drain field

Soil and Your Septic System

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drain fieldDrainfield Soil

 Soil plays a major part in the proper functioning of a septic system. Many people do not realize what an important role the type of soil can make in your drainfield. Soil failure can be  a major cause of septic system failure.

 Soil works as a fine filter, and is the home to trillions of microscopic organisms that feed on organic matter in the effluent from the drainfield.

Soil Types

The texture of the soil  determines how quickly wastewater will be absorbed in the drainfield.  Soil percolation is the ability of the soil to absorb water.  The best types of soil for drainage or percolation contain a balance of coarse and fine particles. 

Gravel, or soil with a coarse texture, or coarse sand may not be adequate.  They allow wastewater to pass too quickly to provide adequate treatment. These types of soils work only if they are deep. Soil may be brought in for septic systems and drainfields when the current soil is inadequate.

Clay Soil

Some soil mixtures may contain some particles of clay. Clay soil can be used in drainfields, but water moves through it much slower than in gravel or coarse textured soil. The problem with clay particles is that they can swell and block soil passages.  This slows the movement of wastewater even more.  If clay particles  electronically bond to sodium molecules contained in wastewater, hardpan can occur.  The passage of wastewater is totally blocked and this can lead to septic failure. Hardpan conditions in clay soil can be chemically treated.  There are some products on the market to treat this condition.

Since soil plays such a critical part in the life of your septic system, it’s best to leave it up to the experts.  Call Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279 for all your septic needs and questions.  Ask them about their septic system maintenance program.  Or visit  www.septicpreservation.com

 

Septic Preservation Services

Overboard Discharge Services

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services is licensed in Maine if you need Overboard Discharge (OBD) Repairs or Overboard Discharge (OBD) Services .The Maine DEP’s Overboard Discharge (OBD) Program is responsible for regulating discharges of sanitary and household wastewater generated at residential or commercial locations to streams, rivers, bays, and the ocean.  All OBDs must be approved by the DEP through a licensing process.  Septic Preservation Services is the only Statewide contractor on the OBD Service contractor list provided by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  For more information see http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wd/OBD.   Today we are doing both OBD services and repairs for customers in Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, Buxton, Cape Elizabeth, Gorham, Windham, Falmouth and Pownal ME. If you need more information or you need to schedule an overboard discharge (OBD) service or overboard discharge (OBD) repair please contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Happy 4th of July from Septic Preservation Services

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Septic Preservation ServicesSeptic Preservation Services wishes all of its customers a Happy July 4th!  As we celebrate Independence Day with our families and friends, we know that no one wants to be concerned with septic problems.  However, septic problems do happen and when you become aware of a nasty smell, blockage or leaking, it is not always clear what septic repair is necessary.  If you need a septic repair, Septic Preservation Services will assess the condition of your septic system and then  present you with a range of options designed to correct any identified issues.  These may include one or more of the following:

 

  • Replacement of damaged or missing baffle
  • Installation of effluent filter and service riser
  • Installation of pumping access riser and cover
  • Installation of curtain drains
  • Replacement of deteriorated components
  • Repair or replacement of damaged components
  • Removal of accumulated solids in leach field piping
  • Removal of plant and tree roots in leach field piping
  • Installation and service of the White Knight™ Microbial Inoculator/Generator
  • Diversion of water softener/conditioner backwash discharges
  • Detailed explanation of our Septic Use Guidelines

 

We have recently repaired septic problems in Lynnfield, Southborough, Westford, Chelmsford and Oxford, MA. If you need a repair or have questions about your septic system please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Services and Septic Cleaning

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services will be conducting Septic Services and Septic Cleaning today in the Southern Maine towns of Hebron, Turner, Winthrop, Lewiston, West Paris, and Lisbon Falls.  Getting your tanks cleaned on a regular basis will help to improve the efficiency of your septic system and keep it running smoothly.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of “quick service” pumping companies in the area that might seem to save money up front, but will actually cost property owners down the road.  Septic Preservation Services takes pride in the work that we do, utilizing specialized miniature equipment to locate specific areas of your system, such as a sewer cam, that is used to investigate the inside of your sewer lines, and jetting equipment to clean the pipes within the leach field.  If you need to schedule septic cleaning or septic service or if you have any questions about septic cleaning and septic services please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

summer gatherings

Summer Gatherings and Your Septic System

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summer gatherings

Summer is a great time of year for family gatherings, including cookouts, weddings, bbq’s, pool parties and even summer overnight guests.

When planning for summer gatherings this summer, prevention can go a long way toward averting disasters with your septic system.  Parties, weddings, and any summer gathering can exert heavy use on your septic system.  Careful planning can help you prepare your septic system for the extra guests and extra load.

Here are some tips:

Arrange for a septic tank pumping prior to the event. Heavy volume of wastewater over a short period of time can over saturate the drain field and cause a mess in your yard or backup in to your home. Performing septic tank maintenance right before the event will create added capacity which will be able to handle more volume.

Check  your septic system and make sure it is functioning properly before the event.  Septic Preservation Services have technicians available for a maintenance check.   A problem may not be obvious during regular or modest use, but when you add an additional volume of wastewater over a short period of time, this can cause an already impaired system to fail.

The technician can also check your drain lines and make sure they are clear as well as the flow of water from your home to the tank.  Partially clogged drain lines can fail with excessive effluent running through them in a short amount of time.

School  your guests on what not to flush down the toilet.  A nearby garbage can  and properly placed signs on dos and don’ts may be all you  need.

Better yet, for large gatherings with many guests, such as weddings, graduation parties or family reunions, consider renting portable toilets and sinks.  This will take the load off your septic system and avoid costly and odorous disasters.  Units today are more attractive and reasonable and can take the worry out of your day.

Proper preventative maintenance  is all that is needed to keep a septic system functioning properly for many years to come. When the day is done,  the cost of a little preventive maintenance is well worth  the investment to avoid the potential for backups and septic system repairs or replacement.

Call Septic Preservation Services before your summer gathering.   They have all the equipment and professionals available to maintain and check your septic system and get it ready for your big day.  You can reach them at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com for more information.

septic rejuvenation

Benefits of Low-Flow Toilets

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low-flow toiletLow-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 Preservation Services

State of the Art Equipment Used for Septic Inspections

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services has septic inspection appointments today in Kennebunk, Kennebunk Port, Wells, North Berwick, Cape Neddick, Lebanon, Alfred, ME and Rochester, NH.  We can provide video inspections which are very thorough and are conducted using state of the art color sewer camera equipment.  Not only do we inspect the septic system, we also educate you about the proper care and use of the system.  We will check the following conditions:

 

  • Condition of septic tank
  • Effluent level in tank
  • Need for pumping
  • Condition of tank baffles
  • Condition of effluent lift pump (non-gravity systems)
  • Condition of effluent pump chamber
  • Condition of pipe from tank to field
  • Condition of the distribution box
  • Soil clogging in drainfield
  • Tree or plant root intrusion
  • Accumulation of solids in leach field

 

If you require a septic inspection or if you have any questions about septic inspections please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Overboard Discharge Service by Septic Preservation Services

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services is the only statewide contractor on the Wastewater Treatment Plants Certified Maintenance Contractors list provided by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  This means that we are the only contractor statewide that can service mechanical OBDs.  As stated on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website:

 

“An overboard discharge (OBD) is a discharge to surface waters of the State of domestic pollutants (sanitary wastes or wastewater from household activities generated at residential or commercial locations) that are not conveyed to municipal or quasi-municipal sewerage treatment facilities.  The vast majority of OBDs in Maine are associated with residential dwellings and small commercial operations along the coast.”

 

For more information see:

 

http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/wd/OBD/ip_obd.pdf

 

We have overboard discharge service and overboard discharge repair appointments today in Freeport, Harpswell, Brunswick, Orr’s Island, Bailey Island, Phippsburg, Peak’s Island, and Portland, ME.  If you need to arrange an OBD service or an OBD repair please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Elizabeth Alves

Meet Elizabeth Alves of Septic Preservation Services

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Elizabeth AlvesMeet Elizabeth Alves of Septic Preservation Services.  Liz started working at Septic Preservation Services in April of 2015.  She has been a member of the team for 2 years and is Division Manager of the All Clear Septic and Wastewater Services Division of SPS.  She is Title 5 licensed and is certified to perform inspections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Her favorite part of her job is working with customers and helping them solve their septic issues.  Liz is fluent in Portuguese and this is extremely helpful with Portuguese speaking clients.  She is also a notary republic.

Personally, Liz resides in Attleboro with her husband and three children.  She is active in a  Portuguese Heritage Group in Stoughton and performs at Portuguese Carnival Dances where she sings and plays the guitar.  She really enjoys this in her leisure time and is also involved in an All Girl dancing and singing group in East Providence.

Liz started at SPS as a novice but has really enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the septic business to better help her clients.  Liz recalls jumping right into the training during her first days on the job.  She was excited to volunteer for the hands-on learning activities but was a little surprised when she came across her first activity with a odorous septic tank.  She was a little taken back by the smell but continued on, determined to complete the task.

You can reach Liz and all the rest of the team at Septic Preservation Services at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Preservation Services

Safety Meeting at Septic Preservation Services

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Septic Preservation Services Septic Preservation Services considers Safety to be a top priority. This includes the safety of its technicians, office staff, and customers . To ensure that our technicians are safe in their work, we have monthly safety meetings with our field technicians.  Today’s meeting will cover the OSHA training that our technicians have been taking, job site evaluations that have taken place, review of our revised Lock Out/ Tag Out (LOTO) procedure and Personnel Protective Equipment training.  We have staff attending this meeting from Cranston, Rhode Island,  Attleboro, Norton, Sharon, and Easton, MA, and Biddeford, Maine.  Please call us with all your septic inquiries at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com