Avoid Cleaning Chemicals For The Sake Of Your Septic System

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Repairing problems with your septic tank can be expensive business so households with a septic system installed should to doing everything they can to ensure that it continues to work properly and efficiently. Good maintenance habits such as limiting the amount of water you use and regular septic tank pumping are common practices that most homeowners are aware of, but another key issue when it comes to taking care of your septic system is avoiding the use of chemicals.

Many household-cleaning products used to clean sinks and toilets contain strong chemicals, which make their way down the pipes and into the septic system. Your septic system contains a delicate balance of bacteria and microbes that break down the solid waste inside the septic tank and treat the effluent in the soil around the leach field.  Cleaning agents, bleach and detergents all affect the treatment process that is happening all of the time within the tank and in the leach field and too many chemicals will eventually begin to cause problems with your septic system.

Clog removal chemicals are similar if not worse because the chemicals are particularly robust. Also, since they are poured directly down the drain the septic tank receives a large concentration of these harmful chemicals at one time. Chemical clog removers can also be harmful to people as if the clog is not successfully removed you are left with a sink full of toxic chemicals, which will also begin to damage the piping if allowed to sit their for a significant period of time. For the sake of your septic system the next time you have a clog, use alternate methods such as plunging rather than resorting to chemicals.

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Recognizing When Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Every home that has a septic tank installed will have to go through the process of having the septic tank pumped. Regular septic tank pumping is recommended but the frequency will depend on the size of the tank and the size of the household.  It typically ranges between 2-3 years.

If you have recently moved into a house with a septic system, you may not know when the tank was last pumped so the best thing to do in this situation is have a professional sewer- septic system company come in and service your system. They will be able to ensure that it is all working efficiently and advise you on when it should next be pumped.

There are other signs that you should be aware of which indicate that your tank needs to be pumped. Many of the more modern units come with a light or alarm that goes off as soon as your tank is full. When this happens it means you need to arrange to have your tank pumped as soon as possible or run the risk of causing damage.

A bad odor is a strong indication that there is an issue with your septic tank and immediate action by a sewer-septic professional is probably necessary.  A bad smell coming from the tank can be a sign that there is a leak or damage to the drain field line but if this is not the case the small is likely down to the tank being full.

Either way a professional will be able to identify the problem and provide a solution quickly and properly. Wet patches in the drain field as well as back up of waste into the toilet are both further signs that it is time to get your septic tank pumped.

 

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Proper Septic Tank Maintenance Saves Time and Money

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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A septic tank is a necessity in many American households and knowing how to properly maintain one is crucial if you have never previously had one. Even those who have had one installed in their household before can benefit from using certain tips and techniques in order to prolong the lifespan of their septic system.

Proper septic tank maintenance is necessary for both the septic tank and the drain field.  In addition, making conscientious decisions and actions when it comes to your water use and waste disposal habits is the key to long and healthy use of your septic system.

The main thing that should be considered at all times by every member of the household is what you are putting into the system. Avoid putting any materials or chemicals into the system including sanitary napkins, cigarette butts and even cleaning products. Chemicals contained in cleaning products can upset the balance of the bacteria within the tank and make the breaking down of waste products less effective.

Grease and fat should be disposed of in the garbage rather than down the drain and try not to over use your garbage disposal. Being conscientious about how much water is used by the household can also help to prolong the life of the system so try not to use excessive amounts in short periods of time.

Avoid driving heavy machinery or cars on top of the tank and septic field and make sure there is enough land and soil surrounding the leach field to properly filter out the effluent. You can save time and money spent on emergency repairs by having your tank serviced periodically to ensure that every thing is working properly and efficiently.  Regular septic tank inspections and septic tank pumping is necessary to remove the solids that have accumulated in the septic tank.

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Septic Systems: What You Need To Know

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Septic systems are a fairly common part of many American households and consist of a septic tank and a drain field, also sometimes referred to as a leach field. The tank is buried underground and can be installed in either the front of the backyard so long as there is sufficient room for both the tank and the drain field. It is not recommended to place anything heavy such as a car or machinery above the tank so you should keep the space clear. Additionally it will not possible to build or install any features such as a swimming pool close to the drain field.

The septic tank is where all of your waste water from the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room will end up. Once there the waste is separated with solids remaining in the tank and liquid known as effluent is allowed to flow out of the tank and into the drain field. The effluent is then filtered as it percolates down through the soil where bacteria and viruses are removed.

There are certain things that must be done in order to properly maintain your septic system and one of the most important ones is to have the tank pumped on a regular basis. The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on a number of factors including the size of the tank and the amount of waste produced by your household.

Certain things should not be put into the system or you run the risk of causing damage such as feminine hygiene products and cigarette butts. Cooking oil should be disposed of in the garbage rather than down the drains and try not to use excessive amounts of water as this can cause the system to fail.

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Regular Septic Tank Pumping

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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It is a fairly common misconception that septic tank pumping is only necessary when the septic tank starts showing signs of damage or working less efficiently than it has in the past. In reality if it is already obvious that the septic tank is full through signs such as the toilet is backing up or the drain field has an unusually bad smell, you have already waited too long for septic tank pumping. That is why it is essential to have your septic tank pumped regularly rather than waiting until the last minute.

Septic systems work by separating the waste as it enters into the tank into three sections. The solid waste known as sludge settles in the bottom and grease and other lightweight substances known as scum float the surface. The liquid waste in the middle is released into the drain field and is known as effluent. Over time the sludge at the bottom builds up leaving less and less space for new waste to be separated and for effluent to slowly seep out.

As space inside the tank decreases, it becomes easier for solid waste to escape and this can lead to the soil absorption system becoming clogged. At this point any new waste coming into the system has nowhere to go causing the plumbing inside to back up, leading to an unpleasant odor not only around the tank but also inside your house.

Hiring a professional septic tank pumper once every couple of years can help keep your septic system in good working condition. Regular septic tank pumping to prevent damage and blockages will save you a great deal or time, money and hassle.

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What Does a Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Entail?

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Septic System
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Conversion from a home septic system to a city sewer system typically requires a fairly significant up-front investment, but can also easily pay for itself in terms of money saved on septic system maintenance and resale value of your home. Furthermore, the elimination of pumping requirements and the nuisance of unpleasant smells is another major perk. If you’re considering a septic to sewer conversion, learning more about the process is probably at the top of your list, as it can be a major undertaking and you’ll want to be prepared for all that it entails before committing to ensure that you’re not faced with surprises during the conversion.

In most cases, converting from a septic system to the city sewer requires disconnecting your home from the septic system, filling the septic tank with soil, and installing a sewer lateral from you home and connecting it to the main line of the city sewer. This is typically a fairly straightforward, if a bit time consuming, process. However, swimming pools, retaining walls, sidewalks and mature trees can present a challenge.

An experienced sewer and septic technician or specialist will be able to work through the obstacles, but it can make the process a bit more expensive and increase the amount of time the conversion takes. Upon completion, however, you will never be faced with the prospect of having your septic tank pumped or lawn saturation during grass dormancy periods. Consulting a technician or specialist in your area to discuss the pros and cons of a septic-to-sewer conversion on your property can help you to make an informed decision about what’s best for your family and your home.

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Septic Tank Inspections and the Prospective Home Buyer

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If you’re considering the purchase of a new home, you already know that there can be a variety of expenses involved before you ever take ownership of the property. If saving money is a concern, you may be tempted to forgo some inspections in favor of pocketing the cash for upgrades and personalization of your new home. However, opting to skip the septic tank inspection can be a mistake that costs you far more money than you bargained for.

Your mortgage lender will probably require you to have the structure, HVAC and internal plumbing of a property inspected before they will approve the loan. Because sewer inspections aren’t always required by all mortgage companies and banks, it’s easy to either forget the inspection or deliberately opt not to obtain one. That leaves you essentially purchasing a home blind to any issues that could present themselves with the septic system down the road.

Replacing or even repairing a septic system that has been damaged or has degraded over time can be exorbitantly expensive and very time consuming. By having the septic system inspected before you complete the purchase of a new home, you will be able to learn more about the condition of the existing system.

In some cases, the condition of that system may be precarious enough that you choose not to purchase the home after considering the potential cost of future repairs or full system replacement. Buying that home without an inspection, however, leaves you with no choice but to take the risk of running into severe septic system problems down the line, and to foot the bill for those repairs.

 

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Leach Fields 101

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Drain Field
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Understanding the inner workings of a septic system can be quite complicated for the layman, but there are things that you’ll need to understand if you’re considering or just completed the purchase of a home with a septic system. The leach field, also called a drain field, is a network of trenches and pipes that are surrounded by gravel and a layer of soil to protect it from animals and environmental disturbances.

The leach field removes contaminants from the liquid that leaves the septic tank, allowing for disposal of organic materials with the assistance of the surrounding microbial ecosystem. Leach field failures are usually the result of intestinal bacteria that finds its way into the leach field, where they take hold and begin to secrete a substance called biomat. That substance, a mucal slime that begins to thicken over time, can eventually begin to inhibit the flow of liquid through the leach field.

The result is a rise of odorous waste to the surface and a fully clogged leach field. Pipes can also be broken or clogged by the roots of trees growing nearby, construction activity on your property or driving a vehicle over the leach field. Failure to pump a septic tank in a timely manner can also cause an accumulation of sludge and organic solids, which will contribute to the growth of biomat. A sewer-septic contractor can assess the problem and offer possible solutions for drain field repairs to restore proper septic system function, as well as addressing any issues that could be contributing to damage of the leach field or septic system failures.

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More Efficient Toilets Can Help to Protect Your Septic System

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that replacing only one toilet in your home with a high-efficiency, low-flow model can save up to eleven gallons of water each day, which translates to over four thousand fewer gallons of waste water flowing into your septic system annually. While this can make a  noticeable difference on your monthly water bill, it can also help to reduce the risk of needing septic tank service, repairs or even replacement due to a complete septic system failure.

A septic system is easily damaged by too much water flowing throught the system which is called hydraulic overload.  Even under normal water loads, the less water that enters the system the better.  Low flow toilets can help reduce the hydraulic load on your septic system and avoid septic system repairs.  Two of the more popular high-efficiency options for residential use are single flush toilets, which operate in a manner similar to older models while using significantly less water, and dual flush toilets. These models offer two flushing options, one for liquid waste and another for solids.

While replacing your older, less efficient toilets with more modern models that are designed to conserve water will reduce the amount of waste water flowing through your septic system significantly, it’s important to remember that only organic waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed through your toilet.

By making sure that household chemicals like bathroom cleaners, bleach and harsh abrasives are never disposed of in the toilet, you’re opting not to introduce substances that could disturb the bacterial balance inside your septic tank, which is responsible for breaking down organic waste. Feminine hygiene products can also cause problems when they’re flushed. Installing a low-flow toilet and being aware of what you flush through it’s pipes can help you prolong the life of your septic tank, reduce the likelihood of future problems and avoid service repair bills down the line.

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Sewer Lateral Care

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If your home is connected to the city sewer line, it’s understandable to assume that you’re absolved from much of the responsibility of caring for your waste water system. In actuality, you are responsible for the private sewer lateral that connects to the public system to carry waste out of your home. Sewer line repairs including repairing cracks and breaks, as well as maintaining a free flowing connection through that lateral, will ultimately be up to you as the property owner.

Thankfully, there are several ways that you can help to protect your sewer lateral and fend off sewer line clogs and breaks. Pouring fats, cooking grease and oils down the drain of your sink is one of the most common causes of lateral clogs, and should be avoided at all costs. Diapers, wipes and even feminine products that are marketed as flushable and biodegradable can also cause problems, especially if your sewer laterals are older and have any intrusions like tree roots or grease build-up.

When you’re planning a new landscaping project, be sure to keep the location of your sewer lateral in mind. The roots of trees and large shrubbery can grow towards any cracks in your sewer lines in search of water, forming root balls and other intrusions that greatly interfere with the flow of water or clog the line altogether.

Even when taking these precautions, it’s wise to install an overflow protection device to ensure that any spills resulting from a clog in either your own sewer lateral or the public line will remain outside, rather than backing up into your home. Sewage overflow in your home can present substantial health risks and property damage; an outside spill, while certainly unpleasant and inconvenient, is much less difficult to clean up and presents fewer health risks.

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