Monthly Archives: November 2011

Periodic Maintenance and Repair of Septic Tanks

Once a septic tank is installed into your home, daily and annual maintenance is needed to make sure your septic tank can properly do what it was meant to do. Aside from the simple small daily tasks such as checking the piping for leaks, there are also necessary things we should all do periodically, either annually, or once every 3 to 5 months to ensure that our septic tanks are working optimally.

Periodic maintenance can’t be done by yourself. You will need the help of septic tank service providers such as Edenflo or other septic pumping companies in order to help you with these tasks.

Some of the things that have to be done in order to make sure your septic tank will continue to perform in the future:

1. Regular Inspection. You can ask your septic tank pumping company to do this for you. It is important to regularly check your septic tank for problems so that they can be fixed as soon as possible. The frequency of inspection depends on the usage of the tank and how heavily your septic tank is working.

2. Pump out regularly. It is important that you have your septic tanks pumped out regularly to remove any accumulated solid waste. This is to keep your pumps and tanks clean. Again, the frequency of this action will depend on usage. For smaller houses with bigger septic tanks, once a year will do. For big houses with a rather small septic tank, more regular pumps will be needed.

3. A septic tank is not a disposal tank. Avoid throwing solid things into the sink or the drain, or even the toilet bowl. It can clog the pipes and cause serious problems with the drainage.

Shopping For a Septic Tank

A septic tank is an essential part of building a house, building or any infrastructure. Most of the time, we leave the responsibility of picking the septic tank to homebuilders, but as homeowners it is wise to be involved in the building process and picking a septic tank isn’t an exception.

Here are some things to remember when shopping for your septic tank:

1. Size. Size always matters, especially when picking your septic tank. Don’t choose a big septic tank if you live in a small house and have a small household. It can be costly to buy a big septic tank. The size of your tank should depend on the average water usage.

2. Design. The design of a septic tank does not mean the outer design of the tank. Septic tanks are designed two ways: the pressure type septic tank and the gravity septic tank. If the tank will sit on course soil or gravel, the pressure type septic tank is best to be used. For loose soil, better get the gravity septic tank.

3. Pumps. A septic tank is never complete without an efficient pump to go with it. There are two types of pumps available in the market: the centrifugal pump and the turbine pump. The only difference is that the turbine pumps is the more expensive pump, and is also more efficient since it can pump much faster than the centrifugal pump. It also has better longevity.

4. Seek the help of your septic tank provider. 90% of the time, homeowners don’t install their own septic tanks; they will seek the help of local septic tank companies. As a homeowner, it is also best to consult with them when picking your septic tank.

Day-to-Day Management Tips for your Septic Tanks

In today’s society, a septic tank is already considered one of the essential needs of every household. In this time and age where “backyard restrooms” are a thing of the past, an effective and efficient septic tank is a necessary part of our lives.

When it comes to maintaining your septic tank, you should remember to schedule regular visits from professional service providers. However, there are also simple day-to-day ways you can adopt to keep your septic tanks in top shape in between visits.

Here are the simple daily tips for the care and management of your septic tanks:

What to do:

• Use Less Water. Conserving water is not only good for the environment and your water bill; it also means your septic tank will have less water to process. An overworked septic tank means a decrease in efficiency – and in the long run a shorter life expectancy.
• Check Daily for Leaks. One of the simplest and best ways to maintain your septic tanks is to do a daily check-up of your plumbing for any problems, such as leaks. You could do this once a day (or every other day) and will not take much of your time.

What not to do:

• Pour Chemicals into the Drain. Pouring of chemicals should be done minimally or dilute in water first before pouring it into the sink or the drain. Excessive amounts of chemicals will damage your septic tank and might cause problems in the future. Chemicals can include household items like bleach and detergents.
• Pour Grease into the Drain. Pouring grease or used oil down the drain or down the sink should never be done. Pouring grease down the drain could clog the pipes and could cause serious problems with the piping.