Taking Care of Your Septic System

While everyone knows that septic tanks need periodic septic tank pumping, most people do not realize that septic systems are sensitive to what goes into the system and how those items impact on the way the system functions as well as its lifespan.  Excessive water, non-biodegradable material and chemicals are especially hard on septic systems.

Excessive water is hard on septic systems because the system does not have a chance to recover.  The system works by allowing solids to be separated from the liquids, with the liquids flowing into the drainfield.  The solids are collected at the bottom of the tank where there are eaten by various bacteria.  When toilets are running or multiple loads of laundry are washed back to back, the solids and liquids are not given enough time to separate and find their way into the drainfield, which is designed to process liquids only.

What goes into the septic system is also critical and anyone with a septic system needs to be careful in what is put in the toilet or into a drain.  This includes items such as dental floss, cigarettes, tampons, cat litter, diapers, Kleenex, Q-Tips, condoms and paper towels.  It is recommended that food, including food ground up in a garbage disposal not be introduced into the septic system.   Chemicals such as bleach, household cleaners, gas, turpentine, mineral spirits, paint or grease should never be poured down the drains or flushed.  These items, while a liquid, kill the bacteria in the septic system. .  Basically, unless it came out of a person’s body, it should not find its way into the septic system!

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

Keep Grease And Fat Out Of Your Septic System

One of the most common culprits of septic problems is grease and fat, which can find their way down the drain and into the septic system. Just like unhealthy fat can clog the arteries in your circulatory system, fat and grease can clog up your drains and septic as well. Once they’re poured down the drain, they will begin to build up in the pipes and septic system until they are either removed or contribute to a complete septic system failure. The best way to avoid these problems is to teach your family the importance of keeping these items out of the drains.

Preventing Grease Overload In Your Septic

Grease and fat collect inside of your plumbing, sewer lines and eventually end up in your septic tank. This accumulates on the top layer of your tank, and can eventually push down the liquid underneath, pressuring it out into the exit pipes and leach field. If this fatty substance goes into the exit pipes, it can clog these pipes and drain holes. The best way to prevent this from happening to limit the amount of fat and grease going down your drains in the first place.

Make a point of removing all fat and grease from plates and pans before they are rinsed in the sink. Have a metal container to pour hot grease into after cooking, which can be later disposed of in the garbage. By scraping fat and grease from plates and pans and wiping them out with a paper towel before trying to rinse them in the sink, you will remove the majority of the fat which can end up in your plumbing and septic system.

Even with preventive measures, some oils and fats can and often do make their way into the septic system. The only way to remove it once in the system is to schedule regular septic tank pumping before it causes problems. Be sure to work with a septic professional in your area to keep your system in peak condition, and you’ll be able to avoid potentially damaging and expensive problems in the future.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

Recognizing When Your Septic System Is Having Problems

Every homeowner has maintenance and repair work to deal with on a fairly regular basis. One thing that most homeowners would like to avoid having to repair as much as possible is the sewer septic system. As with most things around the home noticing early warning signs that it might be having difficulties can prevent you from having a major problem or breakdown to deal with and can ultimately save you a bundle in both time and money.

A septic tank along with the sewer system that it is connected to is not a cheap nor particularly easy system to have to fix or replace. Your septic system handles all of the wastewater disposal for the entire house so as much as possible you need to be able to identify signs that something may be going wrong before the problem gets out of hand.

One of the first signs that something is not quite right with your septic system is your toilet flushing insufficiently. Maybe the flush is slower than normal or is not completing the job and emptying the bowl properly. Slow water drainage can signify a blockage somewhere down the pipe. It can also be a sign of an overloaded or backed up septic system.  Call a sewer septic professional immediately and have the problem checked out.

A clogged drain can usually be fixed quite easily but if it is left for too long it can cause more serious problems. A backed up septic system may only need septic tank pumping, but it needs to be done as soon as possible.  If the tank if too full, too much solid material will make its way into the leach lines and clog the leach field.

Another sign of problems with the septic system is foul odours coming from the tank or the leach field. Bad smells indicate a leak or crack in the tank, or a failing leach field and a professional should address this issue immediately.

How to Know If Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped

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.