Protect Your Septic System with Water Efficient Fixtures

September 21st, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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If you have a septic system, you may also have a well for your water. While you may not receive a water or sewer bill each month, using too much water can still cost you plenty in septic repairs and replacement. Water efficient fixtures help reduce water waste and also reduce excess wear and tear on your septic system. Using less water means your septic system can function easier and last longer, saving you money off repairs and expensive septic system replacement. Here are a few fixtures that can help reduce water waste in your home.

  • Water efficient toilets. Did you know that an average family flushes 30% of its water down the toilet? Considering this high number, using high-efficiency toilets in your bathrooms can make a big difference on your water use. Choose a toilet that uses less than 1.28 gallon per flush.
  • Showerheads. Another big use of water in the home is the shower. High-efficiency showerheads can reduce the water your family uses while taking their showers by 70%.
  • Faucets. High pressure is usually not needed for a faucet. Replacing faucets with efficient models that release less than 1.5 gallons per minute can save water. Another option is adding a flow restrictor to existing faucets to reduce waste.

On top of using water efficient fixtures, teach your family good water conservation habits. Don’t let water run while rinsing items in the sink or brushing your teeth. Small changes can add up to big savings on your water use and reduce wear and tear on your septic.

Keep your septic system running smoothly and extend the lifespan with lower water use and regular maintenance. Make sure to have your system inspected and serviced once a year by your local septic professional.

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

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Can You Live in a Home with a Septic System?

August 9th, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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In many parts of the country, owing a home with a septic system is necessary. In rural areas, city sewer is not an option and you must maintain a septic system for your home. However, if you have always lived in the suburbs or city, you may have never dealt with a septic system and owning a home with one may be very concerning. So what do you do if you find your dream home, but it has a septic system?

Is it a Deal Breaker?

The first question you will have to ask yourself when you find out the home of your dreams has a septic system is whether this is a deal breaker.  If you absolutely won’t consider living in a home with a septic system, you have two choices: move on or convert to sewer. If you are open to the latter, then you will first need to find out if it is a possibility in the area. Many homes have a septic system put in when they are built, yet sewer lines become available years later. You may be able to tie into the local sewer system with the help of the local sewer service company.

If it’s not a deal breaker, you can learn to live with a septic. About 20% of the homes in the U.S. have septic systems – if those families can do it, so can you. You can hire a professional septic company to maintain your system so you don’t have to deal with it all.

Don’t let a septic system scare you away from your dream home. Call the local septic company and find out what your options are to make it possible to live in the home that best fits your family’s needs.

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

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Is an Aerobic Septic System Right for Your Home or Business?

August 9th, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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One of the options available when deciding to install a new septic system is whether to use a traditional tank system or an aerobic system. While both breakdown solids in a septic tank, release waste water to a drain field, aerobic systems have an added component. These systems add oxygen to the tank to improve the breakdown of solids by bacteria. The result is cleaner waste water that needs very little filtering before it enters the soil.

If you are installing a new septic system at your home or business, you should consider whether an aerobic system would be better for your needs. In many ways these are advanced systems compared to the traditional tanks that most homes and small businesses have. An aerobic system is what is used in sewage treatment plants, so you are getting a more complex system.

Not everyone needs an aerobic septic system. For many people, the traditional system works perfectly. However, there are a few situations where an aerobic system may benefit you. You may want an aerobic septic system if you:

  • Have a limited area for your drain field
  • Own a business that will be handling heavy amounts of sewage
  • Have property with poor soil for a drain field
  • Own land near an environmentally protected area

Before you decide which septic system to install, talk to your local septic service company that offers both aerobic and traditional systems. They can discuss the pros and cons of each system and analyze which will be best for your property. Make sure to ask about the different options available in aerobic systems, including dual tank options that can provide advanced water treatment capabilities.

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

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Choosing the Right Septic Tank Size for Your Home

June 24th, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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Are you adding a new septic tank or replacing an old tank for your home? Getting the right size tank for your needs is crucial for low septic maintenance. A tank that is too small for your family and home size will need more frequent pumping and may become overloaded. Before choosing the size of your septic tank, keep these tips in mind.

  • How many bedrooms you have. Specifications for septic systems are usually based on how many bedrooms a home contains. For example, many jurisdictions will require a tank of at least 1,000 gallons, with larger required for homes with three or more bedrooms.
  • People living in the home. It is not just the size of the home that matters; it is also the size of the family. If you have a growing family, you need to plan ahead for the size of family you may have in the future, not the size it is now.
  • Large events. Do you plan to host large events at your home? If you do, you will want to consider a larger septic tank than your home normally would normally need. A holiday gathering over a weekend with twenty people at your home could easily overload a smaller septic system.
  • Replacing an existing tank. If you are replacing an existing tank, don’t automatically choose the same size. It may be time to upgrade to a larger tank for your increased septic needs.

In general, it is usually better to go bigger than smaller when it comes to choosing your septic tank. Consult with your local septic company to determine the best size tank to meet your family’s needs now and in the future.

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

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Understanding the Different Types of Septic Systems

March 13th, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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Most people don’t spend much time thinking about septic systems, but if you own one or are considering installing one on your property, there is a lot to know. First of all, there are many types to choose from, mostly put into one of two categories, conventional or alternative. Understanding the differences can help you make more informed decisions when adding or replacing a system in the future.

Conventional Septic Systems

When most people think of a septic system, conventional systems with a septic tank and drain field is what comes to mind. These can be designed using either gravity or pressure, changing how the water is distributed to the drain field. Conventional systems have for many years used a gravity flow system to move waste water from the septic tank to the drain field. Newer conventional sewer systems are often designed using a pressure system, pumping waste water to evenly disperse throughout the drain field.

Alternative Septic Systems

When conventional septic systems are not possible or allowed in certain regions, many people turn to alternative options. There are also environmental reasons to consider alternative septic systems over conventional. Some types of alternative options include:

  • Mound system.  For areas with poor soil quality, a mound system creates drain fields above the ground for treatment.
  • Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU). An ATU uses oxygen process solids to a further extent within the septic tank, releasing cleaner waste water that requires less treatment.
  • Sand filter systems. A sand filtration system uses a man-made box containing sand and gravel to treat waste water before it is release into the drain field.

All these septic systems have merit; it just depends on what is right for your home or business. To determine which is the best for your needs, talk to your local septic professional.

All  would work best for your property. There are also other proprietary systems that may be a good fit for your needs.

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

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Buying a New Home with a Septic System

October 27th, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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You have found the home of your dreams, perfect for your family in every way except one major problem: it has a septic system. If you have never owned a home with a septic system, this may be a deal breaker for you. However, millions of homeowners have septic systems and are perfectly happy with their home. Don’t let something new scare you away from the home that has everything else you want. Here are some basic facts and even benefits to owning a septic system:

  • No monthly sewer bills! While you do have maintenance costs involved with a septic system, there is no monthly bill from the utility company. Plus if you have a septic system, you probably are on a well for your water too, so no sewer or water bills each month.
  • Pumping is not a big deal. You may have heard about needing to have your septic tank pumped and are worried about the cost. In most cases, tanks only need to be pumped every few years. There are plenty of things you can do to keep this at a minimum and the costs are not as high as you might think. In most cases it averages less than a $100 per year for pumping.
  • Maintenance can be performed by a professional. You don’t need to maintain your septic system yourself. Your local septic service can put you on a maintenance plan to ensure your equipment is inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

If it truly is your dream home, don’t let the fact that it has a septic system stand in your way. Talk to the local septic service about maintenance plans and even the possibility of converting to sewer. Either way, there is a solution so you can enjoy this home fully, even with a septic system.

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

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What You Need to Know Before Buying a Home with a Septic System

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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If you’re shopping for a new home, you may be looking at some homes with a septic system. If you’ve never owned a home with a septic, you may be a little leery of taking on the responsibility of maintaining your own sewer system, but don’t let a septic system deter you from buying the home of your dreams. Here are a few basic facts about septic systems, which may make your purchasing decision less complicated:

Septic Systems are Affordable

You may think the costs associated with owning a septic system are immense, but In reality, maintaining a septic system is usually no more expensive than paying for city sewer services. Unlike a city sewer, you don’t pay out a monthly fee for your septic system, only paying for annual inspections, repairs or pumping when they’re necessary. In the long run, a properly maintained septic system can last for decades with very little cost for maintenance.

Low Maintenance

Most modern septic systems require very little maintenance to keep them running smoothly. If you follow regular septic system etiquette, like keeping harmful items out of your wastewater, there’s little that needs to be done to maintain your system on a monthly basis. If you don’t want to mess with the septic system at all, you can choose to sign up for a maintenance program with your local septic company. They can perform regular checkups and maintenance as needed.

One thing you should do before buying a new home with a septic system is ensure that the system has been thoroughly inspected by a trusted contractor. Although septic systems are affordable and easy to maintain, they are expensive to replace. Make sure you’re starting with a system in good shape before you buy the home.

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

 

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Septic System 101: Components of a Gravity-Based System

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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If you own a home or business with a gravity-based septic system, you most likely know that it contains a septic tank and a drain field. Yet these are only two the components in an efficient system, which treats and filters all the waste water from your building. Each part of the system works with the next, so understanding how they are connected can be helpful for maintenance and troubleshooting problems.

Sewer Lines

Starting at the building, the sewer lines are the first part of your septic system. These pipes carry your wastewater from the inside plumbing to the septic tank to begin treatment. These pipes can become cracked, clogged or broken, causing sewage spills into the ground or sewer backups into your home.

Septic Tank

Your septic tank is the large container where solid waste is separated from water, allowing the solids to break down in a pool of bacteria and other natural agents. The solids sink to the bottom of the tank while they’re decomposing while the grease rises to the top, with the water portion slowly being released out to the distribution box and drain field.

Distribution Box

Near the drain field, a distribution box made of plastic or cement receives the wastewater from the septic tank. This box is important part of ensuring that the wastewater is evenly distributed to the different pipes and trenches located in the drain field. It often contains a filter to keep large objects out of the drain field pipes.

Drain Field

The final stop for septic wastewater is the drain field. Underground pipes located in trenches release the wastewater into the ground, leeching or filtering it before it trickles down into the ground water below.

If you are concerned that you have a problem with any of your septic system components, call in your local septic professional for an inspection. Early intervention and repair can often prevent septic system failures.

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

 

 

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How Does a Septic Mound System Work

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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There are some areas and even entire states where new septic systems must use a mound system for their effluent purification. Unlike traditional trench systems that use the soil in the ground to purify waste water that comes from the septic tank, mound systems are built above the ground. These systems tend to be slightly more expensive to build and maintain, yet are required by law in many areas.

Function of a Mound System

Both mound and trench systems do the same job; they remove pollutants from the waste water or effluent that comes from the septic tank before the water is allowed to be absorbed back into the earth. The biggest difference is that a mound system must be built, usually using sand and gravel to create a filter for the effluent.

In a mound system, the effluent is pumped from the septic tank to the top area of the mound a few times a day through small pipes. The water saturates the sand layer which is above the gravel layer. Oxygen from the air feeds aerobic bacteria which help remove pollutants from the effluent, along with the filtering effects as the water passes through the sand and gravel layers. The purified water then enters the ground at the bottom of the mound, clean and safe to enter back into the groundwater.

Mound systems are usually required due to concerns for the surrounding environment or soil concentrations. If you are considering building a home that will need a septic system or replacing an old system, you will need to know whether you will need to build a mound system or whether a trench or drain field system can be used. Your local septic professional will be able to discuss what the requirements are and give you options for your new septic system.

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

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Five Things Kids Should Know About Your Septic System

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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It may not occur you to educate your kids about your septic system, at least until you need to call your septic professional due to a problem caused by your children. It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about how to safeguard your septic with good habits. Here are five things to teach your kids about the care of your septic system.

  1. What not to flush. Just because it can go down the toilet does not mean it should. Many septic emergencies are caused by items which are flushed down the toilet only to clog up the system. Let your kids know that only the only “item” beyond their normal functions that should ever be flushed is toilet paper.
  2. What can be poured down the drain. Let your kids know that the sink drain is not for paint, chemicals, grease or other liquids that can hurt your septic system. Even too much of a carbonated soda product can be harmful.
  3. Limiting water use. Teach your kids good water efficiency habits from an early age. Never leave water running down the drain; this includes allowing a shower to run for several minutes before they get in, or rinsing dishes.
  4. No food in the sink. Kids should be shown how to scrape their plates thoroughly before they are put in the sink or dishwasher. Even small amounts of food left on the plate can add up and cause clogged drains.
  5. No playing on the drain field. Show your kids where your drain field is located, and let them know that it’s a restricted area. The delicate system right below the surface should not be disturbed.

If you let your kids and family know the rules regarding caring for your septic, they can help you prevent expensive septic problems. However, if you do have a septic emergency, your local septic professional is only a call away.

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

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