Category Archives: Aging Septic Systems

Septic Holding Tank Cleaning is Important

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A septic holding tank is a watertight tank that catches and contains the wastewater that comes from a home or a business. While most businesses and homes are going to have a connection to sewer lines, sometimes this is not possible because of the location. Those who are out of town may not have access to the sewer lines, and this means that they are going to need to have one of these septic holding tanks. This also means that they need to keep those tanks clean and in good condition if they do not want to have a huge mess on their property.

All of the wastewater that comes from the home or business needs to be in the holding tank until it can go for treatment or disposal. Because the tanks need to carry all of the water that comes from your home or place of business, they will often fill up quite quickly. Depending on the size of your tank and the number of people using water, you may need to have someone come, pump the tank, and clean it regularly.

You do not want to wait too long; otherwise, you can have an overflow or a backup of the system. It can also damage your tank. Some people choose to have an alarm on their septic holding tank that will alert them when the tank is 75% full. This ensures that you know when you need to have the professionals come out to your house and remove your wastewater from the holding tank.

Using low flow systems in your plumbing is one of the ways that some people are reducing the amount of wastewater that goes into the tank. This can help to reduce the frequency of your cleanings, and it is something that you may want to consider.

With regular inspections and cleaning, you can be sure that your tank remains clean and in good condition. You will not have to worry about overflows or a system that backs up. It is always important to have professionals who know their business to come, inspect your tank, and perform the cleaning. With the state of the art trucks and equipment that are available now, it is possible for them to do the cleaning and pumping of the septic holding tank quite quickly. Never wait too long between pumping for your tank or you might regret it!

Why You Need To Maintain Your Tanks

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Septic tanks are essential parts of anyone’s lifestyle. Now, since septic tanks are so important, we also have to do our parts to make sure they are well taken care of and that maintenance is done on a regular basis for them to be used longer because we all know what a big headache a blocked pipe can cause!

Is maintaining tanks important?

Of course, it is of utmost importance that we invest not only in a good septic tank but also invest in the care and maintenance of the tank. Regular maintenance, even if nothing seems to go wrong, will ensure us that we won’t bump into sewage problems, and no one wants to suddenly discover a problematic septic tank.

It doesn’t mean that once your septic tank starts working, you have to forget about checking it regularly. It may be a little time consuming and might be hard on the budget because you have to spend on regular pumping and cleaning, but in the long run it will all be worthwhile.

Can you do it by yourself?

Of course maintenance should be spearheaded by the owner, which is you. Without you checking from time to time, septic tank companies will never know that your tank needs checking. You can’t do the regular annual cleaning of the septic tank by yourself; with this, you have to seek the help of your septic tank company to do the pumping.

Preparing for the Winter Season

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Septic tanks can be filled with water, and you all know what happens to water during the colder months of the year. Of course, if you have a really good septic tank company they might remind you to prepare for the winter season and schedule the much needed cleaning. It is very important that we all get ready when the cold season comes.

Because we live in a colder climate, there are simple tips to follow so that we don’t face any tank problems while we enjoy the holidays.

• Winterize your pipes. The main problems in pipes and septic tanks don’t just happen to houses which are unused for most of the winter months; problems can even arise to people with house which are in full use. There are simple ways to which you can keep your septic tanks up and running. Use antifreeze chemicals and pour them onto the sinks, drains and the toilet bowls to avoid freezing. Special antifreeze for tanks can be bought at any hardware store.

• Empty your septic tank before the winter comes. Weeks before winter officially starts you should have your tank pumped, cleaned, and emptied to minimize septic tank problems that might arise during the winter. Most of the time, the annual cleaning of the septic tank is done during this period since it is when it is needed the most.

• Keep the water flowing. Most people say that septic tank problems arise, such as septic tank freezing when there is less or minimal movement in the pipes.

Periodic Maintenance and Repair of Septic Tanks

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Once a septic tank is installed into your home, daily and annual maintenance is needed to make sure your septic tank can properly do what it was meant to do. Aside from the simple small daily tasks such as checking the piping for leaks, there are also necessary things we should all do periodically, either annually, or once every 3 to 5 months to ensure that our septic tanks are working optimally.

Periodic maintenance can’t be done by yourself. You will need the help of septic tank service providers such as Edenflo or other septic pumping companies in order to help you with these tasks.

Some of the things that have to be done in order to make sure your septic tank will continue to perform in the future:

1. Regular Inspection. You can ask your septic tank pumping company to do this for you. It is important to regularly check your septic tank for problems so that they can be fixed as soon as possible. The frequency of inspection depends on the usage of the tank and how heavily your septic tank is working.

2. Pump out regularly. It is important that you have your septic tanks pumped out regularly to remove any accumulated solid waste. This is to keep your pumps and tanks clean. Again, the frequency of this action will depend on usage. For smaller houses with bigger septic tanks, once a year will do. For big houses with a rather small septic tank, more regular pumps will be needed.

3. A septic tank is not a disposal tank. Avoid throwing solid things into the sink or the drain, or even the toilet bowl. It can clog the pipes and cause serious problems with the drainage.

Shopping For a Septic Tank

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A septic tank is an essential part of building a house, building or any infrastructure. Most of the time, we leave the responsibility of picking the septic tank to homebuilders, but as homeowners it is wise to be involved in the building process and picking a septic tank isn’t an exception.

Here are some things to remember when shopping for your septic tank:

1. Size. Size always matters, especially when picking your septic tank. Don’t choose a big septic tank if you live in a small house and have a small household. It can be costly to buy a big septic tank. The size of your tank should depend on the average water usage.

2. Design. The design of a septic tank does not mean the outer design of the tank. Septic tanks are designed two ways: the pressure type septic tank and the gravity septic tank. If the tank will sit on course soil or gravel, the pressure type septic tank is best to be used. For loose soil, better get the gravity septic tank.

3. Pumps. A septic tank is never complete without an efficient pump to go with it. There are two types of pumps available in the market: the centrifugal pump and the turbine pump. The only difference is that the turbine pumps is the more expensive pump, and is also more efficient since it can pump much faster than the centrifugal pump. It also has better longevity.

4. Seek the help of your septic tank provider. 90% of the time, homeowners don’t install their own septic tanks; they will seek the help of local septic tank companies. As a homeowner, it is also best to consult with them when picking your septic tank.

Day-to-Day Management Tips for your Septic Tanks

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In today’s society, a septic tank is already considered one of the essential needs of every household. In this time and age where “backyard restrooms” are a thing of the past, an effective and efficient septic tank is a necessary part of our lives.

When it comes to maintaining your septic tank, you should remember to schedule regular visits from professional service providers. However, there are also simple day-to-day ways you can adopt to keep your septic tanks in top shape in between visits.

Here are the simple daily tips for the care and management of your septic tanks:

What to do:

• Use Less Water. Conserving water is not only good for the environment and your water bill; it also means your septic tank will have less water to process. An overworked septic tank means a decrease in efficiency – and in the long run a shorter life expectancy.
• Check Daily for Leaks. One of the simplest and best ways to maintain your septic tanks is to do a daily check-up of your plumbing for any problems, such as leaks. You could do this once a day (or every other day) and will not take much of your time.

What not to do:

• Pour Chemicals into the Drain. Pouring of chemicals should be done minimally or dilute in water first before pouring it into the sink or the drain. Excessive amounts of chemicals will damage your septic tank and might cause problems in the future. Chemicals can include household items like bleach and detergents.
• Pour Grease into the Drain. Pouring grease or used oil down the drain or down the sink should never be done. Pouring grease down the drain could clog the pipes and could cause serious problems with the piping.

How to Prolong the Life of an Aging Septic Tank

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An aging septic tank usually has a lifespan of 20 years or more. But its life can be extended depending on how well it is maintained and taken care of. The life of your aging septic tank can be maximized from 30 to 40 years with proper usage. The following tips are listed to help prolong the lifespan of a septic tank.

  • Rainwater must be kept away or diverted from the drainfield. The drainfield is where the treated waste is absorbed. If the drainfield becomes muddy or soggy it would be less absorbent thus will result in failure of the whole septic system in the long run.
  • Keep tress away from the aging septic tank. The growing roots may affect the tank year after year. Trees should be kept away within a proximity of 100 feet. In worst case scenarios, the roots may break the drainpipes and will require that the whole system be replaced or fixed immediately.
  • Do not flush solid objects in the toilet. How many times have we been warned about this? Objects such as tissues, napkins, tampons, diapers and other solid objects may clog the pipes or would easily fill up the aging septic tank. If so, fill the tank with solid rapidly and would need to be pumped out earlier than the usual schedule.
  • Do not pour grease or oil down the sink. These substances may cause damage to the aging septic tank. These oils and grease will eventually solidify causing blockage in the drainage system. If this is done repeatedly in years it would be difficult to clear them out.
  • Maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Any septic tank would need regular pumping and cleaning. Every three or four years it would need to be cleaned to prevent accumulation of clogs and debris that would be more difficult to remove in the following years. Do not wait until the tank is clogged before it is scheduled for pumping and cleaning.

Tips on Septic Tank Cleaning

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In some rural areas, septic tanks are used in the absence of large sewage facilities or sewer connections. But part of having a system like this comes also with the responsibility of septic tank cleaning. It would need maintenance in order for it to work properly. Septic cleaning isn’t such a difficult task. For most part it would only require minimal efforts and discipline on the owners side. To give some insights and tips on how to do septic tank leaning, tips are listed below.

  • Avoid making the drainfield soggy by the rainwater. If the drainfield becomes soggy it would be harder to neutralize and absorb liquid waste. Plan how you will divert rainwater from sogging the drainfield.
  • Refrain from disposing items into the toilet. These solid waste materials might be too bulky and clog the pipes in the septic tank. Likewise it would fill up the tank faster than it is capable of.
  • Do not use too much heavy cleaners. These cleaners would kill bacteria in the tank that would prevent wastes to be decomposed.
  • Don’t pour down grease in the drain. Grease that is poured from the drain will clog the drainfield thus making it hard for the soil to absorb waste water. If this problem occurs, a new drainfield might be needed.
  • Hazardous chemicals should be avoided. Paint thinner, gasoline, varnish should be disposed properly because these might contaminate the groundwater and ruin the whole septic system.
  • Regular maintenance should be performed. The solids accumulated in the tank should later on be pumped out. It is advisable for a family of four members who uses a 1,000-gallon tank to have it pumped after three to five years of usage. While it is also warned to never open the tank without the help or without the expertise of a professional. The gases and bacteria from the septic tank are dangerous.

Septic Tanks and Field Cleaning

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Maintaining septic tanks and field cleaning is important in order to prevent septic systems failure. Signs of septic tank failure may be recognized by these signs.

  • There is a noticeable wet area that surfaces on the drainfield. This problem is caused by solid particles that clog the drainfield. Sometimes it can also be caused by tree roots that seep underground and which makes it hard for waste water to disperse through the drainfield.
  • The toilet runs slow. In worst scenarios, this could be because the floor is already flooded with wastes and sewage. This might be because of a full septic tank or there is failure in the drainfield.
  • Bad odors can be smelled from the house especially from the toilet, from the septic tanks or the drainfield. If the septic system is working properly, there shouldn’t be any bad odors. If there is odor it might be a sign that the system is near being faulty.

With these signs it is important to stress why maintaining septic tanks and field cleaning is necessary. These tips below will help maintain a functional septic tank system.

  • The septic tank and the drainfield should never be overloaded. To do so, households should decrease water usage. This can be done by reduce water level when doing the laundry or reduce the water that’s needed to flush the toilet.
  • Do not dispose garbage in the toilet. Remember, it is not a garbage can. Do not flush tissues, napkins, diapers, tampons, and other clutter in the toilet. This will result to clogging of the septic pipes.
  • Trees should be away from the septic system. Trees should be at 100 feet away in proximity from the septic system. Roots might be cause of a problem in the future.
  • Avoid overusing heavy cleaners. These will kill bacteria in the septic tank so it would be harder to break down solid wastes.

Things You Need to Know About Septic Systems

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For a whole septic system to work the main component is the septic tank.

A septic tank is a sewage treatment system in rural areas which is not connected or regulated by main or big sewage systems usually provided by the government or main corporations. A septic system is composed of a septic tank and a drainfield. In the process, from the house, the waste water flows to the septic tank. The tank is made ideally in a way that the waste settles at the bottom and the waste water is retained. Eventually the solid wastes are decomposed partially and this forms sludge. A formation of light particles and grease called scum is formed and floats on top of the waste water. In a septic system, baffles are installed. These are to prevent scums and solid wastes from escaping. The treated waste water is then released to a drainfield.

As any other kind of system, a septic system needs maintenance. In failing to do so, some problems may be encountered. Even when the septic system seems to be functioning well, when it hasn’t been pumped for 5 years, it can cause pollution of the ground water and in some cases may clog the drainfield.

For this cause, simple maintenance tips may be applied. For one, it is always best to conserve water. Drips should be immediately fixed. In any kind of system, do not overload it. This we know, is the primary cause of why a system encounters problems and eventually results in failure. It’s also advisable not to dump hard solids or fats in the sink; these can easily build up and clog the pipes. Also, when you decrease the solid load in the tank, it also gives a length of time before the tanks needs to be pumped.