Archive for January, 2010
Septic Tank Jargon
Septic Tank Jargon
About one-third of all American households make use of a septic system to treat the waste in their homes. Septic systems are purposely designed to be fairly simple with all the drains in your home converging into a single pipe that leads to the septic tank buried outside. When the waste water from your toilet, shower, sinks and washing machine leave your house, it combines. When these waste products hit the septic tank however, they begin to separate, resulting in the heaviest particulate matter in the waste, called sludge, sinking to the bottom. At the top of your septic tank, fats, oils and proteins form a floating layer of these wastes, called scum. In the middle of these two layers, a comparatively clear liquid layer forms called effluent or gray water. Combined, these components comprise the septage, in your septic tank.
Septic systems are designed so that only the effluent layer is discharged from the tank into the drain field (also called the leach field). The drain field is simply a set of pipes with holes drilled into them that release the effluent below ground (but above the water table). The effluent is degraded enough to be appropriately-filtered by good soil. And since plenty of organic material is left in the effluent, the organic materials act as fertilizer which accounts for the fact that the drain field associated with septic tank systems usually boasts the healthiest segment of the yard above it.
Even though septic systems are designed simply, septic systems require homeowners to monitor them before problems arise. Usually, once a septic tank problem becomes obvious, it’s too late for a simple solution. Fixing a big septic problem often requires thousands of dollars worth of parts and labor. Fortunately, a little maintenance can go a long way in avoiding septic tank problems. If you are conscientious about having your septic tank pumped out by a licensed qualified service provider, you’ll most likely avoid these high-ticket repairs.
Blog post provided by: Cartersville GA Septic Tank Plumbers
Repairing Plumbing Pipes
Repairing Plumbing Pipes
The majority of plumbing problems occur at or near fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and toilets. Sometimes, however, your pipes themselves are the root of the problem. Plumbing pipes can be quite temperamental. They leak, sweat, freeze, and make loud noises.
Leaking Pipes
Plumbing leaks come in a variety of sizes. Some can flood your home, while others are not damaging at all. How you approach stopping a leak depends on the type of leak you are dealing with. If your leak problem occurs at a joint, tighten the joint. If your leak is in a pipe, remove the section that is leaking and replace it with a new section. Unfortunately, this is more easily said than done, so most water pipe replacement jobs are best left to a qualified plumber. However, if you are an avid, do-it-yourselfer, you may want to consider using a patch kit, found at most any hardware store. Unfortunately, while a patch kit is an easy fix it may not stop your leak on a permanent basis if your pipe is damaged to begin with.
Quieting Noisy Pipes
Banging pipes, sometimes called water hammer, is only one of several different noises that can come from your plumbing system. If you hear a banging sound when you turn on water, your pipes are probably striking against something. Solving a banging pipe problem is easier if you can see the pipes in question, so if you can manage to see the moving pipe, even if it is between the walls, you may be able to silence it by padding the ends of the pipes as they emerge from behind your wall, eliminating the need to tear your house apart.
If the knocking sound occurs only when you turn on the hot water, your water heater is set too high. Turning down the heat setting may silence the pipes.
While drainpipes rarely clatter, they do sometimes make a sucking noise as water leaves a sink or basin. If you hear this sound, it means that a vent, such as the hole at the top edge of a bathroom sink, is restricted or your drain has no vent at all attached to it. In either case, a potentially serious plumbing problem exists when you hear this sound because a non-functioning or non-existent vent can eliminate the water seal and allow sewer gases to back up into your home. Try eliminating the problem with a plumber’s snake. If that doesn’t work, call a licensed qualified plumber to make sure your system is functioning properly. Don’t risk your family’s health if you aren’t sure of how to fix a noisy pipe.
Blog post provided by: Marietta Ga plumbers
Purchasing a Tankless Water Heater
Purchasing a Tankless Water Heater
You’ve decided to purchase an energy and water saving tankless water heater. Great! But how do you know what kind to buy? Tankless water heaters are also referred to as instantaneous or demand water heaters, so keep these terms in mind when you are shopping for your tankless water heater as you don’t want to risk passing up a great deal because you don’t realize that the terms are interchangeable. Basically any water heater that advertises that it is used only when there is a demand for hot water is a tankless water heater.
Before actually purchasing your tankless water heater, you’ll need to consider the fuel type you need, where you will put the unit, and what size unit to purchase (determined by your hot water demands and the application of the unit).
As for fuel type, your choices are either an electric tankless water heater or a gas-fired tankless water heater. In many cases, this is determined by the type of energy set-up you already have in your home. Check with a qualified local plumbing contractor to determine what options are available in your home if you don’t already know. For electric-powered water heaters you’ll have to have appropriate amounts and types of electricity to install the unit; and for gas-fired ones, type of gas available to you and certain venting requirements will be the restrictions you must deal with. If you research local building codes to ensure that your water heater is within the guidelines of your specific location, you’ll have an easier time of making an informed decision about your purchase. But remember, gas-fired tankless water heaters may still require a minimal electrical connection, so review installation requirements for the units you are considering.
Next, consider where you will need hot water, the location as well as the application. These factors will determine where to put the units so as to best deliver hot water to the locations you need it in. For example, do you need a unit that will heat the water at one bathroom sink (single point application), an entire bathroom (multipoint application), or an entire house, apartment, or condo (whole house application)? Recognizing the number of fixtures that will require hot water since each fixture will have its own demands, is an important consideration when deciding where to locate your unit(s).
Typically, tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons (7.6 to 15.2 liters) per minute, with gas-fired ones, in most cases, producing higher flow rates than electric ones. And, smaller tankless water heaters are not always capable of supplying enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple uses in large households; so make sure you are aware of approximately how much hot water you use in your home to determine what size tank you want to purchase. If you do have a large household, and anticipate the need for lots of hot water, you can install a “whole house” type tankless water heater or two or more tankless water heaters, either connected parallel to one another or as separate tankless water heaters for individual appliances, such as your clothes washer or dishwater, that use a lot of hot water. If you are unsure of what size to choose, ask your installer for recommendations about the size you need.
Consider these factors before purchasing your new or replacement tankless hot water heater and you’ll have hot water to enjoy for years without giving it another thought. Taking the time to research the purchase of any appliance you’ll use for years is always a great investment of your time and energy.
Blog post provided by: Atlanta GA Tankless Water Heater Company
Recycled Waste Water Processes
Recycled Waste Water Processes
Systems used to purify waste water after it leaves your home range from septic tanks to huge sewage treatment plants. Regardless of the system used, the process of cleansing waste water is a simple one.
Waste treatment systems all use a combination of chemical, biological, and physical processes to remove contaminants from water. Consequently, the success of any waste water treatment process can be compromised when used improperly for disposal of things it is not prepared to clean. Phosphorus detergents, fertilizers, and bleaches all interfere with the natural process of the consumption of solid wastes by microorganisms. In addition, pesticides and other chemicals poured down drains and sinks will eventually enter the fresh water supply that we all consume. All households, regardless of their type of processing facility should be conscientious about what is dispose of in their plumbing systems.
Septic Systems
Private septic systems consist of underground tanks with a system of pipes radiating out from the tank. Sewage, upon reaching the tank settles to the bottom of the tank, where it is consumed by microorganisms. As the septic tank fills, water flows through porous drain pipes in the tank and distributes the water into the soil. The water is then filtered through the thick layers of soil and rock and returns to the water table. With regular pumping of a septic system, septic tanks are an efficient and practical way to clean waste water from a residence.
Lagoon Systems
Lagoon water treatment systems are state-of-the-arts waste treatment facilities in which aquatic plants break down solid wastes to make the water clean for reuse. In these systems, plant material is periodically harvested, dried, and processed to create fertilizer. The purified water is used to irrigate farm lands and urban landscapes.
Sewage Treatment Plants
Sewage treatment plants are the most popular urban solution to waste water cleansing from homes and businesses. Sewage, a combination of water and solid wastes, is directed first to settling tanks, where the solid wastes sink to the bottom. Next a biological treatment is performed in which microorganisms digest the remaining organic material in the water. Finally, the water is filtered, disinfected with chlorine, and discharged into irrigation canals, lakes, and streams and returned for consumption and use.
Regardless of the simplicity of each of these waste water treatment systems, we all need to be conscious of our disposal of waste water. The more conscientious we are about how we dispose of waste, the safer our water will be.
Blog post provided by: Cartersville, GA sewer and septic service experts
Septic Tank Covers
Septic Tank Covers
According to the Environmental Protection Agency approximately 25 percent of all United States households rely on a septic tank for processing their wastewater. Consequently, somewhere on their property, these households have a septic tank removable lid, called a tank cover or manhole cover, which serves as the tank’s only access point. Being visible, septic tank covers are the only barrier to outside septic tank contamination and leaks of nasty sewage odors, making the choice of a cover an important accessory to your septic tank system. Most septic tank installers recommend concrete covers with decorative additions for their functionality and appearance.
Concrete septic tank covers are both durable and strong. They will last for years and can support heavy weights without breaking or cracking. The only drawback of a concrete cover is that the sheer weight of the cover makes them expensive and difficult to install; but, most installers will tell you that the installation of a concrete cover is worth the durability and lack of maintenance issues that arise from covers made of other materials.
Alternate materials for septic tank covers include steel or plastic. However, both of these options tend to be less durable than their concrete counterparts and may have other flaws as well. Steel covers can rust, while plastic ones have a tendency to break. So even though these materials are less expensive, the maintenance and replacement costs will eventually cost as much as a concrete cover.
As for the decorative aspect of septic tank covers, there are both practical and aesthetic reasons to spruce-up your cover. For instance, you can buy decorative lids that are specially designed to look like large rocks. These are useful for covering large, bulbous septic tank covers as well as above-ground venting systems. Other decorative additions for covering unsightly or overly-exposed septic tank covers are planters and birdbaths, both adding curb appeal to your home.
Since septic tank covers are often buried below grass or bushes, you’ll want to make sure don’t run-over it with a lawn mower or car, or have it in a location where children might trip and fall over it during play. Make sure you choose wisely when you choose a septic tank cover and consult a qualified septic tank service provider to make sure the one you choose will adequately serve your needs as you’ll have to live with that decision for quite some time.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA Septic Tank Service Specialists
Septic Tank Maintenance
Septic Tank Maintenance
Since septic systems are limited in size by the amount of sewage they can handle, if you are a septic tank owner, you will want to make sure your system is properly maintained. The goal for any septic tank system is to reduce the amount of wastewater flowing from your house into the septic system. This will cut down on the amount of maintenance your system will require and eliminate costly repairs.
To cut down on the waste flowing through your septic system, you should install low-flow shower heads and water-conserving, low-flush toilets, take short showers, and not leave water running in sinks to wash dishes or food. Also when you shop for cleaning supplies, consider the effect of laundry detergents, bleach and other household supplies on your septic system. Some common chemicals, such as bleach, affect the bacteria count in a septic system. And, since some bacterial action is needed in a septic system to break down solids into sludge, you’ll want to know what to use and what not use to spare your septic tank from malfunctioning. Several products are available that are safe for your septic system that will improve this bacterial action; a reputable qualified septic system service person is your best reference for recommending the specific products best able to keep your septic system healthy.
You can also insure the health of your septic tank by never disposing of garbage in your toilet as this may prove particularly hazardous to your septic system. While toilet tissue is degradable when wet, other paper products are not; so keep a wastebasket under your vanity or dispose of these products in a wastebasket in another room of your home.
To assure that your septic system is in top-notch shape, you’ll want to have a service person pump your septic tank periodically to remove sludge. A qualified septic system service provider will be able to recommend how often your particular system needs pumping. If sludge accumulates in your septic tank until it is full, sewer solids will flow over the sludge and can enter directly into your distribution pipes. These solids will plug pipes that are intended to disperse wastewater only. Once plugged, distribution pipes must be removed and replaced, an expensive procedure. If this happens, you’ll need not only a new septic system, but you may need a new lawn when yours has to be dug up to reach the distribution pipes. So, regular maintenance of your septic tank system is an important factor in being a septic tank owner.
Septic systems are a great way to dispose of waste water if properly maintained. With some relatively easy precautions taken on your part and regular maintenance of your septic system, you’ll have no worries about the functioning of your system.
Blog post provided by: Lawrenceville GA septic maintenance plumbers