Tag Archive for: Rhode Island

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
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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.

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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 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.

septic services

Ten Important Facts About Your Septic System

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septic systemWhile most people who live in an area where septic systems are used are familiar with how they work and the type of care and maintenance required, those who are new to this type of on-site sewage processing have a lot to learn. This article features the top ten things that you need to know about septic systems in Rhode Island or anywhere in New England in order to keep your system running properly.

#1 – What Kind of Septic System Do You Have?

While there are standard systems that consist of a basic septic tank that empties out into a leachfield, there are several variations on that standard set-up that can make a difference in how your septic system operates and the type of maintenance required. If you aren’t sure what kind of septic system you have, set up an appointment with a licensed and certified septic system inspection and maintenance service, such as Septic Preservation Services, to find out for sure.

#2 – Where Is Your Septic System Located?

The only way you can protect your septic system from accidental damage is to know where it is located. The septic tank is buried underground and your leachfield should be somewhere near the tank. There are a couple of important rules regarding leachfield care and damage prevention that will be discussed later, so knowing where yours is located should be at the top of your list. Following your septic system inspection, speak with the technician to find out where everything is on your property.

#3 – Are You Required to Get Professional Inspections?

Whenever you buy or sell a home that has a septic system, you are required by law to get a professional inspection by a licensed inspector. That being said, you may also be required to get a Rhode Island town inspection, depending on where you live. Many towns throughout the state require these inspections as part of the local ordinance, which includes both residential and commercial property owners alike. Towns such as North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Jamestown and Charlestown. Septic Preservation Services is licensed to perform Rhode Island town inspections and Massachusetts Title V inspections.

#4 – Is Your Septic System Working Properly?

Again, a visit from a licensed septic system inspection company will help you determine a lot about your system. You should consider getting a preventative septic system maintenance in Barrington or anywhere in the state that will help you stay on top of your system to make sure it is running effectively. Regular check-ups can help you avoid major costs associated with repairs or replacement of septic systems in Rhode Island.

#5 – What Are Some Signs of Septic System Failure?

If your septic system fails it can quickly become a health hazard. Signs that your system is failing or has failed include sewage or untreated wastewater pooling over the leachfield, backups happening in the bathroom, kitchen or other plumbing areas inside your home, and a horrible odor wafting up from your drains or in your backyard. If this happens, make sure to contact a licensed septic system technician out to your property right away.

#6 – What Maintenance Has Been Done on My System Before?

Before you purchase a home, it is important to speak with the seller about the septic system. Questions to ask include the age of the system, the last date that the system was pumped, the frequency of pumping, if there have been any signs of potential failure and whether or not any additions have been made to the house since the septic system was installed. Septic systems are designed based upon the number of bedrooms, which indicate the possible number of persons living in the home. It is important to ensure that the system has been properly maintained and that it can accommodate the usage of the home.

#7 – What Type of Care is Required for a Septic System?

Septic maintenance in Barrington is the same as it is anywhere else. The first rule of thumb is to watch your water use so you don’t flood the leachfield. Daily water use per person should be around 50 gallons. A leachfield is designed for each home based upon a maximum use of 120 gallons per bedroom. This figure includes laundry, showers, toilet flushes – anything that puts water into the septic tank. Don’t put items into your system such as tissues, cigarettes, cotton swabs, kitty litter, coffee grounds or sanitary napkins. Do not use a garbage disposal and never put cooking oil or grease down the drain. Chemicals and cleaning products should not go down the drain either, including pesticides, paints, thinners, poisons an even disinfectants. These chemicals will kill the good bacteria in your system that helps to purify the sewage.

#8 – What Type of Care is Required for a Leachfield?

It is important that to keep an eye on your leachfield to make sure it is safe from damage. The soil over your leachfield should be covered with grass or another safe type of vegetation that won’t create deep roots and damage the system. Grass works to prevent the soil from eroding over time. Never drive or park a vehicle over top your leachfield or septic tank. Avoid doing any type of construction over or near the area and never ever cover your tank or leachfield with concrete or asphalt.

#9 – Are There Any Preventative Maintenance That Can Be Done?

Septic systems in Rhode Island will run better if you keep an eye on a few simple things. Check your home regularly for leaks or dripping faucets to cut down on wastewater in the septic tank. If you have any trees near your system or leachfield, cut them own or move them to another area of your property. Make sure to treat any remaining stumps to prevent continued root growth and spread underground. Make sure none of your gutters are pointing toward your leachfield or your system will quickly become flooded when it rains. When you hire a licensed septic system inspection technician to review your system, ask about preventative maintenance programs that are designed to help you stay on top of your system to keep it running effectively and efficiently.

#10 – Can I Do Repairs Myself?

Even if you are completely familiar with your septic tank system setup and have experience working with septic systems in the past, it is in your best interest to hire professional septic maintenance in Barrington or anywhere else in New England to repair your septic system. The same ordinances an local laws that require Rhode Island town inspections also require that repairs and other professional services be conducted by professional technicians that are licensed and certified to do the work at hand. Septic systems can be very dangerous and it is in your best interest and safety to hire a professional to get the job done.

Get Started on the Right Track

Whether you need a septic system inspection or maintenance for your septic systems in Rhode Island, contact Septic Preservation Services to evaluate, maintain and repair your system. SPS offers a preventative maintenance program that is designed to help you save money over the lifetime of your septic system by making sure that everything is in proper working order on a regular basis.

If you need Rhode Island town inspections, SPS is licensed to conduct these septic system inspections and file the necessary reports according to your town ordinance. For more information on Septic Preservation Services, call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

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Septic Preservation Services Revising Informational Brochures

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       Septic Preservation Services  5/24/16 Septic Preservation Services in conjunction with our sister companies All Clear Septic and Wastewater and Down to Earth Construction are revising our informational brochures. We would like to better convey all of the services that we provide including title 5 septic inspections, septic designs, septic repairs, septic tank pumping, and septic system installations. We also want to communicate that we are a full service septic company from Wellfleet, Plymouth, Dartmouth, Attleboro, Franklin, Halifax, the entire north shore, all of Rhode Island as well as Maine. If you have any suggestions how we can better communicate this information please call our office at 877-379-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

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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.

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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

Septic Preservation Services

Septic Preservation Sevices Looking for a New Team Member

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Septic Preservation Services5/4/16 Septic Preservation Services is looking for a new team member to join our team of septic repair specialists, title 5 inspectors, and waste treatment plant operators. This individual will be part of a comprehensive team of septic inspectors, engineers, septic installers, septic repair specialists, microbiologists, and title 5 septic inspectors. Ideally this individual will live in or around the area of Taunton, Raynham, Mansfield, Norton, Lakeville, Freetown, or Dighton. The service area will include all of Massachusetts and Rhode Island with occasional trips to Maine and New Hampshire. However most work will be performed in the region including Wellfleet, Dennis, Marion, Plymouth, Halifax, Pembroke, West Bridgewater, Norton, Franklin, Attleboro, Seekonk, Swansea, Fall River, Dartmouth, and Acushnet.

Call 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

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Septic Preservation Services in Rhode Island Today

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4/20/16 Septic Preservation Services will be servicing advanced treatment units including Advantex, FAST, and Singulair systems in Tiverton, RI. Portsmouth, RI, and Little Compton, RI today. Our septic inspectors will also be conducting Portsmouth first maintenance and routine maintenance inspections today.

Call 877-378-4279 for more information or visit www.septicpreservation.com