Water Conservation Tips For Your Septic System

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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When it comes to your septic system, too much water can mean trouble. A septic system must be able to process and filter all the water from your household, which can overwhelm the system when water is wasted. Too much water in a twenty-four hour period can overload the system, especially when the soil is not able to absorb the amount of waste water coming through the pipes. This can rush the retention time and end in a system failure. To prevent this type of problem, use water conversation methods to ensure you are not over-taxing your system.

  • Water efficient fixtures – Replace older shower heads and toilets with water efficient models that can reduce the amount of water your family uses each day.
  • Stagger showers and laundry loads – Try to stagger laundry loads over several days instead of doing several loads all in one day. In addition, try to schedule bath and showers at different times of the day.
  • Fix all leaks – A dripping faucet or running toilet can add gallons of extra water every day to your septic system. Fix all plumbing issues as soon as possible to reduce the strain of excess water flow through your pipes and septic.
  • Prepare for guests – If you know you are expecting guests, try to reduce the water load in the days before their arrival.
  • Reduce running water – Be mindful of running water for no reason. For example, instead of letting water run to get cold, keep a pitcher of drinking water in the fridge.

Any way that you can reduce the amount of water you use can help reduce the stress on your septic system. In addition, make sure you are scheduling regular inspections and septic tank pumping by your local septic service to increase the life of your septic system.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Sounds That Are Signs Of Septic Problems

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Drain Lines
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Most people think of smell or sight when they think of senses used to identify septic problems. However, your ears can warn you of septic trouble as well. Plumbing pipes which are making a gurgling sound can alert you to a septic problem. By using all your senses, including your ears, you may be able to get the problem fixed before it becomes a larger and more expensive issue.

Listen To What Your Pipes Are Telling You

Water rushing through pipes is a common and normal sound. But when you hear a strange gurgling noise, there’s likely something amiss in your septic system. This odd sound is very distinct, letting you know that your waste water is not draining as it should be. This is generally a sign that you have a clogged drain line or backed up septic system, which will begin backing up into your home if not fixed quickly.

If you hear a gurgling noise in your pipes, you can investigate further by using your other senses. Take a walk around your drain field and septic area. Look for signs of excess water, note if there are any foul odors. In your house, check your drains in the lower levels of the house to see if they are draining properly or are slower than usual, and also be aware of any odors. This can help you determine how severe the back up is before you call a septic professional to take a more in-depth look.

The quicker you are able to spot a septic problem, the faster it can be fixed. Allowing a clog to become a full septic backup can cost you time and money, as well as be very inconvenient. This tell-tale gurgling is often the first sign of septic troubles, so keep your ears open!

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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Five Ways To Make Your Septic System Last Longer

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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No one wants the expense of replacing their septic system. Many septic systems can cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace, making it a very expensive home improvement. However, if a septic system is cared for properly, it can last for 20-30 years, making it well worth the investment to increase the longevity. Here are five ways you can help increase the life of your septic system.

  1. Limit water and waste – Everything that goes into your plumbing pipes will need to be processed by your septic system. Educate yourself and your family on water conservation and waste disposal methods. Limit the amount of water you use, and keep chemicals and non-biodegradable items out of your drains to extend the life of the system.
  2. Get regular inspections – Always have your septic system inspected at least once a year. Fixing problems as they occur is much less expensive than waiting for little issues to become major problems.
  3. Regular Septic Tank Pumping – Your septic tank needs to be pumped every three to five years, depending on the size of your tank, family and usage. It is important to have a septic professional you trust to ensure your septic only gets pumped when it needs it.
  4. Pay Attention –  As a septic system owner, you need to be aware of brewing problems or potential issues. Keep an eye out for leaks, pooling water and poorly sealed access lids or ports. Also be aware of odd smells or gurgling sounds in your pipes, signs that there is a possible clog or back up in your system.
  5. Maintain your equipment – Keep chemicals and toxic substances out of your septic system to maintain its health and functionality. Anything which upsets the delicate bacterial balance can have a detrimental affect on the entire system, possibly leading to serious problems.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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Avoid Sewer Pipe Nightmares

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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There are few things that can ruin your day faster than a broken sewer pipe. Unfortunately, if you have older cast iron or clay sewer lines running under your yard, it is only a matter of time before you’ll be forced to deal with breakage. These older sewer pipes can last for decades, however, they are very susceptible to tree root invasion and corrosion. The best way to avoid waking up to a horrid smell or backed up waste in your home is to reline or replace your sewer pipes now.

Trenchless Sewer Pipe Rejuvenation Options

If you know your sewer pipes are twenty years old or older, it’s wise to start planning now for the inevitable sewer pipe breakage. To avoid an expensive mess, it may be time to consider giving your sewer pipes a rejuvenation. There are two popular options available that are much faster than digging up your old pipes and replacing them. Instead, you can use a trenchless relining or replacement to save money and time.

  • Trenchless relining – If your pipes are still functioning yet are getting older, a pipe relining may be a good option. A seamless liner is inserted into your existing pipes, then heated and attached to the interior of the old pipes. This seals all the old joints and can prevent tree root invasion for years to come.
  • Trenchless replacement – In some cases, you may want to replace all your pipes instead of merely relining. Trenchless sewer pipe replacement uses a bursting head to shatter your old pipe underground, while pulling into place a new pipe. Only a small hole is needed, with no need to dig up your whole yard.

Don’t wait for your sewer pipes to break at the most inconvenient time. Reline or replace them now to avoid being caught in a sewer nightmare!

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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3 Things To Keep Out Of Your Septic System

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Septic systems require a delicate balance to maintain, requiring you to limit the items that you put down the drain. In addition, many substances are difficult or impossible for a septic system to handle, causing unnecessary septic failures and other problems. While most people with a septic system know that they need to keep non-biodegradable items out of their septic, there are a few other items that often still find their way down the drain or flushed down the toilet. Here is a reminder list of three items that should never enter your septic system.

  1. F.O.G. Three big culprits that end up down the kitchen sink are fats, oils and grease, or FOG. These can wreak havoc on your septic system and your wallet. Before rinsing plates or pans in the sink, scrape out any fat, oil or grease into a metal can or the garbage, then wipe out any extra grease.
  2. Chemicals. We use many chemicals around the house to clean and disinfect. Make sure that you limit the amount of these chemicals that go down the drain. For chemicals used in toilets, showers, sinks and washing machines, try to choose natural or biodegradable products whenever possible.
  3. Non-flushables. For some reason, the toilet can be where many items get tossed when they have no business going down any drain. Be careful to keep items like as cotton swabs and female hygiene items out of the toilet.

Just remember that whatever goes down the drain will impact your septic system, especially items that will not break down. Chemicals and toxic materials can upset the pH balance of your septic tank, while  other items can clog your system or create the need for more frequent septic tank pumping. By keeping a close eye on what goes down the drain, you can save your hard-earned money and peace of mind.

Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain

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Components of A Traditional Septic System

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Traditional septic systems are used throughout the United States in both urban and rural environments, wherever public sanitary sewer systems are unavailable.  Although each residential septic system is a custom design based upon the number of design factors, all septic systems have a septic tank, distribution box and a drain field in common.

Sewage and wastewater from the home flows into a precast concrete septic tank located in the yard of the home, where the organic solids are digested by enzymes or bacteria, which have been introduced into the tank.   Non-organic materials are also collected here, which are removed by periodic septic tank pumping.

The distribution box is located at the beginning of the drain field and has a single solid pipe running into it from the septic tank and multiple pipes running out of it and into the drain field.  Then purpose of the distribution box is to allow the fluids from the septic tank to be evenly spread out into the entire drain field.

The drain field is where the fluids are absorbed into the soils.  The field will consists of a number of trenches that vary in depth from four to six feet deep.  Half of the trench is filled with stone.  A 4” perforated pipe is placed in the gravel of the trench, which is then backfilled. In many cases, a filtration fabric will be placed on top of the stone to prevent soil from contaminating the stone or clogging the pipe.  The length of the trenches varies due to the septic load on the system, which is determined by either the number of bedrooms or bathrooms., as well as the soil conditions.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Why Is My Main Sewer Line Constantly Backing Up?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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One of the most common drain repairs that contractors encounter is a clogged drain line that runs from the commercial or residential structure to the main sewer line.  These blockages occur between the structure and the point where the main sewer line discharges sewage into a public sewer system or a private sewage system.  Often they are frustrating to the property owner because often they will re-appear; even after they are cleared out!  In most cases, the recurring backup is a result of either a broken pipe or a pipe that has a low spot in it.

Broken drain pipes are pretty common and usually are the result of the bottom of the pipe not being supported properly or machinery running over the pipe that is not protected by a sufficient amount of ground cover.  In both cases the pipe is either cracked or crushed.  Often dirt and roots, from nearby vegetation or trees, will find its way into the pipe in search of water.

All drain lines are required to have fall on them, as gravity is the key factor in sewer systems working.   In many cases of a recurring sewer blockage, the pipe is either flat or has a dip in it, which allows solids to build up in the flat or low spot.  This keeps the sewage from flowing in the pipe as the system was designed.

Although the blockage can be removed using a variety of techniques, a sewer line repair service contractor will recommend a video inspection of all sanitary drains experiencing recurring blockages.  Using a lighted camera inserted into the drain, the technician will be able to determine the cause and make the appropriate recommendation on how to properly repair the pipe to eliminate recurring blockages.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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How Are Septic Systems Designed?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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The design process surrounding residential septic systems is typically driven by the Health Department in the jurisdiction that the property is located, which will have specific design criteria.  The components of the design criteria include the number of bedrooms or bathrooms in the home, the type of soil conditions and the location of the drain field.

The septic load imposed on drain field is determined either by the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, depending upon the jurisdiction.  The bedroom or bathroom count is used to determine the maximum amount of people living in the home at any given time.  Many jurisdictions are finding that the bedroom count is a more accurate predictor of the number of people living in the home and the resulting septic load on the system.

The type of soil found on the property is also a critical design factor.  A septic system works by the fluids flowing into the drain field where they are absorbed.  Soils such as clay do not absorb liquids as well as a sandy soil.  As a result, often drain fields located in clay soils will need to be bigger in order to adequately absorb the fluids.

The location of the drain field is also a critical design factor that must be considered.  Each jurisdiction has required setbacks from the property line, house, driveway, trees and water wells.  Often all of these factors may not only influence the location of the drain field, but also the shape, size and location of the home on the property!

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

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Why Does My Septic System Have An Ejector Pump?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Ejector pumps are used on traditional septic systems due to grade conditions on the drain field.  In a perfect world the drain field would be located on a flat section of ground or ground falling away from the house.  However not every lot is flat and given the design criteria for septic systems often requires the use of land that rises away from the house.  In these cases an ejector pump is uses to pump the sewage uphill into a distribution box where it is distributed into the various perforated pipes making up the drain field, with gravity doing the rest.

In most cases a separate structure other than the septic tank contains the ejector pump, which is activated when the level inside of the tank turns on the pump.  When the level inside of the holding tank goes down, the pump shuts off.  In many jurisdictions, an alarm may be required, which advises the property owner that there is a problem with the ejector pump system.  Otherwise the property owner will not realize there is an issue until the toilets will not flush!

The required maintenance on ejector pumps is limited, with a check of the system being made each time the septic tank is pumped.  Obviously whenever the alarm goes off, a septic contractor should be called immediately to determine the cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs.  The use of ejector pumps on septic systems gives the property owner more options as far as where on the property to locate the structure, while still being able to install a code compliant septic system.  Otherwise many properties would be suitable for building!

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Sewer and Septic

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Why Should I Have My Septic Tank Cleaned?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Periodic septic tank pumping is a fact of life for anyone with a home or business being serviced by a septic system.  A regular cleaning of the tank to remove the normal and excessive build up of sludge, scum, biomaterials, solids and liquids is critical to maximizing the lifespan of the system and is a key factor in preventing sewage backups.

Depending upon the number of occupants of the building, as well as their lifestyle, most tanks will need to be pumped between 3 and 5 years, although the use of garage disposals can cut this time in half.   As a part of the cleaning, a thorough inspection will also be performed to ensure that the system is performing as designed and that there are no issues with the tank or other components of the system.

In between cleanings it is recommended that the occupants of the building take steps to protect the system.  The protection of any septic system begins with limiting what finds its way into the system in the first place.  One of the biggest dangers to any septic system is grease, which finds its way into the system as a result of dishwashing or literally pouring grease out of a pan and into the drain.

Grease will cause blockage in the building’s waste pipes, as well as the septic system, because the grease will harden as it cools and adheres to everything.  Grease can be a septic system killer, so be sure to pour any grease into a jar and throw it into the trash!  The only thing that should find its way into the septic system is water, body waste and a limited amount of toilet paper!

Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain

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