How can you maintain your aerobic treatment system? These systems are much more complex than conventional systems, featuring a much greater number of parts, including electrical components and extra tanks. While aerobic septic systems are some of the most complex waste management solutions, maintaining them isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
Here’s a brief guide on exactly what is necessary to maintain an aerobic treatment system:
Keep watch for the alarm light
Most aerobic systems are equipped with an alarm light that alerts you to potential operational issues. It’s best to check the light regularly, since finding a problem early can prevent something relatively minor from turning into something major. Reach out to your trusted septic service professional as soon as you notice the alarm light engaged to prevent any significant damage to your septic equipment.
Understand how to check the system
When inspecting your system, look for access ports within 10 feet of your home at ground level. Keep a close eye on the condition of the access ports: They should always be screwed shut, and lids should be in perfect condition. You also need to unscrew and open the lids to get an inside look at the condition of the system. Always remember to let the gas clear before checking the tank since septic systems produce hydrogen sulfide gas that’s harmful when inhaled.
Add chlorine to the tank
Adding chlorine is necessary to maintain an aerobic treatment system. As a general rule, add one to two chlorine tablets per person per week, but always refer to your owner’s manual for concrete instructions. Remember that you should never use pool chlorine, since it only serves to kill your grass without disinfecting the wastewater. Adding chlorine is easy: Just remove the lid of your system; drop in the chlorine; and put the lid back in place.
Check the spray fields
Be sure to regularly check spray fields, and replace broken or malfunctioning spray heads whenever you notice them. Never use irrigation sprinkler heads, since they’re not compatible with septic system requirements. Pay close attention to any puddles of water or foul odors coming from your system, as they’re a good indication that assistance from septic service professionals is needed.
Pay attention to what goes down your drains
Owners of a septic system (whether it’s conventional or aerobic) always need to remember that whatever you put down your drain will end up in your septic tank. There are many household items (e.g., chemicals and cleaners) that can impact the function of your system. In particular, chemicals and cleaners can kill the helpful bacteria that break down waste in the system; plus, they can eventually make their way out into the drainfield and be hazardous to the health of animals and people nearby. In short, always keep pesticides, varnishes, thinners and paints out of your drains.
In most situations, you can maintain your aerobic treatment system yourself, but there are some special circumstances where the help of a septic professional is absolutely necessary. Contact Countryside Construction Inc. today to learn more about how to maintain your aerobic treatment systems and how to promote efficiency and longevity of your waste treatment systems.
If you own a home, you likely understand that there’s a certain amount of maintenance involved with keeping everything functioning and looking nice. You probably mow your lawn, pull weeds and paint your house. But have you ever thought about the proper ways of maintaining your septic system?
When functioning correctly, septic systems offer a crucial service. They take wastewater away from your home and store it safely and sanitarily. But septic systems aren’t indestructible, nor are they garbage cans. Here are some septic system dos and don’ts that are essential to maintaining a healthy septic system.
Do
There are several things you should do to preserve your septic system. What follows is a non-exhaustive list.
Conserve water when you can
Taking this simple step is not only good for the environment, but it’s beneficial to your septic system too. This is because, when you conserve water, it doesn’t overtax the system. You can conserve water by spreading out your laundry loads over multiple days, fixing leaks promptly, using low flow toilets and turning the water off when you brush your teeth.
Have your septic system inspected and pumped regularly
For this, you should contact a licensed septic system contractor. This crucial process is the only way you can remove sludge and grease from your system, and it’s the best way to prolong the life of your septic system. The suggested frequency is every three years, although if your home uses a lot of water, you could have it inspected more frequently.
Know exactly where your septic system and its components are located
You must know the precise location of your septic system and its drain field. This knowledge will be useful to you and any maintenance technicians who perform work on your home. A detailed sketch or map could be a helpful reminder you could use.
Don’t
Here’s an admittedly incomplete list of what you shouldn’t do to your septic system.
Flush certain items
Refrain from using your toilet and sink as garbage cans, because your septic system isn’t equipped to handle every type of waste item. Here are some things you should never flush or put down the sink:
“Flushable” wipes
Diapers
Paint or other harsh chemicals
Kitty litter
Grease or oils from cooking
Medications
Paper towels
Condoms
Cigarette butts
Coffee grounds
Feminine hygiene products
Drive or park vehicles over the septic system or drain field
Your septic system and drain field aren’t meant to have thousands of pounds bearing down on the soil above them, so avoid this to save your septic system.
Plant anything with deep root systems over the septic system or drain field
While you should plant grass over the drain field, planting trees or other flora that have extensive root systems can compromise your drain lines.
Try to fix or access your septic system yourself
Attempting to work on your septic system without professional assistance and the proper permits is not only illegal, but also extremely dangerous. There’s a reason why septic system professionals need licenses, and it’s because inhaling the gases upon entering a septic system can be fatal.
Call for septic system service today
Hopefully these septic system dos and don’ts can help you in maintaining your septic system. If you do ever have problems with it, give Countryside Construction Inc. a call. We have 40 years of industry experience and an excellent reputation, and we’re dedicated to ensuring you and your family have a healthy and functioning wastewater disposal system.
If you have a septic system installed at your property, you always need to be mindful of what you put down drains and flush down toilets. While large, solid items should never be flushed down a toilet, there are some other surprising things that should go in the trash rather than down the drain. Here’s a list of the top five things you should never flush down your toilet if you have a septic system at your home.
Hair
Giving yourself a trim at home? If you choose to cut your luscious locks over the toilet thinking it’s a quick and easy way to dispose of the hair, think again. Hair is one of the worst offenders when it comes to clogging drains and creating problems for septic systems, and it should never be flushed down a toilet. It can easily become entangled with other debris in the drains, creating clogs that may require professional intervention to clear. Typically, these obstructions develop at pipe joints and bends, requiring an experienced technician to temporarily remove the pipe to clear the clog.
Dental floss
Similar to hair, the stringy nature of dental floss can create major obstructions in your pipes. Most floss doesn’t dissolve in water, so unless it makes it the entire way through your septic system, it’s likely going to get caught in the drains. Always throw floss in the trash, since even one strand can increase the chance for clogs to develop.
Wet wipes
While many brands of wipes claim to be safe for flushing, the truth is that they’re still too tough to dissolve as quickly as typical toilet paper products. Since most wipes don’t dissolve in water, they can quickly build up in your pipes and cause major clogs. Take care to keep other seemingly flushable paper products out of your drains and septic system. Even though paper towels seem like they would dissolve, they actually adhere to a concrete tank and affect the efficiency of the entire system.
Paint
Even though paint seems like a harmless liquid, it won’t properly break down in a septic system. It actually works against the good bacteria in the system, reducing its overall efficiency. Never pour paint down drains or flush it down the toilet—it not only affects your septic system, but can also contaminate groundwater, polluting the environment.
Foods
When food makes its way into your septic system, it affects its efficiency and can lead to buildup in your pipes. Bacon grease, fibrous vegetables and even coffee grounds can compromise your system and form a thick sludge in the tank that could cause backups. Dispose of food in the trash or in a compost heap, when possible.
By making sure that no harmful materials are flushed down your toilet, you’ll extend the lifespan of your septic system, improve its efficiency and reduce your need for maintenance visits. It’s always recommended to stick to a preventative maintenance schedule to ensure your system functions for years to come. Contact Countryside Construction Inc. to learn more about basic care tips for your septic system.
If you own a septic system or are considering purchasing a property with this type of system, it’s important to understand how septic systems work. While each system may have its own nuances, there are a few basics that will give you a solid foundational knowledge of the system’s operation and necessary septic system maintenance. Here’s what you need to know.
The main components
A basic understanding of how septic systems work should start with learning the main components of the system. Most septic systems consist of a tank and a drain field. You may also hear the field referred to as an absorption field. The field typically also includes access points that resemble manholes.
The flow
Water flows through a septic system in three main stages. First, it leaves your home and enters the septic system through a main drain. Once in, the wastewater undergoes a separation process. The septic system is designed to prevent the solids that gathers inside it from moving into the drain field.
Lastly, the liquid that exits the tank enters the drain field, where it filters into the soil. This process of treatment and traveling through the soil removes bacteria and viruses from the water as it is absorbed.
Maintenance issues
At times, septic system maintenance may be necessary to keep a system operating smoothly. If you own a septic system, watch for the following signs that you need to contact a professional for repairs.
Odors around the drain field or tank
Backups in your kitchen and bathroom drains
Spongy areas in the drain field
To minimize the repairs needed on your system, it’s important to schedule regular septic system maintenance. Have the system pumped by a professional at least once every 5 years. Your local septic experts can perform this inspection and advise you of any further preventative maintenance you should complete to minimize future repairs or replacement. This proactive approach to septic system maintenance will save you time, money and hassle in the long run.
Professional partners
Of course, you shouldn’t trust your septic system maintenance to just anyone. Look for an established company that has experience with your type of septic system. Ask for references or check online reviews to see what kind of experience you can expect when working with a particular company.
We keep your system working
Since 1981, Countryside Construction Inc. has successfully assisted builders, homeowners and commercial contractors with septic design, septic installation and septic servicing. We have earned a reputation for quality, performance and reliability in the wastewater management industry. From the initial soil analysis to acquiring the necessary septic permits, design, installation and ongoing maintenance, we’re here to meet all your septic system needs. Contact us today with any questions about your system or to schedule your next service appointment.
Are you in need of a new septic system on your property? Perhaps you’re replacing an old one, or maybe you’re building a new home entirely. Whatever the circumstances you’re facing, it’s important to make sure you’re working with a septic design contractor you can trust to deliver reliable, high-quality work.
Septic system installation can be a big job, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a stressful one. Here are just a few tips to help you get the best possible results out of the process so you can make sure it goes smoothly:
Conduct a broad search: This is a good tip for just about any kind of contract work, but it holds true for septic designers as well. You shouldn’t home in on just a single contractor at the outset of your search. Instead, cast a broad net and talk with a variety of contractors to learn more about their services and what you can expect out of their work should you decide to move forward with them. Get a sense of their personality, their communication skills and how reliable you can expect their work to be by looking through recommendations and reviews.
Don’t go just by price: While price will certainly be a factor in your search, you shouldn’t make your contractor decision based solely on who gives you the lowest quote. Get quotes from a variety of contractors, and use those to help guide your decision, not to make it for you. Think of the quotes as being more of a tiebreaker variable than a primary decision influencer.
Services: Learn as much as you can about the services of your potential septic system contractor. This includes asking about the materials they use in their work, the kinds of ongoing maintenance services they provide after installation is complete (after all, you’ll need a good maintenance team for preventative repairs and inspections), and any other details that will help you make your decision so you can feel confident about the services and equipment you’re paying them for.
Guarantees: Does the contractor offer any guarantees for their work? Are any of the pieces of equipment covered under manufacturer or contractor warranties? This will be a big deal, because it will give you some extra protection for your investment. You’re spending a lot of money to have a new septic system installed, and if something should go wrong, either due to improper installation or faulty equipment, it’s important to know you’re covered should you need premature repairs or replacement.
Reliability: We touched on it briefly above, but you need to make sure you’re dealing with a reliable and reputable company. If all goes well during installation, you should be able to trust this company for future preventative maintenance. Do your due diligence and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.
To learn more about how you can set yourself up for success with your septic system installation by working with an experienced septic system provider, reach out to Countryside Construction Inc. today.
