Duluth GA Drain Field Repair and Installation

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Septic System
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If you are a homeowner with a septic system it is very important to pay close attention to the warning signals your septic tank is giving to you.

  • Bad odors. This is one of the biggest red flags that your septic system isn’t performing the way it should. You should watch out for smells like rotten eggs or sewage. This is the smell of methane gas seeping through your septic system. You need to contact your local septic system professional. ASAP!
  • Wet or soggy areas around your drain fields. This can mean the drain field is clogged from roots or biomaterial that has built up over time, which causes a backup of sludge and other waste. This can cause a very serious environmental and health hazard in the soil.
  • Very slow drains and toilets. This could mean that your septic tank is filled to the brim or there may be damage in the pipes. If you hear a gurgling sound from the drains, this is a good indication that the waste and water are not flowing as freely as they should be.
  • No harm no foul. Problems in your septic could be happening right under your nose without giving you any warnings.  If you have not had your septic system pumped and inspected in over two years you could have leaks, back-ups and problems within the tank.  It is very important to the health of your septic system, property and your family to have your tank pumped and inspected every one to two years.

Remember, take responsibility of your septic system and always consult your septic system professionals when you discover signs of a problem.

Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic

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What Does the Drainfield Do?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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A drainfield is a very important piece of a septic system. A septic tank, the septic drain field and the associated piping, make a complete septic system.

The septic tank will have an inlet and an outlet. The outlet to the drainfield will have a filtering device which prevents solid waste particles from passing on to the drain field.

On average, a drainfield will have a series of pipes buried 18” within the ground on top of a bed of gravel. These drainage pipes sit parallel with each other and are all linked together coming out of the distribution box.

The wastewater from showers, toilets, washing machines and sinks enter the septic tank through pipelines. The liquid wastewater (effluent) is discharged by gravity or pressure to an absorption field (also known as a drainfield or a leachfield). In most gravity systems, the wastewater flows into a distribution box, and from there, effluent distributes equally among the trenches in the drainfield.

The type of soil greatly impacts the effectiveness of the drainfield.  Clay soils may be too tight to allow much wastewater to pass through, and coarse or sandy soil may not provide enough treatment to destroy pathogenic bacteria and viruses from entering a well or surface water supply. This process works best where the soil is somewhat dry, permeable, and contains plenty of oxygen for several feet below the drainfield.

The drainfield is where the final treatment takes place via Mother Nature. As wastewater trickles out of the pipes and through the gravel layer, microorganisms treat the effluent as it passes through the pore spaces. The soil micro-organisms percolate the effluent downward and outward, eventually entering ground or surface water.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Are All Septic Systems Built the Same?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Septic System
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There are many different types of septic systems.  Some include pressure distribution, sand filter, mound, gravity and aerobic. It is important to consult with your septic system installer about which system is the best fit for your situation.

Pressure Distribution

Pressure distribution systems are used when there is not enough soil depth to accommodate gravity-based systems.  This system has a pump that distributes wastewater evenly throughout the drainage field.  The pump tank holds wastewater until a certain point before it releases it into the drainage field.

Sand Filter

Sand filter systems are one of the more common types of septic systems.  This system uses sand between the pump tank and the drainage field.  The sand is used to treat the wastewater before it enters the field. If you live in an area with shallow soil, this is the system you would need.

Mound

The mound design is also used when the soil isn’t deep enough for a traditional system.  These types of septic systems have a sand-filled mound raised over the natural soil above a drainage field.  The wastewater is treated as it travels through the sand and into the natural soil.

Gravity

This is one of the first types of septic systems.  Gravity is used to drain wastewater from the tank into a series of trenches. Because this system uses gravity, the drainfield must be below the level of the septic tank.  The bottom of the trenches must be three or four feet above the water table.  This soil above the water table is used to treat the wastewater before it returns to the environment.

Aerobic

This system is equipped with a watertight tank that has an aeration chamber. Waste is broken-down by bacteria in the aeration chamber.  This system is capable of producing cleaner wastewater.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Benefits of Changing from Septic to City Sewer Line

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Most people, if given a choice, would prefer to change from their septic sewer to city sewer line. People tend to prefer a city sewer system because major problems become the responsibility of the controlling municipality. Anyone who has ever experienced a septic system backup on their property can appreciate what a benefit off-site wastewater treatment can be.

  • Public systems are well contained and monitored.  This means the quality of our drinking water is preserved.  Septic tanks can seep and pollute drinking water.
  • Keeping and maintaining a sewer system falls on the homeowner’s responsibilities and can be quite costly. When homeowners don’t take care of their septic system, they can have a very large and expensive nuisance to deal with.
  • When wastewater is not properly treated it can contaminate surface and groundwater and threaten public health.
  • Another benefit of city hookup; your property value will automatically increase.  Most people don’t want to purchase property without the city hookup already in place.
  • In most areas, even if you have a septic tank, if public lines run adjacent to your property, you still have to pay the public sewer charge every month.

Contact your local septic system professional if you are considering changing from your septic system and hooking up with your city’s sewer system. A sewer conversion is not a job you should attempt on your own. This is not a weekend project you can do by yourself.

You will have much comfort in knowing you are no longer responsible for taking care of the beast in your back yard. These trained professionals will help you every step of the way.

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Does Homeowner Insurance Cover Septic System Failure?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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If something goes wrong with your septic tank or sewer line, do you know if your homeowner’s insurance will cover this? Installing a new septic tank could cost you $2,000 or more, plus the fee of the excavator, city permit fees and inspection fees. Replacing an entire home sewer line could cost over $10,000.

Don’t wait for an emergency to hit. Examine your current homeowner’s policy and ask questions about your coverage now. Look within your policy under the section where limitations and exclusions are listed. If septic problems are not excluded, they might be covered to some extent and under some circumstances.

Homeowners insurance generally will cover a repair if the damage is unrelated to the regular care and maintenance of the sewer pipe or septic. For example, if there is a major house fire and the sewer line is destroyed because it was located beneath the house, your insurance may cover replacement of these pipes. Your insurance will not cover replacement of pipes that failed because of their age.

A septic system requires maintenance. Just like a roof or furnace, homeowners are responsible for the septic pipes and septic tank on their property. If you don’t properly maintain the septic system and you experience a problem like seepage in your yard, chances are, your insurance won’t cover it.  Seepage occurs over an extended period of time and is not sudden. For this reason, the insurance company would consider this a maintenance problem and the homeowner would be responsible.

Avoid potential pitfalls and have a yearly septic tank inspection and maintenance of your lines by a professional sewer-septic contractor.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Septic Tank Maintenance Tips

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Annual inspection and regular septic tank pumping is essential to the continued health and performance of your septic system. Between yearly appointments, it’s still important that you understand the basics of septic system maintenance to prevent costly repairs and to lengthen the life of your system overall.

One of the most effective ways of caring for your septic system on a daily basis is to invest in low-flow plumbing fixtures, and to make an effort to conserve water whenever possible. Remember that the more water that flows from your faucets, the more that goes down the drain. Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads, and repair leaks as soon as they’re noticed.

Make an effort to keep fats, oils and grease from your septic system by not pouring them down the drain. Also, don’t dump household chemicals down the drain or flush them down the toilet. Bleach should be used sparingly as well, as large quantities can upset the delicate bacterial balance in your septic system.

Flushing diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products can have a detrimental effect on your septic system. Only flush human waste and biodegradable toilet paper down your toilet. It’s also best to skip the installation of a garbage disposal in the kitchen if your home relies upon a septic system.

With regular maintenance and careful daily use, your septic system can last for many years. If you do run into problems or have questions, consult a professional septic and sewer company in your area. Together, you and your chosen service provider can ensure a long and productive life for your septic system.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Two Different Types of Grease Interceptors (GGI and HGI)

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Commercial Pumping
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It’s no secret that fats, oils and greases can have an adverse effect on sewer and septic systems. That’s where grease interceptors come in handy, reducing the level of grease and oils in wastewater. The first grease trap was patented in the late 1880’s, but these systems have come a long way since those days.

Hydromechanical grease interceptors collect fats, oils and grease discharged from high-volume kitchens by controlling the flow of water and allowing hot water to cool. Fats, oils and grease settle out of the water and are then caught by a baffle to keep it from flowing out of the grease interceptor. These models are typically installed beneath sinks, and must be cleaned manually to ensure peak performance. They’re sized by gallons per minute flow and poundage, and use simple principles to keep harmful grease out of a sewer system.

Gravity grease interceptors are comprised of two or more compartments. The larger amount of water slows down the water inside the interceptor, allowing grease to separate. Buoyancy plays a major role in the way gravity traps work, and they’re much larger than hydromechanical grease interceptors. They’re also more efficient, collecting up to ninety percent of fats, oils and grease as they travel through the system.

If you’re planning to build a restaurant or other high-volume kitchen, local ordinances probably require you to have some sort of grease interceptor installed for the health of the municipal sewer system. Working closely with a licensed sewer and septic professional will ensure that you not only stay within the bounds of local law, but also that you find the most effective and efficient system for your needs.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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How Much Water Can Your Septic System Handle?

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Homeowners whose properties are located in rural areas or away from a municipal sewer system typically use septic systems for the disposal of waste water. While these systems can be very effective, they also require a bit of extra maintenance over sewer usage. Aside from avoiding the addition of chemicals that can disrupt the bacterial balance in your septic system, you should also be sure that you’re not flooding the system with too much water.

Septic tank pumping should be performed every three to five years, under ideal circumstances. Excessive water use can change that figure significantly, leading to a more frequent need for this service. For septic system users, it’s even more important to be diligent about water conservation because wasteful habits can lead to septic problems in the future.

Make sure that all leaky faucets and toilets are repaired as soon as they’re noticed. Even a slow leak can generate fifteen to twenty gallons of waste water, all of which is directed to your septic system. Low flow toilets and shower heads are another wise choice. Adhering to a “green” rule of thumb is not only good for your wallet and the environment, but also your septic system as well.

If you have a hot tub or swimming pool, don’t drain them into your septic system. In addition to flooding a drainfield, the chlorine additives in the water can destroy essential bacteria in tanks and drainfields.

The specific volume of water your septic system can handle will vary from one system to the next. It’s important to consult an experienced sewer and septic professional to determine not only the health of your system, but the volume it can safely manage.

Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic

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Hydrojetting to Clear Sewer Drain Lines

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Drain Cleaning
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Depending on the number of people in your household and the level of usage, your septic system will require cleaning every three to five years. On occasion, however, solids can build up and overflow into your drainfield due to clogs and blockage of the header line. One solution to this problem is to clean the pipes in order to restore normal functionality.

Using high-pressure streams of water to clean solid pipe buildup is known as hydro-jetting. This service can be performed by most professional sewer and septic maintenance companies, though it should never be attempted by home handymen. It can be a relatively inexpensive alternative to complete replacement of a failing system. There are, however, times when hydro-jet cleaning is not the right tack to take when dealing with septic problems. That’s only one of the reasons why attempting to complete the process yourself is ill-advised.

Your septic field line is perforated so that waste water can seep into the gravel and soil surrounding it for natural filtration and treatment. In some situations, the force of the pressurized water can force solids into that gravel, which can actually plug the line. Make sure that you’re working with a licensed sewer-septic company with a strong reputation, as improperly conducted hydro-jet cleaning can have adverse effects.

If you think that your septic system could benefit from hydro-jet cleaning, contact a licensed sewer and septic maintenance company in your area. They can discuss with you the benefits and potential drawbacks of the procedure, as well as alternatives in situations where hydro-jetting may not be an effective solution.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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What Are Septic Tanks Made Of?

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Even for homeowners whose households rely upon a septic system for waste water disposal, the system can be something of a mystery. Knowing more about your septic system is key to maintaining it properly, though. In the interest of better understanding your septic system, finding out what it’s comprised of and how it’s made is a smart move.

There are three primary materials used in the construction of septic tanks. Just as there is no one-size-fits-all solution for septic tank sizing, different materials come with their own benefits and drawbacks.

Some septic tanks are made of steel. These tanks can degrade over time, and come with no guarantee regarding the life of the tank itself. Wastewater, acids and salts can deteriorate a steel tank, weakening its structural integrity.

Pre-cast concrete septic tanks can actually strengthen over time, and are thought to be less likely to collapse during septic tank pumping. The concrete is more flexible that steel or fiberglass, and can even be watertight when they’re manufactured according to NPCA best practices. Still, they may also be subject to deterioration from salts, acids and wastewater.

Many new septic tanks are made of high-tech polymers and high-density polyethylene. These are not as prone to degradation due to normal use and exposure to waste. Most come with long factory guarantees, which is not the case with steel and some concrete tanks.

If you’re installing a septic system on a new construction site or replacing your existing tank, it’s important to discuss your questions with an experienced sewer and septic professional. They can address these questions and help you to choose a septic tank of the right material for the conditions on your unique property.

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