Toilet Tips for Your Septic System

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Septic System
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The toilet can be the biggest single factor in keeping your septic system healthy and working correctly. Since larger items can be flushed down, it has the potential to cause issues in your septic system. Ensuring you don’t put the wrong items down your toilet can help save on septic repair bills and other costs associated with maintaining your septic system. Here are a few septic system tips to help keep your septic system working great.

  • Use septic-safe toilet paper. It is important to get toilet paper that will breakdown easily in your septic system. Make sure the toilet paper you buy and use specifically says it is septic-safe.
  • Keep in mind that cleaners can harm the bacteria content in your septic tank that are needed to breakdown solids. Use toilet cleaners that are biodegradable – try to stay away from harsh chemicals like chlorine. There are natural options like vinegar and baking soda that can work well without hurting the septic system.
  • Educate kids. Kids need to know what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. Cotton balls, swabs, feminine hygiene products and anything that is not biodegradable should not be flushed. Kids like to put toys and other items in the toilet and watch them swirl down – make sure they understand that this is not ok and can be detrimental to your septic system.
  • Slow toilets. If your toilet is flushing slow, it can be a sign that you have a clog or its time for a septic pumping. Watch for slow toilets and get the issue checked out by a septic plumber.

Following these septic system tips will help save you money on septic system repairs and extend the life of your septic system.

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Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Broken Sewer Pipes?

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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When you find out you have a broken sewer pipe that needs repair or replacement, the first thing that may cross your mind is the cost. A sewer issue can be expensive to fix, but it is not something that can be ignored; anything that can help mitigate the cost is appreciated. In some cases, homeowner’s insurance may cover some of the costs of a sewer pipe repair, but there are circumstances where it most likely won’t be covered.

Age/Wear and Tear

If your sewer pipe bursts after many years of use, it may be general wear or age that caused the problem. Insurance usually only covers accidents or unforeseen issues; it may cover damage caused by the burst pipe but not the repair itself.

Workmanship

A broken sewer pipe due to poor workmanship may be covered under your insurance policy or under a warranty by the contractor. Check with both your insurance agent and the company who installed your sewer lines. 

Weather

Did your sewer line freeze, causing it to burst? A weather related broken sewer pipe is more likely to be covered than other issues. Check with your insurance policy to see if weather-related plumbing issues are covered.

Location

Where the sewer line break is located can impact whether it is covered under your homeowner’s insurance. Breaks within the foundation of the home are more likely to be covered. In some cases, if the break is caused by a municipality issue, you may get it covered through them.

The first step is to call your local sewer repair company. They can assess the damage and help determine the cause to report to your insurance company – it is always worth researching to find out whether your insurance will pay for any of the repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Benefits of a Septic Filter For Your Septic System

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Do you have a filter on your septic system? If you have a traditional septic system with a drain or leach field, you should have a filter on your system. A septic filter is the last step in cleaning the effluent coming from the septic tank into the drain field. If your system doesn’t have a septic filter, consider these benefits:

  • Prevent clogs. A septic filter pulls solids that are too large from the effluent that can clog the pipes in your drain field. A common issue is medication pills or tablets that don’t breakdown and can get stuck in the holes in your drain field pipes. The filter can remove these solids before they cause an issue in your drain field.
  • Removes non-biodegradable items. There are items that enter your septic tank that will never dissolve. Unfortunately, if they overflow into your drain field before they have a chance to be pumped out, they can cause damage to your system, even failure. Filters pull these items out or stop them from leaving the septic tank, which can protect your drain field from damage.
  • Low cost, easy maintenance. A septic filter is cost effective and simple to maintain. It can be cleaned during regular maintenance and pumping. The low-cost filter can prevent thousands of dollars in damage, making it a wise investment.

Septic filters come in a variety of sizes and types. Talk to your local septic service company about adding a filter to your system to protect it from clogs and failure. A simple filter can help extend the life of your septic system and prevent expensive septic repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Ejector Pump For Basement Bathrooms

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Sump Pumps and Ejector Pumps
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Do you have unused square footage in your home in your basement? Many homes have only partially finished basements that are used for laundry or storage, but many homeowners hesitate to fully finish those areas because they are concerned about being able to add a bathroom below ground level.  An ejector pump can provide the solution to this problem.  Investing in remodeling your basement can have many benefits, including:

  • Increase the square footage of your home. Once the basement is finished, it is considered part of the overall square footage of your home. This can add significant value to your home.
  • More bedrooms. Is your family growing bigger or the kids just want more space as they enter their teen years? Add a bedroom and bathroom downstairs to give your family more room and privacy.
  • Add a mother-in-law apartment. Make your basement a separate living space for investment purposes or for a family member.
  • Make a work area, studio or home office. Your basement could be a great area for you to explore working at home or engage in a hobby. Make the most of your extra space.

Adding Plumbing to Your Basement

One of the factors to consider when remodeling or finishing your basement is adding plumbing for a full bathroom.  With the help of an ejector pump, you can add a full bathroom below ground level. Installing an ejector pump allows you to add plumbing below the level of your main sewer line to move wastewater up to the sewer line for your home.

Make the most of every square foot of your home by remodeling your basement. You can add 50% or more to your home, giving you more space and value. Talk to your local sewer service to learn more about adding bathroom plumbing to your basement to improve the convenience and comfort of your new space.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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What Factors Affect Septic Tank Pumping Frequency?

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you ask a septic professional how often you should pump your tank, you will get either a short or long answer. The short answer is “it depends” while the longer one will most likely include a long list of variables. Here are some factors that will affect how often you need septic tank pumping:

  • Tank size. Your septic tank was designed for the size of your home, usually based on the number of bedrooms in the house. The bigger the tank, the less often it will need to be pumped.
  • Household members. The tank size versus the number of people in your household will influence how often you need to have a pumping service. A big house with only 2-3 people may be able to go three years or more without pumping. A 2-bedroom home with four adults living in it may need septic tank pumping every year.
  • Special events. Big parties or guests through the holidays can impact how often you need your tank emptied.
  • Age of the system. An older septic system may not be as efficient, requiring more frequent septic tank pumping.
  • Garbage disposal. If you use a garbage disposal in your home, it can increase the solid waste in your tank. Consider composting or other options if you want to reduce solid waste.
  • Vacations and other homes. If you take frequent trips or vacations, you may not need to have your tank pumped as often.

There is not a simple answer to how often you will need your septic tank pumped; it can change as your life changes. The best way to stay on top of your pumping schedule is to have your tank and system inspected by a septic professional annually.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS 38651
(662) 429-1686

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Avoiding Sewer Line Problems

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Sometimes, a clogged or broken sewer line cannot be avoided, but other times there are preventive measures that can be done. No one wants the unexpected mess and expense of a sewer backup, so here are some tips to prevent sewer pipe issues and avoid costly repairs:

  • Be careful what you put down your drains. Many sewer line problems are clogs that form from fat, grease, hair and other items that create sludge in pipes. Use drain strainers to catch hair/soap in showers; avoid putting grease or fat down the drains. Managing what goes down the drain can protect your indoor and outdoor plumbing.
  • Keep vehicles off your lawn. A heavy vehicle driving over where sewer lines are located can damage the pipes and cause a broken sewer line. Restrict vehicles from areas in your lawn where sewer pipes are hiding beneath the surface. It only takes one instance to put a crack in a pipe or detach joints in your underground sewer line.
  • Schedule regular inspections and cleanings. Your sewer lines can be maintained to avoid many unexpected issues. Having your sewer lines inspected with a digital camera can catch small issues before they become emergency repairs. Your sewer service company can use digital video technology to check for roots, sludge and other repair issues. Hydro-jetting can be used to clear sludge or tree roots that could put your sewer lines at risk for clogs.

Don’t wait for sewer line problems to occur out of the blue. Maintain your sewer pipes and avoid clogs, backups and other messy problems. Call your local sewer service company to schedule an inspection and hydro-jetting to keep your pipes clear and in good repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

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7 Things New Septic System Owners Need to Know

April 3rd, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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If you just bought a home with a septic system or are building a home that will require a septic, you may be wondering what you need to do to maintain your new system. For homeowners that are new to owning a septic system, it may seem overwhelming to control your own sewage system, but it doesn’t need to be that difficult. Here are seven things you need to know to make the transition from sewer to septic easier.

  1. What goes down, must come up. It is more important than ever to be careful of what you put down the drain. Keep in mind that anything not biodegradable will need to be pumped out of your septic tank.
  2. Fat and grease are bad for your septic. Keep fat and grease out of your drains – these can be detrimental to your system.
  3. Garbage disposals are hard on septic system. Consider composting instead of using a garbage disposal.
  4. Minimize wastewater. Keep water use down – a separate outlet for gray water is a good idea for washers and other non-sewage drains.
  5. Harsh chemicals effect your septic system. Be careful of dumping chlorine and anti-bacterial chemicals down your drains – the bacteria in your septic tank are necessary to breakdown waste and can be affected by chemicals.
  6. Throw away cotton or plastic personal products. Wipes, tampons, condoms and other personal items should not be flushed into your septic system.
  7. Maintenance is key. Yearly septic tank inspections by your local septic service company can ensure your system keeps running smoothly.

There is no reason to be worried about owning a septic system – talk to your local septic service about getting on a maintenance plan to avoid any unexpected issues down the road.

Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 927-7926

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