Septic Tank 101: Understanding What Your Septic Tank Does

February 24th, 2015 Posted in Septic Tanks
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The novice septic system owne may think of their septic tank as the actual system that cleans their wastewater, but it’s just one component of an entire process which works tirelessly to clean and remove the waste from the home. To care for your septic system properly, it helps to understand the different components involved, including the septic tank.

Septic Tank Specifications

The septic tank is the large receptacle where the process of treating wastewater from your home begins. Tank size varies depending on the size of the home, with the standard size at approximately 1000 gallons. Considering the tank must handle up to 350 gallons per person, per day, the size of tank needed depends on how many people live in your home. Tanks can have either one or two compartments, although single compartments are becoming more popular.

The function of the septic tank is to store waste while it decomposes, releasing effluent to be further filtered in the drain field. The solids in the wastewater sink to the bottom of the tank, separating the effluent from the solids. Bacteria, yeast and fungi naturally occur in the tank to breakdown the solids, dissolving 50% or more of the solids in the tank. The solids which are left behind accumulate until the tank needs to be pumped by a septic professional, usually every 2-3 years.

If the tank is sized correctly for the home and precautions are taken to keep harmful items out of the system, very little maintenance is required to allow the tank to perform. Annual inspections and pumping when needed can keep a septic tank functioning for many years with little other maintenance necessary.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

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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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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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New Septic System Owner Basics

December 5th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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If you have recently purchased a home with a septic system, you may be at a loss when it comes to how to care for your system. A septic system requires a higher level of maintenance by homeowners than being on a city sewer system. However, with some help from a trusted septic service company, you can keep your system running smoothly, without any major mishaps. Here are a few septic basics that every homeowner needs to know.

–        Drain field. Your septic system will have some sort of drain or leach field. A mound system will be easy to spot as it is above ground. A traditional drain field is only a few inches under the ground and needs to be protected. Keep vehicles and heavy equipment away from this area.

–        What goes down, must come out. All solid waste must be pumped out of your septic tank eventually. Learn not to put solid items like food, paper and other debris down your drains and toilets. Also, reducing your water use can help extend the life of your septic system.

–        Regular maintenance. Your septic system will need regular maintenance. The easiest solution for those who are new to owning a septic system is to hire a septic service company to keep up with these vital tasks. Many septic companies offer specialized programs designed to inspect and perform regular maintenance on your septic system throughout the year.

–        Know the signs of a septic program. Talk to your septic professional about common signs of a septic problem. These can include wet areas or pooling in your drain field, foul odors and slow drains. Catching these issues quickly can prevent a septic failure, which can cost thousands of dollars for repair or complete replacement.

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

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Pump Your Septic Tank Before The Holidays

December 5th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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The holidays bring with them plenty of fun times and great food with family and friends. This can also mean extra people staying in your home with a heavy strain on your septic system. More people means more showers, dishes, laundry and toilet use that all goes through your septic system. Before grandpa, grandma and the rest of the relatives arrive, now is the time to schedule a septic tank pumping.

Is Your Septic Tank Full?

There is no set rule which dictates how often you need to have your septic tank pumped. While some homes will only need a septic tank pumping every 3-4 years, others will need one every year. It all depends on the size of your tank, the amount of people living in your home and how much waste goes down the drain. How much time has elapsed since your last pumping is only one indicator of whether it is time to pump your tank.

The best way to avoid a septic backup during the holidays due to a full septic tank is to have your tank inspected and pumped if needed. Keep in mind that even if it is not completely full now, a household of guests for several days could fill it up very quickly. It is easier to have a preventive pumping done than to deal with a backup when you are trying to enjoy the holidays with your family.

Call your local septic service company to schedule a maintenance inspection now. They can ensure your entire system is ready for the extra strain, including pumping your septic tank if necessary.

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

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Do Your Have The Right Size Septic System For Your Family?

December 5th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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When a new septic system is installed, it must be rated to handle the size of home it’s servicing. However, many home builders may choose to install the smallest system necessary. If you have a large family, you may be pushing your septic to its limit. This means you will need to have your tank pumped more often, and most likely will need more maintenance performed. When all factors are considered, it may be a wise investment to upgrade your system to a larger size.

Do You Need A Bigger Septic Tank?

The biggest difference in septic system sizes is the tank. When determining what size tank to install for a home, most builders base this on the number of bedrooms and total square footage of the home. However, many homes have additions built over time, or may have more people living in the home than was originally planned. This could mean that the tank is much too small for the current family living in the home.

Some indicators that it may be time to upgrade your septic tank size include:

–        Your family has grown by two or more people

–        Your septic tank needs to be pumped every year

–        You have remodeled or added rooms to your home

Upgrading your septic system is not as expensive as installing a new septic system. Many of the same components can be still used with a larger tank. Upgrading can save you money in the long room on maintenance and repairs, plus add value to your home. Discuss the option of upgrading your septic tank with your local septic service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

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Caring For Your Septic Tank

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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One of the most important components of your septic system is the holding tank. Used to hold your sewage water before it’s filtered out to your drainfield, your septic tank is more than just a pit to hold waste in the ground. It treats all the waste that comes from your home, allowing naturally-occuring bacteria to break down the biodegradable components, while separating solid waste from liquid. To keep the tank working efficiently, some regular maintenance and care is required. Here are a few tips to care for your tank: 

  • Annual inspections. Schedule an inspection once a year with a professional septic service company for your tank. Your technician can check the bacteria content, the moving components and ensure the tank is working effectively.
     
  • Limit solid waste. What goes down your drains or is flushed down the toilet ends up in your septic tank. Keep your tank free of non-biodegradable items to reduce the wear and tear on your tank and system, as well as reducing the amount of waste that will need to be pumped.
     
  • Limit the amount of waste water. Not all waste water needs to go into your septic tank. Divert gray water from your sump pump and other non-toxic water sources to drain elsewhere, instead of through your septic tank.
     
  • Pump regularly. How often you need to pump your septic tank depends on its size, as well as how much waste is filtered through the tank by your household. Your septic service company will check your tank level during your annual inspection to advise you about when you need to have your tank pumped. 

By caring for your septic tank, you can extend the life of your tank and septic system, plus reduce the amount of repairs and emergency septic problems you encounter along the way. It’s worth the investment in regular maintenance to save you time and money off septic issues in the future.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

 

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Did Summer Fun Add Extra Stress To Your Septic System?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Septic System
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While the warmest season is full of fun and games, there are many summer activities which may have left your septic system strained by the time Labor Day comes around. Kids are home from school, using the shower, toilets and other water appliances throughout the day for months on end. In addition, summer often is an excellent time for family and friend gatherings, adding to the stress put on the septic system. When autumn arrives. it’s time to give your system a thorough inspection, making sure it is ready for the winter months ahead. 

Fall Septic Maintenance

The heavy use of your plumbing fixtures over the summer may have taken its toll on your septic system, making fall the perfect time to schedule an annual inspection and septic maintenance. Before the winter months arrive, with more holidays and heavy plumbing use, it is prudent to ensure your septic is in tip-top shape. Some maintenance that may be needed include: 

  • Inspection. Your septic professional can perform a full inspection of your septic to ensure all the components are working properly. This can include checking the level of waste in the tank, the tank’s bacteria content and the drainfield for any issues.
     
  • Septic tank pumping. Heavy use may have added more than the normal amount of waste water to your septic tank. Although most tanks only need to be pumped about every three years, a busy summer can make it necessary to pump sooner than expected.
     
  • Filter cleaning. Most septic filters should be cleaned every year. 

Give your septic the care it needs after it has worked hard all summer. Annual maintenance can reduce emergency repairs, as well as extending the life of your septic system. A small investment in maintaining your septic now can save you thousands of dollars in the future.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

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Do You Know What’s Being Flushed Into Your Septic Tank?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Septic Tank Pumping
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Talk to any septic repair service technician, and they will likely have humorous stories of items they’ve found in septic systems. Of course, these stories are only funny if you’re not the homeowner paying the service bill. Although you may be aware of the more common items which should not go down your drains or be flushed, sometimes it’s the uncommon items that can be the biggest problem. 

Items That Are Found In Septic Tanks

Anything which is not biodegradable should not be going into your septic system. Even some food items, like fibrous vegetables, grease and egg shells, should stay out of your garbage disposals and your septic tank. However, there are some items which still find their way into the septic tank, usually through the larger drain in your toilet, such as: 

  • Toys. Kids love to play with toys in water, even if that water is in the toilet. It can be even more fun to watch rubber ducky disappear down the funnel, into your plumbing and eventually to the septic tank. Make sure the kids in your home are educated about what can and what cannot go into the toilet.
     
  • Personal items. Birth control devices and feminine hygiene products are often found in full septic tanks, in larger quantities than you would think. These personal items can quickly clog and cause other problems in the system.
     
  • Washcloths. You would not think that towels or washcloths would make it into the toilet, yet they do on a fairly common basis. Needless to say, these items will quickly cause problems in your septic system. 

The best way to avoid these issues is to educate your family, friends and guests about what can be flushed down the toilet. Creating a friendly reminder sign for your bathroom, especially when you have multiple guests, may help remedy the problem. 

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

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Is Your Septic System Failing?

May 21st, 2013 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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Wastewater should not be backing up into your home, nor should your yard become full of foul smelling liquid bubbling up; this is an obvious sign of a septic system failure. If these symptoms are not present, you may think that your septic system is running smoothly.  However, contaminants could be reaching your well water, which means your system is failing. You won’t know, however, if your system is leaching out contaminants unless you are aware of the warning signs.

Here are some things that you can look for to determine if you have a serious problem. Is sewage backing up in your drains or toilets or are they flushing slowly? Despite your best efforts at home repair, many of your household drains will seem much slower than usual if you are developing a problem. You may notice the ground around your septic system is wet even when there hasn’t been any rain. If your property is close to a lake or pond and you observe an unusual increase in algae or weeds, it is possible that your septic system is seeping into the surface water. Additionally, you may notice disagreeable odors round the house if the system is failing or improperly vented.

Should any of the above indications exist, you may want to contact your local septic professional and arrange for a septic tank inspection. You should also have your drinking water well tested to ensure that there hasn’t been any seepage from your system. The presence of bacteria would indicate that septic system seepage has gotten into your well water. Your service professional can pump your septic tank, inspect the entire system, and give you the appropriate options for making any septic system repairs.

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