Septic Tank Pumping Basics

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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All septic tanks need to be pumped to remove solid waste that accumulates over time. However, how often this needs to be performed is dependent on many factors. The size of the tank, the amount of people living in the home and the habits of the home dwellers all impacts the frequency of septic tank pumping.

In general, most septic tanks will need to be pumped every 3-5 years if the tank is the right size for the home. Septic tanks usually must meet local regulations for size based on how many bedrooms are in the home. The idea is that a four-bedroom home is more likely to have more people living in the home and will need a larger septic tank to accommodate the family waste needs. But this is not always the case, which is one of the reasons why septic tank pumping times can greatly vary.

For example, there may only be two people living in a four-bedroom home, meaning they are filling a septic tank made to handle four or more people living in that home. It is likely that the tank would only need to be pumped every five years or even more. But a small two-bedroom home with four people living inside may need to have its tank pumped every 1-2 years instead of waiting until the third year.

Also, the amount of debris put down the drains in the home will affect pumping frequency. Solid waste is what is pumped out, so excess food debris, paper and other items put down the drains can increase how often a septic needs to be pumped.

Since there are so many factors that can affect how often a septic tank should be pumped, it is prudent to have the tank inspected once a year by a septic professional to ensure it does not become over full and is functioning correctly. Schedule your inspection today.

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

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Can Your Septic Handle Your Big Summer Party?

June 16th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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It is common during the summer months for many homeowners to have large gatherings at their homes. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, there are many beautiful weekends and holidays which present perfect opportunities to bring friends and family together. However, if you own a home with a septic system, you need to plan for more than how many hot dogs to buy for your barbecue. You should also be preparing for the extra stress these parties can have on your septic system.

Preparing For Extra Guests

Your septic system is designed to handle the daily load for your household, but not necessarily a dozen or more extra guests at one time. To offset this extra load, you should plan for the big day ahead of time. Here are a few ways to reduce stress on your septic system during a large party:

  • Water usage. Showers, laundry and other large water usages should be handled prior to the day of the party. Do food prepping and other tasks that require water in the days before the event.
  • Use disposable plates and cups. Cut down on the amount of dishes you will need to wash by only using disposal items which can be thrown away.
  • Post bathroom rules. Politely let guests know what cannot be flushed down the toilet by posting a reminder in your bathroom. If it is a very large party, you may want to consider renting a portable bathroom that can be used outside.
  • Pump your tank. If you have not had your septic tank pumped in awhile, having it pumped prior to a large party can ensure that there is room in the tank to handle the extra waste. Plan ahead to arrange septic tank pumping before the date arrives.

With a little planning, you can have a successful summer party without ending up with a septic emergency when you have a house full of guests.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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Are You A New Homeowner With A Septic System?

June 16th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If you have just bought a home with a septic system, you will need to educate yourself on how these complex systems work in order to maintain it properly. While city sewer systems are maintained by the local municipality, with a septic system this responsibility falls on shoulders of the homeowner. Septic systems can be costly to repair or replace; it’s in your financial interest to learn everything you need to know about your septic system before you start using it.

Septic System Basics

As a septic system owner, there are certain things you need to know so you can properly maintain your system. If the previous owner did not provide you with this information, here are a few things you will need to investigate.

  • What type of septic systems do you have? Most conventional systems have a septic tank and a drainfield, with different variations on these types. There are also other types of systems, such as aerobic treatment systems and low pressure pipe systems.
  • How old is the system? Septic systems can last for decades if they are properly maintained. However, you should know when it was installed and when the last pumping was completed.
  • Where is your drain or leach field? The waste water must be expelled into a drain or leach field, which must be protected. You need to know where this is so you can avoid disturbing or potentially damaging the system.
  • When was the last time the system was serviced? If you were not given service records on the septic system, you will want to hire a local septic service company to inspect septic system. A septic tank inspection is often done as part of the home selling process, if it was not, you should have it done now.

Once you are aware of what system you own, you can talk to your local septic company about what maintenance is needed. Since new septic systems can cost thousands of dollars, it is worth taking the time to learn what you need to know to maintain the one you have.

Posted on behalf of  Septic Service Pro

 

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How Does a Septic System Work?

May 21st, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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In many rural areas and small towns with lower populations and houses spread far apart, city sewer systems are virtually non-existent. Therefore, people install septic tanks, which are actually a private form of wastewater treatment. A septic tank is a big tank capable of holding a thousand gallons of water, made of concrete, steel or plastic that is placed underground.

Sewer water from your home flows through pipes exiting the house into the tank at one end, where it becomes separated with scum floating to the top and heavier solids sinking to the bottom. As new water enters the tank, the separated water is discharged out into the drain field where it leaches into the soil. While the discharged water contains some bacteria and chemicals (mainly nitrogen and phosphorous), it is free of solids and useful for fertilizer.  Septic tank pumping is necessary every 3 to 5 years to remove the accumulated solid material.

Because of the breakdown of organic material in the wastewater, gases are produced that need to be trapped from flowing back into the house. Special “P-trap” pipes help with this process and the gases are then vented vertically out of a pipe protruding through the roof. In the drain field, the discharged water is exited and filtered through perforated pipes set in gravel trenches. How well the soil absorbs the discharged water determines the necessary size of the drain field. A septic system is normally powered by nothing other than gravity; water follows down from the house, down from the septic tank, down into the drain field, making it a completely passive system.

If you have any concerns about the effectiveness of your home’s system, your local septic professional can inspect and service your septic system to ensure that all is working safely and properly.

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How to Know If Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped

October 29th, 2012 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you should have your septic tank pumped regularly, generally every 3 to 5 years. But if you’ve recently purchased a home with a septic tank or if you’re renting one, you might not necessarily know when the last one was done or when the next one is due.

Here are some clear signals it’s time to pump:

Alarms – If a red light flashes or an alarm beeps inside or outside, it could be an indication your tank is full and needs emptying.

Odor – If you smell a foul odor coming from the area around the tank, or in your bathroom, it is a definite sign you need to examine the septic system. It could mean that you have a break or clog in the line, or it could be time to have your septic tank pumped. In any case, you want to call your sewer septic contractor.

Toilet, Tub or Sink Backups – If your toilets or sinks back up with sewage and you have tried to remedy the situation by running a snake into the line to no avail, chances are you need septic tank pumping.

Slow Draining Fixtures – If your tubs, sinks or toilet take a long time to drain, especially after it rains, it could be a sign your septic needs to be pumped.

Overflow – If you notice the ground around the septic tank has become exceptionally wet and foul-smelling, this may be another clue that it’s time for a pump. Again, this could be due to a line break or blockage, but only a septic sewer contractor will be able to assess the situation.

When in doubt, it is always a good idea to have an inspection done just to ease your mind. A professional will be able to pinpoint any problems, and also tell you when and how often you should have your tank pumped.

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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 Inspections

November 25th, 2010 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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Your septic system will usually provide good service for many years.  Regular maintenance is important to keep your septic system healthy and working great year after year.  In addition to having your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years, you should have your septic tank inspected on a regular basis.

A standard septic tank should be inspected by a qualified septic tank inspector every 2 to 3 years.  A septic tank that uses mechanical components such as float switches, pumps, or valves should be inspected more frequently.

Inspecting your septic tank regularly will help save money in the long run.  Regular septic tank  inspections help ensure that any problems with your septic system are identified while they are still minor and can be repaired before they become a major concern.  If you are buying a home with a septic system, a septic tank inspection will give you a good idea of the condition of the septic system before you complete the purchase.

The inspection begins with locating the tank using a rod or flushing an electronic locating device down your commode.  Once the tank is located and opened, the inspector will check your tank for leaks, cracks, and obstructions.  The inspector will also make sure that any baffles, filters and mechanical devices are working properly and that effluent flow through the tank is appropriate.

The inspector will measure the sludge and scum levels in your tank.  This will help the inspector determine if the tank is operating properly and whether it is time for a septic tank pumping.  The area around the septic tank and leach field will be inspected for any issues.  The inspector will prepare a report of the condition of the septic tank and let you know if there are any repairs that are needed.

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Septic Tank Cleaning

August 25th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized
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Septic Tank Cleaning
When your septic tank needs cleaning, call a professional septic tank pumping service to do the job.  Never attempt to clean a septic tank yourself, or allow a non-professional to attempt to clean your system.  Septic system cleaning can be a dangerous business as it may expose the cleaner to unhealthy pathogens that thrive in a septic system.  Never stick your head in the void space of your septic system to check it; decomposition of septic waste materials generate methane and gases that cause oxygen to be pushed out of the system.  Consequently, breathing in these fumes can cause you to pass out or even die from exposure to them.  Our licensed, professional septic tank contractors are trained and equipped to safely clean your septic tank system.

Periodic septic tank cleaning is important for the proper working of your septic tank system.  Your septic tank needs to have a significant amount of liquid space in its tank so the waste that gets dumped into it can break down unencumbered.  Unfortunately, if your tank begins to fill with sand, silt, gravel, or any other solid objects, the water is displaced, causing disruption of the breaking-down process.  If your tank is allowed to remain too full for long, you could risk permanently damaging your leach field, a very expensive septic tank system replacement.

To extend and protect the life of your septic system, make sure you have it professionally cleaned on a regular basis.  Also, watch what you put into the tank in between cleanings (obviously human waste and anything you would eat or drink is okay) as well.  Avoid putting chlorine bleach in your tank as it will kill the beneficial bacteria that must exist in your septic system for it to work properly.

Blog Post provided by:  Atlanta GA Septic Tank Cleaning Specialist

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