Differences Between Sewer and Septic Systems

November 22nd, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you are building a new house or buying an existing home,  its important that you have a good understating of the difference between sewer and septic systems.

Sewer systems and septic systems are both involved in wastewater disposal but the two systems are very different. A sewer line takes the waste water from your home through your sewer lateral and connects to the municipal sewer system where it ends up at treatment facility to be separated and disposed of.

A septic system is installed directly into your property and disposes of household wastewater by separating solid material and allowing fluids to percolate into the ground.   A septic system includes a septic tank which is where all of the waste liquids and solids from your home are sent. Solid material accumulates in the tank and biodegrades naturally.  Liquids flow into a system of perforated pipes called a leach field that allows the liquid to percolate into the ground.

A sewer system needs relatively little maintenence unless it becomes clogged, but regular maintenance and and proper usage habits are important to keep a septic system working and in good condition.  A septic system should be inspected every two to three years and septic tank pumping is necessary every three to five years.  You should be careful not to put anything down the drains except water and household waste and try not to overload the system by running the dishwasher, washing machine, and showers at the same time.

In any house no matter whether you are renting or buying, one of the most important features will be the drains and sewer system. Whilst new homebuyers are always concerned with the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the property, they should also be concerned with the condition of the plumbing and sewer line or septic system. It is an excellent idea to have the sewer line and/or septic system inspected prior to purchasing a home.  Problems with these sytems can be hidden and they can be very expensive to repair.

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Top Four Ways To Protect Your Septic System

October 25th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you live in a home dependant on a septic system, you probably already know that having to replace it is not an expense you want to face. Septic systems run thousands of dollars and must be in working order for most homes to be sold or even rented. As in most of life, a good offense is the best defense. Here are the top four ways that you can protect your septic system so it will last for many years to come.

 

  1. Use water efficiently. The more water you use, the more strain it will put on your septic system. Consider upgrading to water-efficient fixtures like low flow toilets and water-reducing showerheads. Make sure you fix leaky faucets and running toilets to keep water waste at a minimum.

 

  1. Dispose properly.  Putting waste that is not easily broke down into your system can clog and damage the septic components. Do not flush or dispose of feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton swabs, cat litter, coffee grounds or any other solid objects. Also do not dispose of chemicals down the drain, such as paint, cleaning products and oils, as they can stress the treatment within the system.

 

  1. Inspect and pump regularly. How often you will have to pump your system will depend on the size of your family, the size of your tank and how much water you use. Most homes will need septic tank pumping about every 3-5 years. Having your system inspected about every three years can alert you to problems that need to be fixed.

 

  1. Care for your drain field. Make sure no excess water from gutters and other sources goes into the drain field. Plant only grass above it and keep vehicles off the area to protect the components.

 

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What You Need to Know About Septic Tank Pumping

August 30th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If your home is on a septic system rather than connected to a municipal sewer line, regular septic system maintenance is necessary to avoid problems with your system.  One of the most important maintenance tasks is regular septic tank pumping.  Having your septic tank pumped regularly will help keep your septic system in good working order.

The average cost for septic tank pumping can range anywhere from a hundred to a couple of hundreds of dollars.  However, actual costs to pump a tank will depend on the size, location, and accessibility of the tank including how much digging will be required to gain access to the tank.

In terms of how often septic tanks should be pumped, the size of the tank is an important factor.  An average sized tank should be pumped every three to five years.  It is a good idea to get a specific recommendation for your own tank from a sewer-septic professional.  Unfortunately, there is no way to tell whether a septic tank needs pumping without having it inspected by your plumber or sewer-septic professional.

If you leave you septic tank too long without regular pumping, it can cause serious problems with your septic system such as a clogged drain field.  You may begin to notice problems inside the house such as sewage backups, difficulty flushing toilets, and slow drains.  If you notice any of these problems, have your system checked out by a good sewer septic contractor.  If you set a regular schedule to have your septic tank pumped, this can save you from costly repairs or future problems.

Your septic tank system is a critical component of your home and should be given serious consideration.  Prevention is usually much less expensive than repairs for severe damage.  Don’t wait for your septic system to fail.  Have it inspected and pumped regularly and avoid septic system problems before they even begin.

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Septic System Overview

May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Millions of American homes that do not have access to a municipal sewer system rely on septic systems for the treatment and disposal of household wastewater. A septic system is a relatively simple, low maintenance system that ordinarily works well when the system has been properly designed, installed and cared for.

A septic system has two main components: a septic tank and a drain field (also called a leach field).  Most septic systems operate solely on gravity and do not have any electrical components.  A septic system has to be designed and installed to allow household waste to flow from the home to the septic tank and then on to the septic field.

Household waste water is collected in a large drain line which routes it to the septic tank.  Once in the tank, the solid material sinks to the bottom forming the sludge layer and oily or greasy material floats to the surface and forms the scum layer.  The middle layer, called the effluent, then flows thought an outlet pipe to the drainfield which is a series of perforated pipes buried underground in a bed of gravel.

The effluent percolates through the gravel and into the soil below.  As it percolates through the soil, the effluent is filtered and treated through natural biological processes.

Meanwhile, the septic tank has baffles that prevent the scum layer from flowing out of the tank with the effluent.  Bacteria and enzymes naturally reduce the amount of sludge and scum in the tank, but eventually the accumulation of sludge and scum will need to be pumped out of the tank.  Septic tank pumping every three to five years will keep most septic systems in good shape.

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Keep Your Septic System Healthy With Regular Septic Tank Inspections

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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For most homes that are not connected to a municipal sewer system, a well-designed and properly installed septic system is a reliable, effective way to treat and dispose of household waste water.  Regular septic tank inspections and periodic septic tank pumping are the keys to keeping a septic system working smoothly.

A septic system should be inspected by an experienced sewer-septic professional every other year and pumped as needed.  During the inspection, the sludge level and scum level will be measured and your inspector will tell you if septic tank pumping is needed.   The average septic tank system will need to be pumped every three to five years.

In addition to measuring the sludge and scum levels, the inspection will include checking the condition of the tank and making sure any mechanical components are working properly.  The inspector will usually flush all of the toilets and run the water in the home for a short period to see how the septic system handles the water flow.

Some septic systems have a filter in the outlet line or near the distribution box that will be cleaned as part of the inspection.  Finally, the inspector will make a visual inspection of the drain field for any signs of a drain field failure.

An inspection can catch a small problem with your septic system before it becomes a serious concern.  A septic system failure that allows solid material to flow into the drain field will quickly clog the drain field.  There are some methods to attempt to clear a clogged drain field, but in most cases the drain field is just abandoned and a new drain field is installed. Regular septic tank inspections will help avoid these serious problems with you septic system.

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