Category Archives: Aging Septic Systems

Replacement Options for your Aging Septic System

With the right maintenance, aging septic systems may be extended to work for the next 5 to 10 years. But after maximizing the utility of a septic system, after 30 or so years, you would really have to replace the entire septic system. Here are some guides in replacement system options to help you out.

Kinds

One of the first things you need to consider when replacing your septic system is the kind of tank you will use. For this, you have three replacement system options: a steel septic tank, concrete or plastic.

If you are thinking long term, steel septic tanks may not be a wise option. This replacement system option may accumulate rust over time, which shortens the life of the septic tank. Until when before this starts to accumulate rust depends on the kind of steel used and on how the installation was done. It also depends on other factors like the area where it will be installed.

For septic experts, using concrete and plastic septic tanks would be a wiser decision. These replacement system options can be used for up to 40 years, if well taken care of.

Know the demands of the replacement system

Different replacement system option has different demands. It is important that you understand the demands of the system that you have chosen and see how difficult the entire installation could be. See if your area can cope with what the option asked for. Consulting the septic tank dealer would also be helpful in weighing the different replacement system options. Their assessment will guide you in choosing which one is a better.

There are things you can do to extend that aging septic system’s lifespan to up to 10 to 15 more years. But after exhausting all the dos to maximize the aging septic system’s use, you would really have to replace the system at some point. Make sure you look at all the factors to help you select the best option.

Buying a House – Septic System Inspections

Buying a house is more than just about comfort and aesthetics. If you are considering buying a house or moving to a new place, it important that you inspect the condition of the septic system as well. The septic system should be at its best. So before purchasing that house, here are some guides to help you inspect the septic system.

  • Look for a home inspection service company. Inspecting a septic system requires trainings and expertise. Looking at it by yourself will not do you any good. So hire an inspection company to do the job for you. They know how and what to look at the septic system, particularly the condition of the septic ground water. Remember the old saying? Leave it to the experts.
  • Septic systems may cost you a lot. One thing that hinders an individual from contracting the service of an inspection company is its cost. But this should not really restrain you. Consider the expenses as part of buying a house. If you are not going to spend for the septic system inspection, you might end up buying a house with an aging septic system, which you would have to replace in 3 or 5 years. At the end, spending for inspection will be less expensive than not inspecting the system at all.
  • Know more about the septic system. Yes, standing beside an opened septic tank may be difficult. But if you were buying a house, it would be wise if you will know more about that house’s septic systems by accompanying the inspectors during inspection. This will also assure that the inspector will do its job very well knowing that you are observing what is done.
  • Don’t trust the realtor’s report on the septic system. The seller of house usually includes a report on the status of the septic system. Do not trust this report, as this is more likely a bias one to get a good deal.

When buying a house, it is important that you inspect the septic system as well to know its condition. Inspection will give you idea to gauge on up to long the septic system will still last before replacing it.

Hydro Jetting & Hydro Flushing (same thing)

One of the reasons why aging septic tanks age faster is because of debris and drain clogs that have not been removed by cleaning services like snaking or electric cable machines. The same clogs are causing back ups in your sinks. Hydro jetting is one way to clean these remaining bulks of debris in the drains to flush it out of the septic tank system.

What is hydro jetting?

Hydro jetting is one way to keep that aging septic tank working for few more years. It helps maintain your aging septic tank by removing the debris and other clogs that your drain has accumulated over time. Hydro jetting is one of the most effective ways of maintaining an aging septic tank as it can remove accumulated dirt that cannot be done by other septic tank services like snaking. Highly trained individuals facilitate hydro jetting, as this service requires heavy equipments for pressure.

How does it work?

Hydro jetting works by exerting pressure at 1600 to 4000 pounds per minute on your drains to remove the clogs and other debris that cannot be removed by simply snaking it or by other electric cable machines.

Hydro jetting tools are inserted in the pipes of your drains. Through the heavy pressure, the tool moves forward and removes all sands, grease and other clogs in the pipes. There are two pressures that work here – one that fires forward and another firing backwards. The latter plays heavier role, as it is not only responsible for the tool’s forward movement, but also in breaking the clogs and debris at the walls of the drainpipes.

Clogs are not the only foreign materials that can be removed through hydro jetting. When used in a residential setting, the strong pressure of the tool removes as well the tree roots that have crossed its boundaries toward your drainpipes.

There are drainpipes problems that cannot just removed by simple snaking or using electric machine. If your pipe has not been cleaned for years and you have been bothered by back ups whenever you are using the sinks, you might need to hydro jet your drains to remove those clogs that it accumulated through the years.

How Hydro Flushing Extends Aging Septic System’s Life

One thing that makes aging septic system age faster is the debris and clogs that the drains accumulated over time. There are clogs and debris, like grease clogs, that cannot be easily removed by simple snaking. Hydro flushing is one of the best ways to remove these clogs in the aging septic systems.

What does hydro flushing do?

Hydro flushing helps aging septic system extend its life to few more years. It clears the drains from grease clogs, which is one factor in the shortened lifespan of aging septic systems.

Hydro flushing works through strong pressure. It relieves the drains from heavy debris by inserting pipes that will blow strong hydro pressure to flush clogs. The process will not cease after flushing it out. Another machine will be used to suck out all flushed debris to prevent the septic system from further work. This will improve the aging septic systems’ overall performance and efficiency.

Companies offering pump services are equipped with hydro flushing tools with different sizes to correspond with different drains. We can flush out clogs as small as 1.5 inches to as big as 8 feet, depending on how big or small your drain is.

It is ideal to contract hydro flushing services on a regular basis to help maintain your aging septic system. Having it done once a year would good for commercial establishments like restaurants, where sinks are used most of the time. For households, it would be ideal to contract hydro flushing at least once every two or three years. This will assure you of the optimum condition of aging septic system.

Regular hydro flushing your lines will help your aging septic system work at its best for the next couple of years. Having your septic system cleaned regularly is a lot cheaper than having your entire septic system replaced. This will also help you buy some more time before actually replacing your aging septic system.

Aging Septic Systems: Tips to Lengthen Septic Tank Life

A septic system usually has a span of 20 years or so. But this can be drastically extended for up to 30 or even 40 years, depending on how you take care of your aging septic system. Here are some helpful tips to maximize your aging septic systems.

  • Make sure rainwater stays out of your drain field. You need to make sure that your drain field is not soaked with rainwater. Otherwise, the capacity of your drain field to react on wastes from your sink will diminish, if not totally fail in the long run.
  • Make sure that trees around your house will not hinder your aging septic system. Trees growing around the house may also affect the aging septic system’s performance. The roots may creep around the drain and cause blockage to the flow of liquid wastes. Worse, if left for years, these roots may even break the drainpipes causing more damages, as you would have to replace the entire pipe.
  • Do not throw unnecessary materials into the toilet. It has been a misnomer, if not a common practice in most households to just throw anything and everything in the toilet and flush it out. Remember, toilets are not garbage. Throwing garbage in the toilet will only shorten your already aging septic system.
  • Avoid pouring oily substances in the sink. Another thing that causes huge damage to the aging septic system are the oily substances poured into it. Accumulated greases solidify and block the drains. When this goes on for years, it would be difficult to clear it with simple snaking.
  • Regular cleaning service. Now the most important part in maintaining your aging septic system is its regular clearing and cleaning. Ideally, your septic tanks have to be pumped every three to six years. Doing it regularly will prevent the accumulation of debris and other clogs that become more and more difficult to remove through the years. Never wait for your aging septic system to be clogged before having it pumped and clean.

Aging septic systems’ lifespan may be extended. With the right use of your septic system, you can be spared for another decade from replacing the entire system.