Tag residential

Most of us flush the toilet without a second thought, but what happens to the wastewater if the property’s not connected to mains drainage?
There are several options available to homeowners:
Cesspits and cesspools
A cesspit or cesspool is simply a holding tank for receiving and storing wastewater from a property. The wastewater enters the cesspit where it remains until it is emptied by a vacuum tanker. As the cesspit merely holds the wastewater rather than treating it, the tanks tend to fill quite quickly resulting in the need for frequent emptying which can be costly.
Cesspits are usually only used as a temporary measure until the property is connected to mains drainage or because the Environment Agency doesn’t allow the property to discharge. Cesspits are typically viewed as the least desirable wastewater treatment system due to a number of unfavourable factors. As the cesspit receives all the waste from a property they have to be large enough to cope with this; the sizing criteria is based on a loading of 180 litres per person per day and must have the capacity to hold 45 days’ worth of effluent which inevitably leads to a large tank.
Septic Tanks
Septic tank systems store and minimally treat sewage and usually consist of a storage tank with two or three chambers to separate the solid and liquid waste. The chambers within the septic tank hold the sewage solids long enough to allow the solids to form sludge at the bottom of the tank and are designed to retain any floating matter.
The sludge is partially broken down through anaerobic digestion and the remaining liquid passes through the outlet to a soakaway drainage system. A soakaway system disperses this partially treated liquid (known as effluent) into a drainage trench where the pathogens, nutrients and organic material are dispersed into the gravel and are removed or neutralized as the liquid moves through into the soil.
The remaining sludge in the septic tank needs to be emptied regularly; the frequency of septic tank pumping depends on the amount of waste entering the septic tank and its size.
Sewage Treatment Plants
A sewage treatment plant is by far the best method of wastewater treatment. In a sewage treatment system, the wastewater enters the plant where it is treated, producing final effluent that is of a high enough standard, as set by the Royal Commission, to be discharged to a watercourse or groundwater.
Most home sewage treatment systems comprise a primary settlement chamber, biological zone and final clarification. Depending on which make and model you choose, these components could be in separate units, or enclosed in one.
Some systems have a primary settlement chamber where the raw solids separate from the liquor; the solids need to be periodically taken away by a tanker (tankered) and the liquor is then biologically treated. Other systems don’t have a separate treatment chamber, and the solids are continuously mixed in an aeration chamber with bacteria and oxygen to allow aerobic organisms to …

Pest control is usually left to someone that’s an expert, but it doesn’t have to mean you aren’t able to try something first. The following tips will give you some strategies to try before you call the exterminator. Keep reading so you can find out more info.

Vacuuming the carpets inside your home can reduce pests. Vacuuming will allow you to suck up the bugs as well as the crumbs that are attracting them. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in an outside receptacle as soon as possible.

Make certain to check local ordinances and codes to find out which types of pest control are allowed in your area. If you are trying to sell your house, you might not want to spray pesticides that are illegal. Though this does not happen often, it does indicate a need to do your research.

Does your home have brown recluse spiders? If so, trap them with sticky traps. Such poisonous specimens hide easily and can be tough to kill with chemicals. However, during the night, they come out to find food. Good places to put these traps are behind furniture and along baseboards.

Consider using a perimeter spray outside your home to keep bugs at bay. Spray the foundation and all other outside areas near the home. Look for cracks and small holes through which pests could enter your home. Use a filler such as caulk to seal the area.

Be cautious when trying to eliminate bed bugs. Bedbugs can remain dormant for up to a year. You need to plug all holes in the home. It can prevent them from hiding there.

You should fix screens around the house if you have flying insects. Screens are effective at keeping out both flying and crawling pests. Fix or replace any holes or tears in your screens to seal off pests.

Is your home overrun with ants? Borax and sugar can help you eliminate them. While they are attracted to the sugar, they will be killed by the borax. To create the mixture, get a jar the size of a quart and mix one cup borax and one of sugar. Poke holes through the lid to allow you to sprinkle it around the foundation and baseboards.

Look around your house for standing water. This can attract many pests, including mosquitoes. Check thoroughly regarding any leaky pipes, and make sure you clean house plant trays. Without water sources, pests will not thrive in your house.

If you have any plumbing leaks, immediately fix them. All pests need a water source to survive. They can end up finding water in the most obscure places. You do not want to be invaded by pests in your home. Inspect your plumbing regularly and contact a professional if you notice a leak or need help with inspecting the plumbing that is not easily accessible.

Having reviewed these tips, you should have a few good ideas about handling your pest problem. There are many methods for dealing with pest …