Category Archives: Septic Tanks and Field Cleaning

Septic Tank Cleaning – The Dangers of Neglecting This Important Task

Given what septic tanks do, many people might not realize how important it is to keep them clean. Of course, plenty of people probably just don’t want to deal with them for the exact same reason. However, it absolutely must be done. Continue reading about the risks of not cleaning your septic tank.

Problems Associated with Not Cleaning Your Septic Tank
There are a number of problems that could occur as a result of not properly cleaning your septic tank on a regular basis. Foul odours are a common and understandable one. However, you could also have sewage back up, through the ground and into your lawn or garden. The sewage could also build-up and cause blockages in the system itself. The septic tank could even back right up into your home’s plumbing system.

An insect infestation can result if septic tanks are not maintained properly. White scum can also form around nearby drains or ditches. The toxic waste from your septic tank could also seep out into nearby wells or watercourses, which would be an obvious risk to public health.

For the truly unlucky, runoff from an unmaintained septic tank could end up actually compromising the foundation of their home.

Properly Caring for Your Septic Tank
Given the many potential problems that could occur from not caring for your septic tank, it’s important that you take appropriate measures.

The most important thing you can do is to have your septic tank pumped on a regular basis. Timing will differ depending on the size of your home and the number of occupants.

It’s very important that you always hire a professional, like those from Edenflo, to handle the maintenance of a septic tank on your behalf. Septic tank systems may not seem like the most advanced of technologies, but in the hands of an amateur, they can cause all kinds of problems.

Edenflo serves all of the lower mainland with the best septic tank service including Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Delta, Surrey, Langley, White Rock, Richmond and as far away as Lions Bay.

We can be reached at 604-575-1414 or fill out our online request for service.

Planting Trees? Keep Them Away From Your Septic Tank and Field.

EdenFlo Pump Truck Services are the experts when it comes to servicing your Septic Field and Septic Tank. Sometimes when our technicians are servicing your system, they have difficulty completing their service as roots have gotten into your drain field. Nearby plants and trees have made their way into the pipes, distribution boxes, and other components of the drain field. This issue with trees and plants can cause big problems with your septic system.

planting-tree

When your planting, think about where your system is and stay as far away as possible to ensure that this costly repair or replacement doesn’t happen to you.

EdenFlo is the trusted provider of septic field and septic tank pumping in the lower mainland.  When you pump your tank or septic field with EdenFlo, you know you are getting the best service.  Whether your septic service needs are in Vancouver, Aldergrove, Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, New Westminster, Delta or White Rock, EdenFlo can provide pumping service for you.  We will also over a complimentary inspection of your system while we are there.  Give us a call at 604 575 1414 or email us at service@edenflo.ca to book your next septic service.

3 Tips on How to Maintain Your Lower Mainland Septic Tank

Maintaining your septic tank is not just for those who live in rural areas. Even homeowners in urban parts of the lower mainland should ensure they take adequate care of their septic tank to prevent contamination of groundwater. A failing septic system can also lead to foul odor and soggy lawns. To prevent a full-blown disaster, it helps to know how to maintain your septic tank.

septic-system-diagram

Here are 3 easy tips you can do to maintain your septic tank.

Use Water More Efficiently.

In a typical family living in a single-family home, you can expect each person to use about 70 gallons of water per day. Any water that goes into the drains ends up in the septic system. You can take the following measures to prevent overloading the system:

  • If toilets or taps leak, get them fixed right away
  • Use dishwasher when it is completely loaded or run a shorter cycle to reduce water consumption
  • Install aerators on faucets to reduce the flow of water and minimize your consumption
  • Use energy efficient washing machine or reduce water level when washing smaller loads of laundry
  • Use a displacer in the flush system to reduce the water required to flush the toilet

Watch What You Put In The Toilet.

Anything you flush will end up in the septic tank, which is meant solely for human waste, household gray water, and toilet paper. Don’t dispose the following via your toilet:

  • Cat litter
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Coffee grounds
  • Facial tissues
  • Condoms
  • Dental floss
  • Cigarette butts
  • Household chemicals
  • Grease

The above items can clog the system and adversely effect the bacteria balance that breakdown the human waste. Grease can clog your septic field and the soil will find it difficult to absorb the liquid. If the septic field gets clogged, you will need to find a new one and that can be a costly undertaking.

Take Care of the Septic Field

If your septic field gets soggy, it won’t be able to absorb liquids. Make sure the run off from your eaves troughs and downspouts are away from the field. Plan your home foundation and landscaping in such a way that there is no risk of rainwater soaking into the field.

Do not drive a vehicle over the septic field. It may cause significant damage and the repairs will be costly.

EdenFlo is the trusted provider of septic tank pumping in the lower mainland.  When you pump your tank or septic field with EdenFlo, you know you are getting the best service.  Whether your septic service needs are in Vancouver, Aldergrove, Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, New Westminster, Delta or White Rock, EdenFlo can provide pumping service for you.  We will also over a complimentary inspection of your system while we are there.  Give us a call at 604 575 1414 or email us at service@edenflo.ca to book your next septic service.

 

 

 

Residential Pump Services for Septic Systems

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a terrible, costly approach to septic tank maintenance.

septic-tank-cleaningIf your home has a septic tank, rest assured that you are using a time proven, environmentally responsible method for getting rid of waste products. Septic tanks are generally very reliable, self-sufficient methods of waste disposal. They don’t require much maintenance, but what little service they do need is imperative in avoiding big problems in the form of sewage backups and potential overflows into your home.

Septic tanks are the great separation engine in your waste disposal system. When waste enters the tank, solids float to the top, where they form a layer of decomposing material called “scum”. Most of the scum turns into liquid containing mostly water and some nutrients that makes its way out of the tank and into the ground via your leaching field.

Any solids that don’t decompose sink to the bottom of the tank and become “sludge”. Because the biological action that takes place in the tank is quite efficient, sludge builds up slowly. When the level does, inevitably, become too high, it can interfere with the layer of water moving out into the leach field, and the scum at the top of the tank will build up too quickly and can actually back up into the “in” and “out” pipes of the tank. This can cause a backup into your home.

The answer? Preventive maintenance. You need to periodically pump out the tank to remove the sludge buildup at the bottom. How often you need to do this depends on a number of factors, including size of the tank, number of people in your home, and the size and makeup of your leach field.

To find out about how often you need to service your septic tank, contact the professionals at Edenflo. We’ll send out a knowledgeable technician, fully equipped to deal with your septic system. We can be reached at 604-575-1414 or fill out our online request for service.

Septic Tank Cleaning – The Dangers of Neglecting this Important Task

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Given what septic tanks do, many people might not realize how important it is to keep them clean. Of course, plenty of people probably just don’t want to deal with them for the exact same reason. However, it absolutely must be done. Continue reading about the risks of not cleaning your septic tank.

Problems Associated with Not Cleaning Your Septic TankHow your septic system works edenflo
There are a number of problems that could occur as a result of not properly cleaning your septic tank on a regular basis. Foul odours are a common and understandable one. However, you could also have sewage back up, through the ground and into your lawn or garden. The sewage could also build-up and cause blockages in the system itself. The septic tank could even back right up into your home’s plumbing system.

An insect infestation can result if septic tanks are not maintained properly. White scum can also form around nearby drains or ditches. The toxic waste from your septic tank could also seep out into nearby wells or watercourses, which would be an obvious risk to public health.

For the truly unlucky, runoff from an unmaintained septic tank could end up actually compromising the foundation of their home.

Properly Caring for Your Septic Tank
Given the many potential problems that could occur from not caring for your septic tank, it’s important that you take appropriate measures.

The most important thing you can do is to have your septic tank pumped on a regular basis. Most experts recommend having it done every 1 to 5 years, but it will differ depending on the size of your home and the number of occupants.

It’s very important that you always hire a professional, like those from Edenflo, to handle the maintenance of a septic tank on your behalf. Septic tank systems may not seem like the most advanced of technologies, but in the hands of an amateur, they can cause all kinds of problems.

When to Have Your Septic Tank Cleaned

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Septic tank maintenance doesn’t have to be a headache. The vast majority of septic tank maintenance is preventative maintenance. As long as you keep up with the preventative maintenance and schedule a septic tank cleaning in the proper time frame, your septic system should continue to function well.

In BC, septic tank cleanings can be done by a qualified pump truck service such as Edenflo. A full-service pump truck service company will also offer hydro flushing and hydro excavating services as well as catch basin cleaning and repair. Older systems may need flushing and repairs, but typically, the system only needs to be pumped at regular intervals.

A septic system is quite simple. The tank catches sludge waste from your home. Sewage solids will break down in the septic tank to some extent and the liquid sewage makes its way to your leach field. Thicker solids settle on the bottom of the tank.

Getting the septic system pumped every one to five years is normal. The frequency of septic tank cleaning depends on how heavy the use is. If there are more people in the home and you wash more clothes, more frequent septic tank cleaning will be necessary to remove accumulated solids.

If you have a catch basin, hydro excavation is a process where water is used to loosen the debris that is clogging it. The water is injected to catch the debris and the combined slurry is removed with a special vacuum. Many times, dysfunctional drainage systems can be restored through hydro excavation.

Hydro flushing is a similar service for smaller issues, such as slow drains in a house or commercial business. The pump truck service will flush the drain system with specialized hoses that allow maintained forward pressure and continuous flush until the debris is removed and drains flow freely.

How to Take Care of Your Septic System

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Your septic system will serve you well for many years as long as you follow a few basic guidelines for preventative maintenance. You will need an occasional septic tank cleaning by a pump truck service, but that’s usually all that is needed if you follow these guidelines.

Only biodegradable waste should go down the drain. Make sure that the toilet tissues and detergents you use say biodegradable or have an indication on the label that they are septic-tank-safe. Anywhere in BC, septic tank cleaning by a professional service should be done every one to five years.

A professional septic tank maintenance company such as Edenflo will inspect your tank for cracks, damaged baffles and other issues when they come to pump the tank and will advise you on any maintenance that is necessary. Most of the time, you can avoid needing maintenance.

Never plant trees or shrubs over your septic system drain field or over your septic tank as roots can cause serious damage that requires costly repairs. The surface around your septic system should never be used to park vehicles and should remain unpaved and permeable. Make sure the cover to your septic tank is securely in place at all times and make sure it remains accessible.

Never pour grease or food waste down the drain. Yes, that means you should not use your electric garbage disposal. Dispose of such waste in a compost area or in your regular garbage. Anything that goes into the garbage disposal adds to solid waste in the septic tank and overloads your drain field with liquid waste, and can ultimately result in septic tank back-up.

Feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. Always dispose of them in the regular trash. Also avoid flushing cigarette butts or any other trash down the toilet.

How Your Septic Tank Works

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Your septic tank’s function is essential for processing human waste from your home. Waste flows from the drain pipes in your home into your septic tank. There, the liquid and solid waste are separated. A baffle prevents debris from flowing beyond the septic tank so that the passage of waste to the drain field or “leach” field is uninterrupted.

A septic tank’s size depends on the size of the home and how many people are expected to live in a home of that size. The tank needs to be large enough so that the solid waste has time to separate and sink to the bottom and the liquid has time to drain out into the field.

How your septic system works edenfloThe most important aspect of septic tank maintenance for the homeowner is to not overfill the septic tank with excess waste. Limiting the number of laundry loads per day and the amount of wastewater going down the drain helps prevent overfilling. It is also better not to pour grease down any household drain, and not to let water runoff from rain pool on the drain field, as that will also slow down the tank’s ability to drain.

Your septic tank loses capacity as the amount of solid waste accumulates on the bottom. That’s why septic tank cleaning is necessary. Anywhere in BC, septic tank cleaning can be performed by a pump truck service such as Edenflo. Pump truck services typically include baffle inspections and an evaluation of the performance of your system.

The company that provides your pump truck service should be able to advise you on septic tank preventative maintenance. Companies such as Edenflo also provide hydro flushing of clogged drains in your house as well as hydro excavation of catch basins if you have them and are responsible for them.

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

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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 Your Septic System Works

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Those who have a septic system should have a basic understanding about how it works because this will be helpful when it comes to things like preventative maintenance. There are two main parts that have different jobs to keep everything running efficiently and these include the actual septic tank and the drain field that works with it.

Taking a Look at the Septic TankHow Your Septic System Works with Edenflo
The septic tank is the primary component of your septic system and waste water will leave your home and travel to this tank, according to EdenFlo. Heavy solids will settle to the tank’s bottom and waste water is retained. Sludge is formed from solids that bacteria partially decomposes and you will see things floating and these include light particles and grease which will be on top of the water in the form of scum. Solids and scum are not able to get out of the tank due to outlet and inlet baffles and each baffle may have its own manhole cover. There may be a border in the centre of the septic tank that will divide it into two separate compartments so that sludge cannot get in into the drain field.

Learning More About the Drain Field
This is going to be a pipe that is between the distribution box and the septic tank. The waste water goes into the distribution box and then more pipes come out that are perforated and found within gravel trenches. This is how the water drains from the tank so that it does not get filled constantly and need to be manually drained and the water drains into the soil. The waste water will evaporate once it is in the soil and it is purified so there is no need to worry about microorganisms floating around the yard.