$10,000 Bonus

October 8th, 2010 Posted in Drain Lines, Septic Tank Pumping
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Wouldn’t we all like a $10,000 bonus for this year on our paychecks?  If you have been living in your home for 10-15 years, then a $10,000 repair bill may actually be in store for you if you haven’t properly maintained your septic tank.

One of the best and easiest ways to extend the life of your septic tank is through regular pumping.  Many experts agree that regular pump outs of your septic waste water tank will extend the life of your tank and system for many years.

A new septic tank will cost anywhere from $10,000-$15,000 (or more!) depending on the size of your home and your needs.  If you never pump, and are not mindful of the contaminants that you put in your septic tank, the average life span of your tank will only be around 10-15 years.  That is about a $1,000 a year for use of this septic sewer system.

Instead, give yourself a bonus on your paycheck or at least eliminate an unplanned for bill!  Have regular pump outs of your septic tank.  Watch the amount of water you use and be conscious of water conservation techniques.  Have a professional clean the inlet and outlet drains on a regular basis (annually is recommended) to ensure proper functioning.  Perform the recommended annual maintenance on your septic system, and call your sewer-septic professional for help if problems occur.  These routine check-ups are a small price to pay for the health and longevity of your septic tank.  You will save money in the long run.

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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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Why is a Septic Tank Called “Septic”?

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field, Septic System
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The term septic relates to the ability of oxygen to survive in an area.

When you have a self contained, home sewer system, you need a waste water tank.  The average American makes about 50 gallons of waste water daily, from showers and baths, washing dishes and clothing, and using the toilet.  A waste water tank is needed to collect this fluid.  This tank separates the large solids and allows for decomposition.  A soil filter helps remove the small or fine solids, and natural processes destroy the bacteria.

A septic tank is a tank that is anaerobic, meaning that it does not need air or oxygen intake.  Another type of waste water tank is called an aerobic tank  The aerobic tank actually uses an air agitator to help dissolve the solid wastes.

Bacteria are the reason the solids are dissolved.  These digestive processes release a gas.  If you have a septic tank that is ‘smelly’, that means an air leak has occurred, and you need to call a sewer-septic professional immediately to prevent further damage from occurring.

There are many different types of septic systems.  The most common design for residential homes has a two part system:  the waste water storage and treatment tank (the septic tank) and the drain field or leach field.  The drain field allows drainage of treated effluent to return to the soil.  In no circumstance is untreated or raw sewage ever placed back in the soil in your yard.  The only maintenance required in a properly installed and operating sewer septic system is the regular ‘pumping out’ of the septic tank itself every few years.

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Healthy Habits for Septic Systems

October 4th, 2010 Posted in Septic System
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Septic systems are an excellent alternative for disposal of wastewater.  Developing a few simple habits will help keep your septic system working great and avoid expensive repairs.

The amount of wastewater and sewage a septic system can handle is limited by the size of the septic system installed.  When a septic system is installed, your sewer-septic professional will determine the proper size of the system based on the anticipated volume of wastewater.  The wastewater flow is generally estimated based on the number of bedrooms they property has and the type of soil where the leach field will be placed.

Minimizing the amount of wastewater flowing from your house will help maximize the service life of your septic system and keep repair and service costs to a minimum.  Installing low flow shower head and toilets and using a high efficiency clothes washer will help minimize wastewater flow.  You can also eliminate the second rinse on your dishwasher and avoid leaving the water running while washing dishes, brushing your teeth, and other such activities.  Not only will you save money on your water bill, you will be extending the life of your septic system.

Take care when choosing cleaning products.  Your septic system relies on naturally occurring bacteria to function properly.  Some cleaning products can be harmful to these desirable bacteria.  If in doubt, consult your sewer-septic professional.

Avoid disposing of garbage, grease, paint and other non-organic materials such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, baby diapers and wipes, and cat litter and minimize food waste flushed down your drain.  These materials can cause the sludge level in your septic tank to rise and can clog the leach lines. You will need more frequent septic tank pumping service.

Properly maintained and cared for, your septic system will provide years of trouble free service.

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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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Water Conservation

September 16th, 2010 Posted in Septic System
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Septic systems work best when they are not overloaded with too much water.  A few simple steps can help you ensure that water usage is appropriate for your home septic system.  Being conservative with water usage can help extend the life of your septic system, especially the drain lines and the surrounding drain field.

Some tips for easy water conservation:

Make sure that you have no leaking faucets, toilets, shower / bath heads, or other plumbing fixtures.  On a regular basis, check the float valve on your toilet to make sure that water isn’t constantly running.  A little bit of water over the course of a day or week adds up.  Make sure that no water is running when all fixtures are turned off.

Install a water meter to recognize usage patterns.  Water meters are especially helpful if your home size grows (such as when additional adults come to visit long term).

Consider how much water you are using when you do laundry.  Are the loads full?  If not, can you change the setting to accommodate a smaller load?  Low suds detergents tend to use less water in the rinse cycle.  Front loading machines use less water than top loading ones.  If you are reaching maximum capacity for your septic system, consider spacing the wash out over several days, instead of doing it all on one day.

Use water conserving shower heads, and limit the length of showers.  Try to limit the length of time you let the water run to make it hot or cool enough.

Treating water like a valuable resource will help keep your septic system trouble-free for many years.

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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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