Preparing Your Septic System for Summer

September 21st, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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For many families, summer means more time spent at home, entertaining and overnight guests. Kids are out of school and the warm weather is perfect for hosting parties and family reunions at your home. If you own a house with a septic system, this can mean extra stress on your system throughout the summer. Before your guest rooms are full, now is the time to make sure your septic system is ready for the busy summer ahead. Here are a few tips to ensure your septic is ready for extra use.

  • Schedule an inspection. The best way to gauge the effectiveness of your septic system is to have a full inspection from your local septic service. A professional can inspect the tank and drain field to ensure everything is in good working order.
  • Considering tank pumping. Talk to your septic professional about pumping your tank. Even if you would normally not need a pumping for another six months, if you have an excessive amount of guests coming this summer, you may want to schedule the pumping now versus later.
  • Guest education. If you have family or guests that are not familiar with septic system limitations, you may want to print up a friendly reminder for your guests to put in your bathrooms. A list of what cannot be flushed down the toilet (wipes, cotton balls, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, etc.) could prevent a big septic mess later.

Nothing can ruin a party quicker than a septic backup – preventive maintenance can go a long way in making sure your summer soirees are not interrupted by a septic problem. Call your local septic service today to schedule your annual maintenance.

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

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Can You Live in a Home with a Septic System?

August 9th, 2016 Posted in Septic System
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In many parts of the country, owing a home with a septic system is necessary. In rural areas, city sewer is not an option and you must maintain a septic system for your home. However, if you have always lived in the suburbs or city, you may have never dealt with a septic system and owning a home with one may be very concerning. So what do you do if you find your dream home, but it has a septic system?

Is it a Deal Breaker?

The first question you will have to ask yourself when you find out the home of your dreams has a septic system is whether this is a deal breaker.  If you absolutely won’t consider living in a home with a septic system, you have two choices: move on or convert to sewer. If you are open to the latter, then you will first need to find out if it is a possibility in the area. Many homes have a septic system put in when they are built, yet sewer lines become available years later. You may be able to tie into the local sewer system with the help of the local sewer service company.

If it’s not a deal breaker, you can learn to live with a septic. About 20% of the homes in the U.S. have septic systems – if those families can do it, so can you. You can hire a professional septic company to maintain your system so you don’t have to deal with it all.

Don’t let a septic system scare you away from your dream home. Call the local septic company and find out what your options are to make it possible to live in the home that best fits your family’s needs.

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

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Septic Maintenance Reminders

June 24th, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Septic systems have unique needs for maintenance to avoid expensive repairs and service costs. Although you may be aware of many of these rules, it is always good to remind yourself and everyone in your home of these tips to avoid septic problems. Here are a few reminders that can keep your septic system working great and septic expenses low.

  • Ditch the garbage disposal. Although garbage disposals are handy, they also are hard on your septic system. On average, homes with a garbage disposal and a septic system must pump their tank twice as often as one without a garbage disposal. Consider composting as an alternative.
  • Items to keep out of your drains. Remember, everything that goes down your drain goes into your septic tank. Food items to keep out of your drains: coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, seeds, oil and grease. Non-food items to never flush or put down the drain: feminine hygiene products, disposable wipes, cotton swabs/balls, medications, anti-bacterial cleansers, bath oils, chemicals and any other inorganic materials.
  • Schedule annual inspections. Stop big problems before they begin with annual septic inspections from your local septic service company. Your local professionals can spot minor issues before they become large, expensive problems.
  • Protect your drain field. Remember to keep your drain field protected from vehicles or other heavy machinery driving over the area. The small pipes located under the soil can be crushed, causing a septic backup and possibly septic failure.

With regular maintenance and avoiding some common irritants to your system, your septic can last for decades. Stay on a regular service and maintenance program with your local septic service company to avoid major septic repairs and failure.

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

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Be Green and Preserve Your Septic System

June 22nd, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Everyone is aware of the push to make green decisions; from the products we buy to the items we throw away. Being green is about not hurting the environment we will live by reusing, recycling and reducing waste. This means using products that are safe for the environment and preserving natural resources like water. But did you know that when you think green, you are also preserving your septic system? Here are a few ways that being green is good for your septic system.

  • Natural products. One way to be green is to use natural products that are not made with harsh chemicals that are hard on the environment. This is also great for your septic system! Many natural products for personal hygiene and household cleaners are made from plants and other benign ingredients that are gentle on your septic system.
  • Using less water. Cutting down on water waste by using water-efficient fixtures and appliances cuts down the load on your septic system. Too much water can dilute your system and the bacteria needed to break down solids in your septic tank.
  • Composts. Creating a compost pile is a great way to make your own fertilizer and save your septic system. How? By consciously putting all food items into your compost pile, you are keeping them out of your drains. There is no need for a garbage disposal if you are composting and that is a good thing for your septic system!

Keep your septic healthy by being green around your home. By reducing waste, you can extend the life of your septic system, especially when combined with yearly maintenance from your local septic service company.

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

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5 Things in Your Home That Can Contribute to Septic System Failures

June 22nd, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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No one wants to come home to a backed up septic system that may need to be replaced. Septic system failures are messy and expensive, making it a priority to avoid anything that can cause this issue. However, most septic failures can be prevented if you know what can cause them. Here are five common contributors to septic failures that are in your home.

  1. Garbage disposal. Although garbage disposals are handy, they are also a bad idea if you own a home with a septic system. Even though the garbage disposal breaks down food, it is better to not put any food down the drain when you have a septic.
  2. Washing machine. Lint from your clothes can go down the drain from your washer and causing havoc in your septic system. Installing a lint filter in your washer can prevent lint clogs in your drain field.
  3. Toilets. The biggest drains in your house is your toilets, making them the most likely place for foreign items to enter your septic. Make sure your family understands what can be flushed and what cannot, such as feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs and disposable wipes.
  4. Cleaners. Many cleaners you use in your home can be harmful to your septic system. Make sure to use laundry soaps, dish soaps and all-purpose cleaners that are safe for septic systems.
  5. Medications. Did you know that some medications can be harmful to the bacteria your septic system needs to function? Also, flushing old tablets down the drain can clog your drain field pipes.

Avoid septic system disasters by being aware of these common culprits. As another preventative measure, make sure to have annual inspections and routine tank pumping by your local septic service provider.

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

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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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Family Rules for Your Septic System

January 6th, 2016 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If you own a home with a septic system and having a growing family, you will need to have some family rules to avoid septic system problems. The fact is, if you don’t teach your kids from an early age what not to do when it comes to putting waste down the drain, it will most likely cost you a small fortune down the road. As soon as your kids are old enough to use the toilet or wash their hands themselves, they need to start learning these important rules for proper septic maintenance.

  • Flushing. Kids are known to flush items down the toilet that have no business going down the drain. This can cause problems in any home but it is even worse with a septic system. Make it very clear that nothing should be flushed down the toilet except bodily waste and toilet paper – that’s it. No cotton swabs, no ‘flushable’ wipes and certainly not an action figure!
  • No food down the drain. Teach your kids to scrape their plates and pans well before attempting to rinse their dishes. Fat, grease and many hard food items can cause harm to your septic as well as cause clogs in your pipes.
  • No chemicals or drugs down the drain. Your septic system has a bacterial balance that must be maintained in the tank for it to function properly. Harsh cleaning supplies, paint and even medications can destroy that balance, so teach your family to never dispose of chemicals or drugs down the drain.

On top of following the rules, having annual inspections and maintenance on your septic system can help prevent septic issues. Make sure to add calling your local septic service once a year to your family rules to increase the life of your septic system.

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

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Buying a New Home with a Septic System

October 27th, 2015 Posted in Septic System
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You have found the home of your dreams, perfect for your family in every way except one major problem: it has a septic system. If you have never owned a home with a septic system, this may be a deal breaker for you. However, millions of homeowners have septic systems and are perfectly happy with their home. Don’t let something new scare you away from the home that has everything else you want. Here are some basic facts and even benefits to owning a septic system:

  • No monthly sewer bills! While you do have maintenance costs involved with a septic system, there is no monthly bill from the utility company. Plus if you have a septic system, you probably are on a well for your water too, so no sewer or water bills each month.
  • Pumping is not a big deal. You may have heard about needing to have your septic tank pumped and are worried about the cost. In most cases, tanks only need to be pumped every few years. There are plenty of things you can do to keep this at a minimum and the costs are not as high as you might think. In most cases it averages less than a $100 per year for pumping.
  • Maintenance can be performed by a professional. You don’t need to maintain your septic system yourself. Your local septic service can put you on a maintenance plan to ensure your equipment is inspected and maintained on a regular basis.

If it truly is your dream home, don’t let the fact that it has a septic system stand in your way. Talk to the local septic service about maintenance plans and even the possibility of converting to sewer. Either way, there is a solution so you can enjoy this home fully, even with a septic system.

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

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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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