sand filter services

Gurgling Pipes? What Can It Mean?

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pipesIf you are a homeowner with a septic system, you know how to use your senses to stay alert about potential issues that might occur. While preventative maintenance is the best way to stop a backed up septic system before it even starts, it is also important to know how to use your ears, eyes and nose to spot a problem before it gets out of hand.

Some of the most common signs of problems with a septic system include sounds, sights and smells. If you have gurgling septic pipes, it could be indicative of a much bigger problem. Your best bet is to contact a professional service provider who can conduct some septic system troubleshooting tests and help it to work properly.

How to Use Your Senses
We all know the normal sounds of water and waste moving through the drains of our home. That being said, any unusual sounds will generally alert us to the idea that something isn’t right. Gurgling septic pipes are usually a sign of a backed up septic system that is clogged. The pipes that are connected to the system will make a very distinct gurgling sound. If you have ever heard this before, you know exactly what this sounds like.

Once you use your ears to hear that you have gurgling septic pipes, it is important to confirm the extent of the problem. The next thing to check is your drain or leach field. If there is flooding or puddles of water above your septic system, chances are good that you have a backed up septic system. This flooding is also sometimes accompanied by a distinct “sewage” odor in the area surrounding your drain or leach field.

Another thing to check for is the operation of other plumbing within the home. For example, part of septic system troubleshooting is to identify whether or not drains and toilets are operating more slowly than usual. In the case of a severely backed up septic system, some drains will back up completely, causing standing water and possible sewage to come up in shower drains or sinks. If you see, hear or smell any of the symptoms of a backed up septic system above, contact your septic system repair or maintenance service right away.

What Causes Gurgling Pipes?
While gurgling pipes are usually a sign of a backed up septic system, there are different situations that can cause your pipes to gurgle. This is why it is important to contact a professional septic system troubleshooting company right away. While some problems can be small and easy to fix, others could be more complex and might cause more damage if left unchecked for too long.

The gurgling sound in the pipes can be caused by a blockage between the pipes that connect the plumbing in your house to your septic system. Gurgling septic pipes can also be caused by a plugged house sewer vent or blockage within the pipes between the drain or leach field and the septic tank itself. Other more serious issues, such as septic drain field failure, can also cause your plumbing to make those distinctive gurgling noises.

Other Types of Gurgling
Another area of the home to keep any eye on is the toilet, as this is where the most waste will be flushed out of your home. A toilet can make gurgling noises if the water and air inside the pipes isn’t flowing normally. Septic system owners need to be aware that a gurgling toilet, much like gurgling pipes, can be indicative of a potentially backed up septic system. This early warning can give you enough time to contact a professional service to conduct septic system troubleshooting and repair issues before they get out of hand.

A gurgling toilet can also be a sign of a partial clog. In some cases, you can simply use a plunger to apply pressure to the drain line to dislodge the clog. This will allow it to go down into the pipe and will eliminate the gurgling noises. Larger clogs may require the use of a toilet snake tool to dislodge the clog. If the gurgling noises continue in your toilet after using a plunger or toilet snake tool, chances are you have a bigger problem with a backed up septic system.

Prevention is Key
When it comes to problems associated with owning a home that has a septic system, it is important to remember that good septic maintenance and prevention is very important. Signing up for a preventative maintenance program, such as the one offered by All-Clear Septic & Wastewater, is a great way to stay on top of your system with regular check-ups. Never add chemical additives or “septic clean up” products to your system, as many of these can actually hurt your septic system.

Reading all of the tips about septic system ownership can help you to keep your system running clean and healthy.   Contact Septic Preservation Services with any questions at 877-378-4279  or visit www.septic preservation.com

drain cleaners

Drain Cleaners Can Hurt Your Septic System

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drain cleanersDrain cleaners can be an easy choice when your kitchen or bathroom drain becomes clogged, but they are not a great choice for the health of your septic system.  Septic systems rely on natural bacteria  to treat wastewater.   The harsh chemicals found in drain cleaners can kill the beneficial bacteria needed by your septic system to process wastewater.

Chemical drain cleaners are one of the most dangerous of all the cleaning products on the market to human health.  Most contain very corrosive ingredients such as sulfuric acid, lye, and bleach that can burn your eyes and skin.  They can be fatal if ingested and these cleaning products are required by law to carry a warning label listing their harsh ingredients.   Care must be taken to keep these out of the reach of children.

Even very low amounts of a drain cleaner used in a septic system results in significant decreases in concentrations of Coliform bacteria and a decrease in PH when higher concentrations are used.  It could take up to 48 hours for bacteria population to recover to original levels.

What is a solution to your clogged drains?  The best remedy is to prevent drains from being clogged by having good catch basins in all the drains of the home.  Purchasing inexpensive plastic or metal screens for the drains can keep many wastes from going down the drain including hair and food products.   Food scraps as well as oils  and grease should never be allowed down the drain.

Most clogs occur about 6 inches below the drain opening in the trap.   Taking apart and cleaning this area can remove the clog.  Plungers can also be helpful in removing a clogged drain.   If that doesn’t work, a snake or auger can be put down the drain to remove the blockage.   Clean-out ports can be removes to help access the clog.  If no luck, it’s always best to call a professional who has the equipment and expertise to get the job done.

If you feel you must use a chemical drain cleaner, look for an enzyme-based cleaner.  They are less harsh on your system.  You can also try a homemade recipe:  Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda down the clogged drain.  Then pour 6 cups of boiling water after it.   Let it sit overnight and then flush with hot water.

Septic Preservation Services can help you with any of your septic system questions.  Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Camouflage Your Septic Tank Risers

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How do you keep your septic tank risers out of sight?

Septic Preservation Services Van on a Service Call
If you have had your septic system outfitted with the proper septic tank risers, you most likely have a cover sitting in the middle of your garden, lawn or somewhere unsightly. Keeping these covers easily accessible is important, but that doesn’t mean you have to put a sign on them! Hiding these risers is very simple and easy, and can be done without getting in the way of someone servicing your system.

The simplest way is to just put a light fake stone or decorative item on the cover. The key here is to keep it light, you don’t want to damage your system and the service company can pump the system as needed. A lighthouse, light birdbath or other decorative lawn ornament is an easy way to keep that riser out of sight!

Another way is to plant small plants around it. This will effectively camouflage the cover from most people. Keep in mind that should anyone need to access the tank, the plants may get in the way so be sure to leave space somewhere so the septic crew can get to the tank unhindered.

Rock features or stepping stones are another great way to keep the cover out of sight. Placing these around the cover with some light decorative item over the cover itself is a great way to hide the riser. It also may be a way to ad a nice decorative piece to your lawn!

If you need an inspection, have questions or need septic services, please call Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279!  Visit www.septicpreservation.com
Septic Preservation Services

septic emergencies

Preventing Septic Emergencies

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summer-still-life-783347_640Summertime is here and many times means summer guests, especially if you live along the shores of Southcoast Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Whether you a planning on hosting a party, having guests stay over or if you are just having a quiet evening at home, a septic system emergency can ruin your summer plans. The best thing you can do is prepare now and work to prevent septic emergencies before they even happen. If you have a septic system you are already aware of the do’s and don’ts of on-site wastewater responsibilities. This list of eight preventative measures will help you to take your maintenance and care knowledge to the next level, ensuring that you won’t have to pay for expensive septic emergencies in the coming winter months.

#1 – Get an Inspection Before It Gets Cold
One of the most important things you can do is to contact your septic system service and request an annual inspection before the ground freezes and cold weather sets in for the season. Septic repairs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be much more expensive if your technician has to dig down under the snow and into solid ground. However, if you do have a septic emergency, Septic Preservation Services works all year-round in any type of weather – rain, snow or freezing cold. You can count on All-Clear to keep your septic system working effectively and efficiently all year long.

#2 – Sign Up for Routine Pumping
As part of a good preventative maintenance program, routine pumping should also be scheduled to ensure that your septic system is properly maintained throughout the year. By scheduling your routine pumping just prior to the late fall and winter season, before it gets so cold that the ground freezes, you can ensure that your septic system will be running at its best throughout the holiday and winter seasons. Ask your All-Clear Septic & Wastewater representative about signing up for a preventative maintenance program that includes regular inspections, check-ups and routine pumping.

#3 – Reduce Your Water Usage
When you know you are expecting a lot of guests, make sure to reduce your water usage in advance of their arrival. Take showers the day before and bathe your children before they arrive. Taking shorter showers helps, but make sure to talk with your guests about limiting water use. Do laundry and dishes a few days ahead of time to reduce the amount of water usage that will occur when the guests are at your home. Better planning will reduce the amount of problems you will have with your septic system during the summer months.

#4 – Talk About Flushing
It may be difficult, but it is important to speak with your guests about the things that they flush down your toilets and drains. Routine pumping can make sure that your system is ready to handle accidents or a single-instance flushing, but the more you can educate your guests about the importance of using the trash can instead of the toilet for diapers, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts and other potentially hazardous items. This will help prevent those items from getting into your tank and it will also prevent a blockage and potential backup from occurring.

#5 – Prepare Your Food Ahead of Time
If there is any prep work that you need to do for a big summertime meal or party, try to do it ahead of time as well. Cut veggies up that need to be washed ahead of time and store them in your refrigerator drawers in plastic zip bags. Wash and marinate the chicken and get it ready to go on the grill.   Not only will this space out your water usage before your guests get there, but it will also give you more time to spend with them when they arrive. Believe it or not, it’s the little things you do that add up to making a big difference in preventing costly  septic repairs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

#6 – Don’t Use the Garbage Disposal
Even if your house came with a garbage disposal already installed, you should avoid using it at all costs. All that extra waste into your septic system can wreck havoc, especially during the busy days with your summer guests.  Consider blocking the switch for the garbage disposal so you – and especially your guests – won’t be tempted to use it. Keep a small composting can on your counter – they have some very nice-looking decorative options at home improvement stores. You can put all of your vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and other items that should not go down your drain into the bin. Your guests will see you doing this and will follow suit.

#7 – Consider Using Disposable Dishes and Silverware
If you are having a lot of guests over for a dinner party or even just for cocktails and appetizers, consider using disposable dishes and silverware to reduce the amount of rinsing and washing you’ll have to do later. It’s better to have an over-loaded trash can for one week of garbage collection than to pay a lot of money for septic repairs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

#8 – Sign Up for a Preventative Maintenance Program
The best way to avoid costly septic repairs as a result of failure due to neglect or misuse is to sign up for a preventative maintenance program. Working with a licensed, certified professional septic system repair and inspection company can help you with routine pumping and help you to be prepared for an onslaught of guests during the hot summer months. Aside from being much more cost-effective, a preventative maintenance program gives you the peace of mind that your septic system is being properly taken care of and that a professional is on top of the situation.

Summer is already here.   Contact Septic Preservation Services to sign up for a routine pumping and ask about their preventative maintenance program. The better prepared you are during the summer, the less money you’ll have to pay for septic repairs in Massachusetts during the winter months when the ground is frozen and your yard is piled high with snow. All-Clear is available for septic inspection, maintenance and repair during every season and can help you keep your septic system running effectively and efficiently all year long.

You can reach us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com for more information.

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Preservation Services in Portsmouth, RI

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services works with Portsmouth residents to provide mandatory inspections of the septic systems. The Portsmouth Wastewater Management Board is empowered by the town of Portsmouth to improve the essential systems required to properly protect public health as well as our natural recourses. Routine septic inspections are required to comply with the regulations. Septic Preservation Services can perform either First Maintenance Inspections and Routine Periodic Inspections. If you own a property served by a septic system in Portsmouth, RI please call our office for questions about our septic inspection services.  Call us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Preservation Services Provides High Quality Service

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Septic Preservation Services6/29/16 Septic Preservation Services and our sister companies All Clear Wastewater Services and Down to Earth Construction are working throughout southeastern Massachusetts to provide complete high quality service to our customers. As a group we can provide full services including septic inspections, septic pumping, drain cleaning, operation and maintenance of aerobic treatment units, septic system designs, and complete septic system installations. Call us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

septic tank pumping

How Often to Pump Out Your Septic System in Southcoast MA

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Septic Pumping TruckMost homeowners don’t think about their septic systems each and every day. Plumbing and sewage are those types of things that tend to be out of sight and out of mind for most people. The only time we really think about them is when there’s a problem: a drain that won’t go down, a toilet that won’t flush, a septic system that suddenly smells.

When a septic system emergency occurs, most homeowners think that they need to simply get the tank pumped so they call out the local septic system pumping company. In reality, septic system maintenance should be something that happens on a regular basis, not just as a band-aid or a quick fix when something goes wrong. Another thing that many homeowners don’t realize is that there are some services that will be more than happy to charge a couple hundred dollars or so to pump your system – even if you don’t need it.

How Often Should Your Septic System Get Pumped?

Your system should be checked by a licensed septic and wastewater technician who can help you to overcome any small issues and concerns before they become big, costly problems. Local services, such as Septic Preservation Services  in the Southcoast Massachusetts area, offer year-round maintenance programs designed to save you money and help you protect your investment.

Depending on the size of your tank, the “health” of your system and the number of people living in your home, required septic tank pumping should be approximately every two to three years. This may surprise homeowners who are paying for pumping services on a more frequent basis or, for that matter, for homeowners who just ignore their system completely until they have a septic system emergency on their hands.

According to data from the EPA, your tank should be pumped when the bottom of the floating layer of scum gets to within six inches of the outlet or if the sunken sludge layer is within twelve inches of the outlet. Getting regular check-ups by an experienced, professional septic system repair company – not just a pumping service – can help you know when you need to get your tank pumped or if your system needs a different type of service. At bare minimum, annual inspections by a qualified septic system service provider will help you keep tabs on your system.

Making a Small Problem Worse

Some homeowners may tell you that you can use commercial products to increase the amount of time between required septic tank pumping. The products they are talking about contain chemicals that are designed to aid in the break down of the sludge within the tank. Your septic system already has tons of naturally-occurring microbes working within your drain field and in your tank to help break down solid wastes and purify wastewater.

Unfortunately, some of these products can throw off the delicate ecosystem that has developed within your tank and disrupt the ability of the enzymes to break waste down. The EPA even strongly recommends that homeowners do not substitute these chemical products for regular maintenance through a preventative maintenance program, inspections and pumping, when required.

Why is Pumping Necessary?

You might be thinking that if all those enzymes are doing such a great job, why should an efficiently-running septic system ever need to be pumped in the first place? While the natural process of the system is the best way to break down sewage waste from your home, eventually the tank will need to be pumped to remove excess solids. Again, depending on your usage and size of the system itself, this needs to happen approximately once every two to three years, as needed.

If your tank needs to be pumped and isn’t, the entire septic system can overflow. Septic overflow of wastewater can often lead back to the source, pumping sewage back up through toilets and drains throughout the home. A failed septic system can also lead to a flooding of your drain field, which doesn’t just mean a stinky. flooded yard, but could also mean wastewater seeping into nearby creeks and rivers, tainting the local groundwater.

Once this happens, the waste from your failed septic system can contaminate the local drinking water that is used by your family and your neighbors. Once this waste enters the local water supply, harmful bacteria and other diseases are likely to spread, such as E.Coli or even hepatitis. This is why it is so important to contract a professional service company for a preventative maintenance program and inspections, and why you will ultimately need to plan on having your septic system pumped every two to three years.

Sign Up for Septic System Preventative Maintenance Program Today

For homeowners living in the Southcoast region such as Barnstable, Brockton, Monponsett, Attleboro, Nonquitt, Rochester and even customers located in Rhode Island, Septic Preservation Services is your best bet for professional septic system maintenance services and inspections. Certified to conduct Title V Inspections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Town Inspections in the State of Rhode Island,  SPS can help you stay on top of your septic system and ensure that it continues to work effectively and efficiently for years to come. Call Septic Preservation Services  at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com for more information about our Preventative Maintenance Program, septic repair, rejuvenation, inspections, assessments and other available services.

rainy weather

Water Flow and Your Septic System

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rainy weatherMassachusetts is known for its wide range of seasonal weather and as far as this year is concerned, we’ve already gotten our share of spring storms. There are a lot of things that homeowners need to be aware of during wet weather to protect their homes from damage. One of those things is the septic system, which can easily be overrun with the increased water flow, leading to a failed septic system.

Take Control of the Water Flow
While back-ups that occur inside the drains in your home are an obvious sign that will require an immediate call for septic maintenance, there are other areas to watch and other signs to look out for as well. Keep an eye on your drainfield to make sure it isn’t flooding. Make sure that the water that runs off your home in a rain storm is being diverted away from your drainfield, taking advantage of your home’s gutter system and neighborhood sewer drains.

When wet weather hits, you’ll want to keep close watch on your drainfield and your plumbing to make sure everything is still working the way that it should. Excess water can accumulate in the area around your septic tank, preventing wastewater from moving out of the system and out into the soil. If the wastewater is unable to move out of the tank effectively, the tank may become overfull causing a backup into the house.

While you are unable to control the wet weather itself, you can control the direction of the water runoff from your home’s gutters and downspouts. Reducing the amount of water you use in your home during wet weather, will also play a part in reducing your chances of needing to call for septic maintenance service.

When to Call for Septic Service 
Many homeowners aren’t sure when to call for septic maintenance if they suspect they are having problems with their septic system. If your drainfield is boggy, don’t start worrying right away. Pay attention and see if the water in that area recedes naturally when the rest of the storm water begins to go away. What you don’t want is water just sitting there, staying stagnant and not draining off or away.

Consistent boggy drainfields are a sign of more severe septic problems, including a failed septic system. You should contact a technician for septic service in Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fall River or anywhere else in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as soon as you detect that there’s a problem. Odor is another sign of needing to call for septic maintenance. If anything smells strange on your property or inside your house, call for septic maintenance and repair right away.

Preventative Maintenance Program
The best solution to problems with a septic system is to prevent the issues from ever occurring in the first place. All-Clear Septic & Wastewater offers a preventative maintenance program that will help you get your septic system running effectively and efficiently. The technicians at All-Clear are licensed and certified to do Title V Inspections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Town Inspections, serving customers throughout the Southcoast region.

It pays to get an expert analysis of your current situation and to evaluate the effectiveness of your septic system in relation to the number of people living in your home and your average daily usage habits. A preventative maintenance program can make the difference between taking care of small repairs today and having to spend thousands of dollars replacing your septic tank tomorrow.

Where to Call for Septic Service in Dartmouth
If you suspect that you might have a failed septic system, or would like to get started with a preventative maintenance program, call Septic Preservation Services  at 877-378-4279.  Whether you need septic service in Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fall River or out on the Cape, All-Clear can help get your system running more effectively and give you tips on how to keep it running efficiently throughout the life of the equipment.

Call for septic maintenance and services the moment you realize that you have a problem to avoid costly repairs or replacements caused by user neglect. There are a lot of things that you can do as a homeowner to improve the efficiency of your on-site septic system and All-Clear can help provide you with solutions, advice and a full range of preventative maintenance programs to help it stay that way.  Visit www.septicpreservation.com  for more information.

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Preservation Services’ New Title 5 Inspectors

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Septic Preservation Services5/13/16 Septic Preservation Services would like to acknowledge two of our team members Liz Alves and Tom Hannon for recently passing the title 5 inspectors exam. Both of these employees will join our other title 5 septic inspectors in providing the highest quality septic inspections in the industry. Both Liz and Tom are also approved to conduct Rhode Island functional septic inspections as well. Our goal at Septic Preservation Services is to maintain the highest level of training and performance in the industry.   Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com  to contact our team of experts.

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Preservation Services in MA, RI, Maine and NH

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Septic Preservation Services5/11/16 Septic Preservation Services conducts business in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Our services include Functional septic inspections for Rhode Island, training of functional septic inspectors at URI for Rhode Island, Massachusetts title 5 septic inspections, general septic inspections for all states, septic system repairs, drain cleaning, septic pumping, designs of septic systems, installations of septic systems, septic tank cleaning, and services of waste treatment equipment.  Call 877-378-4279 for more information or visit www.septicpreservation.com