Comparing Estimates For Sewer-Septic Work

February 28th, 2011 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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For routine sewer septic needs such as septic tank pumping, calling an experienced local sewer septic company will get the job done. However, if you need a big sewer-septic job done such as replacing or installing a new septic tank or septic field, or you need a sewer installation or conversion, the better practice is to obtain several estimates for completing the work from different sewer-septic professionals.

The idea behind getting and comparing estimates is not necessarily to find the lowest price, but rather to ensure that you get top quality work at a fair price.  In some cases, the lowest estimate is the best one, but in other cases the low estimate is due to shoddy work or inferior materials and you are better off with a different sewer-septic company.

When comparing estimates, be sure that each estimate covers all of the work to be done.  Most sewer septic work involves excavation so be sure that the cost of excavation is covered including the cost of any equipment rental if needed.  The estimate should also address who is responsible for obtaining any necessary permits and any clean up and disposal of debris.

Once you are sure you are comparing estimates for the same scope of work, check to see that each estimate uses similar quality materials.  The cost of materials should be about the same for each estimate since most sewer-septic contractors buy their materials from the same place.

Labor costs may vary depending on the business model of each sewer-septic contractor, but an estimate with significantly lower labor costs needs further investigation.

By obtaining and comparing estimates for the work, you will be more likely to choose a qualified sewer-septic professional and be satisfied with the work.

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Septic Tank Size Considerations

February 2nd, 2011 Posted in Septic Tanks
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If you are installing a new septic system in your new home or replacing the existing septic system, it is important to make sure that the septic tank is properly sized for your situation.  Your sewer-septic professional will be able to help you determine the minimum size for your septic tank, but a basic understanding of the variables to consider will help you make an appropriate choice.

A septic system is made up of a drain line, a septic tank, the leech field, and the soil under the leech field.  Each of these components has an important job to do and the septic system will fail if any of these components is not functioning properly.

The septic tank is designed to hold wastewater from your home long enough to allow most of the solid material to settle out to the bottom of the tank.  The septic tank also allows greasy scum to float to the top of the tank.  The septic tank is designed with baffles to hold the scum layer and the solid waste in the tank, but allow the effluent to flow out to the leech field.

A properly sized septic tank will be large enough to hold the wastewater for about 24 to 48 hours before it flows into the leech field.  Based on average water usage, a septic tank for a three bedroom home should be at least 1,000 gallons.  A 1,200 gallon tank is appropriate for a 4 bedroom home, and a 1,500 gallon tank is suitable for a 5 to 6 bedroom home.

If your home is equipped with a garbage disposal or if you anticipate unusually high water usage, it is a good idea to use the next higher septic tank size.

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Snowmelt Over Your Septic System

February 2nd, 2011 Posted in Septic System
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If you have noticed melted snow over your septic tank or septic field, you may be wondering if this is an indication of a problem or if this condition is normal.  Snowmelt over your septic tank or drain field is not necessarily a sign of problems with your septic system, but it should be checked out to be sure it is normal.

Your septic tank is buried in your yard and accumulates waste water from your home.  Solid materials settle to the bottom of the septic tank where it decomposes.  This decomposition process generates some heat and if your septic tank is close to the surface of the ground, the heat may be enough to cause snow over the septic tank to melt.

Hot water from you home can have the same effect.  If you are using hot water for laundry, dishwashing, or showers, the waste water may be warm enough to melt the snow over your septic tank.  The same is true for your septic field, especially if the ground is not frozen or if there is a light snowfall.

Check the area in and around the leech field and septic tank for any soft, mushy ground or foul odors.  If there are no odors or mushy areas in the yard and your drains and toilets are working properly, the snowmelt is probably normal.

If you find any wet, mushy areas or puddles in the yard around the septic tank or leech field, notice any odors, have slow or backed up drains and toilets, or just want to be certain, you should have your septic system inspected by a sewer-septic professional with experience in septic tank inspections.

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Why Do Septic Tanks Need To Be Pumped?

February 2nd, 2011 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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A septic system works by collecting all of the waste water from your home and allowing natural forces to treat it.  Most septic systems use no electricity and few mechanical components.  They work using gravity, time, and natural biological activity.

The waste water first collects in your septic tank where it is held for a day or more to allow most of the solid waste to settle to the bottom of the tank.  A layer of greasy scum will also accumulate on top of the effluent in the septic tank. The waste water then flows into your leach field where it is dispersed throughout the field and percolates into the soil.

The septic tank has a series of baffles that are designed to hold the solids and the greasy scum layer in the tank, but allow the water to flow into the leach field.  The solid material in the tank decomposes to some extent, but over time solids accumulate in the tank and the level of solids builds up.

If amount of solid material in the septic tank grows too large, the septic tank will not have enough room to hold the water long enough and the water that flows out to the leech field will carry increasing amounts of solid material.  These solids will clog the leach field and the soil surrounding the leach field and slow the rate of percolation.

Eventually the soil and leech fields will be overwhelmed and the septic system will fail.  Untreated waste water will puddle on the surface and your drain line will back up.  Regular septic tank pumping will help prevent these problems.

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Septic Tank Pumping

February 2nd, 2011 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If your home or business is on a septic system, it is important to have it pumped out at regular intervals.  One question that frequently arises is how often to have the tank pumped.  The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on several factors but as a general rule, unless you see certain warning signs pumping your septic tank every three to five years should keep your septic tank working great.

Your septic tank is designed to accumulate solid waste and to allow liquid waste to flow out to the leech field where it percolates into the soil.  The volume of solids that accumulates in the tank is reduced somewhat by the biological activity of enzymes that help with decomposition, but over time solid wastes will accumulate at the bottom of the tank.  If too much solid waste accumulates in the tank, your septic system will be compromised.

Solid waste will flow into the leach field and clog up the pipes.  To avoid this from happening, the accumulation of solids needs to be pumped out of the tank on a regular basis.  One factor that affects the frequency of pump outs is the size of your septic tank.  The larger your septic tank, the longer you can go between pump outs.

The other important factor is the volume of waste water from your home.  The more people living in your home, the more often you need to have the septic tank pumped.  Also, if you use a garbage disposal or frequently dispose of chemicals or other solid materials down the drain, your septic tank will need more frequent pumping.

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