Septic System Helpful Hints / Safety

An effective working septic tank should accept wastewater from your house and prevent any biological and any contaminants from getting into your well or nearby streams.  Anytime this doesn’t happen your system could be on the verge of failing.  There are some helpful hints to determine if your septic system is safe or failing. Sewage backs up into the house through plumbing fixtures, water or sewage surfacing in the yard, strong odors both indoors and outdoors, frozen pipes or soil treatment areas, and frequent intestinal disorders.

A system failure could take place if the system is not properly maintained or by overloading the system. Overuse of water is just as common, as lack of proper septic system maintenance because the typical person uses about 100 gallons of water per day.  A standard septic system is designed to handle a normal amount of water, but any extensive amount of water could lead to an overload of the system.  We see this happen in situations where a family of two was living in a home and decided to sell their home to a family of five or more, in that case it caused the system to overload, because that system wasn’t designed to handle a family of five.  That’s why it’s important to have your septic system inspected by a PSMA / NOF inspector to determine if the septic system will meet your needs.  Improper maintenance of the system could also cause the system to malfunction.  Solids that accumulate inside the septic tank must be removed regularly.  A large amount of scum or sludge in the septic tank could cause the solids to enter into the soil treatment area and cause clogging. Depending on the size of the tank and how many people are living in a household, that will determine how much and how often your septic tank needs to be pumped.  It’s recommended that an efficient running septic tank should be pumped every one to three years.

Don’t be the neighborhood skunk! Dos and Don’ts of your Septic System

Dos:

• Locate all the components of your septic system if you would need servicing during the year.  A test can be performed by a Certified Septic Inspector to locate your septic tank, and tell the condition of the septic tank
• If your pump access cover is below grade please mark the location.  A riser must be put into place if the cover is below 12 inches of grade
• Trim all trees, bushes, and any other plant life that is over your drain field to stop soil corrosion
• Use only a certified pumper to pump your system a minimum of every three years
• All septic tanks should be pumped through the manhole to ensure proper cleaning and pumping
• Cesspools should be pumped every one to two years
• Homeowners should keep all pumping and maintenance records
• Install an effluent filter in the septic tank to ensure the life of the tank
• Occasionally walk around your drain field to see if you notice any odors, surface conditions, or muddy areas
• Try to consider saving water, upgrade your fixtures and appliances
• Do laundry only when you have full loads
• Install a filter on your washer to prevent lint from going into your septic tank
• Use bio-degradable products
• According to studies try not to use garbage disposals that are hooked up septic tank

Please Don’t

• Repair or have anyone that is not obtain a permit to repair your septic system
• Don’t flush any non-biodegradable products into your septic tank such as coffee grounds, cooking oils, paper towels, or cigarette butts
• Don’t flush large amounts of bleach or chlorine down your drains
• Don’t use large amounts of chlorine tablets in your toilet bowl
• Don’t connect any roof drains, sump pumps, humidifiers, or any yard drains to your septic tank.  Extra water could overload the system
• Don’t use sodium or potassium hydroxide drain cleaners to unclog drain
• Don’t put any additives, dead animals, beer, or any other home remedied into your system
• Don’t plant any trees or any other plant life over the drain field
• Don’t drive any vehicles over your drain field or park any vehicles on your drain field
• Try not to place any heavy products on your drain field
• Don’t rinse any kind of latex, oil based paint products, oils, or automotive antifreeze into your septic system

Septic System Safety

Believe it or not septic tanks can pose of great danger to you or your family if not properly maintained.  When treating sewage, the septic tank contains a very low level of oxygen.  Hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide, and other life-threatening gases are present.  During the treatment process there are beneficial microorganisms, and bacteria in the treatment process.  On the other hand the tank also contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and other disease causing organisms.  The liquids and solids contained inside the tank can also carry infectious diseases. 

Safety issues with a septic system:

• Never use electrical lights, appliances or electrical tools never a wet ground close to a septic tank or leach field.  Could cause electrical shock or even explosion
• Don’t ever smoke near a manhole opening, because of the combustible gases could cause an explosion
• If you smell a sewer gas smell contact a professional immediately.  If the gas becomes stronger, evacuate the building as quickly as possible

Few safety rules to follow around a septic system:

• Never work alone around a septic tank
• Under no conditions enter into a septic tank
• Never go into septic tank to retrieve someone who has fallen in
• Never lean over a manhole cover
• The septic tank site must always be ventilated properly

Homeowners remember that sewage is corrosive, and always be careful around a tank and its components.  Keep all vehicles and any heavy equipment away from the septic system and drain field.  Most important try to keep children and other spectators away from the septic site when being worked on by a professional.

Don’t Let Poor Maintenance Ruin Your Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Biros today for all your septic system cleaning and maintenance needs!

Service Areas: Biros Septic and Drain Cleaning, Inc. services the septic tank and drain cleaning needs for Carbon, Columbia, Clinton, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Union, and Wyoming counties of PA.