Archive for the ‘Septic Tank’ Category
Septic Tank Cleaning
Septic Tank Cleaning
When your septic tank needs cleaning, call a professional septic tank pumping service to do the job. Never attempt to clean a septic tank yourself, or allow a non-professional to attempt to clean your system. Septic system cleaning can be a dangerous business as it may expose the cleaner to unhealthy pathogens that thrive in a septic system. Never stick your head in the void space of your septic system to check it; decomposition of septic waste materials generate methane and gases that cause oxygen to be pushed out of the system. Consequently, breathing in these fumes can cause you to pass out or even die from exposure to them. Our licensed, professional septic tank contractors are trained and equipped to safely clean your septic tank system.
Periodic septic tank cleaning is important for the proper working of your septic tank system. Your septic tank needs to have a significant amount of liquid space in its tank so the waste that gets dumped into it can break down unencumbered. Unfortunately, if your tank begins to fill with sand, silt, gravel, or any other solid objects, the water is displaced, causing disruption of the breaking-down process. If your tank is allowed to remain too full for long, you could risk permanently damaging your leach field, a very expensive septic tank system replacement.
To extend and protect the life of your septic system, make sure you have it professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Also, watch what you put into the tank in between cleanings (obviously human waste and anything you would eat or drink is okay) as well. Avoid putting chlorine bleach in your tank as it will kill the beneficial bacteria that must exist in your septic system for it to work properly.
Blog Post provided by: Atlanta GA Septic Tank Cleaning Specialist
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
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
Septic Tank Basics
Septic Tank Basics
Knowing the advantages, disadvantages, and peculiarities of your septic tank is helpful for the proper care and maintenance of it. Consequently, if you have a problem with your septic tank, you’ll have an idea of how to troubleshoot the problem and when to call a septic tank plumber for help.
Concrete Septic Tanks
While durable and long-lasting, concrete septic tanks are susceptible to cracking and separation. Use of low-quality concrete mix will cause cracking earlier, so maintenance of a concrete septic tank is paramount. Once cracked, concrete septic tanks can allow groundwater to seep into them, resulting in blockage and causing a system backup; or they can allow outward seepage that may produce dangerous runoff. Inspect concrete septic tanks regularly to repair cracks before these problems arise.
Steel Septic Tanks
Less popular and durable than concrete, steel septic tanks are designed to last just 20-25 years and are susceptible to rust. The main problem with a steel tank is that the tank covers rust creating a scenario where someone can fall through the cover into the septic tank. These covers are replaceable, eliminating the expense of replacing the entire tank, so if you have a steel tank, periodically inspect the cover for rust and replace as needed. In addition, inspect the entry and exit points on a steel septic tank as these tend to corrode also.
Fiberglass and Plastic Septic Tanks
Impervious to rusting and cracking, fiberglass and plastic septic tanks have their own set of potential problems. A low effluent level (common in fiberglass and plastic septic tanks) may indicate that you have a dislodged plug at the bottom of the tank. Inspect these regularly, especially after the pumping of your tank. And, although plastic septic tanks are resistant to natural chemical processes, their lighter weight causes them to be susceptible to structural damage. If you drive over them, you can cause the tank to move, especially when the ground is wet, causing the pipes to come out of the ground and break. So checking for exposed pipes will insure that you don’t inadvertently damage them.
Aerobic Septic Tanks
Powered by electricity, aerobic septic tanks use oxygen to increase decomposition of waste. And, while these tanks will reduce the area for your drain field, they typically are two or three times more expensive than other types of septic tanks, and require frequent and extensive maintenance.
In general, no septic tank comes without its own set of problems, so make sure yours is well-cared for and of the type you can use best in your home. Have a qualified plumber help you decide which type of septic tank will best work for your home.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA Septic Tank Specialists