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1. How often should
I get my septic tank pumped?
We recommend septic tanks be pumped every two to three years.
This interval is designed to maximize the life of your drainage system.
Keep in mind, it is much cheaper to pay for routine maintenance than for
a new drainage system, not to mention the damage that will be done to
your yard if you have to have it replaced.
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2. What
materials/chemicals can I flush down the drain?
Septic tanks use
bacteria to break down waste, therefore anything that kills bacteria
will cause you a problem if used in excess. Try to limit the amount of
bleach, other cleaning chemicals and anti-bacterial soaps that go down
your drains. Look for toilet paper that claims to be safe for septic
systems. Do not flush condoms, tampons, diapers, or cigarette butts, as
they will not break down in your tank.
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3. What kind of
cleaners can I use?
You can use all
types of cleaners in your home; just try not to go overboard with the
amount. Remember, your septic tank needs bacteria to work and most
cleaners are anti-bacterial. The tank can regenerate the bacteria it
needs, but only if you don’t overwhelm it.
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4. Where is my
septic tank located?
Go down to your
basement and find where the main drain exits through the foundation (it
will generally be a four inch cast-iron or PVC pipe). Go outside and
measure 11’ out from the foundation of your home in the spot the pipe
goes through the wall. Generally your inlet cover will be located here
about 6" to 2' underground.
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5. What is that
gurgling noise I hear in my pipes?
Gurgling occurs
when air is pulled through the pipe along with the water being drained
away. You can generally ignore it unless it is accompanied by other
symptoms like a slow draining toilet or backed up sink.
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6. What is that
smell?
When they are
functioning normally septic systems have no smell. If you have any
bathrooms, sinks, or drains, that you do not generally use, try running
water through all of them to fill up empty P-traps. If that does not
solve the problem, check your vent stack (the little pipe going through
your roof) to see if there is a clog.
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7. Why is there a
wet spot in my yard?
Wet spots indicate a drain field that is not handling all the
wastewater going into it. If you have been using an excess amount
of water, have your septic tank pumped and watch your water usage.
If it comes back you will need to call us for a free estimate on
repairing or replacing your drainage system.
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8. How important is
the outlet baffle in my septic tank?
Probably the most
important part of the whole septic system. If it is missing or damaged,
you must have it replaced. The outlet baffle protects the drain field
from getting clogged up with the solids in the septic tank. Without it
your drain field will fail, leading to a very expensive repair.
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9. Are water
softeners safe? What about garbage disposals?
Both are safe as long as the rest of your septic system is
functioning properly. They do both add an additional strain on
your system, so you should have your tank pumped every two years to help
maintain your system. Also, much of the stuff you put down the
garbage disposal will not break down in your septic tank, so try not to
use it aggressively. Coffee grounds should never be put through
the disposal.
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10. What is the
difference between a leach field and a drywell?
A leach field is
a series of long thin pipes or plastic chambers installed in parallel
lines. Each line is typically 50’ long and a leach field generally has
between three and six of these laterals. A drywell is a large
perforated pre-cast concrete cylinder surrounded by crushed stone.
Drywells are not typically installed these days due to groundwater
separation requirements (they go too deep in the ground).
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11. Are
bacterial/chemical septic tank treatments a substitute for routine
pumping?
No. While
treatments can improve the bacterial action in the tank, they will not
deal with the bacteria’s waste (sludge) or the greasy layer that forms
on the top of the tank (scum). These layers need to be removed every
couple of years by having your septic tank pumped.
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12. Can I install a
deck over my septic tank?
Generally, no.
If you do, make sure you leave the outlet side of the tank accessible
for service and be sure not to break the tank when setting your
footings.
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13. Can I install an
above-ground swimming pool over my leach field?
Absolutely not.
This will significantly impact your drainage and guarantee you problems
down the road. Do not ever install anything permanent over your
drainage area, including garden sheds and workshops.
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14. What can I plant
over/near my leach field?
Grass is best,
but any plants and flowers with shallow root systems can be planted.
Avoid planting food crops for the sake of your own health and avoid
plants or trees with significant root systems as these will block up
your drain field (this is known as root infestation).
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15. Why is the grass
greener over my leach field?
Drainage fields
provide a constant supply of water and “fertilizer” and create a perfect
environment for growing healthy grass.
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16. Do you offer
scheduled service or a reminder system?
We offer both.
Depending on your circumstances we can set your account up to receive
service on a regular schedule with no further action required on your
part, or we will call and remind you when service is due on your system
and you can decide when you would like it performed. We also send our
residential customers reminder postcards to let you know when service is
due.
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17. Do you offer
group discounts?
Yes. Please call our office to discuss your particular situation
and let us create a custom proposal for you. We currently work
with many homeowner’s associations, lake associations, condominiums, and
mobile home parks and would love to add your group to our list of
satisfied customers.
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18. Will a ride-on
lawn mower hurt my drain field?
No. Ride-on
mowers and other garden care equipment will not harm your leach field.
You should, however, stay away from it with cars, pick-up trucks, and
rubber tired heavy equipment like backhoe loaders.
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19. My tank has a
broken cover, what can I do about it?
Tank covers
deteriorate over time and eventually break. They can be replaced with
new concrete covers or a plastic riser cover. Please call the office to
discuss your options.
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20. Can you help me
located my septic tank?
Sure. If you
cannot find your tank using the technique mentioned
here,
our technicians can probably find it for you with a probe they carry on
the trucks. If this does not work we also offer an electronic locating
service with a flushable transmitter for a nominal fee.
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21. How many loads of
laundry can I do every day?
One load per day per bedroom would be a maximum limit. Try to
keep it to less and make sure you spread your laundry out over the week
to avoid shock-loading your septic system.
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22. Can I flush old
medicine down the drain?
No. Especially
not antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria and septic tanks rely on
bacteria to function. Old medicines can kill your system even faster
than excessive bleach.
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23. What does the
little pipe sticking out my roof do?
It’s the vent pipe for your home’s plumbing. It should keep any
odors from your home. If it gets blocked or if prevailing winds
blow the smell back down around the house, call us. There are
charcoal filters available to keep odor in check.
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24. Can I drive over
my septic field? What about the septic tank?
Generally no.
Lawn tractors are okay, pretty much everything else is not. If you
drive a pickup with a load of wood over your drain field you risk
serious damage to the system. Please don’t drive your boat and trailer
across it either. Septic tanks should also not be driven across
unless they are installed with a traffic bearing cover.
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25. Should my septic
tank be full when I open the cover?
Yes. You should be able to see the complete inlet or outlet pipe
at, or above the liquid level, but it should be very near the top. If
the level is over the inlet or outlet pipes, then you have a drainage problem and you should
call us.
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