$10,000 Bonus

October 8th, 2010 Posted in Drain Lines, Septic Tank Pumping
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Wouldn’t we all like a $10,000 bonus for this year on our paychecks?  If you have been living in your home for 10-15 years, then a $10,000 repair bill may actually be in store for you if you haven’t properly maintained your septic tank.

One of the best and easiest ways to extend the life of your septic tank is through regular pumping.  Many experts agree that regular pump outs of your septic waste water tank will extend the life of your tank and system for many years.

A new septic tank will cost anywhere from $10,000-$15,000 (or more!) depending on the size of your home and your needs.  If you never pump, and are not mindful of the contaminants that you put in your septic tank, the average life span of your tank will only be around 10-15 years.  That is about a $1,000 a year for use of this septic sewer system.

Instead, give yourself a bonus on your paycheck or at least eliminate an unplanned for bill!  Have regular pump outs of your septic tank.  Watch the amount of water you use and be conscious of water conservation techniques.  Have a professional clean the inlet and outlet drains on a regular basis (annually is recommended) to ensure proper functioning.  Perform the recommended annual maintenance on your septic system, and call your sewer-septic professional for help if problems occur.  These routine check-ups are a small price to pay for the health and longevity of your septic tank.  You will save money in the long run.

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Septic Tank Tips For Fall

October 8th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic Tank Inspections, Septic Tanks
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Fall is here and with it comes cooler weather, leaf raking, and crisp nights.  Many of us have annual fall chores that we all do around this time of year, helping to ready our home for winter.  Be sure to get your septic tank ready for winter too.  A few annual fall chores will help keep it functioning with minimal problems in the year to come.

First, if you haven’t already done so, schedule your annual inspection and pump out.  A regular pump out schedule for your septic tank helps keep the waste water tank from becoming too full. An annual inspection will help identify any small problems before they become major issues, including minor leaks or cracks in the structure.

As you begin your fall plantings, be mindful of your septic tank.  You don’t want to plant any large bushes or trees on or near the drain lines, as these may potentially disrupt appropriate drainage from your waste water tank.  This can be a potentially very expensive repair if deep roots begin to block the drainage lines.

Finally,as much as we all hate to do it, don’t forget to rake those leaves!  Standing leaves that cover your lawn oftentimes will mask underlying septic tank problems.  It makes it more difficult to determine if standing water is present, or if any sinking or settling of the ground has occurred.

While you are raking, look for signs of trouble with your septic field.  Bright green strips of grass can be an indication that your septic field is not working properly.  These indications may go unnoticed in the summer months when the whole lawn is lush and green, but can appear in fall when your lawn goes dormant.

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Septic System Warning Signs

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Drain Lines, Septic System
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We all have had home repair issues.  The sewer septic is one area that none of us wants a problem with.  As homeowners, it is our responsibility to know the warning signs of when things may be going wrong with our septic system.

Your septic tank and sewer system is an important, expensive piece of your home.  It provides wastewater disposal for the entire plumbing system of the house.

Signs of impending nightmares include toilets that are slow to flush or have ‘remains’ in them after flushing.  Drains that are slow to drain are also signs of potential clogged drain lines.  Often, these lines can be ‘cleared’ with a simple plumbing technique, but in other cases more serious services are required.  Never place chemicals in any drain to help speed the drainage as these chemicals can actually destroy the bacteria that helps break down the solid waste.

Standing water in the area of the leach field and septic tank generally indicates a leak in the sewer septic system somewhere.  A qualified professional should be contacted immediately in these cases.

Foul odors or smells coming from the yard where the septic tank is generally indicate that the septic tank lid is cracked or broken, or that the tank itself has a crack.  A smelly septic tank odor and area is a very bad sign, and requires immediate help from a qualified professional.  In some states, civil penalties can be assessed for sewer septic tank failures.

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Septic Tank Covers

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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Every septic tank has a port of entry.  This is the septic tank cover.  One out of four American households use a sewer septic system to process their waste water.

This septic tank lid is actually removablel, although many homeowners don’t know where their septic tank lid is located.  You should always know where your septic tank is located and know where the lid is in case of emergency.

If you are installing a new septic tank, there are several considerations you want to make when installing.

Make sure that the lid is tight fitting and of a durable material.  The septic tank lid is often a point of leaks if it was made of poor quality or non-durable materials.  If you notice standing water in the leach fields, or an odor coming from the septic tank area, you likely have a leak and should contact a sewer septic professional.

Most septic tank covers are made from concrete.  These lids are both durable and strong (meaning no small child can inadvertently stand on the lid, cause it to tip, and ‘fall in’.)  You can have septic tank lids made in steel or plastic.  Steel lids tend to rust, and plastic ones tend to break.  Concrete septic tank lids are, overall, the best choice for your new septic tank.

Knowing the location of your septic tank cover is important so you don’t run over it with a lawn mower or car.  You should consider wisely all of your options when installing a septic tank, including the cover.  Consulting with a qualified sewer septic professional is the best step when deciding on a new septic tank.

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How a Septic Tank Works

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic Tanks
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Your sewer septic system and tank does not need to be a mystery!

Your septic tank works by allowing waste water to be treated in your yard, basically.  Bacteria work to digest and decompose the solid materials.  Raw sewage never is disposed of in your yard.

In the septic tank itself, chambers are present.  These chambers are where the solids are separated from the waste water.  This solid waste is eaten and broken down by the bacteria, making it take up less space.  Because the solids are compacted, they become heavier and settle to the bottom of the tank.  Any solid material that can not be broken down must be removed from the tank.  If you flush baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cat litter, or other non-human waste into your septic tank, you will need more frequent septic tank pumping. 

Waste water remains at the top of the septic tank, and is eventually distributed out via the drain lines to the leach field or drain field.  This is treated sewage, and is no cause for concern.  However, the area around your septic tank and leach field should never be ‘wet’ or have standing water.  If it does, you should call a local sewer septic professional for immediate inspection.

It is important that you know where your septic tank is located.  Generally, properly installed and operational sewer septic systems require little to no maintenance except for periodic pumping.  Prices for pumping will vary depending on the size of the tank, and the location of your tank.

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Why is a Septic Tank Called “Septic”?

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic System
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The term septic relates to the ability of oxygen to survive in an area.

When you have a self contained, home sewer system, you need a waste water tank.  The average American makes about 50 gallons of waste water daily, from showers and baths, washing dishes and clothing, and using the toilet.  A waste water tank is needed to collect this fluid.  This tank separates the large solids and allows for decomposition.  A soil filter helps remove the small or fine solids, and natural processes destroy the bacteria.

A septic tank is a tank that is anaerobic, meaning that it does not need air or oxygen intake.  Another type of waste water tank is called an aerobic tank  The aerobic tank actually uses an air agitator to help dissolve the solid wastes.

Bacteria are the reason the solids are dissolved.  These digestive processes release a gas.  If you have a septic tank that is ‘smelly’, that means an air leak has occurred, and you need to call a sewer-septic professional immediately to prevent further damage from occurring.

There are many different types of septic systems.  The most common design for residential homes has a two part system:  the waste water storage and treatment tank (the septic tank) and the drain field or leach field.  The drain field allows drainage of treated effluent to return to the soil.  In no circumstance is untreated or raw sewage ever placed back in the soil in your yard.  The only maintenance required in a properly installed and operating sewer septic system is the regular ‘pumping out’ of the septic tank itself every few years.

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Healthy Habits for Septic Systems

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Septic System
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Septic systems are an excellent alternative for disposal of wastewater.  Developing a few simple habits will help keep your septic system working great and avoid expensive repairs.

The amount of wastewater and sewage a septic system can handle is limited by the size of the septic system installed.  When a septic system is installed, your sewer-septic professional will determine the proper size of the system based on the anticipated volume of wastewater.  The wastewater flow is generally estimated based on the number of bedrooms they property has and the type of soil where the leach field will be placed.

Minimizing the amount of wastewater flowing from your house will help maximize the service life of your septic system and keep repair and service costs to a minimum.  Installing low flow shower head and toilets and using a high efficiency clothes washer will help minimize wastewater flow.  You can also eliminate the second rinse on your dishwasher and avoid leaving the water running while washing dishes, brushing your teeth, and other such activities.  Not only will you save money on your water bill, you will be extending the life of your septic system.

Take care when choosing cleaning products.  Your septic system relies on naturally occurring bacteria to function properly.  Some cleaning products can be harmful to these desirable bacteria.  If in doubt, consult your sewer-septic professional.

Avoid disposing of garbage, grease, paint and other non-organic materials such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, baby diapers and wipes, and cat litter and minimize food waste flushed down your drain.  These materials can cause the sludge level in your septic tank to rise and can clog the leach lines. You will need more frequent septic tank pumping service.

Properly maintained and cared for, your septic system will provide years of trouble free service.

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