Septic Systems Archives - Page 4 of 42 - Septic Preservation Services

Septic Pumping Integral to Septic Maintenance

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

septic tank pumping Septic Preservation Services are available to do the septic maintenance that everyone would rather took care of itself but unfortunately needs to be done and arranged.

Septic Pumping is an important part of your septic system maintenance. If you do not have this done your system will get clogged and full and when that happens it will cease to work efficiently and eventually fail. As you can probably imagine a failed septic system is not a pretty sight (or smell) and is often a very expensive thing to fix.

This can be avoided if you not only have your septic system pumped regularly but also use a through and reputable company to do so. The frequency that your septic system should be pumped varies on a variety of factors including the size of your system and the amount it is used, however, it is recommended that it is pumped every 3-5 years. A properly maintained septic system should only be pumped every 2-5 years, as needed, to avoid removing the “good” bacteria and keep the system running smoothly. Today we have septic pumping scheduled in Attleboro, Norton, Seekonk, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, and Acushnet, MA. If it has been over three years since your septic tank had a pump out, please contact us for an evaluation and to arrange septic pumping if necessary. You can reach us at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Flooded Septic System Tips

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

With Two Major Hurricanes behind us, What should you do with flooded septic systems

With hurricane season still upon us, it’s a good time to brush up on the proper care of septic systems during flooding events.

Before the Storm

Once heavy rains start to fall and a flood is underway, try to cease water usage going to the system. Depending on the elevation of the septic tank and floodwaters, the tank can be used as a holding tank. The amount of damage to the system is related to the elevation of the flooding over the system combined with the length of time the system is flooded.

Make sure all inspection ports, lids and covers are properly capped and in place. Pumps and controls in the system can be removed and stored; remember to shut off electricity to the system. There should be no connections between the floor or foundation drains in the house and the system where water can drain through the system.

After the storm

After the floodwaters recede, the system shouldn’t be used until the soil has adequately dried to allow sewage to be absorbed without backing up, which could take several weeks. Homeowners should conserve water during that time.

Now is the time to call Septic Preservation Services to evaluate your system and let you know the condition and what steps you should be taking before using the system.

A comprehensive system inspection and assessment should also be conducted before putting the system back in use. This means opening all parts of the system — sewage tanks, drop boxes, anywhere there is access to system components — and assessing whether sediment or vegetative debris has entered the system. All sewage tanks should be pumped and cleaned out.

The tanks should be evaluated for watertightness and structural defects due to the flooding. Debris in the drop boxes should be removed. If there are pumps and a pressure distribution system, the distribution laterals should be jetted and cleaned. Pumps and controls should be reinstalled, recalibrated and tested.

The evaluation should include making sure wastewater moves between the parts of the system as intended. This may involve running a hydraulic load test on the soil treatment part of the system.

About a month after the system is restarted, Septic Preservation willschedule a follow-up visit to check for proper operation. Any pumps and controls should be checked and the pump calibrations re-evaluated to make sure they are delivering the correct amount of effluent.

Septic tank manhole covers should be secured and inspection ports should be free of blockage and damage. Make sure there’s no damage caused by animal intrusion in the soil treatment a

Inspections also should include a look at the vegetation over the septic tank, and any erosion damage should be repaired with sod or seeding to provide good plant cover.

If sewage backed up inside the home, homeowners should thoroughly disinfect the house, but they should avoid flushing disinfectants down the drain.

Destroyed systems

Floodwaters can cause components of a septic system to be partially or completely washed away. The owner of such a system shouldn’t assume that soil or other fill can be added and new system components constructed.

Heavy rains can cause slides to partially or completely cover septic system components with rock, mud or silt. These slides can affect the operational integrity of the system, especially the soil treatment systems.

Special care should be taken to keep vehicle and equipment traffic off the soil treatment system to avoid compaction.

If the soil treatment system is saturated or has standing water long after other areas have dried out, there may be a long-term problem related to the flood.

With luck, we won’t have to worry about a major hurricane impacting New England but preventative steps may be able to help save your septic system.

Septic Preservation Services is ready and able to answer all your questions on prevention and are the first call to action in case of a major disaster. You can reach them at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Parts of this article were published in Pumper Magazine on September 7, 2017. Visit www.pumper.com for more septic news.

The Facts About Cesspools

/in Bob Silva, cesspool, cesspool replacement, cesspool service, cesspool upgrades, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, Septic Preservation Services /by

Septic Preservation Services has extensive experience with both septic systems and cesspools. A cesspool is a pit which acts as both a settling chamber for solids and a leaching system for liquids. The use of cesspools may overload the capacity of the soil to remove bacteria, viruses, and phosphorus, and to nitrify ammonia and organic nitrogen compounds.

A conventional septic system has a tank where solids can settle and begin to degrade, a distribution box, and a soil absorption system (SAS) that further treats the effluent by removing some of the bacteria, viruses, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Conventional septic systems are now more common, but there are many homes and properties that still have cesspools which are not required to be replaced. However, cesspools that exhibit signs of hydraulic failure, are located extremely close to private or public water supplies, or otherwise fail to protect or pose a threat to public health, safety or the environment will need to be upgraded.

We are replacing a cesspool for a customer in Stoughton, MA today because they have added 2 bedrooms to their home and cesspools must be upgraded prior to an increase in design flow. We also have cesspool services in Southborough, Marlborough, Grafton, Holliston, Millbury, and Uxbridge, MA.

If you have a cesspool that needs servicing or replacing please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Rejuvenation by Septic Preservation Services

/in Bob Silva, Down to Earth Construction, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, Septic Preservation Services, septic system remediation /by

septic system rejuvenation Septic Preservation Services has septic rejuvenation appointments today for customers in Wayland, Stow, Maynard, Hingham, Sharon, and Millis, MA. Septic Rejuvenation utilizes a patented technology to intermittently aerate the drainfield and surrounding soil. This method is used as an alternative to aerating the wastewater in the septic tank. It allows failed septic systems to rapidly rejuvenate, extending the lifespan of the drainfield and the septic system, while enhancing the treatment process .This technology has been applied in residential situations for both single and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial situations, servicing hotels, laundromats, grocery stores, food processing facilities, healthcare services, marinas, restaurants, and more.

Some of the benefits associated with Septic Rejuvenation include:

rapid restoration of proper septic system functions
lower costs for installation, operation and maintenance
enhanced removal of pathogens, nitrogen, phosphorus and B.O.D.
minimal damage/disruption to existing property landscape
long term, cost-effective solution

If you would be interested in septic rejuvenation or if you have any questions please do contact our office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservaion.com

Overboard Discharge Repairs and Services in Maine and New Hampshire

/in Bob Silva, Kittery, Maine, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, overboard discharge, overboard discharge repairs, overboard discharge services, rochester /by

Maine Septic Preservation Services has Overboard Discharge Repairs and Overboard Discharge Services today in Kittery, Kittery Point, Berwick, North Berwick, Wells, Rochester, NH, Kennebunk, and West Kennebunk, Maine.

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. If you require an OBD Repair or OBD Service please do contact our Biddeford, Maine Office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic Inspections in Rhode Island Today

/in Bob Silva, norton, rhode island, septic inspection, septic inspections, Septic Preservation Services /by

Septic Preservation Services have septic inspections scheduled today in Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, and Jamestown, Rhode Island. We carry out thorough, professional and convenient septic inspections for property owners with septic systems.

Our inspections are often requested by property owners who are selling a property with a septic system and need to provide an inspection to their buyers, but we also conduct inspections for buyers who wish to have an inspection done on a property prior to purchase.

A large portion of our septic inspection business comes from word of mouth either from satisfied previous customers, repeat customers or from realtor referrals, because realtors are confident recommending our service to their clients when they need septic inspections. Realtors are happy to work with us on a repeat basis because they know that Septic Preservation Services will provide a quality inspection for their clients.

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

Septic System Education

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, norton, septic repairs, septic repairs and adjustments, septic system education, septic system maintenance /by

septic education Septic Preservation Services is regularly contacted by customers who require septic repairs that could have been avoided if they had used their septic system correctly. If you own a property with a septic system you need to be aware of how you, and your family, use your system. Following some simple suggestions could help you avoid septic repairs and extend the life of your septic system. We suggest:

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 septic 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

Today we have septic repairs scheduled in Plymouth, Marshfield, Carver, Canton, and Hingham, MA including a septic pump repair and drain field issue. These repairs could have been avoided if some of the above recommendations had been followed.

We have found items including toy boats and dolls in property owners’ septic systems causing problems. You need to ensure that your entire family knows what can, and cannot, be flushed! If you have any questions or need to schedule a septic repair please do contact our Norton office at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Bacteria and Enzymes in Your Septic System

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, New Hampshire, norton, rhode island, Septic Preservation Services /by

What makes a septic system work properly? Billions of naturally occurring microscopic bacteria and enzymes are responsible for a major part of the three-stage treatment that processes wastewater in a septic system.

The wastewater in the septic tank begins the process of decomposition by separating into layers. Bacteria, which is naturally present in all septic systems, will begin to digest the solids which have settled to the bottom of the tank. These naturally occurring bacteria will change up to 50% of these solids into liquids and gases.

There are all kinds of additives on the market advertised to improve the biological environment of your septic system, but most experts agree that they are not needed. The best plan is to keep high doses of cleaners and bleaches out of your septic system which can kill off the beneficial bacteria.

Another important part of the process occurs in the drainfield. The effluent, or wastewater from the septic tank enters the drain or leachfield and comes into contact with the biomat. There are organisms living in the biomat which further digest the organic matter in the effluent and from there it reaches the soil where the last part of the process occurs. Bacteria in the soil further treat the waste. It is important that the drainfield not be flooded. Many of these bacteria found in the soil and biomat are aerobic or oxygen dependent. If water floods a drainfield, they may die off and will not be replenished until the flooding is relieved.

Septic Preservation Services can answer all your septic system questions. Call them at 877-378-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com Ask them about their maintenance program and emergency services. They have all the answers to your septic needs.

Sewage Grinder Pump Repairs by Septic Preservation Services

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

grinder pump repairs Septic Preservation Services have septic repairs including a sewage grinder pump repair today in Sturbridge, Oxford, Brimfield, Brookfield, Dudley, Uxbridge, and Millbury, MA.

As with all parts of your septic system your grinder pump is an essential part of your septic system. Waste from water-using household appliances (toilets, bathtubs, washing machines, etc.) flows through your home’s pipes into the grinder pump’s holding tank. Once the wastewater inside the tank reaches a specific level, the pump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine slurry, and pump it to the central sewer system or septic tank. A sewage grinder pump does what the name suggests and is not something that you want to leave inoperative because more serious breakdowns and larger repairs may then be necessary.

If you require a septic repair or if you have concerns about your septic system, please do contact our Norton office where we will be happy to answer any questions you have and book an appointment if necessary. You can reach us at 877-348-4279 or visit www.septicpreservation.com

Septic System Installation

/in Bob Silva, Massachusetts, Mattapoisett, septic design and installation, Septic Preservation Services /by

Septic Preservation Services have a septic system installation starting today in Blackstone, Massachusetts for a property that is being sold and has failed its Title 5 septic Inspection. The homeowner was not required to have their septic system replaced but have chosen to do so to better enable them to sell their property quickly and at a higher price.

We provided the initial septic design and are now doing the septic installation having ensured all relevant local permits have been pulled and regulations followed.

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

Posts

With Two Major Hurricanes behind us, What should you do with flooded septic systems

After the storm

Destroyed systems