Why So Many Opinions On Septic Systems?

July 20th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tanks
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If you have been researching septic systems on the internet or by talking to friends and neighbors, you may have noticed that are many different and conflicting opinions on how well a septic system works and what you can and cannot do if you have a septic system.  Some people will tell you that they have had their septic system for 20 years, never had it pumped out, and never needed septic tank repairs.  Others will tell horror stories about septic systems that failed within the first couple years.

Some people will tell you to use an additive and others will say that additives ruin your septic system.  Garbage disposals are another contentious subject.  There are just as many people who say that a garbage disposal will cause problems with your septic system as there are those who have been using garbage disposals on a septic system without any problems.

There are a couple reasons why there is so much conflicting information about septic systems.  One reason is that every septic system is different.  How well a septic system performs depends on the size, how well it was designed and installed, the soil underneath the septic field, how well the septic system is cared for, whether it gets regular inspections and septic tank pumping, and other variables.

In addition, a septic system can take a lot of abuse for many years before it finally fails.  Since it is buried underground, there is no way to tell that a problem is slowly developing other than periodic inspections and septic tank pumping and even those cannot give you a really good idea of the health of the drain field.  In most cases, there will be little warning that a drain field is getting clogged until the system starts to back up.

What one septic system can handle may cause another septic system to fail.  In addition, many people who say “we have been doing that for years without a problem” are actually doing harm to their septic system, but it hasn’t quite failed yet.  The best source of information on your septic system is from a local, reputable sewer-septic professional who has inspected and evaluated the condition of your system and can advise you on what your system can handle.

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Concrete or Plastic Septic Tank?

January 5th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tanks
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If you are installing a new septic system or replacing your septic tank, you have the choice of either a concrete septic tank or a plastic septic tank.  Each has advantages and disadvantages.  Your sewer septic contractor can help you decide which is the best tank for your septic system.

Concrete septic tanks have been in use for decades and are still the standard in the industry.  They are heavy which means a much lower likelihood of floating up out of the ground when empty, it also makes the tank more cumbersome to install.  The site must be accessible to a crane to lift the tank into place.

Concrete septic tanks are also very durable, but they are more expensive than plastic tanks.  In addition, they can crack in certain conditions are more susceptible to leaks than plastic tanks.  One advantage that could be very important is that concrete tanks are approved for use in every state.

One of the primary advantages of plastic tanks is their lower weight makes it much easier to move them into position for installation.  This can be crucial if access to the work site is limited.  However, their lighter weight makes them more likely to “float” or pop up out of the ground when they are empty if groundwater levels are high.

Preventing plastic tanks from floating and preventing damage during installation requires careful installation techniques that can increase the cost of the system.  Once they are properly installed, a plastic tank is very durable and resistant to cracking.

Another plus is that plastic tanks cost less than a comparably sized concrete tank.  However, plastic septic tanks are not approved for use in all states so check your local laws before spending your money on a plastic septic tank.

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Septic Tank Size Considerations

February 2nd, 2011 Posted in Septic Tanks
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If you are installing a new septic system in your new home or replacing the existing septic system, it is important to make sure that the septic tank is properly sized for your situation.  Your sewer-septic professional will be able to help you determine the minimum size for your septic tank, but a basic understanding of the variables to consider will help you make an appropriate choice.

A septic system is made up of a drain line, a septic tank, the leech field, and the soil under the leech field.  Each of these components has an important job to do and the septic system will fail if any of these components is not functioning properly.

The septic tank is designed to hold wastewater from your home long enough to allow most of the solid material to settle out to the bottom of the tank.  The septic tank also allows greasy scum to float to the top of the tank.  The septic tank is designed with baffles to hold the scum layer and the solid waste in the tank, but allow the effluent to flow out to the leech field.

A properly sized septic tank will be large enough to hold the wastewater for about 24 to 48 hours before it flows into the leech field.  Based on average water usage, a septic tank for a three bedroom home should be at least 1,000 gallons.  A 1,200 gallon tank is appropriate for a 4 bedroom home, and a 1,500 gallon tank is suitable for a 5 to 6 bedroom home.

If your home is equipped with a garbage disposal or if you anticipate unusually high water usage, it is a good idea to use the next higher septic tank size.

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How Septic Systems Work

December 3rd, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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If you own one of the 25% of homes in the United States that are on septic systems rather than municipal sewer, you may be wondering how your system works.

Most septic systems consist of four basic components.  First, there is a large drain line that leads from your home to the septic tank.  The second component is the septic tank itself, the third component is the drain field, and the last component is the soil around the drain field.

The drain line collects waste water from your home and routes it to the septic tank.  Other than a clog or break, drain lines rarely need any maintenance or service.

The septic tank is a large tank buried in your yard.  It can be made of concrete, fiberglass, or a type of plastic.  The septic tank holds the waste water long enough for the solid material to sink to the bottom forming sludge and also allows greases and oils float to the top forming scum.

The septic tank has baffles and fittings designed to hold the scum and sludge layers in the tank, but that allow the waste water to flow into the drain field.  The solid material in the tank will partially decompose, but the accumulated sludge and scum need to be periodically pumped out of the tank. Regular septic tank service will help keep the system operating smoothly.

The drain field is a series of perforated pipes buried underground that spreads the wastewater out and allows it to percolate into the soil.  The soil treats the wastewater by removing harmful bacteria and other matter.

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Septic Tank Tips For Fall

October 8th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic Tank Inspections, Septic Tanks
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Fall is here and with it comes cooler weather, leaf raking, and crisp nights.  Many of us have annual fall chores that we all do around this time of year, helping to ready our home for winter.  Be sure to get your septic tank ready for winter too.  A few annual fall chores will help keep it functioning with minimal problems in the year to come.

First, if you haven’t already done so, schedule your annual inspection and pump out.  A regular pump out schedule for your septic tank helps keep the waste water tank from becoming too full. An annual inspection will help identify any small problems before they become major issues, including minor leaks or cracks in the structure.

As you begin your fall plantings, be mindful of your septic tank.  You don’t want to plant any large bushes or trees on or near the drain lines, as these may potentially disrupt appropriate drainage from your waste water tank.  This can be a potentially very expensive repair if deep roots begin to block the drainage lines.

Finally,as much as we all hate to do it, don’t forget to rake those leaves!  Standing leaves that cover your lawn oftentimes will mask underlying septic tank problems.  It makes it more difficult to determine if standing water is present, or if any sinking or settling of the ground has occurred.

While you are raking, look for signs of trouble with your septic field.  Bright green strips of grass can be an indication that your septic field is not working properly.  These indications may go unnoticed in the summer months when the whole lawn is lush and green, but can appear in fall when your lawn goes dormant.

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Septic Tank Covers

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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Every septic tank has a port of entry.  This is the septic tank cover.  One out of four American households use a sewer septic system to process their waste water.

This septic tank lid is actually removablel, although many homeowners don’t know where their septic tank lid is located.  You should always know where your septic tank is located and know where the lid is in case of emergency.

If you are installing a new septic tank, there are several considerations you want to make when installing.

Make sure that the lid is tight fitting and of a durable material.  The septic tank lid is often a point of leaks if it was made of poor quality or non-durable materials.  If you notice standing water in the leach fields, or an odor coming from the septic tank area, you likely have a leak and should contact a sewer septic professional.

Most septic tank covers are made from concrete.  These lids are both durable and strong (meaning no small child can inadvertently stand on the lid, cause it to tip, and ‘fall in’.)  You can have septic tank lids made in steel or plastic.  Steel lids tend to rust, and plastic ones tend to break.  Concrete septic tank lids are, overall, the best choice for your new septic tank.

Knowing the location of your septic tank cover is important so you don’t run over it with a lawn mower or car.  You should consider wisely all of your options when installing a septic tank, including the cover.  Consulting with a qualified sewer septic professional is the best step when deciding on a new septic tank.

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How a Septic Tank Works

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic Tanks
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Your sewer septic system and tank does not need to be a mystery!

Your septic tank works by allowing waste water to be treated in your yard, basically.  Bacteria work to digest and decompose the solid materials.  Raw sewage never is disposed of in your yard.

In the septic tank itself, chambers are present.  These chambers are where the solids are separated from the waste water.  This solid waste is eaten and broken down by the bacteria, making it take up less space.  Because the solids are compacted, they become heavier and settle to the bottom of the tank.  Any solid material that can not be broken down must be removed from the tank.  If you flush baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cat litter, or other non-human waste into your septic tank, you will need more frequent septic tank pumping. 

Waste water remains at the top of the septic tank, and is eventually distributed out via the drain lines to the leach field or drain field.  This is treated sewage, and is no cause for concern.  However, the area around your septic tank and leach field should never be ‘wet’ or have standing water.  If it does, you should call a local sewer septic professional for immediate inspection.

It is important that you know where your septic tank is located.  Generally, properly installed and operational sewer septic systems require little to no maintenance except for periodic pumping.  Prices for pumping will vary depending on the size of the tank, and the location of your tank.

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Septic Tank Tips

September 16th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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Most of the time, a septic sewer system functions without problems or worries, just the way it should. To keep your septic tank in top working condition, follow these simple tips:

  1.  Have an annual septic tank inspection.  Preventing or catching a small problem is much better than a major catastrophe down the road!  A local plumber who is certified in septic tank issues and repairs can often perform this service.
  2. Have your septic tank pumped regularly.  For example, a three bedroom home generally needs to have a 1000 foot septic tank pumped out every three to five years.  (This may vary a bit based on weather conditions and climate, as well as usage and size of the septic tank itself.)  Homes in cooler climates need to have septic tanks pumped more frequently as the bacteria have a harder time ‘breaking down’ solid waste products.
  3. Minimize the amount of water that drains to your septic tank.  Do not have your basement sump pump or other non-waste drains diverted to your septic tank.
  4. Do not have a garbage disposal.  Food waste will fill up the septic tank more quickly, and may also disrupt the natural bacteria growing in the tank.
  5. No cigarette butts, personal hygiene products, diapers or other non-human waste should be disposed in the toilet.  This can lead to tank and drain line clogging and result in backed up toilets and odor.

By following those five simple tips, homeowners can help guarantee a long lasting, trouble free septic tank.

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How a Septic Tank Works

September 16th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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Septic systems are often fall into the category of ‘out of sight, out of mind’.  The septic tank is the first part of your sewage system, and is essential for a well functioning, efficient septic sewer system.  The septic tank is an amazingly simple piece of equipment that can cause complex problems if not treated properly.

When raw sewage leaves the house (after a toilet flush), the product is separated in the septic tank.  Solids are separated from the liquids, with the solids remaining in the septic tank.  The liquid that is removed and leaves the septic tank is called ‘effluent’.

A well functioning septic tank is water tight.  Leaks and cracks are dangerous to the septic tank itself, and can pose a serious problem for the home-owner.  If ten gallons of sewage enter from a toilet flush, ten gallons of effluent must flow out of the tank.

Bacteria live in the septic tank.  These bacteria are considered anaerobic, as they do not use oxygen.  The bacteria work to break down the solid waste products.  By-products from the work of the bacteria results in methane and other gases.  We all know that methane can produce odors, but the septic system itself should be odor free.  In fact, odors coming from your septic tank often indicate that a crack or leak has developed in the tank.

The tank is best described as a ‘settling’ tank.  The settling that is occurring is because of the bacteria.  As the bacteria work, the solids are broken down and become smaller in size and volume.  It is impossible for the waste products to be broken down to zero, though, and that is why a residue always remains in the septic tank itself  When the residuals from the break down become too great, it is time to have the septic tank pumped.  This is generally every two to five years, depending on your climate and usage.

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Visitors and Your Septic System

September 16th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tanks
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Septic systems are designed for a certain number of people.  When long term guests come to visit (or stay!) home owners may find that their septic system isn’t working as effectively or efficiently as possible.  When more individuals are using the septic system, increased pressure is placed on the tank and drain lines, potentially causing back-ups and slow draining.

Every septic tank has an amount (or capacity) allowed.  When this capacity is met, the septic tank is unable to take as much sewage, and will not drain properly.  This is frequently seen when long term visitors are staying in your home.

If you plan on having long term visitors, consider adding a water flow meter to your septic system.  Every gallon of water that flows through the drain needs to also be drained in the septic tank field.  A water meter can help you and your family conserve water appropriately and avoid unsightly and embarrassing back-ups and problems.  You will know exactly how much water is being used.  Home water meters should cost around $100 plus installation.

Another issue with house guests and your septic tank is toilet flushing.  Most toilets use between five and six gallons per flush.  When you double the occupants in your home, it is easy to see how quickly your septic tank lines and field can become overwhelmed!  Consider installing an ultra-effective toilet that effectively flushes wastes with as little as one gallon of water.  An ultra effective one gallon toilet generally costs around $200-$300 plus installation….far less than an expensive septic tank repair!

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