Monthly Archives: December 2013

Know the Do’s and Don’ts of Septic Tank Maintenance

If your property features a septic tank, you’re probably grateful for all it does. However, if you don’t maintain it properly, you’ll soon be cursing the day it was ever installed. Continue reading for some easy pointers on how to best take care of yours.

Do’s

  • Depending on how many people live in your home and how big it is, you’ll probably want to make sure that you have your septic tank pumped once every 3 to 5 years. Property managers may have a different need depending on how many residents share a single septic tank.
  • Keep a record of all the occasions your unit is pumped, any times it’s inspected, and all maintenance visits. This will be helpful in case of an accident or when you want to sell your home.
  • Conserve water in order to reduce the amount that ends up in your septic system. This includes repairing any faucets or toilets that leak. Only run dishwashers and washing machines when they’re full. Avoid long showers.
  • Make sure you’re aware of the location of your septic tank and consider marking it off in some way. This way you’ll avoid accidentally building anything on top of it.
  • Divert the runoff water from any roof drains away from the septic tank, as well as any that comes off the sump pump or footing drains.
  • Bring any hazardous chemicals to a TOX DROP instead of dumping them into your toilet or down your sink where they’ll eventually end up in your septic system.

Don’ts

  • Do not let anyone drive over or park on top of your septic system.
  • You should leave working on your septic tank to experts like the ones at Edenflo. However, if you believe you’re up to it, make sure that you don’t work on it without the necessary permits.
  • Don’t use popular additives sold for septic tanks. The truth is that they generally cause more harm than good. Your septic tank is full of human sewage, which has more than enough microorganisms in it to break down sludge.
  • Septic tanks aren’t the most complicated of systems, but it’s important that you treat them correctly. Review the above Do’s and Don’ts, and you’ll be on your way.

Don’t risk ruining your septic tank, call Eden flo for professional septic tank repair and maintenance.

How to Tell if Your-Catch Basin is Functioning Properly and a Recommended Cleaning Schedule

A catch-basin is one of those things that are easy to take for granted. Of course, as with so many things we take for granted, if a catch-basin stops working correctly, you could be in for a lot of trouble. Keep reading to find out more.

What is a Catch-Basin?
Also known as storm drains, catch-basins are located along roadways, and they siphon water into the storm drain system. These reservoirs also help to replenish the underground water supply.

It’s also important to understand what catch-basins aren’t. Catch-basins are not trash cans or garbage disposals for whatever finds their way into them. Given their importance to the water supply, we need to be very careful what we allow into catch-basins.

Signs of Trouble
In many ways, it’s hard to notice signs of trouble before it’s too late. After all, we only see part of the catch-basin on a regular basis, and it’s simply a street-level cover.
There are some telltale signs, however, that something is wrong with a catch-basin. The prevalence of strong, foul odours emanating from a catch-basin is often a sign that it needs to be cleaned. Given their utility, catch basins generally do not smell good, but if one is noticeable from a distance, this is most likely a sign that something is affecting its operation.

Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Catch-Basin
Plenty can be done to maintain catch-basins, as well. Most things are preventative measures, but they can have a huge impact. As I mentioned earlier, keep garbage and litter from going down the drain.

Many people don’t realize how easy it is, however, to accidentally send this kind of debris down there. Be careful not to clean up yard clippings, litter, or dirt from sidewalks with a hose, as the runoff almost always ends up in catch-basins. Simply by being mindful of what you’re doing with your own lawn and driveway, you can save your catch-basin a lot of problems.

Though they’re easy to miss, catch-basins play an unmistakably important role in how our modern society works. Contact Eden flo for all your Catch-basin cleaning and maintenance needs.