preventative maintenance Archives - Page 3 of 26

Benefits of Low-Flow Toilets

/in Bob Silva, Low-Flow Toilets, Maine, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services /by

Low-flow toilets are a great way to reduce the amount of wastewater that ends up in a septic system. If you live in an area that relies on private septic systems, as opposed to a municipal sewer system, it is important to do everything you can to reduce water usage to prevent expensive damage to the septic system.

Septic systems are typically used in locations that aren’t connected to the city sewage system. A septic tank is a large tank, usually made out of concrete, that holds waste materials that are flushed through the residential sewage system. Inside the tank, bacteria works to break down the solid wastes, which are then released via wastewater into a drainage system.

Because low-flow toilets reduce water usage, they are ideal for cutting down on the amount of water that enters septic systems. Low-flow toilets are also used by homeowners that do not have a residential sewage system, as a means of reducing overall water consumption.

How Low-Flow Toilets Work
Low-flow toilets are designed to use less water than a standard toilet. The average residential toilet uses three to four gallons per flush, while low-flow toilets use around one-and-a-half gallons per flush. Recently, newer low-flow toilets have been produced that use even less water per flush by using a dual-flush system.

Much like septic tank systems, homeowners need to be aware of what gets flushed down low-flow toilets. The only thing that should ever be flushed down low-flow toilets that are connected to a septic tank system is toilet paper and organic waste. That means absolutely no paper towels, feminine products, diapers, newspapers or other paper materials.

The chemicals used to clean low-flow toilets that are hooked up to a residential septic system must also be chosen carefully. Bleach, abrasives, anti-bacterial cleansers and other bathroom cleaners should never be flushed into septic tank systems or washed down the drain. Use natural cleaners, such as baking soda or vinegar, to protect the good bacteria inside the septic tank that works to breakdown solid waste.

Part of a Healthy Septic Tank System
All of the parts of your residential septic system work together to effectively and efficiently process all the waste from your home. Low-flow toilets can be an important part of a well-run septic system. The best way to care for your system is to hire a professional septic system maintenance and inspection service.

A low-flow toilet is very easy to maintain and helps to reduce water usage in the bathroom. The fixture that helps to reduce water usage inside low-flow toilets may need to be adjusted every now and again. This fixture is the fill valve. It is used to maintain a proper level of water inside the toilet tank.

Septic Preservation Services offers a preventative maintenance program, which can be used to keep tabs on the effectiveness of your system, catch potential problems before they get out of control and keep your residential sewage system running properly. Learning about your system and how it should be used and cared for, is another important part of good home ownership. Proper care and preventative maintenance, when used together, can prevent costly repairs and replacements. Call Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic System Services by Down to Earth Construction

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, Septic Preservation Services, septic services, septic system repairs /by

Septic Preservation Services has septic system services including Singulair Service, FAST Service, Advanced Treatment Unit Service, Sand Filter Service, FujiClean System Service and Jet System Service in Blackstone, Uxbridge, Bellingham, Upton, Holliston, Millis, Franklin, and Grafton, MA. If you have your septic system serviced on a regular basis you are helping ensure that you will not have any unexpected septic system breakdowns which is especially important for our commercial customers with restaurants, because a problem with their septic system can have large repercussions to their business. You will also be increasing the longevity of your septic system which can be an expensive item to replace if it fails. We service our septic system clients on a quarterly, biannual, or annual basis, depending to the septic system and usage. For example a Dunkin Donuts will require more frequent services than a customer with a summer property on Cape Cod. If you are interested in septic services or have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services Experts on Septic Pumping

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, Septic Preservation Services, septic pumping, septic system pumping /by

Septic Preservation Services has septic pumping scheduled in Berlin, Clinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Bolton, Boxborough, and Sterling, MA. It is important to have your septic system pumped every 3-5 years but this can vary dramatically depending on the size of your septic system and the water usage. We have one customer who has a small property with a correspondingly small septic system. However, they regularly host large gatherings of friends and family which puts a huge strain on their septic system. They have found that it is more cost effective to hire portable toilets for their events than to have their septic system pumped much more regularly due to the excessive use it gets periodically and risk failures due to the large increase in usage it gets at these times. If you wish to schedule septic pumping or if you have any questions regarding pump outs please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services Honors Veterans on Memorial Day

/in Bob Silva, emergency services, marion, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services, septic services /by

Septic Preservation Services would like to remember all of the veterans who have served our country on Memorial Day. We respect the sacrifice that they have made for our country and we offer a veterans discount. We will not be working on Memorial Day but let our staff take this day to spend with their families. However, we also understand that most septic problems don’t occur between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday, outside of holidays, so we also offer 24/7 emergency services to our customers. We’ll be there when you need us anytime of day or night. So if you do need emergency septic system assistance please do contact us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic First Maintenance Inspections in Rhode Island

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, rhode island, septic first maintenance inspections, septic inspection, septic inspections, Septic Preservation Services /by

Septic Preservation Services has Septic First Maintenance Inspections today in Burrillville, Glocester, Smithfield, East Greenwich, Exeter, Richmond, and North Kingstown, RI. The purpose of a First Maintenance Septic Inspection is to establish what type of septic system you have, if the system poses any risk to public health, if there is any risk to the environment, and determine if any immediate corrective actions should be taken. If you need a septic first maintenance inspection, or if you have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Overboard Discharge Services and Repairs in Maine

/in Bob Silva, Maine, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, overboard discharge, overboard discharge repairs, overboard discharge services, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services, septic services /by

Septic Preservation Services has Overboard Discharge Services and Repairs scheduled today in Harpswell, Freeport, Brunswick, Pownal, Lisbon Falls, Bowdoinham, Peak’s Island, and Portland, ME. For more information regarding OBDs see:

https://www1.maine.gov/dep/water/wd/OBD/ip_obd.pdf

These are a few general tips that will help to extend the life of your OBD and promote high quality effluent.

Some household chemicals kill the microorganisms that digest the wastes in your treatment system and may pass through to the receiving waterbody. Toxic chemicals, harsh cleaners, paint, pharmaceuticals, and non-biodegradable materials should not be disposed of by dumping or pouring down the drain.
Using low-flow toilets and water-saving showerheads will prolong the life of your system.
Septic tanks should be pumped at least once every three years. Depending on how much the OBD facility is used, you may want to increase the septic pumping frequency or decrease it to once every five years if it receives very little use.
Trees, shrubs and woody perennials should be cleared away from system components. Sandfilter surfaces should be mowed at least once per year. If a wet spot appears on or near the sandfilter bed notify the DEP inspector.
Mechanical systems operate best if they are used at a consistent rate and may malfunction or produce poor quality effluent if overloaded on the weekend and “starved” during the week. Try to manage laundry, cleaning, and showers so that the load is spread out as evenly as possible. Leave a mechanical OBD operating as recommended by your service contractor at all times during the season of use.
Check the chlorine level at least every two weeks and keep fresh chlorine in contact with the treated wastewater. Don’t overfill the chlorinator tubes; only the bottom two or three inches of the tubes should have chlorine. Old, brown or mushy chlorine does not properly disinfect and must be replaced. Take care to remove old chlorine from your chlorinator rather than washing it out to the waterbody.
Ensure that the outfall pipe extends to below the low water mark of the receiving waterbody. In extenuating circumstances a specific waiver to this requirement may be granted by the Department.
Treated wastewater should be clear and without a strong septic or chlorine odor. If wastewater in the disinfection unit is not nearly clear, smells like rotten eggs, raw sewage, or smells strongly of chlorine, call your service contractor or notify the DEP inspector.

If you require an Overboard Discharge Service or repair you will need to contact a certified maintenance contractor. Septic Preservation Services is the only Statewide contractor on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Wastewater Treatment Plants certified maintenance contractors list. If you wish to make an appointment or if you have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Signs You May Need Septic Pumping

/in Bob Silva, Maine, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services, septic pumping, septic services, septic system pumping /by

Septic Preservation Services has septic pumping scheduled for customers in Hudson, Acton, Wayland, Stow, Maynard, Southborough, and Clinton, MA. Signs that your septic system may need a pump out are, your toilets backing up when there is no apparent reason for it, and sewage smells coming from your plumbing. If there is overflow by your tank this is also a sign your system needs maintenance. Some systems even have an alarm which could be a noise or a light to indicate that it is time for septic pumping. All of these can be signs that a pump out could be necessary and it is always worth investigating, because you may have a problem or need septic pumping. Most homeowners with septic systems are aware that their system needs septic cleaning every 3 -5 years, but this can vary depending on various factors including the size of your tank and the water usage. Please be aware of the signs that your system needs pumping, and if you have any questions, concerns, or need to schedule septic pumping, please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Service Maintenance Schedules by Septic Preservation

/in Bob Silva, Maine, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, sand filter services, Septic Preservation Services, septic pumping, septic repairs, septic system maintenance, septic system pumping /by

Septic Preservation Services has many clients on service maintenance schedules. We service our clients’ septic systems on a quarterly, biannual, or annual basis, depending on their needs and those of their septic system. Proper servicing and maintenance of your septic system will ensure that it lasts longer and will not need unexpected repairs. There are also some steps that you and your family can take to help the longevity of your septic system:

Minimize the use of the garbage disposal
Do not put grease down your drains
Spread loads of laundry out over time rather than doing multiple loads in a short period of time, and use liquid detergents rather than powdered detergents
Avoid excessively long showers
Avoid leaving tap water running when shaving, brushing teeth or doing other personal or household tasks
Do not flush medications, harmful chemicals, excessive amounts of bleach, harsh drain cleaners or degreasers
Have the septic tank pumped at least every three years
Do not add any septic systems cleaners, enzymes or additives
Remove water conditioning backwash discharges from the spetic system
Do not plant trees and shrubs over leach fields
Do not flush personal products, paper towels, wipes or diapers
Do not clean or rinse paint brushes in the sinks
Equip all hot tubs, spas, whirlpool baths, etcetera with drain limiting valves that will only allow five gallons per minute to drain from fixture
Do not drive vehicles over leach fields

At septic preservation services we provide education in addition to services to help our customers maintain their septic systems. Today we have septic services for septic systems including Singulair Services, Sand Filter Services, FAST Service, and Advanced Treatment Services in Tiverton, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Middletown, Jamestown, and North Kingstown, Rhode Island. If you need to schedule a service or if you have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

How to Extend the Life of Your Septic Drain Field

/in All Clear Septic, All Clear Septic & Wastewater service, Bob Silva, Maine, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, preventative maintenance, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services /by

One of the most important components of a septic system is the drain field. Also known as a “leach” field, sometimes just looking at the drain field can help you to determine the health of the septic system as a whole. It is important to take care of your drain field and ensure that it is properly protected from things that can hinder its effectiveness, as it is a vital part of the septic process.

What a Drain Field is and How It Works
The drain field is the part of your septic system where the waste water emerges after passing through your septic tank for the final phase in the cleansing and filtration process. Contaminants and other impurities are removed from the waste water by the drain field, making it safe to enter the local ground water.

The septic drain field removes any organic materials that might yet remain after the waste water has made its way through the septic tank. It utilizes a very basic, yet highly efficient, microbial ecosystem for this part of the process. A drain field consists of a specific layout of trenches that contain a series of perforated pipes that come from the septic tank. The waste water flows over gravel or other porous material, which is covered by a layer of soil to protect it from animals and surface runoff water.

Signs That Your Septic System Needs Help
While there are some fairly obvious signs that a septic system is in need of repair or has failed, such as sewage coming up inside the house through all the drains, showers and toilets, your drain field is also a sort of thermostat that lets you know how effective your septic system is functioning.

Take a look at your septic drain field:

If there are boggy or wet areas that just don’t seem to dry up and go away after runoff water from seasonal rain storms is gone, you might have a failed septic system.
If there are areas of the grass that is planted on top of your drain field that are particularly green or lush compared to the rest of the surrounding property, you might have a leak or back-up occurring in your drain field.
If you notice an unusual smell coming from your drain field, it’s time to call a septic system specialist.
If you see bits of organic material or other waste that would typically go down your home’s drains coming up through the drain field, chances are you are experiencing a clog or even a failed septic system.

These are just some of the signs and symptoms that you can look for when checking out your drain field. While some issues might just be indicative that you need to stay on top of drain field maintenance, most will have something directly to do with the health and effectiveness of your overall septic system. It pays to check out your drain field on a regular basis.

Drain Field Maintenance
There are a lot of things that can cause a septic system to malfunction or fail. Most septic system experts and service technicians will tell you that even if your home has been designed for use with a garbage disposal, that you should refrain from using one with a septic system. The reason is simple: just by using a garbage disposal, as opposed to composting organic waste from the kitchen or disposing of it in a trash can, a typical household will increase the amount of sludge and solids in their septic tank by over 50 percent.

Because seemingly small changes in use and habit can have such an impact on the overall health of your septic system, it is important to hire a professional septic service to provide regular check-ups and drain field maintenance. If maintained correctly, the average drain field should last somewhere between 25-30 years and still be functioning efficiently.

In addition to taking care of the landscape that is above your drain field, keeping trees and bushes away from the area to prevent the spreading of roots, there are things you can do inside your home that contribute to your septic drain field’s overall health. Some of these things are simple and even common sense for the most part; while others might be “news” to homeowners who are dealing with a septic system for the first time.

Most of the behaviors and habits that homeowners need to remember with regard to taking care of their septic system and drain field maintenance have more to do with water use and disposal habits than anything else. Be aware of the amount of water that you are using in your home. Avoid doing activities that use a lot of water all at the same time, such as washing dishes and doing several loads of laundry. In fact, it is better to do a load of laundry a day than it is to save it all up for the weekend.

Get Professional Drain Field Maintenance Service
For homeowners living in the Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod or Rhode Island areas, as well as Maine and New Hampshire, contact Septic Preservation Services. With over 15 years of direct experience working with commercial and residential customers in the Southcoast region, SPS is the clear choice for preventative maintenance, septic system service, drain field maintenance and septic repairs.

Septic Preservation Services is licensed and certified to provide Title 5 Inspections in Massachusetts and required Rhode Island Town Inspections. In addition, SPS can do a private assessment of your septic system to help you know the age, effectiveness and efficiency of your current equipment to help determine whether its time to upgrade or set up a new septic drain field. Call Septic Preservation today at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com to get started!

Septic Pumping is Essential

/in Bob Silva, lakeville, Maine, marion, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, rochester, septic cleaning, Septic Preservation Services, septic pumping, septic services, septic system pumping /by

Septic Preservation Services can help you ensure that your septic system continues to operate correctly by having your septic tank pumped. Septic pumping is essential every 3 – 5 years to ensure that your tank does not overflow . As you can imagine, it is not advisable to leave pumping too late because the results can be unpleasant and expensive to fix. The regularity that your tank needs to be pumped will vary slightly from various factors, including water usage and the size of your tank. For example, a family with 5 members, including teenagers, will typically use more water, and therefore, need their tank pumped sooner than a home with a retired couple. However, this too can vary dramatically if that couple have extended family visiting for a prolonged period. Essentially, if you are unsure, please do call our office, where we will be happy to answer any questions. Today we are pumping septic systems for customers in Mansfield, Norton, Lakeville, Rochester, Marion, Middleboro, and Carver, MA. If you need to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.allclearseptic.com

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