Don’t Ignore Septic Repairs

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Septic Preservation Services are thankful that spring is now here. Property owners are starting to think about repairs and maintenance that have been put off over the winter now that the ‘spring cleaning’ season is upon us. However if you have a concern about your septic system it is wise to have it addressed immediately and not leave it until your springtime maintenance. Indicators that you may have a septic problem include:

  • Pipe Gurgling Sounds
  • Toilet Flushing Issues
  • Slow Drains
  • Water Backup
  • Bad Odors
  • Greener Grass on your leach field
  • Patches of Standing Water

If you have noticed one or more of these signs at your property please do consider calling to discuss your concerns with our experienced technicians. Today we have septic repairs scheduled in Hermon, Islesboro, Northport, Swanville, Belmont, Belfast and Palermo Maine. If you wish to schedule a septic repair or if you have septic questions or concerns please do contact us at our office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Licensed Inspectors Providing Septic Inspections In Rhode Island

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Septic Preservation Services have Rhode Island Septic Inspections scheduled today in Little Compton, Tiverton, Barrington, Middletown and Portsmouth. We are called by individuals who are not on town sewer so have a septic system on their property to process their wastewater. Of course these systems need to be working correctly to avoid the problems that result from a failing septic system. A failing septic system can cause a serious health threat to your family and neighbors, degrade the environment, especially lakes, streams and groundwater, reduce the value of your property, be very expensive to repair and put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply watershed and fail to maintain your system. Our licensed septic inspectors will provide a thorough, prompt and convenient inspection and are registered to do so in these towns. For example we have five inspectors on the Town of Portsmouth’s registered inspectors list. For more information see: https://www.portsmouthri.com/DocumentCenter/View/800

If you require a septic inspection in Rhode Island or if you have any questions about septic inspections please do contact our office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Inspections Scheduled In Maine

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Septic Preservation Services know that for many homes in Maine that are remote and therefore not on town sewer their property wastewater purification necessarily requires a septic system. All Septic Systems are designed specifically for their own site and have variances which make them unique but most systems are based on the same principles. A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and a drainfield. Your septic system treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic tank where heavy solids and lighter scum are allowed to separate from the wastewater. The solids stored in the tank are decomposed by bacteria and later pumped out. After partially treated wastewater leaves the tank, it flows into a distribution box, which separates this flow evenly into a network of drainfield trenches. Drainage holes at the bottom of each line allow the wastewater to drain into gravel trenches for temporary storage. This effluent then slowly seeps into the subsurface soil where it is further treated and purified. You system must be maintained and used correctly to ensure that it is doing its job correctly. A failing septic system can create many unpleasant conditions such as:

  • Hazardous sewage surfacing in yard
  • Health hazards to children and pets
  • Noxious orders over large areas
  • Polluted streams and ponds
  • Sewage back-up in buildings
  • Contaminated wells
  • Breeding areas for mosquitoes

Therefore if you are considering buying a property with a septic system, selling a property with a septic system or own a property with a septic system it is often a very good idea to have septic inspection so you can be confident in the current efficiency and condition of that system. Today we have septic inspections in Portland, Gorham, Freeport, Raymond, Pownal, Poland and Windham ME. If you need to schedule a septic inspection in Maine or if you have any questions about septic inspections or septic systems please do contact our office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Westport Septic System Installation

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Septic Preservation Services have a septic system installation starting today in Westport MA. We have been working with septic systems and installing different types of septic systems in this industry for over 25 years. Of course this is beneficial to our clients because customers have different types of septic system installed for a variety of reasons including price, environmental concerns and limitations, town and state requirements and efficiency and we have experience installing many of these systems. It is always advisable to use a company who has experience installing not just septic systems but the specific type of system you require because that will help prevent delays and expenses created by a system being installed incorrectly. We have recently installed septic systems for customers in Dudley, Reading, Plainfield and Rowley MA. If you have questions about septic system installation or septic systems generally please do contact our Norton office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Leach Field Repair With White Knight System

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Septic Preservation Services were contacted by a customer in Acushnet who had noticed sewage smells and damp patches in their backyard so were concerned that they may have a septic problem. Further discussion revealed that they had noticed slow drains and much greener grass in their backyard for a while but had not realized that these are also signs of a septic problem. The reason for their leach field failure is biological clogging. This is the development of a biomat beneath the leachfield that eventually prevents the liquid or effluent from entering the underlying soil. This biomat is a combination of fine organic solids that have been carried out of the septic tank and the remnants of anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria originate in the human intestinal tract and enter the septic system with the waste products. 95% of all leach field failures are biological. We will repair their leach field by installing the White Knight system. The White Knight system creates an aerobic environment within the septic system and provides a large surface area for the growth of a specialized bacterial colony. As the bacteria multiply, they consume the organic material coming into the septic tank. At the same time, a great many of these bacteria are carried into the leach field and begin to consume the organic material that is clogging the soil. As a result, the underlying soil begins to regain its porosity, which in turn allows the effluent to pass through. After installation our client will have to discontinue use of a garbage disposal system, refrain from introducing any harsh chemicals into the septic system, use liquid detergents for washing dishes and clothes, refrain from flushing any and all non-organic products down the drains, refrain from the heavy use of bleach products and refrain from flushing paper towels or wipes down the drains. If they do their their leach field will remain operating correctly. We also have other septic repairs scheduled today in Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Fairhaven and Fall River MA. If you have concerns that your septic system is not working correctly or wish to schedule a septic repair please do contact our Norton office on 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Suggestions To Avoid A Septic Repair

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Septic Preservation Services are glad we weren’t working on April Fools day. It is never a good idea to be foolish around septic systems but luckily most property owners seem to know that. However septic education and knowledge can always be expand upon and we would always recommend knowing how to work with your septic system to ensure that you get the best out of it. Here are a few suggestions to follow to help ensure your system continues to work correctly:

Things you should do:

DO conserve water whenever possible as a means of reducing the volume of wastewater that will need to be treated and disposed.
DO make repairs to any faucets or toilets that are leaking.
DO make sure that you are only discharging biodegradable wastes into your system.
DO restrict or avoid use of your garbage disposal.
DO take the time to ensure that any down spouts or other surface water is diverted away from your drainfield.
DO keep the cover to your septic tank accessible by installing covers and risers for easier inspections and pumping.
DO get your septic tank pumped regularly and have it checked for any cracks or leaks.
DO have an effluent filter installed to prevent debris from entering your drainfield.
DO add a laundry filter to your washing machine.
DO put kitchen trash into a compost or throw it into the garbage – not down your drains.

Things you should NOT do

DON’T flush products such as tampons, sanitary napkins, condoms, disposable diapers or wipes into your system.
DON’T empty oils or other types of kitchen grease down your drain.
DON’T dump any items that can disrupt the treatment process or contaminate groundwater, such as: paints, oils, thinners, pesticides, poisons or disinfectants.
DON’T build anything over your drainfield or dig in it for any reason.
DON’T plant any landscaping over your drainfield – except grass.
DON’T drive a vehicle over your drainfield or compact the soil in ANY way.
DON’T run purification back flush into the septic tank.

Unfortunately for some of our customers this information comes too late and we have septic repairs scheduled for customers today who could, in some instances, have avoided their septic breakdown by following the above advice. Today we are at customer properties in Hingham, Marshfield, Hanover, Hanson, Halifax and East Bridgewater MA for septic repairs. If you require a septic repair or if you have any questions or concerns about septic systems please do contact our Norton Office on 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Functional Inspections Protect Home Buyers In Rhode Island

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Septic Preservation Services has many years experience working in Rhode Island with customers with both commercial and private properties with septic systems. Today we have appointments for Septic Functional Inspections. A Functional inspection is an inspection of a septic system that typically includes investigation of permit records, in-home plumbing evaluation and an evaluation of septic system components including flow trial and dye tracing, as appropriate. A Functional Septic Inspection is especially intended for use during a property transfer as a means to protect the consumer and identify systems in need of upgrade or repair. We have functional inspections today for customers in Cranston, Lincoln, Smithfield, Burrillville and Johnston Rhode Island. If you require a septic inspection in Rhode Island or if you have any questions about septic systems please do contact our office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Signs of a Septic Problem

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Septic Preservation Services are very regularly called by customers who suspect that they have a septic problem but do not know the cause of the problem or how to repair it. Typical signs of a septic problem could be:

  • All of the drains from the house are slow
  • There is a sewage smell coming from your plumbing
  • There is a persistent wet area over the leach field
  • Sewage is surfacing in the area of the septic tank or distribution box
  • There is sewage seeping through the foundation
  • The liquid level in the leach field is at the top of the crushed rock layer, the chambers or other underground structures
  • The vegetation over the leach field is greener and more lush than over adjacent areas in the yard
  • There is sewage odor in the yard at times or constantly
  • There is flow back from the leach field when the septic tank is pumped
  • The septic tank needs to be pumped frequently
  • The septic tank discharge baffle is damaged or missing
  • Rain water seems to take longer to disappear over the leach field than over adjacent areas in the yard
  • Well water is contaminated

If you have any of these signs of a septic problem please do call us to discuss your concerns. We will be happy to speak to you and schedule an on site visit if necessary. Today we have appointments for customers who suspect that they have a septic problem in Mashpee, Falmouth, Sandwich, Bourne, Barnstable, Plymouth and Carver MA. If you need to schedule an appointment or need advice please do contact our Norton Office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Tips To Help Extend The Life Of Your OBD

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Septic Preservation Services has Overboard Discharge Services (OBD) and Repairs scheduled today in Tenants Harbor, Friendship, Bremen, Owl’s Head, Islesboro and Union 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. Sand filter surfaces should be mowed at least once per year. If a wet spot appears on or near the sand filter 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 on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com

Title 5 Inspections For Condominiums In Addition to Private Homes and Commercial Buildings

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Septic Preservation Services know that if you live in a condominium without town sewer you are unlikely to have anything to do with your septic system. This is because unless otherwise stated in your condominium associations governing documents:

“The condominium association is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and upgrade of the system or systems serving the units” as specified on the Mass Gov website. If goes further to say:

“Condominium systems should be inspected once every 3 years. Condominium developments with 4 or fewer units should also have their system inspected every 3 years, or within 2 years prior to the sale of one of the units.” for more information see –

https://www.mass.gov/guides/buying-or-selling-property-with-a-septic-system

We provide Title 5 Inspections for condominium associations as well as private homes and commercial properties including restaurants and office buildings. Today we have Title 5 Inspections in Middleboro, Mansfield, Bourne, Carver, Marion and Rochester MA including one for a large condominium building of more than 5 units. If you require a Title 5 Septic Inspection for any reason or have questions about septic inspections please do contact our Norton office on 877-378-4279 or visit https://www.septicpreservation.com