Signs of a Clogged Sewer Vent

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Most people are aware that drains can be clogged. Food, hair or other debris can plug a pipe and cause a drain backup. What not everyone realizes is that there are other pipes that can impact your plumbing and sewer lines. Sewer vents allow to air to escape the sewer lines and are integral to creating the pressurized system needed for proper drainage. The vent pipes run from your drain pipes and come out on your roof. When a sewer vent is clogged, it could cause drainage issue in your home. Here are some signs that you may have a clogged sewer vent.

Gurgling Drains

If you hear gurgling after your flush your toilet or drain the tub, you could have a sewer vent clog. The gurgling can be air escaping up through the drain, instead of up the sewer vent pipe. You may see bubbles coming up through the water in a draining sink, tub or toilet.

Sewer Odors

If air is coming up your drains instead of using the sewer vent, you could notice sewer odors coming from your drains. This means they are not working correctly.

Slow Drains and Ongoing Clogs

Sewer vents can be clogged for months and causing ongoing problems. If your toilet or other drains seem to backup more often than normal, or several drains are slow, it could be a sewer vent clog. Leaves, pests and other debris can get inside the vent and block the airway. You could also have a clog where the vent pipe intersects with the drain pipe, causing backups and slow drains.

If you have any of these signs of a clogged sewer vent, contact your local plumber or sewer service company. They can inspect your sewer vent and drain pipes to find and fix the problem.

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

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How Does a Septic Tank Work?

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Septic System
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If you are new to owning a septic system, you may only know the basics. You know you have a septic tank and a drain field, and you have been told you need to have your septic tank pumped. But what you may not know is why you need to have it pumped and how the tank works. Here is some basic information on how a septic tank works and why it needs routine pumping.

The science behind a septic tank is based on biology. The biodegradable waste that enters the tank from your sewer pipes will attract and breed bacteria. These bacteria feed on solid wastes, slowly breaking them down into liquid form. As water and more solid waste is added, the solids sink to the bottom, water is in the middle and anything that will float moves to the top of the tank.

When the tank becomes full, the overflow of water exits the tanks from a pipe at the top area of the tank and transports it to the drain field. This should be a watery fluid called effluent that is filtered by the drain field before it enters the ground water supply. The solids stay at the bottom of the tank, breaking down with help of bacteria in the water.

Not all solids do breakdown and the solids portion in the tank grows over time. If it gets too high, it will backflow into the home and solids could go into the drain field. Pumping is needed to remove the solids that do not breakdown and have filled the tank, leaving little room for water.

Septic tank pumping needs to be done once the tank is becoming too full of solids and not leaving enough room for waste water. This is usually every 1-2 years, but varies from home to home. The best way to stay on top of your septic tank pumping is to have annual inspections to check the level of you tank, pumping as needed.

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

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First Signs of a Broken Sewer Line

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Most sewer lines that transport your waste from your home to your septic tank or main city sewer line are located a few feet underground. When these pipes corrode at the joints, crack or sustain damage, you may not know right away that there is a problem. However, there will be signs that are bound to appear to alert you that you have an issue with your plumbing waste system. Here are some of the first signs that you may have a broken sewer line at your home.

Several Drains are Slow or Backed Up

If the sewer line break is causing a blockage for your waste, you may notice that several drains in your home are backing up or slower to drain. This does not always occur with sewer line breaks; it depends on whether there is a blockage or not. Drains closest to the main sewer line are the most likely to be slow or back up.

Wet Spots or Odor in Your Yard

If there are areas in your yard that are wetter than the rest of the lawn near where your sewer line runs, you may have a leak. There also could be a sewage odor that alerts you to a definite problem with your sewer pipe.

Soil Erosion

In many cases, a sewer line break starts with a small crack and becomes worse. A slow leak could have occurred for weeks, even months. Soil above the pipe can begin to erode, letting you know there is a problem below.

If you see signs of a broken sewer line, call your local sewer or septic company right away. They can inspect your sewer line and locate the point of the problem. Fixing the pipe can prevent further backups and damage to your property.

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

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How to Avoid a Thick Biomat on Your Drain Field

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Drain Field
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Drain fields can work efficiently for years with a well-maintained septic system. Waste water or effluent from the septic tank is slowly delivered to the drain field, filtering down through the soil to the ground water below. As long as the septic tank is performing correctly and the soil is the right consistency, the only organic material growing on top of a drain field should be grass. When a thick biomat appears, it is a sign of trouble with your septic system.

What is a Biomat?

Bacteria are needed to help breakdown waste, both in the septic tank and in the drain field. A biomat is a formation of anaerobic bacteria, the type of bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive. This slimy layer can build up in the trenches of a drain field. The bacteria in the biomat can feed off debris in the water, helping break it down further as it filters into the soil. Aerobic bacteria also are in the drain field, which feed on the biomat and keep it from getting too thick.

If a biomat gets too thick, it can cause problems. Waste water can get trapped above ground and the filtering system suffers. This can occur if there is too much water in the drain field for the aerobic bacteria to survive. It can also happen when the waste water coming from the septic tank has too much solid waste. To avoid a thick biomat, proper maintenance is needed, including:

  • Avoiding putting too much water through the septic system
  • Keeping grease and fat out of the drains
  • Keep food out of your drains – do not use a garbage disposal
  • Get your septic tank pumped when needed

If you have a thick biomat on your drain field, you need to address it before it causes a septic backup. Contact your local septic service for an inspection to determine the best option to restore balance to your drain field.

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

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