Septic Tank Pumping Frequency

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Septic systems are a reliable way to dispose of household wastewater for homes that are not connected to a municipal sewer system.   A properly sized, installed and maintained septic system can provide excellent, trouble free service for 20 to 30 years or more. Septic systems generally require little maintenance other than regular inspections and pumping to remove accumulated septic waste.

Many experts recommend septic tank pumping every 2 years, but how often you need to have your septic tank pumped depends on various factors including the size of the tank, the number of people in the household, and whether or not you have a garbage disposal.

A home with a small septic tank or a lot of people living in the home will need more frequent septic tank pumping than a home with a large septic tank and fewer occupants.  Using a garbage disposal will shorten the time required between septic tank pumping.

Failure to have the septic tank pumped when needed can result in damage to the septic drain field which can be very expensive to repair.  Having your septic tank pumped too often is a waste of money, but it is far less expensive than repairing a damaged drain field.

The best way to determine how often your septic tank should be pumped is to have your septic system inspected by a sewer-septic professional.  Septic system inspections are relatively inexpensive and can save you a bundle.  Your sewer-septic system professional will be able to tell you if your septic system is in good working order, whether your septic tank needs pumping, and how frequently your septic tank needs to be pumped.  Annual or semi-annual septic system inspections will help extend the life of your  septic system and keep it in good working order.

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

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Holiday Septic System Reminders

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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As the busy holiday season approaches, there are a few things to keep in mind if you own a home with a septic system. If you will be hosting large family dinners, parties or other festivities, your septic system needs to be ready for the extra work. Fatty foods going down the drain, excessive toilet use and other pressures could cause a nasty septic problem if you are not prepared. Here are a few reminders to get your septic system ready for the holidays.

  • Minimize the fat and grease. Be careful when rinsing plates and pans during the holidays. Gravy and other fatty foods that go down the drain can cause issues in your drains, pipes and septic tank. Scrape excess food and fat off plates before rinsing them in the sink.
  • Remind your guests of septic rules. If you have guests visiting your home during the holidays, put a friendly reminder in the guest bathrooms that you have a septic system. Guests that are accustomed to using a city sewer may forget what they can and cannot flush down the toilet with a septic system.
  • Have a pre-holiday septic service performed. Minimize the possibility of a septic problem during the holidays with a pre-holiday service. Make sure to have your tank level checked – if it is even close to needing pumping, have it done before you have extra guests to your home.

No one wants a septic problem to ruin their holiday season. Being prepared for the excess use is the best way to avoid backups or other issues. Call your local septic service for an inspection now before the busy season arrives.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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Is a Drain or Leach Field Dangerous?

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
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Most people worry about germs and bacteria when it comes to their health. Everyone knows that raw sewage is full of bacteria that can be harmful. If you have a septic system, you may be concerned that your drain or leach field could be dangerous for kids or pets if there is harmful bacteria present. The good news is if you maintain your drain field, there is no need to worry about it causing illness or harm to your family.

A properly maintained drain field should be covered with grass, free from larger shrubs or trees. If your drain field is working as it should, waste water flows into the area and drains quickly down through the soil. There should not be any odor or standing water – if either of these are present, call your septic service company immediately for an inspection.

If water is pooling on top of your drain field, this means the waste water is not filtering down as quickly as it should. In this case, your drain field can be a hazard and you should keep your kids and pets away from the area until it can be repaired. You may have a septic backup or failure, which needs professional care to fix.

To keep your drain or leach field healthy and safe, keep a close eye on it for any problems. Pooling water, odor or changes in the vegetation growing above it are good reasons to call your septic service. Make sure to have regular inspections and service to ensure your entire septic system is kept maintained to prevent backups and other septic problems.

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

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Is a Septic to Sewer Conversion Worth the Investment?

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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Do you have a home with a septic system that could be converted to city sewer? Many neighborhoods that once were septic-only residences now have access to city sewer, especially if new housing developments have been added in the area. While converting to a sewer system from septic may have a substantial initial cost, it may be worth the investment for some home owners. Here are a few benefits that may make it worth your while:

  • Less maintenance. Septic systems do require periodic maintenance that can be annoying and time consuming for homeowners. Annual service, equipment repairs, pumping and other maintenance take time and money to keep up.
  • Lower costs. While you may pay a monthly fee for sewer service, it is usually much less expensive in the long run. A major septic issue or failure could cost as much as a conversion.
  • Sewer systems are much simpler to use than a septic system and have less problems. Sewer systems tend to be more forgiving when it comes to what goes down your drains since the waste is treated at a large, professional facility.
  • Added value to your home. If you will be selling your home in the future, converting to a sewer from a septic system can bolster the price of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers. A home on a sewer system will usually sell for more than a comparable home in the same area on a septic system.

If you have been considering converting to a sewer system, talk to your local sewer service company about the advantages and pricing in your area. It may be worth the investment into your home.

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

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Protecting Your Septic System from Harmful Cleaning Products

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Your septic system needs bacteria to function. Like our own digestive systems, there are ‘good’ bacteria that are needed to digest the solid waste in your septic tank. Unfortunately, cleaners that kill ‘bad’ bacteria in your home can also kill the ones you need in your septic tank. Bleach and other agents in many household cleaners can cause havoc in your septic system. So how do you keep your home clean and healthy without harming those necessary bacteria living in your septic tank?

The first step is to look at any cleaning products that you use in your bathrooms, laundry room or kitchen sink area. If the cleaner will be washed down the drain, you need to know what is in those products. Dish soaps, laundry detergent, toiler cleaner, shower spray and any other agent that goes down the drain should be ‘septic-safe’. There are many all-natural cleaners that work great and keep your home clean without the use of harmful bleach or chemicals. It is better for your septic system and the environment to use eco-friendly cleaners.

Want to save money and protect your septic system from damage? Learn to make your own cleaners at home. Vinegar and baking soda are excellent options for cleaning almost anything – they can even be used to safely loosen clogs in your plumbing. Other natural cleaners include lemon, tea tree oil and other plant extracts, all effective and safe for your septic system.

Septic maintenance can protect your system and extend the life, saving your thousands of dollars in the long run. Be careful of what you put down the drain and keep up with regular service from your local septic service company.

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

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Is it Time to Pump Your Septic Tank? Look for These Signs

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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There is not a set schedule for pumping a septic tank. Some homes can last five years without needing to pump their tank; others may need it pumped every year. It depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the home and their waste use. One person living in a four-bedroom home may not need the tank pumped for more than five years. But regardless of the tank size or people in your home, there are signs that it is time to schedule a pumping for your septic tank:

  • Bad odors. Is there a foul smell around your home? You may smell it in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink. You might also smell an odor outside near your septic tank. Bad odors coming from your plumbing are always a sign that something is amiss in your sewer system. You may have a tank that is too full.
  • Slow drains. Another sign of a full septic tank is slow drains in your home. If you notice that all your sinks, tubs and showers are draining slower than usual, your septic tank may be reaching capacity. You could also have a sewer line clog. Either way, calling in the professionals for an inspection is a good idea before it becomes a complete sewer backup.
  • Wet areas by your tank. If you notice wet areas surrounding your septic tank, you need to call your septic service to schedule a pumping for your tank.

If you keep up with regular maintenance and annual service with your local septic company, they can advise you on how often you need to have your tank emptied for your usage. This will help you avoid a full tank and the problems that can come with it.

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

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Tips for Extending the Life of Your Septic System

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Replacing your septic system is one of the more expensive home improvement projects you may face as a homeowner, right up there with a new roof or furnace replacement. However, you can maintain your septic system to help extend its life for many years. Here are a few tips to reduce wear on your septic system and get the longest life possible out of your investment.

  • Reduce water use. Not only should water be conserved as a natural resource, excess use can put extra wear on your septic system. Use low-flow fixtures and appliances to reduce the amount of water you use in your home to reduce the pressure on your septic system.
  • Watch what goes down the drain. Many household items can cause problems in your septic system if allowed to be washed or flushed down the drain. Keep fats, grease, medications, bleach, paint, chemicals, anti-bacterial cleaners and anything non-biodegradable out of your drains and septic system.
  • Adhere to regular inspections and maintenance. Your septic system needs maintenance to keep it in good working order. Have a professional septic service company do a thorough inspection once a year on your entire system and do any maintenance needed, including septic tank pumping and repairs. Replacing parts like baffles and filters as they wear out helps reduce the chance of septic failure and the need for a complete system replacement.

Septic systems can last for decades if maintained at a high level. It is worth the investment of time, money and effort to reduce the wear and tear on your septic system to extend the life for many years to come.

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

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