I have a septic system, what does that mean?
When you have a septic system you are basically the operator of your own onsite waste water treatment facility. Along with this ownership comes responsibility. It is your job to ensure that the system is maintained and kept in proper working order. A malfunctioning septic system is not only an inconvenience to the home owner, but it can also pose a health risk to family members, the community and to the environment. Luckily a properly functioning system requires relatively little maintenance, but it is not maintenance free.
Read MoreHow does a septic system function?
A conventional septic system is a relatively simple system that relies on natural biological processes and gravity. A conventional septic system is composed of two parts: the tank and the disposal area (aka leaching area). In Arizona septic tanks are commonly made out of three materials: pre-cast concrete, fiberglass, and high density polyethylene, with pre-cast concrete being the most common. The purpose of the septic tank is to provide a location for the organic and inorganic matter to separate from the waste coming into the tank from the building. Once inside the tank, naturally occuring...
Read MoreHow do I maintain my septic system and why is it important?
Proper maintenance of a septic system begins with what you put down the drain. Unlike city sewer, a septic system has a design flow of so many gallons per day. If the design flow is exceeded on a regular basis, backups and problems with the leaching area may result. A way to estimate your home’s design flow is to multiply the number of bedrooms by 150 gallons per day. Following this example a three bedroom home would have an estimated design flow of 450 gallons per day. Keep in mind that the average family of four uses 150-250 gallons of water per day inside the home, but this number...
Read MoreI am careful with what I put down the drain do I still need to have my tank pumped?
This is a very common question and the answer is yes. The reason you need to have a septic tank pumped is because of retention time. Retention time is how long it takes for incoming waste to make its way through the septic tank and out to the disposal area. It is during this period of time that the solids suspended in the waste stream either settle to the bottom of the tank or float to the surface to form the scum layer. As the scum layer and solids build up over time the effective capacity of the tank is reduced. This reduction in effective capacity also causes a reduction the retention...
Read MoreHow should my septic tank be pumped? Does it need to be cleaned too?
In Arizona, the year that your septic tank was installed can have a big impact on how the tank is pumped and cleaned. Over the years there have been many different styles of tanks installed, differing not only in materials but also how many lids are on the tank and how many compartments the tank is divided into. Regardless of how the tank is constructed or designed, the proper way to pump a tank is to pump it from the largest available opening which will usually be an 18″-24″ diameter lid. The confusion over pumping or cleaning a septic tanks comes in because some companies will...
Read MoreHow do I know I am having my tank pumped from the right opening?
This can be difficult to ascertain without seeing the system but there are several guide lines that we ourselves use to determine what to look for. By knowing what year the tank was installed we can determine what style to look for dating back to about the 1950′s. This means less time spent exposing the tank, thus a lower labor cost.
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