FAQ

ANSWER: Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years; however, every household is different. Older systems are typically smaller and depending on usage may need to be pumped more often. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year.

ANSWER: In most cases you probably have a plugged main line or your septic tank is flooded or overfull. But, in some cases a vent problem could cause gurgling

ANSWER: Your tank is full of waste water from the toilet, shower, wash machine, dish washer and all of those things you never want to see again! Some of this matter accumulates at the bottom of the tank or gets stuck floating near the top, lessening the capacity of your septic tank.

ANSWER: Yes! Bacteria must be present in the septic tank in order to break down and digest the organic solids. Today, households use a wide range of antibacterial soaps, detergents and cleaning fluids. While these ordinary household products do a great job killing unwanted bacteria in your home, they also destroy beneficial bacteria that your system needs in order to function properly.

ANSWER: Hydro-jetting services use pressurized water to clear away clogs and blockages in your septic lines. We push a hose with a specialized nozzle through the pipe, continually clearing blockages from your house to your tank.

ANSWER: Yes. Many materials that might be poured down the drain do not easily decompose. This can be harmful to the healthy bacteria that grow in your septic tank and drain field to help break down organic matter. Do not pour grease (such as fats, butter, wax, cheese, heavy cream), liquid wastes (such as pesticides, drain cleaners, household chemicals, paints, paint thinners), oils or coffee grounds down the drain. If you have a garbage disposal, limit its use because food waste can add an unnecessary amount of solid material to your septic tank. Harmful chemicals put down your drain can also be discharged into the groundwater and can impact drinking water supplies and the environment.

ANSWER: Opening and inspecting all tanks (septic tank, pump tank, distribution box - not all systems have one)

· Evaluating the septic tank sludge and scum levels

· Assessing the condition of the septic tank effluent filter (if installed)

· Looking for signs of leakage, such as low water levels in the tank

· Looking for signs of backup, such as staining in the tank above the outlet pipe

· Evaluating the integrity of the tank, inlet and outlet pipes and looking for signs of corrosion

· Verifying all electrical connections, pumps, controls, and wiring are intact

· Evaluating the drain field for signs of system failure, such as standing water (surfacing) or unequal drainage

· Examining the distribution box for structural integrity and to make sure drain lines are receiving equal flow

ANSWER: A leach field is one of the major components of a septic tank that acts as a disposal filter for organic material. Not all septic tanks have leach fields. These are usually more expensive and not viable for many homes. Leach fields consist of an underground system of perforated pipes adjacent to your septic tank.

ANSWER: A septic tank distribution box (or a D-box) is a container that receives the septic tank effluent and re-distributes it into the network of attached drain fields and pipes. To put it simply, its job is to evenly distribute the wastewater into the leach field. The distribution box does not need to be pumped at the time of the septic pumping during regular servicing.

ANSWER: Proper working level is where the water level in your tank meets the outlet T of the tank. As water enters your tank it should push water out of your tank through the outlet pipe. Even after one week of septic pumping service, your septic tank should return to a "proper working level" about 1 foot from the top of the tank. Your septic tank will hold liquid in order for the separation of solids and liquid to happen. Only the liquid (or grey water) should flow out to the leach field pipes.

ANSWER: Yes. It is $75 to clean a camper.

ANSWER: Yes. We can do all septic repair outside the house. Septic line replacement, leach field replacement, tank replacement, risers, distribution box replacement, anything that pertains to a septic system.

ANSWER: There are a few reasons why you could have standing water in your yard. Your septic tank could be overflowing due to too much rain or there could be a break in your main line. If the ponding is concentrated over the leach field that could mean a leach line is blocked and needs to be cleaned and jetted.

ANSWER: There can be odors immediately after the septic pumping service, but they should not last long. The odors are usually outside and will disperse a few hours after the septic pumping service.

ANSWER: Only flush human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Even if items are marked as "septic safe" do not flush them. Anything other than human waste and toilet paper will not break down in the septic system correctly. Never flush these items down the toilet because they could clog your septic system and cause failure: cooking grease or oil, non-flushable wipes, such as baby wipes or other wet wipes, condoms, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, pharmaceuticals, household chemicals like gasoline, oil pesticides, antifreeze and paint or paint thinners.

ANSWER: A conventional septic system works by collecting wastewater from your toilets and drains. It retains solids and scum in a septic tank and pipes liquids to your septic drain field. In your drain field, bacteria break down wastewater pollutants and treated effluent returns to your property's soil and groundwater.

ANSWER: Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year.

ANSWER: It's recommended to use non-chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products. Most all-natural cleaners are septic safe. These types of products will not kill off the bacteria in the system.

ANSWER: The Technician will pump the entire septic tank down. He will also check the bacteria and tank levels. Once he is done pumping he will check the inlet and outlet tees to the tank to ensure they are still intact and working properly. He may ask you to flush your toilets (if you are home) to make sure everything is flowing properly. Once service is done he will cover the lid back up and let you know if everything is in proper working order or he will leave a door hanger giving information about the findings.

ANSWER: Only flush human waste and toilet paper down the toilet.

ANSWER: Inspect and pump frequently (every 3-4 years), use water efficiently, properly dispose of waste and maintain your drainfield.

ANSWER: Technically, yes! Septic tanks are pumpable year-round. However, winter is not the optimal season for doing so. Once the ground freezes, it's more time-consuming to get to the septic tank and fully pump it.

ANSWER: No. Bleach will kill the bacteria in your tank.

ANSWER: Most septic tanks have three covers; one over is over the inlet side of the septic tank (where the water from your home enters the tank), one over the center of the tank, and one on the outlet side of the tank (where the liquid from the tank exits to your leach field).

ANSWER: Filters keep the hair, grit, and grime from getting out into your leach field lines. A filter goes on the outlet tee of your septic tank and would act as a strainer, keeping all solid large particles in the tank and therefore out of your leach fields. Usually, older systems DO NOT have a filter.

ANSWER: Planting over a leach field deserves special consideration because plant roots can clog the drain pipes and potentially damage the drain field – an expensive problem to fix. Herbaceous plants, such as annuals, perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses are generally the best choices for use on a septic drain field.

ANSWER: Ignoring your septic system. Schedule regular septic pumping service and stay ahead of any potential issues. This is the best way to prolong the life of your septic system.

ANSWER: The most inexpensive way to maintain your septic system is to cut down on the water usage throughout the house, don't throw anything down the toilets, sinks or drains that shouldn't be in the septic system, and try to use environmentally friendly cleaning products and less harsh chemicals.

ANSWER: Yes. We generally try to fit you into our weekly port a pot route. It is currently $50 to clean a customer owned unit.

ANSWER: Keep your greases and fats out of the garbage disposal.

ANSWER: The short answer, and the best answer is "no, just don't do it". Driving anything more than a lawnmower over them risks serious damage resulting in your money and time going down the drain.

ANSWER: A properly functioning septic tank should be odor-free, so if you notice a bad smell inside your home or outside near the leach field, it's a sign there's a problem. A foul smell doesn't necessarily mean the septic tank needs to be pumped, however.

ANSWER: In most states it is required to have an inspection done on the septic system for a real estate transaction. It's best to check with your local Board of Health since it may vary from town to town or state to state.

ANSWER: Your local county or city health district is the first place to contact if you want to install a new sewage treatment system (STS), or alter, replace or abandon your existing sewage system.

ANSWER: Phosphate-free detergents that are low-sudsing are best. Avoid any chemicals where gloves are required for use. Cleaning products containing ammonia, as well as pure ammonia, are also safe for septic system used in small amounts.