septic
Caring For Your Septic System – Safe Products and Habits
Many people have experienced all too expensive septic problems. Maintenance can be painful for the pocketbook and can also greatly affect the way your family functions in order to keep the septic tank from having future problems. But what about using products that help your septic function, and do not have the harmful effects of other products? Let’s look at some simple products that can prevent back up and problems with your septic system.
While the most commonly suggested maintenance product is Rid-X there are actually items that even powerhouse products are incapable of processing and breaking down. Some products that should never be flushed, washed down a sink or bathtub, or in anyway transmitted to the septic system are: cat litter, used cooking oil, paint and thinners, bleach, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, tampons or panty liners, paper towels or tissues, and pool chemicals or pool water. For some sensitive septic systems even toilet paper can cause costly clogs. What makes these products so dangerous to your system is that many homeowners don’t even realize how harmful they really are.
On top of scheduling regular maintenance, there are products available you can use that can be greatly beneficial. One example of a product swap you can make is a simple change in laundry detergent. Whatever detergent you choose should be a liquid with little or no phosphates. Some potential brand choices are: Amway S-A-8, Arm & Hammer, Boraxo, Cheer, Dash, Equator, Fresh Start, Oxydol and Seventh Generation. These detergents are even biodegradable and have less harmful effects on the environment than other choices.
As for the cleaning products you use in your home, avoid items with ammonia and chlorine, and make sure the products are biodegradable and non-toxic. Never use powder products, liquids are always the choice to make whether it is a laundry detergent or toilet cleaner. Even using liquid dishwasher detergent is suggested by some professionals. Ironically, cheap toilet paper is better for the septic system as the thinner sheets are much more easily broken down in the system. More expensive brands that boast ultra plush toilet papers have additives mixed in and that slow down natural processes.
By buying biodegradable and “green” products you may actually save yourself lots of money by keeping your septic system functioning and clean. As previously mentioned, no product will eliminate the need to have regular maintenance on your septic, but using products that are environmentally friendly can keep your system cleaner and prevent clogging or back ups.…
Septic Tanks – Ensuring Water Quality
Understanding septic systems capabilities and limits is needed to ensure water quality. A septic system is a type of On-Site Sewage Facility and is a self-contained, underground waste-water treatment system. By using natural processes to treat the waste-water on-site, septic systems do not require the installation of miles of sewer lines, making them less disruptive to the environment. A septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution system and a soil absorption system, also called a drain field. The septic tank is a watertight box, sometimes made out of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. The septic tank treats the waste-water naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The waste-water forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water float to the top forming a layer of scum.
Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified waste-water. The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the waste-water work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The layer of liquid flows from the septic tank to the drain field. A drain a series of trenches lined with gravel or sand and below the ground. The drain field treats the waste-water by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down through the soil. The remaining impurities are trapped and disposed of in the soil. The excess water is eliminated through percolation into the soil, and eventually returning to the ground water, through evaporation, and by uptake through plants and transpiration.
The Center for Watershed Protection notes that septic systems can be effective methods of water treatment, however failures are common in many areas. Even properly functioning septic systems can leak and are not designed to effectively deal with most of the phosphorus and nitrogen load found in the water it treats. Pathogenic fecal bacteria are also a concern. The primary concern for a municipality is proper maintenance of septic systems, and in some cases the total load of partially treated pollutants that can impact local drinking water and wildlife. A solid understanding of septic systems capabilities and limits, and a good government plan is needed to ensure water quality.…
Proper Septic Tank Emptying
Regular maintenance is a fundamental necessity for any septic tank. Even the best constructed tanks need to be inspected and repaired regularly to keep them functioning efficiently, or to keep them functioning at all. Part of the maintenance that they require is regular emptying of all the contents that they have collected since the last pumping. Primarily that consists of the sludge that settles to the bottom of the tank and the any non-biodegradable items that have found their way in there.
Solid Sludge in the Septic Tank
Too much sludge in a tank means not only that there will be less space for the incoming waste, effectively reducing the capacity of the tank, but also that the incoming waste will not have enough time to be decomposed, before more incoming water pushes the solids into the pipes. And here the solids may even clog the pipes, which will completely grind the septic system to a halt – definitely not a scenario any homeowner would want to see.
The more the sludge a septic system contains, more of these solids will escape from the tank into the Soil Absorption System (SAS). In case the SAS is clogged by this excessive sludge, the unsanitary liquids will bubble to the surface and damage the surrounding soil and environment. This will inevitably lead to septic tank failure – also not a good scenario.
Emptying the Septic Tank
Removing the sludge then becomes important to stop the solids from escaping from the septic tank into the drain field. Depending on the size of the tank, the type of construction, and the use to which it is put, different tanks require different frequency of pumping. For houses that do not have their own garbage disposal system, experts advise that pumping should be done every 1 to 3 years. For the houses that have their own garbage disposal systems, the pumping should be done every year.
By judging the past instances when pumping was carried out, focusing on whether there was enough sludge when the pumping was scheduled, or whether the pumping was done prematurely, you will have a better idea of when your tank will need to be pumped again.
Hiring the Pumper
Professional pumpers have a license from the local Health Board and these are the ones you should be hiring. After pumping they will write up a receipt describing the pumping done, including the number of gallons of sludge removed, the time taken, etc. You should keep this receipt in your records for future reference.…
Septic Tank Emptying
You need to make sure that your septic tank is in the best condition it can be, even the best built tanks need to be checked and repaired frequently to ensure they are operating at their best. The way to do this is to have your tank emptied regularly, getting rid of all the waste that has been collected, most of which is “sludge” that gathers at the bottom of the tank. You do not want a build of this “sludge” in your tank as it can have disastrous consequences not only for you and your home but you surrounding environment as well.
If there is too much sludge in your septic tank this reduces the capacity of the tank, meaning there is less space for the incoming waste and reducing the time it has to decompose. This therefore could push the waste into the pipes more than likely causing them to clog and bringing the whole system to a smelly stand still. A lot of sludge will also increase the likelihood of solids escaping from the tank and damaging the surrounding environment.
The frequency your tank needs to be emptied can depend on the size the type of construction, and the use to which it is put; different tanks require different frequency of pumping. It is recommended that you monitor when your septic tank was last emptied and the amount of sludge that was removed this will allow you to calculate when your tank will need to be emptied again. A more efficient owner is a more efficient tank.
Another factor that will also affect how often you need it emptied is the use of the system, if it is being used a lot then you will need to get it emptied more to ensure it does not overflow or breakdown.
If your tank does breakdown or leak it’s not a good situation for anyone, it can be a complete environmental disaster. As the contents in the tank are very harmful to the environment it can kill off the local wildlife. If your septic tank is by a stream or lake of some kind it can be even worse as if the waste water from your tank reaches it, the chemicals will promote the growth of algae which can block sunlight and taint the water, consuming all the oxygen which will inevitably result in the death of the animals in the water.
After reading all the above I’m sure you are now aware of the vital importance having your septic tank emptied the consequences can be very bad if you neglect your tank therefore you must make sure your septic tank is in full working order!
Company websites will be able to tell you more about septic tanks and septic tank emptying, and may even offer advice on how often you should get your tank emptied.…
Affordable Septic Tank Cleaning And Pumping Service At Your Door Step
There are millions of people residing in the rural areas who install septic tanks in their houses. Most of the people are not aware about what exactly a septic tank does and what should be done to maintain it in a good way. Septic tanks are of two types; cement septic tanks and plastic containers. Cement sewage containers are in huge size and are carefully installed under the ground.
Plastic septic containers are of light weight and these sewage containers are mostly installed in houses where there is no space for large tanks. Drainage containers main job is to collect the waste materials that exit from lavatories, bathrooms, washing stations, and kitchen. Most of the house owners don’t know how to maintain the septic tank effectively. Maintenance is very important for its successful functioning.
Sewage tank is to collect all the unwanted waste materials, but all the waste material should not be dumped into the sewage tank. Dumping heavy solid waste materials can block the leachfields or drainfields and lead to clogging. Every container should undergo cleaning or pumping for at least once in a year. Septic tank cleaning and pumping schedule varies according to the size and number of people staying in the home.
Drainage tank holders should not dump heavy solid waste materials like toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, and cotton balls. You should also avoid dumping cooking oils and grease. This will cause damage to the entire system and increases the cost of repair. The cost of cleaning and pumping can be affordable if the tank is maintained effectively.
Generally, a sewage tank pumping typically cost around $75 to $200. Cost also varies according to the size of the container. If size increase, cost also increases. For large containers, service providers will cost around $200 to$350 or even more. If the tank is completely damaged, then they have to replace it with a new one. The cost of replacing and installing a container depends on the local service providers.
You must be cautious in selecting a service provider. There are many agencies that offer all septic services at affordable cost. Before choosing a company, you much enquire about their quality of service from your neighbors. This can help you in selecting the right agency. You can also browse on the Internet and know about the agency. Do not forget to ask them about the discount and offers in the agency. This can save you some bucks from your pocket.…
How To Make The Most Of Your Septic Tank
Disposal of sewage has been a problem for hundreds of years – ever since man ceased to be nomadic.
From outside privies to earth toilets to septic tanks and now, sewage treatment plants. Our first house was an old house with an outdoor earth toilet. Even my primary school had outside earth toilets and that was as recent as 1964. Many drained the liquid effluent directly into ditches and caused massive pollution. Even London did not have a sewer system until 1869
Common sense can maintain a septic system very easily
Here are some of my tips for septic tank care.
Don’t flush anything that is non-degradable or anti-bacterial.
Spread out the laundry over several days of the week.
Use the correct amount of water and detergent for each load of laundry.
Don’t have your rain run off, guttering and drainage drain directly into the septic tank.
Scrap food scraps into the waste bin or compost instead of down the sink.
Don’t overload the water supply into the system.
Or don’t use the washing machine, dishwasher and drain a bathtub all at the same time. Soakaway field failures are incredibly common and can cost thousands to replace.
Being kind to the septic system keeps it healthy and relatively maintenance free.
Avoid planting trees in the leach field. Roots will block drainage system.
Be very careful of the chemicals and additives you add to your system. If you have a problem, read the labels and make sure you are using the correct additive for the problem.
Regular emptying will remove the solids (and is usually more frequent on systems with unhealthy or dead bacteria) this allows you a chance for an checkup of the condition of the tank.
One of the things to avoid is allowing grease and fabric detergents to accumulate in my septic system. This is easy to do. Grease and fats are disposed of in the rubbish bin. Detergents are another matter. If you are going to use a laundry detergent, read the label and use the correct amount. Clothes do not get cleaner with two scoops. The alternative was my discovery of the laundry product ‘Eco-Balls’, this eliminates the need for any laundry soap or detergent, also a side benefit is you don’t use hot h2o any more (a significant saving).
Should you have problems with your septic tank, consider installing a sewage treatment plant instead. These can discharge directly into a ditch, stream or river and are a far cheaper alternative to installing a new soakaway.…