Are Your Septic Pipes Talking To You?

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Without being an expert, we all can recognize the smell of a septic or sewer problem. Recognizing the sounds of a septic problem can be a little more tricky. One of the most common trouble noises in a septic system is a distinct gurgling sound that comes from the septic pipes. This is a definite sign of trouble which needs to be investigated further, preferably by a septic service professional. However, there are a few things that you can look for to determine how severe of a septic problem you may be facing.

What To Do If Your Septic Pipes Are Gurgling

If you notice a gurgling noise coming from your septic pipes, it usually means there is a blockage somewhere in your system. The big question is where the blockage is located and whether it is causing your septic system to back up as a result of its presence. Gurgling can be caused from a blockage inside the home, between the home and septic tank or in the pipes leading from the tank to the drain field. To find out whether the blockage is causing a back up, check two areas around your home:

  • Drain field. Go out to your drain or leach field and look for standing water, a common sign of a septic backup. You may also catch the smell of sewage odor in that area if there is a backup problem.
  • Plumbing fixtures. Check the plumbing fixtures and drains in your home to see how quickly they are draining, especially on the lowest level of the house. A backed up septic will cause slow draining or stop draining altogether.

Regardless of where or how bad the blockage is, the next step should be sewer line service by your local septic service professional. Often the blockage can be removed before any more damage is done to the system.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Daily Tricks For A Long Lasting Septic System

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you own a home with a septic system, the biggest fear is needing to replace that system. Having a new septic installed can be very expensive, as well as inconvenient. However, there are tricks to keeping your existing system working well for many years to come. While regular maintenance and pumping from your local septic service company are important, there are things your family can do every day to reduce wear on your septic system.

What Goes Down The Drain Must Come Out

Anything that goes down the drain must be processed by your septic system. One of the simplest ways to increase the life of a septic system is to have house rules on water usage. Never leave water running to go straight down the drain. Have a container that fits into your kitchen sink to rinse vegetables and dishes. Then dispose of the water outside or water your houseplants with it. Teach your entire family tricks to conserve water and reduce the impact on your septic system. Other tricks include being aware of:

  • Garbage disposals. Be very careful with what you put into your garbage disposal. High fiber vegetable or fruit  peels, grease, coffee grounds and other difficult to process items can wreak havoc on a septic system. Try starting a compost pile for some of these items instead of putting them through the disposal.
  • Leaks and drips. Make sure to fix dripping or leaking faucets promptly to reduce the amount of water going down the drain.
  • Water efficient fixtures. Change your water fixtures such as toilets, shower heads and faucets to water efficient options in order to reduce the amount of water you use.

Allowing less water and debris to go down the drains of your home every day can make a big difference on the longevity of your septic system. Combined with regular septic tank pumping by your local septic company, you can extend the life of septic by many years.

Posted on behalf of Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.

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Has Your Family Outgrown Your Septic System?

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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You bought a cute little three-bedroom home with a septic system when you first were ready to start a family. Fifteen years later, you have four kids and an elderly parent living in your cozy, but now crowded home. While your home’s septic may have been able to handle 4-5 people living in the home, seven may be pushing it to the limit. Every septic system is only designed to handle a certain load from the home. If your home is crowded, there is a good chance your septic system is feeling the strain.

Determining The Size Of Septic You Need

Most septic systems are built based on the size of the home. This includes the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the home, with a maximum amount of people it’s designed to handle waste from on a daily basis. For example, a three-bedroom home may be required to have a 1,000 gallon septic tank, which is great if there are only three to four people living in the home. With four people in the home, it may only need to be pumped every 2 ½ years. However, increase that number to seven people, and now septic tank pumping may be needed every year.

There are several factors beyond the number of people in your home and the capacity of your septic tank which can also effect what size septic system you need. Water efficient fixtures and appliances can help offset having more people in your home. Also, families who are conscious of how much water and waste they put down the drain may be able to get by with a smaller system. The best way to know for sure whether your septic system is large enough for your bigger family is to call your local septic service company. They can evaluate your system and usage to determine whether it is time to upgrade to a larger septic system.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

 

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Little Trees Can Lead To Big Sewer Line Problems

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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With summer arriving, many homeowners are taking advantage of the nice weather to do landscaping projects in their yards. What they may not be thinking of is how some of their new plants may affect their sewer lines hiding below the surface of their yard. While flower and vegetable gardens will have little affect on their sewer pipes, small seedling trees may cause big problems down the road.

Consider Sewer Lines When Planting New Trees

Trees need water to survive, using their long roots to find the best source of moisture in your yard. Most likely, the most plentiful source of water in your yard will be your sewer or septic pipes. As that tree grows, tree roots will seek out those pipes if they are close enough, working their way in through joints. Eventually, these strong roots can block, crack and break your sewer pipes, causing a seriousproblem.

The best way to avoid this issue is to plant trees as far away from your sewer lines as possible. Also, research the root depth possibilities for the trees you are planting. Many trees can grow roots that are dozens of feet long, making it difficult to keep those roots away from pipes in a smaller yard.

If you already have trees in your yard which are near your sewer or septic lines, keep an eye and nose out for problems. You may notice low level drains becoming slower if there are root blockages in your sewer pipes. If a pipe is cracked, you may notice a distinct odor in your yard, or a wet area above where the pipe is located. Tree root invasion of your sewer lines calls for professional sewer line repairs and should be remedied as soon as possible by calling your local sewer or septic company.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Sewer

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What Do You Know About Your Sewer Lines?

July 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Let’s face it; most homeowners are blissfully unaware of their sewer lines until there is a problem, then they are very aware of these hidden systems. While sewer lines may not be fun to think about, they are an important part of every home. Knowing where sewer lines are, if they have been maintained and whether they have clean-outs is something that every homeowner should know.

Learning More About Your Sewer Lines

If you own a home, eventually you will need to repair, replace or unclog a sewer line. While many sewer lines can work relentlessly for decades with no problems, they are not designed to last forever. Just as you should know where your water pipes and shut off valves are for the water coming into your home, you should also know where the pipes are that transport the water and waste from your home.

  • Locating sewer lines. Since sewer lines are underground, you may not be aware of exactly where they are located. However, unless you have a sewage easement with a neighbor, they should be located on your property. You may be able to get a map of the sewer lines for your home from the city or county where you live.
  • Locating sewer line clean outs. Sewer line clean-outs are capped pipes which are located above ground to access your sewer pipes if they become clogged. Not all homes have clean-outs; however, if yours does, you should know where they are located. They are often along the lateral line which connects a homes sewer pipes to the city sewer system.

Knowing where your sewer lines are located can be helpful when the eventual sewer problem does occur. Although your local sewer service company can locate the lines if needed, you can speed the process by showing them where your lines are and any clean-outs that are available.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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