* Fast Facts About Your Septic System...
A septic tank is a large, underground watertight container, typically about 9 feet long, 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Your tank is connected to the existing home sewer line. While most are designed with a 1,000-gallon liquid capacity, the size of the tank is determined by the number of bedrooms in the home. Septic tanks may be rectangular or cylindrical and may be made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene.
Overflow of solid material into the soil absorption area should be avoided at all costs. When solids overflow, they clog the soil pores and cause septic systems to fail. One of the main causes of solid material build-up and overflow is bacterial deficiency. This problem is solved by a simply maintenance of your system around every 3 years. If maintanance is done properly the home owner is saved literally thousands of dollars in the long run.
Overflow of solid material into the soil absorption area should be avoided at all costs. When solids overflow, they clog the soil pores and cause septic systems to fail. One of the main causes of solid material build-up and overflow is bacterial deficiency. This problem is solved by a simply maintenance of your system around every 3 years. If maintanance is done properly the home owner is saved literally thousands of dollars in the long run.
* 10 Tips for Maintaining Your Septic System...
1. Above all, pump out your septic tank every 3 to 5 years.
2. Apply a commercial grade bacteria treatment to your system. Ideally, this is best done directly after pumping tank. Bacteria are actually needed in the septic tank to digest organic solids. Normally, it is introduced into the septic system via household waste. Unfortunately, many common home care products such as antibacterial soaps, toilet cleaners, laundry and dish detergents, and bleaches kill bacteria.
3. To avoid deep root planting and other damaging activities in the drain field area, make an accurate diagram showing the location of your tank, drain field and replacement area. Refer to it before doing any digging.
4. Keep a record of pumping, inspection and other maintenance. Include name, address and phone numbers of the service company.
5. To simplify tank access for inspection and maintenance, install a watertight concrete riser over the septic tank.
6. The area over the drain field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines. Also keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the drain field.
7. Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways or other construction work near the septic tank, drain field or the replacement drain field area.
8. Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or applicators. They rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
9. Restrict the use of your kitchen garbage disposal. It increases the amount of solids in the tank by making them slower to decompose. Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they can solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
10. Do not allow paints, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers or disinfectants to get into your septic system. They can pass directly through the septic system and contaminate groundwater. These chemicals can also kill the microorganisms which decompose waste and can damage the soil in the drain field.
2. Apply a commercial grade bacteria treatment to your system. Ideally, this is best done directly after pumping tank. Bacteria are actually needed in the septic tank to digest organic solids. Normally, it is introduced into the septic system via household waste. Unfortunately, many common home care products such as antibacterial soaps, toilet cleaners, laundry and dish detergents, and bleaches kill bacteria.
3. To avoid deep root planting and other damaging activities in the drain field area, make an accurate diagram showing the location of your tank, drain field and replacement area. Refer to it before doing any digging.
4. Keep a record of pumping, inspection and other maintenance. Include name, address and phone numbers of the service company.
5. To simplify tank access for inspection and maintenance, install a watertight concrete riser over the septic tank.
6. The area over the drain field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines. Also keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the drain field.
7. Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways or other construction work near the septic tank, drain field or the replacement drain field area.
8. Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or applicators. They rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
9. Restrict the use of your kitchen garbage disposal. It increases the amount of solids in the tank by making them slower to decompose. Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they can solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
10. Do not allow paints, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers or disinfectants to get into your septic system. They can pass directly through the septic system and contaminate groundwater. These chemicals can also kill the microorganisms which decompose waste and can damage the soil in the drain field.