septic | Higdons

What Size Septic Tank Do You Need?

May 15, 2020 Comments Off

The septic system is an astounding and innovative piece of technology. The device is natural and energy efficient. If you are planning on installing a septic tank, you will need septic lines, a septic tank, permit from your local government, and choose the appropriate location for installing the tank.
A septic tank operates by sewage being carried from the house to the tank using gravity instead of using motors and fossil fuel energy. The sewage moves by means of gravity from the tank to the drain field. Microbes in the ground digest and sanitize the bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. When the soil is healthy, clean water returns to the water table. The location of the tank and lines will depend on the percolation test. Another important feature is the size of the septic tank.
There are a few ways you can determine the size of the septic tank for your home. The size of the septic tank can be determined by basing it on the water usage or home size. The most productive and efficient way to calculate the size of the tank is through water usage. The size of the septic tank that will be required is based on the amount of water it will conduct through the field lines.
Calculations by Water Tank
Based on the total water usage of a home, the following is the expert and local government recommended tank size:
Up to 500 gallons per day: 900 gallon tank
Up to 700 gallons per day: 1,200 gallon tank
Up to 900 gallons per day: 1,500 gallon tank
Up to 1,240 gallons per day: 1,900 gallon tank
It is important to be aware that the minimum size tank normally permitted for use in a residential home is 1,000 gallons. Make sure you check with your local governmental official to obtain their regulations of size.
Calculations by House Size
This type of calculation assumes that all rooms in the home will be used. The following is the expert and local government recommended tank size based on calculating the house size:
One or two bedrooms: 750 gallon tank
Three bedrooms: 1,000 gallon tank
Four bedrooms: 1,200 gallon tank
Five or six bedrooms: 1,500 gallon tank
Make sure you check with your local governmental official to obtain their regulations of size.
For single-family homes, tanks normally vary in size from 500 to 1500 gallons of sewer storage capability. For a one or two bedroom house, a 1000 or 1200 gallon tank is used most often.
The costs of septic tanks will vary. The average 1,000 gallon septic tank will cost between $500 and $700. If you want to install a 1,250 gallon tank, the price can range from $600 – $800. One can install a tank in either the front yard or the backyard. The area must be able to hold the tank and drain field. The cost of installing a standard septic tank can be anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500
Septic tanks are a necessity and required by law for residential houses. When installing a septic tank, make sure you are aware of all of the local governmental regulations.…

How Do I Know When I Need a New Septic Tank?

May 13, 2020 Comments Off

Determining when you need a new septic tank can often feel like you’re playing psychic. Oftentimes, a damaged system can keep working until one day, it suddenly fails – and you’re stuck with tons of repairs, a yard full of septic tank cleaners and a massive invoice.
Septic tanks are generally quite hardy, and can last up to three years before they need to be pumped. However, a damaged tank can be quite difficult to fix; add years of wear and tear on top of that, and it often makes more sense just to buy a new one altogether.
If you’re not sure of when you need a new septic tank, then this list of damaged septic tank symptoms should help you determine when it’s time to call in the professionals:
• As previously mentioned, septic systems will only need to be pumped every three years, or even longer. However, if you think you’ve needed to pump a lot more than usual, then it might be time to replace it with a totally new system, as it may be a symptom that you and your family have outgrown your old tank.
• Go out to the landscape surrounding your septic system and examine the water. Are there any puddles that have collected on the ground? Does the ground seem constantly moist, even when it hasn’t rained for some time? That’s a big indicator that your septic system is leaking out water. If the leak is along the ports, a septic tank professional can easily fix it; however, if the damage has occurred on the tank itself, then it might be time to consider upgrading to a new tank, as these repairs are costly and time-consuming.
• While you’re checking the ground, see if any trees surrounding your septic tank system have grown larger over the years. Many professionals report seeing tanks that have been damaged by growing tree roots. If there’s been a change in your landscape, forget calling a tree removal service – contact a septic professional to see if they can install a smaller tank or a new one elsewhere on your property.
• If you’ve had your septic system for a couple of decades, you might want to contact a professional to give your tank a check-up. Older tanks may properly function now, but like with anything, it can quickly break down and result in an expensive clean-up job. Spare yourself the hassle – and the cost – by replacing an old system with a new one.
Self-diagnosing a damaged septic tank can be difficult; that’s why it’s often better to leave the process up to the professionals. If you suspect that you need a new tank, don’t wait for it to completely break down before contacting your local professional.
You’ll be sparing yourself from plenty of hassle, expense and frustration!…

The Origins Of Septic Tanks

May 1, 2020 Comments Off

Before, a septic tank was created using a built prototype manufactured from concrete and fabricated clay pipes that was designed by John Mouras from France around 1860. Nowadays a basic septic system generally has a capacity of a thousand to two thousand gallons. The typical tank comes with an inlet opening from the infrastructure and an outlet opening which would go to the distribution box. The distribution box is in between the tank and the leachfield that would dispense the digested effluent waste into the drain field.
Within the septic tank the chief work of the distribution box is to handle the overall overflow of the main septic tank and equally spread it out to the leachfield. The distribution box is constructed out of concrete, water-tight and around the size of the cinderblock. In a few systems NT-MAX liquid is incorporated directly in the distribution box typically performed by an experienced professional to intensify the application process of bacteria. The primary objective of this technique would be to enhance the digestion action inside the tank specifically in addressing clogged septic system or drainfield. The bacterial action will massively aid in the absorption of the waste content and also aid to hasten the assimilation of the same.
In the tank the new wastewater which enters into the unit will put pressure on the waste which is already there, into the drainfield. In the drainfield or leachfield the pattern of degradation as well as remediation is continued which accommodate more waste products to come in and the process goes on and on. The septic tank system is generally designed hands-free and also functions by itself. It is built by gravitational forces to be sure that the odor and backup functions freely. Since the time that septic tanks started it has been performing productively in handling the normal waste matter originating from the house. However, because of the addition of chemical compounds and anti-microbial components in most household items that is generally used the septic system suffered a few challenges due to the natural killing bacteria in the system are affected.
In the past, the anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank system and also the coli-form that is found in the human waste is enough to serve as an ample supply of bacteria in digesting the waste materials produced. However with the home products that are being incorporated with increasingly more anti-bacterial agents, this coli-form are killed and diminished that makes the tank to no longer break down the waste materials properly. The undigested waste can cause solids to flow on the drainfield and cause the blockage of the pipes that might also lead backups in several cases or the total malfunction of the septic system.
A lot of homeowners are using the new technologies of bio-remediation to enhance the killing of helpful bacteria that were lost in the septic tank. By the addition of these new bacteria in the septic tank system it will make sure that the count of healthy bacteria can digest the sludge and grime that have piled up for a long period of time. These bacterial products are strong enough to easily digest and unclog the pipes going to the drainfield and restore the free-flow and the proper function of the septic tank system.…

Water Butts For Septic Tanks Are Affordable and Easy to Find

April 23, 2020 Comments Off

Water butts for Septic Tanks are containers used as storage for rain harvesting. It is 200 liters in capacity and made of lightweight material. It can be carried easily anywhere you would want to place it. Most often it is situated at the back of the house near the garden where stored rain from the butts is used for gardening. Instead of using hose getting water from the main water line water butts are useful source of watering the garden. You can install one or more containers connected together by storage connector available at the hardware store. Connecting five 200 liters water butts is much cheaper than building 1000 liters storage tank capacity.
Water storage are useful especially in arid areas for storing rainwater and used for domestic purposes. Rainwater from water containers can be used for washing the clothes, watering the plants, flushing the toilet, cleaning the cars and other household use. Butts must be covered to prevent it from breeding ground for larvae since any clean water is what mosquitoes prefer for their breeding grounds and also to prevent it from being contaminated. Water are usually installed above the ground and the material is usually opaque to prevent sunlight exposure thus decreasing the bloom of algae.
Butts have been around for some time. They are durable and dependable. Installation of butts in other areas is mandatory especially if there is a community wide program for conserving water. Since it is affordable and simple to install any household can easily have it. They position the butts in houses’ downpipes for collection of rainwater. Water butts are provided with taps and they will give you direct access to all the rainwater you harvested. The complete kits for water butts include water butts itself, stand for water butts and rain diverters. These are all easy to fit and once the butts are connected to your downpipes they are ready to use and to collect rainwater right away.
Water storage is really essential for small to medium scale storage for rainwater harvesting. They are compact and will not require a large space. They are also durable since water containers are made of high grade quality materials and can be used for long life. This is a good remedy if you have a small patio and you need to save on water. Recycling water for future use is a great solution when there is shortage of water and butts is the simple obvious answer. Water butts are hard wearing and resilient that is why it is most desirable for storage of rainwater.
Water butts for Septic Tanks are a good way to save money. People nowadays are aware of the importance of saving and you can start it by saving water by means of butts. This is very practical approach and also time and energy efficient since you will only need to place the water butts from the source of your rainwater. This is also a very good solution in preparing especially if there is drought season.…

The 4 Most Common Septic System Problems

April 17, 2020 Comments Off

Septic systems are designed to process human waste and decompose it anaerobically over time. Most of the time they function perfectly, but much like any system with some amount of complexity, they are prone to some problems. Here we discuss the common septic systems problems.

Functioning Septic Systems

Septic systems break human and organic waste down into their constituent parts. The bacterial decomposition results in the formation of solids, liquids and gases. The solid part of it settles to the bottom of the tank, where it remains until it is removed by a septic tank pumper (which should be every 1 to 3 years). The gases and liquids are regularly released from the tank vents and pipes.

Almost every household has used their septic system as a dumping ground for non-organic waste. From plastic objects to tampons, people flush a wide variety of objects down the toilet, which the septic process was never designed to handle. These objects, if they do not block the pipes, make it to the septic tank and just sit there taking up space. These objects are non-biodegradable the bacteria cannot decompose them and they can only be removed by pumping the tank out.

Four of the most common problems with septic tanks are as follows:

Excess water being sent to the septic tank. Excess water is never good for a septic tank because it makes the solids overflow through the vents and pipes, which then blocks them. The blockage can completely stop the system from working and cause a backup into your house.

Sending paint thinners and solvents into the septic tank. These are toxic substances which are not good for the soil of the system, where they will finally find home because they are non-biodegradable too.

Using too many household detergents. These detergents contain phosphates, which are helpful in algae growth. Algae can block pipes and then make the septic tank overflow.

Flushing non-biodegradable products down the toilet (mentioned earlier). Non-biodegradable substances need to be regularly pumped out of the tank just because bacteria cannot decompose them.

How to solve common septic system problems:

Use a lesser amount of water than you do normally to solve the problem the excess water problem. There are various solutions to easily reduce water consumption. You can find some examples at your local hardware store.

Do not dispose of non-biodegradable waste into the septic system. At all. Ever.

Do not use the common detergents; instead use liquid soaps and gel soaps which do not contain phosphates.

Do not dispose of toxic substances like paint thinners and solvents into the septic system.

Finally, have your septic system pumped every few years. One to three years is the duration advised by the experts as an acceptable amount of time between pumpings.…

Know A Lot More About The Different Kinds Of Septic Tanks

April 11, 2020 Comments Off

The tanks are in charge of storing the wastes gathered from the lavatories, washing stations, bathrooms, as well as kitchen. Septic tanks have a self-contained built-in system. Inside, the solids and liquids are split up as wastewater enters in the tanks. The lighter solids float on top of the tanks which make up the scum layer. The heavier solids settle at the bottom of the tanks which make up the sludge layer. The liquid which stays in the middle forms the effluent layer.
The natural anaerobic bacteria that’s inside the septic system will be responsible in breaking down the solids as well as converts them into liquid or gaseous form. These microbes are known as coli-form that are present in the human waste. The tanks are buried underground and has an inlet opening as well as an outlet opening. The wastes which are discharged in the tanks would go through the inlet opening as well as be broken down by the anaerobic bacteria. The partially treated liquid will go through the outlet opening as well as would go to the drainfield. Before the installation of the tanks, one must be aware of types of septic tanks available which will be suited for one’s necessities. There are two kinds of tanks in general, the conventional and alternative. The kind of system which must be set up will depend on the site and soil conditions of the area.
In the conventional gravity system, it is is made up of network of drainfields that lie in gravity. Underneath the tanks, these trenches are fixed in the soil. The liquid passes in the drainfields by gravitational pressure. In this set-up, the drainfields must be underneath the outlet of the tanks. The measurement of the drainfields will depend on the volume of the inflow of sewage base on the use of water, the number of individuals and the soil condition.
The pressure distribution drainfields system is normally installed if the condition of the location doesn’t enable the drainfield to be set up underneath the tanks outlet. The tanks system design will be almost comparable to gravity drainfield, the only distinction is the usage of mechanical effluent pump. This pump is needed to pump the effluent from the pumping compartment to the drainfields.
The professional company could set up any type of septic tanks system depending on the location of the house, the available space and the kind of soil in the area. You must find a dependable company to install the right septic tanks in your location. You can locate many expert service provider firms that could set up the proper septic tanks system depending on the area and the type of soil. These companies can be found on the internet and you can select the right company that could set up the septic tanks system at a reasonable cost. You could ask the service providers all of your questions about the system and they could provide tips on the type of system that’s right for your location.…

Figuring Out The Size Of Septic Tanks

April 9, 2020 Comments Off

The wastewater are treated as well as cleared before it is released in the environment. The septic tanks have a vital contributing part in the protection of surrounding environment from pollution and groundwater contamination. Septic system is utilized to dispose the wastewater effectively so that it will not result in danger to the people as well as the environment. The wastes consist of bacteria that can cause diseases to people in case they’re not treated properly. In case the homeowners do not want to be impacted by all of these illnesses and pollution then one need to know how the tanks function.
The septic system is made of either concrete or plastic and fibreglass. They are put underground as well as have two openings. The inlet opening enables the movement of the wastewater from the house to go into the septic system. The outlet opening functions as the conveyor of liquid to the drainfield. Inside the septic system, the natural bacteria will work continuously as incoming waste items are delivered in the septic system. The bacteria digest and decompose the solid wastes and turn them into liquid or gaseous form. Since not all wastes are decomposed, they will be settled at the bottom of the tank and stay as sludge.
The measurement of the tanks is going to be determined by the total number of individuals who live in the house. To be able to estimate the measurement of the tanks base on the amount of waste materials discharged in the tanks, 2700 liters capacity of tanks should be installed for 720 liters of water each day. 2,900 liters capacity of tanks is needed for 900 liters of wastewater disposed for a day. A 3080 liters capacity of tanks should be constructed for 1080 liters of wastewater released per day and 3400 liters sizes of tanks is required for 1440 liters of wastewater released on a daily basis.
If you compute the size of tanks needed base on the total number of rooms in the house the least size of tanks for 2 bedroom house is 2700 liters capacity. For 3 bedroom home, the size of the tanks should be 2900 liters. The size required for a four bedroom house is 3080 liters as well as for the 5 bedroom house, the capacity of the tanks should be 3260 liters. This will be the perfect size of tanks that must be installed for every given requirements.
While choosing the measurement of septic tanks has been significant, one more thing which needs to be considered will be the maintenance of the septic tanks. No matter the size of the septic tanks, it must be emptied as well as pumped out once every 3 to 5 years in order to reduce the risk of major repairs or replacements. You must maintain the septic tanks so it is going to function effectively and could serve that purpose of exactly what it’s done for in a long time.…