5 Common Reasons for Septic Failure

Septic failure is not an occurrence that any homeowner wants to have happen, but eventually most septic systems do fail. They can last for decades when properly maintained, but there are circumstances that can make a septic failure occur quicker than expected. If you know the main causes of septic failure, you can often prevent premature failure with your system. Here are five common reasons septic systems fail.

  1. Non-biodegradable items. Flushing items that are non-biodegradable is one of the top reasons for failure. Avoid putting plastic, cotton, rubber and other items down your drains, i.e. feminine hygiene products, cotton balls/swabs, “flushable” wipes, birth control items.
  2. Chemicals like paint, oil, solvents and strong cleaners can ruin the bacterial balance in your septic tanks, causing a septic back up.
  3. Drain field damage. If vehicles or other machinery are driven over drain fields, it can damage the pipes and cause a septic backup.
  4. Excessive water use. Putting more water into your septic system than it is designed to handle can cause failure. Using water conservation techniques and water-efficiency fixtures can help reduce water waste.
  5. Foregoing maintenance. The biggest impact on your septic system that can cause failure is not maintaining the tank, drain field and equipment. Regular inspections, pumping and replacement of components as needed can help extend the life of your septic system by many years.

What you put down your drains has a big impact on the health of your septic system. Keeping grease, oil, chemicals and non-biodegradable items out of your drains is important, and lowering water use can also have an impact. Make sure you also schedule regular maintenance with your local septic service company can catch issues early and help prevent failure.

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

How Can You Tell Your Septic Lift Station Isn’t Working?

For some septic systems, a lift station is needed to pump effluent from the septic tank to the drain field. While conventional systems use gravity, a lift station is needed where topography requires the tank to be at a lower elevation than the drain field. If the lift station doesn’t work properly, waste water will accumulate in the tank and backup your system. Here are ways to tell if your lift station is not working right to prevent a septic system failure.

Your lift station or sewage pump is activated by the water levels in the pit where the sewage pump is located. When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump turns on and pumps the water to the distribution box of the drain field. Most lift stations are equipped with an alarm system to let you know if the pit is too full, indicating the pump is not working correctly. Signs that the lift station is not working right include: 

  • High level alarm goes off. If your alarm is working correctly, it should alert you when the water level is too high in your lift station.
  • Sewage odor. If you smell sewage in your basement, near your sump pump or by the septic system, you should check your lift station for problems.
  • Septic backups. Lift station breakdowns will cause the septic tank to fill quickly, causing a backup of sewage into your home.

Since lift stations require mechanical equipment to work properly, it is vital to have your lift station maintained. Replacing corroded components and maintaining the pump can help prevent emergency issues with your lift station. Make sure to schedule a lift station and septic system inspection and maintenance through your local septic service at least once a year.

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

Sounds, Smells and Sights of Septic Problems

A septic backup or failure can be an expensive and messy problem. However, most septic issues do not happen overnight. Issues begin to accumulate and there are signs when a septic system is not working correctly. Using your senses, you can identify these signs and get service for your septic system before you have a complete failure or messy backup. Here are some sounds, smells and sights to be aware of if you own a septic system.

Sounds

If you hear a gurgling sound when you flush your toilet or use the drains in your home, you could have a septic system issue. This is often accompanied by slow drains.

Smells

Odor is a common sign of septic system issues. If you smell sewer odor inside the house, it may be coming up the drains or through the septic vent. Other places that can have an odor when there is a problem is above your septic tank cover or near your drain field.

Sights

Keep an eye out for changes in your yard and drain field. Wet spots in your yard or by your septic tank can alert you to sewer pipe or tank problems. You should also be watching your drain field. If the grass becomes a vibrant green, the effluent may not be absorbing properly into the soil. A bio-mat or wet areas in your drain field are also signs of a septic issue.

When you hear, smell or see any of these issues, call your septic service company immediately. Catching the problem before it becomes a septic failure can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in repairs or replacements.

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

What to Do if Your Septic Alarm Goes Off

Many septic systems are equipped with a septic alarm to alert the owner if there is a problem. However, many homeowners may not even realize they have an alarm until it goes off. While there are many different types of septic alarms with many different features, one of the basic alarms is to alert you when the septic system is not able to handle the amount of waste water coming in. Here is what you should do if this alarm goes off and what it could mean.

When a septic alarm triggers, it is often due to high water within the system. This means the pump is unable to process the amount of water coming in. This could be due to several issues, including:

  • Too much waste water going down the drains for the system to handle
  • If your septic system is on a timer, too much water for the period has entered the septic system
  • Excess water from other sources is finding its way into your septic system, i.e. a groundwater leak into your system

The first thing to do when this alarm goes off is to stop putting any water down the drain. Cease all water activities in the house, including using toilets, showers, sinks, washers, etc. If you don’t, you will most likely have a septic backup headed your way.

In some cases, your septic system was just overloaded and needs to catch up. If you were using a large amount of water prior to the alarm, try not using drains in your home for a few hours. Also, check your circuit breaker to make sure that it did not trip the alarm. However, if nothing was out of the ordinary, it is time to call your septic professional to find out what the problem is within your system.

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

Holiday Septic System Reminders

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

Protecting Your Septic System from Harmful Cleaning Products

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

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Septic System

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

Benefits of a Septic Filter For Your Septic System

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

7 Things New Septic System Owners Need to Know

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

4 Things in Your Bathroom that Could Harm Your Septic System

A septic system failure is an expense no one wants to incur. Depending on your system, it could cost several thousand dollars to repair or replace your septic. There could be items in your bathroom that could be harmful to your system that you may not realize. Here are four common items that can become expensive culprits to backing up your septic system. 

  1. Decorative items on toilet tank. You often see a basket of mini soaps or votive candles placed on the top of the toilet tank. This is a poor choice of placement for any items that are small enough to flush down the toilet. They can easy slip unnoticed into the bowl, then cause clogs within your pipes or septic system.
  2. Flushable wipes. The wet wipes that claim to be flushable are usually not biodegradable and should not be flushed, regardless of the labeling. These can be destructive to your septic system, causing clogs and unnecessary extra solids in your septic tank.
  3. Cotton swabs and balls. Most bathrooms have cotton balls and swabs for personal hygiene. Make sure these items do not get flushed down the toilet – cotton does not easily breakdown and can be detrimental to your septic.
  4. Medications. Medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, should never be flushed down the toilet. Many can kill the bacteria you need to maintain in your septic tank for proper treatment. Pills can also get stuck in the small holes in the pipes in your drain field, causing a backup.

Protect your septic system and bank account by keeping these items out of your toilets. If you don’t, you will need the professional help of your local septic service company to fix the problem.

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