Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Upon purchasing a new home, you find a pump in the basement and you have no idea what it’s for. First off, don’t be embarrassed. This is one of the most common questions asked by customers of sewer-septic service providers. Second, chances are, the pump is either a sump pump or an ejector pump.

Sump Pump 

A sump pump is used to drain excess water from the basement to keep it from flooding. This is especially important in coastal and other areas that are prone to flooding. Sump pumps keep excess water at bay and also help preserve foundations from cracking due to pressure from groundwater.

Typically, the sump pump is installed in a sump pit, a specially made hole for holding excess water from drains and natural water migration. When the water reaches a certain level, the sump pump lifts the water out of the hole and away from the building.

It’s always a good idea to have a battery back up for your sump pump. These are usually relatively inexpensive and easy to install and worth every penny if you want to avoid costly damages due to a basement flood.

Ejector Pump 

An ejector pump may resemble a sump pump, but it has an entirely different purpose. An ejector pump’s job is to pump solid waste and wastewater from toilets and sinks that are below the main water line. It is most often seen in houses with bathrooms or washing machines in the basement.

The ejector pump is placed in an ejector basin, a pit in the floor that is connected to sewer or septic pipes. The pump grinds up any solids, then pumps the effluent up from the basement and out to the septic system or city sewer.

One important note about ejector pumps is that the ejector basin must be sealed to avoid leakage of methane, a dangerously explosive gas. If you notice any foul smells around the basin, it is essential you call your sewer-septic right away to investigate and make any necessary repairs or replacements.

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Hydro Jetting for Tough Clogs

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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No homeowner likes a clogged sewer line, especially when accompanied by smelly brown water backup into sinks and toilets. Most of the time, a snake sent through the septic pipe will release the blockage, while other times, you need to hire a sewer-septic service to use high pressure hydro jetting to clear the lines.

How Does Hydro Jetting Work? 

Hydro jetting is a relatively easy process whereby the sewer septic service will use a truck equipped with a large water tank and heavy hose to free the clog with a high pressure water stream at up to 3,500 psi, which is powerful enough to break up big clogs of grease, sediment and even tree roots.

The pipe is inserted into the sewer line through the cleanout, an accessible opening that exists in every plumbing system. The water is positioned upstream, so that the debris will flow downstream once the clog is broken up. The hydro jet can clean several hundred feet of sewer pipe at a time.

When is Hydro Jetting Not a Good Solution?

Hydro jetting is effective in clearing sediment and grease, but if the clog is due to tree roots, it may be best to consider sewer line replacement. If roots have invaded the pipes and caused a blockage, it could be a sign that pipes have weakened and broken underground and hydro jetting would only be a temporary solution because tree roots would eventually just grow back.

It is usually a good idea to have a full sewer septic line inspection before embarking on any intensive pipe clearing operation. The septic company can even use special cameras to inspect the lines from within.

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The Importance of Regular Septic System Maintenance

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If you live in a rural area or one in which sewage treatment plants are not accessible, your home almost certainly relies upon a septic tank for the management and treatment of waste from your bathroom, kitchen and laundry room. When your septic system is working properly, it’s easy to take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to maintenance; after all, there are so many pressing things to worry about over the course of a day! Unfortunately, neglecting your septic system and the routine maintenance it requires can be a messy and expensive mistake.

Your septic tank should be inspected by a license professional on an annual basis, and pumped when the tank exceeds one-third of the tank’s volume as a general rule. Commercial products marketed as an alternative to regular septic tank inspections, maintenance and pumping may seem like a bargain, but they can actually upset the microbial balance of your system, liquefy sludge and send it pouring into the drainfield. Drain cleaners and heavy bleach usage can also kill the beneficial bacteria that break down solids in your septic tank.

Don’t use fertilizer on the grass surrounding your drainfield, as it will cause nutrients to saturate the soil to the point that it stops removing those nutrients from wastewater. Rainwater and surface runoff should be directed away from your drainfield, and you should never park or drive over the area.

A licensed and experienced septic system professional in your area can help you determine the most effective maintenance plan, and give you valuable advice for increasing the life of your septic system.

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The Difference Between Septic and Sewer Systems

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Purchasing your first home is one of the most exciting moments in your life, but it can also be one of the most confusing. There are so many things to learn before you sign on that dotted line, it’s almost overwhelming.

One of the things that you should know before you begin searching for your dream home is the difference between a septic system and a sewer system. Depending on where your new property is located, you will be relying upon one or the other for the management of household waste.

Homes located in or very near the city limits will usually be connected to a municipal sewer line, which carries waste away from your home for processing at a central location. The sewer main will be maintained by the city, but it will be your responsibility as a homeowner to maintain the sewer lines on your property up to the point they connect with the municipal main. Tree root growth can cause problems with sewer lines, as can clogs and collected grease build-up. Slow-moving drains are a sign of impending trouble, and should be inspected by a professional as soon as possible to prevent problems that can worsen over time.

Properties located in more rural, secluded areas are almost always reliant upon a septic system for waste disposal. Septic tanks require different types of maintenance, along with annual septic tank inspections to make sure that they’re operating properly and aren’t in need of pumping. There are commercially-available products on the market designed to reduce the frequency with which your tank will need to be pumped, but they’re no substitute for regular inspections and may actually throw off the delicate microbial balance, causing more problems than they solve.

Before you purchase any home, you should have the sewer lines or septic system thoroughly inspected by a licensed professional, who will be able to advise you about regular maintenance and any problems lurking beneath the surface.

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The Danger of Neglecting Sewer and Septic Issues

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When you own your home, making sure that you keep your sewer lines or septic system in top condition is of vital importance. It’s easy to put off a slow-moving drain or a faint odor with the intention of dealing with it later, but unattended septic and sewer problems can snowball over time and become much more costly if they’re neglected.

Sewer Problems

If you live within the city limits and are connected to the municipal sewer system, that doesn’t automatically absolve you from sewer line maintenance. The lines leading from your home to the main line are still your responsibility, and will need to be cared for accordingly. Line clogs, leaks and grease build-up can be relatively easy to fix if they’re caught early, but can be quite costly to repair if they’re allowed to worsen.

Septic Problems

Rural living certainly has its perks, but connection to a municipal sewer line generally isn’t one of them. If your home is located in an area without septic facilities, you’ll have to rely on a septic system to manage waste. Keep an eye out for slow drains, as they’re the first sign of an impending sewage backup that can cause an unpleasant, messy situation. An unexpected sign of possible septic issues is also one area of grass that’s greener and healthier than the rest of your lawn. This often indicates a septic tank leak, which can lead to health and hygiene problems as well as lofty repair bills.

If you notice any difficulties or signs of impending trouble, it’s best to contact an experienced, local sewer and septic professional for a consultation. While dealing with home repairs can be inconvenient, putting them off only allows the problem to become worse and more expensive to repair.

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Septic Tank Cleaning and Pumping

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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The American Ground Water Trust estimates that about one-third of homes in the United States rely upon a septic system to dispose of household waste. If you’re one of those homeowners whose property is not eligible for connection to a municipal sewer line, regular pumping and cleaning of your septic tank will be part of your routine home maintenance.

If you’ve never had a septic tank cleaning, it can be difficult to know what to expect. Depending on the size of your family and the amount of waste your household generates from laundry, showering, toilet flushes and other daily activities, your tank will probably need pumping every three to five years. In some situations, more frequent septic tank pumping may be required. It’s wise to have your septic system inspected on an annual basis, which can help you determine when the ideal time for pumping has arrived. Without regular inspections, you may not realize that the tank needs to be cleaned until it’s too late, which can cost thousands of dollars in repairs and labor charges. Remember, the Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend the use of commercially-available septic tank treatments or additives in place of regular inspections and cleaning. It’s best to discuss these products with a septic professional before you use them, as they can actually throw off the microbial balance of your septic system.

Working with your licensed and experienced septic pumping professional is the best and most effective way of determining when your tank will need to be pumped, and learning what to expect during the process. A septic professional will also be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the pumping process, and help you maintain your system between cleanings for peak efficiency.

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Is a Garbage Disposal Safe for Your Septic System?

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Approximately twenty-seven million American homes rely upon a septic system for waste disposal and sanitation, and about seventy-eight percent of those homeowners have chosen not to install a garbage disposal. There are conflicting reports regarding the safety of garbage disposal use for septic systems.

The Federal Housing Authority has actually determined that garbage disposals are effective and safe when they’re used with a septic system that’s properly sized and regularly maintained. Springing for a top of the line disposal that grinds food waste into very small particles is also wise, as they’re easier for your septic system to digest.

Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, part of routine septic system maintenance is regular septic tank pumping. A family of four with a one thousand-gallon septic tank will usually need to have the tank pumped after three to five years of use, but that figure will typically be decreased by the introduction of a garbage disposal because it will generate more solid waste material.

If you choose to install a garbage disposal, an experienced sewer and septic professional can help you choose the proper model of disposal for your home and system, as well as advising you on how to make the best use of the equipment without damaging your septic system. You may be able to save a bit of money initially by purchasing a disposal system at a home improvement store and installing it yourself, but it could eventually cost a small fortune in repair bills if it’s not handled correctly. Working with a septic system professional on your garbage disposal installation is an investment that will definitely pay off in the long run.

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Recognize a Failing Septic System

March 19th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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The way a septic system functions is that it collects solid waste in the septic tank and allows wastewater to flow out into a drain field where it percolates into the soil.  As the wastewater seeps through the soil, natural biological activity treats the waste water.  Most of the solid waste in the septic tank decomposes naturally and any residual solid material is pumpied out of the tank periodically.  Septic systems are used in areas where a municipal sewer system is unavailable, such as isolated homes or larger subdivisions away from urban areas.

When a septic system is beginning to fail, it can become a very serious matter, as well as a health threat to anyone near it. If you ever decide to sell your home, having a failing septic system can have a drastic effect on the bottom line, impacting the sale price of your home and causing it to drop significantly. You should take care and be certain that you can afford to both keep and maintain the septic system you use at your home.

Be aware of any telltale signs that your septic system might be failing. If you see deep green grass over the drain field of your tank, more so than other places in your yard, that might be a cause for concern. If you notice standing water or liquid in the drain field after a heavy rain, it’s possible that it could be sign of a larger problem. Also, any foul or unpleasant odors in the area or even in your own home are a possible sign of a failing septic system.

The health and longevity of any septic system is of vital importance for those that live in its vicinity, and the environment at large around it. If you have any concerns about your septic system, contact a reputable sewer-septic contractor and arrange for a septic system inspection.

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Does Your Septic System Smell Like a Sewer?

March 19th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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It’s possible for your home septic system to stop working properly, and it can cause your septic system to give off an unpleasant sewer smell, either outside or even inside of your home. The worst part by far is that no one likes the smell of sewage, and there’s very few ways to mask that smell for very long.

It’s normal for your septic system to create gasses that smell like a sewer, due to run off and waste materials. Gas will move through the pipes and be expelled out through a vent into the air where they disperse.

Problems occur when the a blockage or clog occurss in the sewer pipe. Other culprits might be a down draft of wind that sends gasses around your home or up into your house, when the inlet pipe for your septic tank is left unvented, or if water backs into your septic system and covers up the pipes. Any or all of these can allow gasses to be trapped and let the unpleasant smell into your house.

So how do you stop the sewer smell? One obvious solution is having the septic system pumped. If it’s been over five years, or even as little as two or three years since the last time the septic tank was pumped, you should contact your local septic tank professional to have the system checked. Other solutions involved using a charcoal filter, or to have the house vent extended on the roof of your home to allow the gasses to expel further away from the home.

Whatever you do, don’t just ignore the smell and hope that it goes away – bad smells are a sign that something is wrong with your septic system, and should be taken as a precursor and warning sign.

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What If Your Septic System Fails

March 19th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If your septic system fails inspection, the first thing you should do is contact your local health department or local sewer-septic professional to find out what will be required for any necessary upgrades or sepic system repairs.

Shop around. Get written estimates and check qualifications and references. Remember that you are under no obligation to have the person who inspects your septic system perform any other work on it. In fact, you may want to hire separate contractors to handle the septic system repairs.

Septic system repair or upgrade costs will vary depending on the nature of the problem, soil conditions, proximity of the system to water supplies, and the size of the lot. If you have no plans to move, you may qualify for one or more programs designed to help homeowners pay for septic system repair or replacement. Many cities and towns either have in place now or are working to establish “betterment” loan programs to provide homeowners with long-term, low-cost financing. If you are in the process of selling your home, you may find during negotiations that the prospective buyer is willing to assume some or all of the costs.

One of the best ways to ensure that your system will pass inspection is to keep it on a routine maintenance schedule. At a minimum, you should have it pumped out every three years. If you use a garbage disposal, more frequent septic tank pumping may be necessary.

A word about septic system additives: remember that there isn’t one on the market that can make a failing system pass inspection. Certain septic system additives may be approved by your local regulations, but only to ensure that they will not harm your system or the environment. Remember that even the best-maintained system in the world cannot last forever. Like anything else, it will wear our over time, stop working properly and need to be repaired or replaced.

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