Why do Septic Systems fail?
Using Too Much Water
Using more water than the soil can absorb is the most common
reason for failure. The sewage is forced to the surface or
backs up into the house. This problem is often the result of
one of two problems. Either the system is improperly
designed or the result of a change in water use habits such
as an increase in the size of the family or the addition of
a water-using appliance.
Surface water draining from roofs, driveways, and roads onto
the soil absorption field area can put an extra load on the
system. If the soil is saturated with clean water, even
seasonally, it cannot accept any more wastewater. The
untreated wastewater will either rise to the surface or back
up.
Physical Damage
Driving, paving, or building on top of a soil absorption
unit can damage the field. Pipes can shift or be crushed and
the soil compacted. Damage of this sort can make it
difficult to locate the septic tank and prevents access for
regular pumping.
Tree roots can also clog the soil absorption field. Plant
the area in grass, not trees or shrubs.
Lack of Maintenance
The septic tank should be pumped about every 3 years to
remove the sludge and scum retained in the tank and prevent
clogging of the soil absorption field. More frequent pumping
is needed if a garbage disposal is used in the home.
Biological and chemical septic tank additives are not
necessary and do not eliminate the need for pumping.
A septic tank is equipped with baffles at both the inlet and
outlet. The inlet baffle prevents short-circuiting of the
sewage and the outlet baffle prevents the floatable scum
from moving out into the soil absorption field. In time,
these baffles can deteriorate and drop off into the tank.
The condition of the baffles should be checked when the tank
is being pumped. Replace those in poor condition with
sanitary tees.
Do additives reduce or eliminate the need for pumping ?
So far, no additive has been proven effective
in a controlled scientific study however seeding a newly
pumped tank does get the ball rolling.
The bacteria in the septic tank literally eat the solids in
the tank turning them into liquids and gasses. When a tank
is pumped, many of the bacteria are also removed so we
recommend that you add started bacteria to grow, multiply
and start feeding on the new waste.
Is my septic system dangerous to my family ?
Remember that your septic tank is buried into
a hole in your yard. blah blah blah. Caution not only with
children but guests and other family members is strongly
advised. There have been many reports of the dangers of
septic systems.
Do I need to put something (Rid-X, Septic Helper) down the
toilet for the tank to work properly?
Do not confuse septic tank additives
with leach bed additives. In most cases septic
tanks do not need additives. My research has shown me
that bacterial additives, as a monthly thing, are usually a
waste of money. Natural bacteria exists in human
waste. A starter bacteria can be beneficial after
pumping to start the bacterial action out properly. We
will give you a starter kit as part of our exceptional
service.
In some cases a quality bacteria should be used (Not
yeast or a dead woodchuck). Yes, you read it right,
I’ve heard it all!! A few such examples where
additives might be needed are:
A homeowner that misuses the system by doing many loads
of laundry in one day, hydraulically overloading the system
with water, creating a washout.
A homeowner that flushes large amounts of bleach or other
cleaning products into the system.
Chautauqua County has many non-year round residents.
If you use your home only as a vacation home, a quality
additive should be I introduced when you return.
Bacterial action dies within days if no new waste is
introduced into your tank.
Now, as far as the leach field. There are two additives I
suggest. Both for different conditions.
1 - A drain field overtime will collect a build
up of fine suspended solids that will slow the
aerobic activity by reducing the oxygen in the
bio-mat of the leach system. This can be prevented
or reversed by introducing a product called
Septic-Scrub directly into the distribution box.
2- If you have a water softener, the salt can bind
with certain types of clay causing soil to seal.
Septic-Seep is a liquid additive that should be
introduced directly into the distribution box. This
product is designed to reverse the blockage in the
soil do to the sodium your water softener
discharges. |
Call Advanced Discount Septic Service Pumping and
Maintenance to purchase or have these products installed.
