Is Your Septic Ready to Handle the Upcoming Holidays?

January 6th, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Thanksgiving and the rest of the end-of-year holidays mean plenty of festivities at your home, often including out-of-town guests taking over guest bedrooms and pull-out couches. Large meals, holiday beverages and extra people in your home means your septic system will be working overtime. The extra stress can cause an overload, turning your happy holidays into a messy septic backup. Prevent septic emergencies with these pre-holiday septic maintenance tips.

  • Schedule routine maintenance. Now is the perfect time to schedule your annual inspection. Let your local septic experts inspect your system to identify any issues before you have a house full of people during the holidays.
  • Check your pumping schedule. Are you coming due for a septic tank pump? If you had planned to have your tank pumped in the next six months, it may be better to do it before the holidays, just in case.
  • Plan for extra water use. On weeks where extra guests will be arriving, plan to do heavy water use before they arrive. Catch up on all laundry, pet baths and other cleaning/cooking chores a day or more before they arrive to cut down on water use when guests are in your home.
  • House rules. Not all your guests may understand the limitations of a septic system. Hang a sign in your guest bathroom to remind guests not to flush anything beyond waste and toilet paper down the toilet.

No one wants to have a septic emergency in the middle of a holiday weekend. By preparing ahead of time, most common septic issues can be avoided so you can enjoy your time with friends and family over the holidays.

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

 

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Preparing Your Septic System for Summer Festivities

May 29th, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Summer is full of fun occasions with friends and family, from the first big Memorial Day weekend barbeque to the final Labor Day party. If you like to host these festive parties, you can have many extra people visiting and staying at your home, putting strain on your septic system. To ensure that your summer gatherings are not interrupted by a septic failure, make sure you prepare your septic system and home for the extra sewer waste. Here are a few tips: 

Schedule an inspection. Before you have your next big party, make sure to have your septic system inspected and annual maintenance performed. This is a good way to ensure that everything is in good working order before your guests arrive.

Ask about septic tank pumping. When you have your septic inspected, make sure to talk to your septic professional about pumping. Explain you will have excess use over the summer. Although with regular use it may not need pumping, it may be a good idea if there will be heavier use over the summer.

Plan ahead. Before your big parties, plan to do heavier water use in the days prior to guests arriving. Get laundry caught up and other high water uses done to avoid too much water in one 24-hour period.

Educate your guests. Not everyone understands the limits of a septic system. Make a bathroom sign to educate your guests on what not to flush down the toilet. A little sign can save a lot of money down the road in septic problems.

By preparing your septic system for the heavier waste during your summer gatherings, you can avoid having an embarrassing and expensive septic failure. Call your local septic service company today to start your preventive maintenance.

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

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Signs of Septic Problems

April 30th, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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If you own a septic system, you may go years without needing to do any repairs as long as you have regular maintenance performed. However, it is usually only a matter of time before you will have some type of repair that is needed. Knowing the signs of septic problems can help you identify the issue before it becomes a large septic problem. Here are a few signs that you may need septic repair:

  • Slow drains. If you begin noticing that you have slow drains throughout your home, you may be having a septic problem. It could be a clog in your sewer pipes or your tank may be getting full.
  • Foul odor. Septic systems that are working properly should not be release a foul odor. If you begin noticing a foul odor coming from your drains, yard or drain field, call a septic professional to inspect your system.
  • Wet areas. Wet ground near sewer lines, your septic tank or your drain field can be sign of problems. It may be a leak or a malfunctioning drain field, all which require professional repair.
  • Greener grass. A sign that your leech or drain field is not working correctly is if the grass covering the area becomes very green or is growing faster than other areas. This can caused by effluent that is not draining, feeding the grass.

If you have any of these signs, it is time to call your local septic professional. Many times catching these problems early can reduce the repair costs and prevent a septic system failure. Have your entire system inspected to determine the problem so it can be repaired as quickly as possible.

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

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Five Things to Avoid if You Own a Septic System

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Septic systems are notoriously expensive to replace, making maintenance the most important aspect of owning a septic. While annual inspections and regular tank pumping are a big part of maintenance of your septic system, the most important parts of system protection are remembering the things you shouldn’t do. Here are five things to avoid to help preserve the integrity of your septic system and prolong its life.

  • Fat and grease. Fat, grease and oil are poison to a septic system, creating more waste which needs to be pumped and causing issues in the system. Avoid allowing fats and oils to be dumped down drains. Scrape out cooking pans and wipe them clean of fats and grease before washing them in the sink or dishwater.
  • Tree roots. It’s important to know where your sewer lines and septic components are when planting new trees in your yard. Tree roots are attracted to the moisture in your septic system, and root intrusion can cause serious trouble.
  • Drain field compression. Under no circumstance should vehicles be allowed to drive over your drain field. This can damage the drain field and even result in septic system failure.
  • Excess water use. Conserving water use can add years onto the life of your septic system. Practice water conservation by avoiding running water down drains unnecessarily and fixing water leaks immediately.
  • Chemicals. Household chemicals, like bleach and other harsh agents, can destroy the bacteria in your septic tank and make it less efficient. Antibacterial cleaners are specifically harmful to this delicate balance, so be careful not to overuse these products. 

Keeping your septic system healthy is easier to do if you can avoid these common issues. When paired with regular maintenance, many septic systems can last for decades.

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

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Three Signs of Septic System Problems

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Most septic systems can function without issues for years on end with no major issues, especially if they’re inspected regularly by a septic professional. Annual inspections can uncover any potential problems before they happen, providing you with the opportunity to fix these issues before you encounter a septic emergency. Some problems can still occur, however, leading to sewer backups and even a complete system failure. To resolve these problems quickly, here are three signs that your septic system is not working correctly:

  1. Foul Odors — One of the first and most noticeable signs of a brewing septic problem is a foul odor. This could be in your home, your yard or near your drain field. If your septic system is working correctly, you shouldn’t be experiencing bad odor at all, as the waste should be contained within the system.
  2. Pooling Water — If you see pooling water in your yard, around your septic tank or in your drain field, something may be amiss in your system. Wet areas in your yard could mean a broken or leaking sewer pipe, while pooling water near your septic tank could mean a leak in your tank. Drain fields with wet areas are a sign the water isn’t draining correctly into the ground, and can result in septic failure.
  3. Sewer Backups — If you’re noticing that drains in your home are slow or wastewater backing up in sinks or bathtubs, you need to call your septic professional. It’s possible that you’re dealing with an interior plumbing problem, but it can also be a sign of a major problem within your septic system.

Any of these signs is a good reason to call in a professional to get your system inspected. Early detection of septic problems is the best way to reduce the cost of repair, and to avoid needing a full system replacement.

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

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Strange Items That Can Hurt Your Septic System

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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You may already know the normal household items to keep out of your drains when you own a septic system. You know that grease, fat, paint and bulky items all need to be thrown away and not allowed to enter your septic tank. However, there are some less common items you may not have considered. Here are a few of those strange items that also need to stay out of your septic.

  • Bath and body oils. A luxurious, scented bath is relaxing, but those bath products may also be hurting your septic system. Bath and body oils are especially taxing on the septic system and should only be used sparingly, if at all.
  • Liquid anti-bacterial hand soap. Anti-bacterial soap does kill bacteria. In fact, it continues to kill bacteria when it enters your septic system, including the good bacteria your system needs. Liquid hand soap is often more aggressive than bar soap, adding too much of these anti-bacterial agents to your septic system.
  • Chemotherapy drugs. The drugs used in chemotherapy can be life-saving. They can also be extremely toxic to your septic system, even after they have passed through the body. To avoid septic backups during a time that’s already difficult, waste from chemotherapy patients should not be flushed. The other option is to have your septic tank pumped more frequently.

Talk to your septic professional about any concerns you have with drugs or other agents that may be entering your septic system. They may have a solution to help you protect your septic system from harm.

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

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Septic Tank Access Cover Hazards

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Most septic tanks have a tank cover which allows access to the system. While this porthole is important for repairs and maintenance of your septic system, this access area can hazardous if not properly designed. Many children and even adults have been seriously, even fatally, injured by falling into a septic tank access hole. It is important to understand septic tank cover safety to ensure that your septic tank does not become a hazard.

Septic Tank Access Cover Safety

Your septic tank’s access cover can be a double-edged sword. It needs to be accessible by you and your septic maintenance professional; however, it also needs to not be accessible to children or pets. It only takes a minute for a child to get a poorly designed cover off and be at risk of falling down into the tank. To prevent this hazard, follow these safety precautions:

  • Proper septic tank cover. Covers should not easy to remove by a child. They should be heavy enough that only an adult can move, or secured in another way. Make sure that if the cover is in an area where it could be driven over, it’s a heavy-duty cover which will not break.
  • Preventive nets. There are nets that are designed to be installed under septic tank lids to prevent falls into the tank. These are an extra preventive step which may be a good idea for families with small children.

In addition to securing your access tank cover, let your children know that this is a dangerous area which needs to be avoided. Talk to your septic professional to ensure that your tank access cover meets all safety regulations.

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

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Going Green is Great for Your Septic System

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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It’s not just the planet that can benefit when you make green choices. If you own a home with a septic system, going green is a great way to extend the life of your septic and decrease the chance of septic failure. There are several ways that green habits and products can help your septic system, including these green septic tips:

  • Green cleaning products. Harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia and other chemicals can be harmful to the delicate bacterial balance in your septic tank. Choosing green cleaners which do not contain such chemicals can be healthier for both your septic system and the environment. Another option is making your own cleaners from natural substances, like vinegar and baking soda.
  • Save on water, save your septic. Conserving water is part of the green movement, but it’s also a great way to reduce wear and tear on your septic system. Be conscious of every bit of water you use, saving an important resource while putting less stress on your septic system.
  • Use energy and water efficient appliances. Choose appliances and fixtures that are energy and water efficient. This can reduce your energy bills while decreasing the water that goes through your septic system every month.

Living green has many benefits to your bank account, the earth and even your septic system. Your septic service company may have more tips on how to preserve your septic system and make it last for many years to come. Call to schedule an annual inspection and maintenance service for your septic, and learn more about how to use green methods to take care of your septic system.

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

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Causes of Frozen Septic Pipes

January 2nd, 2015 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Most sewer and septic pipes are protected from freezing in cold winter weather by the soil and vegetation that insulates them in the ground. Even in cold climate regions, septic pipes don’t normally freeze. However, there are some circumstances which can make it possible for these underground pipes to freeze and cause problems for the homeowner. Here are a few common causes of freezing septic pipes:

  • No ground cover. Newly installed septic pipes which have no vegetation above them have less insulation, leaving pipes susceptible to freezing.
  • Cold weather with no snow.  A deep frost with no snow for insulation can freeze the ground and septic pipes, in some cases.
  • Irregular use. Septic systems that are not used regularly, such as a vacation cabin, are more likely to have pipes freeze. This can also occur in homes which are used less frequently than the system is designed to handle.
  • Dripping plumbing or furnace. If plumbing is dripping small amounts of water, or there is condensation from a furnace or dehumidifier, this trickle of slow water can freeze inside the pipes.
  • Cold air. If an inspection cap is left open or is cracked, it can allow cold air into the system that can freeze septic pipes.
  • Poor drainage. Septic pipes that are not inclined or have settled may not drain correctly, causing water to pool and freeze.

A frozen sewer or septic pipe will usually cause a backup into the home’s plumbing, requiring the help of a septic professional. If the problem is not fixed, the septic pipes will continue to freeze and can cause more damage to the system in the future.

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

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How Long Will My Septic System Last?

December 5th, 2014 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Installing a new septic system can set a homeowner back several thousand dollars, or more. It’s a major and necessary investment into a home where city sewer connection is not an option. Anyone who is buying a new home with a septic, or who already has a home with a septic system, may be wondering how long they can expect their system to last before it needs to be replaced. The good news is that many homeowners have been using the same septic system for decades by keeping up with regular maintenance.

Making Your Septic System Last

As a general rule, a well-maintained septic system can last up to thirty years. Many homes have systems that are even older, with repairs and replacement of certain components as needed. The trick to making your septic system last is knowing how to maintain your system. Considering the cost of replacement, it’s well worth the money and time spent on meticulous maintenance. To promote a long lasting septic system, try keeping up with the following tasks:

–        Pumping. Make sure your septic tank is pumped as needed. A full tank can cause several problems, including a septic backup.

–        Protect your drain field. You drain field is essential to your septic system. Keep all vehicles, equipment and even foot traffic off your drain field.

–        Watch your waste. Reducing your water use and regulating what’s put down the drain can extend the life of your septic system. Keep in mind, everything that gets flushed or put down your drains must be processed by your system.

–        Inspections. Have your system inspected at least every year. Your local septic service company can check all the components and replace parts as necessary. Many companies offer a service or maintenance plan, which can keep your system on scheduled maintenance for a fair cost.

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

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