing your old polybutylene pipes to protect yourself from emergency repair costs and other damage to your property.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Buying a Home with a Septic: What You Need to Know

When you are shopping for a new home in smaller towns or rural areas, you are bound to come across homes with septic systems. If you are not familiar with septic systems, it is important to understand how they differ from city sewer service before you buy a home with a septic. Here is what you need to know if you are considering buying a home with a septic.

  • It is important to have a septic system inspection before you agree to buy a home. Insist on a thorough inspection of the pump, tank, drain field and sewer lines to ensure the system is in good shape.
  • Septic systems do not require monthly payments for service, but they do need maintenance. Ask for maintenance records for the septic system and contact a local septic service to discuss ongoing maintenance plans. Most septic systems will require service 1-2 times a year.
  • Protecting your septic. Septic systems are more sensitive then city sewer systems. It is vital to understand the limits of what can be put down the drain to prevent septic clogs and failure. Talk to your local septic service company to learn the basics on how to care for your system.

If you are unsure about owning a home with a septic system, but are enamored by a house on the market with a septic, consider conversion. Many areas may have sewer lines available that can be connected to the home you desire. While it may be a sizable initial investment, converting to a sewer system connection can be easier for maintenance and add value to you home.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

Insist on a Thorough Septic Inspection Before You Buy Your New Home

Buying a new home can be an exciting and nerve-racking time. Whether it is your first home or you are changing locations for your job, growing family or school districts, you must consider many factors when purchasing a home. No one wants to buy a home and find out a few months later that there is a major issue that will need repair. If you are buying a home with a septic system, having that system thoroughly inspected is vital before you make an investment into the home.

Septic system failures can cost several thousand dollars or more to repair or replace the system. While most counties and state regulations require a septic inspection by the owner before a home sale, considering the importance of this system, you may want to schedule your own inspection. Find a septic service company that offers intricate inspections that include:

  • Complete inspection of all septic components – tank, distribution box, leach field and any other components
  • Digital camera inspections of sewer lines. A broken sewer line or clog can cost thousands of dollars to fix. A digital camera inspection can ensure that the pipes underground are in good condition.
  • Functionality of the system. Checking the level of bacterium in the septic tank and the health of the leach field, mound system or sand filter should be completed.

It is worth the extra investment to have your own septic inspection completed before you buy a new home. It can give you the peace of mind of knowing that your new home has a solid, quality septic system that should last for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Four Reasons to Have a Septic System Professionally Inspected

There are times when you need to have a septic system inspected by a professional. Most people know very little about septic systems, even when they own a home or business that use one for their sewage system. In certain circumstances, you need someone who has the training, experience and tools to evaluate the efficiency and productivity of the entire system. Here are four reasons that you may need to call a septic professional for an inspection.

 You are buying a house or business with a septic system. Buying property with a septic system is a large investment. You will want to know that the system is in good working order before making the purchase.  Most places require a septic inspection before a property can be sold.

You are selling property with a septic system. If you are selling your home or business, you should plan on having a septic inspection. It most likely be needed before you can sell the property, but you don’t want any surprises at the last minute.

You are having drain field issues. Is there an odor coming from your drain field or water pooling? You may have a major issue with your septic tank or drain field. Call a professional for an inspection immediately.

You are having drain backups. If the drains in your home or business are backing up, you should have your septic inspected. Digital cameras can be used to find the problem, whether it is in your sewer pipes, in the septic tank or drain field.

Septic systems are too expensive to trust an inspection to anyone but a trained professional. Make sure you hire a qualified septic service that will thoroughly inspect your system and give you a detailed report on its performance.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

 

Buying Land with a Septic System?

You found the perfect place to invest in a new or vacation home, a piece of land that is already equipped with a septic system. Whether there is already a small cabin or trailer on the property or there used to be a structure, you are imagining your new home that will easily hook up with the existing septic system. Before you write that down payment check for the property, you will want to have a thorough septic inspection.

Most property purchases with an existing septic system will require an inspection of the system. However, the inspection is just to ensure that the system is functional and meets the local regulations. A clean bill of health on a septic system does not mean you will be able to use it for a future home you are planning to build. Before buying land with a septic system that you intend to use for a new home, here are a few things you need to know.

  • When was the system installed?
  • When was the last service and/or tank pumping?
  • What size of a tank does the system have?
  • Where is the drain field?

These are all important questions with more important answers. A septic system that is decades old may need many upgrades. Plus, the tank size and drain field may not be large enough for the size of home you want to build. If the system has not been maintained, it could mean large expenses down the road.

Before you decide to buy land with a septic system, make sure you invest in a thorough inspection of the system by a local septic service and get the answers to these questions. It could save you from future disappointment and many expenses if it is not right for your needs.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Tips to Protect Your Septic System from Winter Damage

Septic systems in cold climates should be designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of winter. But what if you live in a region that rarely gets cold weather? If the last few years have taught Americans anything, it is that when it comes to weather, learn to expect the unexpected. An unexpected cold snap could put your pipes, septic tank and drain field in jeopardy of damage. However, there are a few ways to protect your system from winter damage. Consider these tips:

–          Insulate your drain field. A cold snap, especially without snow, can put your drain field at risk of freezing if it doesn’t have ample insulation. Grass and even snow can help protect your drain field pipes, but if you have neither, use mulch. Mulch can provide enough insulation to get you through those cold snaps during the winter months without damaging your drain field.

–          Inspect your septic tank cover. If your tank cover is visible, check it for any cracks or chips before the cold weather hits. If it is loose or has any damage, call your local septic service company to have it replaced.

–          Schedule an inspection. The best way to ensure your septic system is ready for the upcoming winter is to schedule your annual inspection. Ask your local experts about any preparation you need to ensure your septic system will not be compromised during a winter storm.

What could make a winter storm worse? Having your septic system freeze up when it is happening. Plan ahead to make sure your septic system and the rest of your plumbing is ready for anything Father Winter throws your way.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

 

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home with a Septic System

If you’re shopping for a new home, you may be looking at some homes with a septic system. If you’ve never owned a home with a septic, you may be a little leery of taking on the responsibility of maintaining your own sewer system, but don’t let a septic system deter you from buying the home of your dreams. Here are a few basic facts about septic systems, which may make your purchasing decision less complicated:

Septic Systems are Affordable

You may think the costs associated with owning a septic system are immense, but In reality, maintaining a septic system is usually no more expensive than paying for city sewer services. Unlike a city sewer, you don’t pay out a monthly fee for your septic system, only paying for annual inspections, repairs or pumping when they’re necessary. In the long run, a properly maintained septic system can last for decades with very little cost for maintenance.

Low Maintenance

Most modern septic systems require very little maintenance to keep them running smoothly. If you follow regular septic system etiquette, like keeping harmful items out of your wastewater, there’s little that needs to be done to maintain your system on a monthly basis. If you don’t want to mess with the septic system at all, you can choose to sign up for a maintenance program with your local septic company. They can perform regular checkups and maintenance as needed.

One thing you should do before buying a new home with a septic system is ensure that the system has been thoroughly inspected by a trusted contractor. Although septic systems are affordable and easy to maintain, they are expensive to replace. Make sure you’re starting with a system in good shape before you buy the home.

Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA
(770) 927-7926

 

Going Green is Great for Your Septic System

It’s not just the planet that can benefit when you make green choices. If you own a home with a septic system, going green is a great way to extend the life of your septic and decrease the chance of septic failure. There are several ways that green habits and products can help your septic system, including these green septic tips:

  • Green cleaning products. Harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia and other chemicals can be harmful to the delicate bacterial balance in your septic tank. Choosing green cleaners which do not contain such chemicals can be healthier for both your septic system and the environment. Another option is making your own cleaners from natural substances, like vinegar and baking soda.
  • Save on water, save your septic. Conserving water is part of the green movement, but it’s also a great way to reduce wear and tear on your septic system. Be conscious of every bit of water you use, saving an important resource while putting less stress on your septic system.
  • Use energy and water efficient appliances. Choose appliances and fixtures that are energy and water efficient. This can reduce your energy bills while decreasing the water that goes through your septic system every month.

Living green has many benefits to your bank account, the earth and even your septic system. Your septic service company may have more tips on how to preserve your septic system and make it last for many years to come. Call to schedule an annual inspection and maintenance service for your septic, and learn more about how to use green methods to take care of your septic system.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221