Septic System Maintenance and Tips

Failures in your septic system will have negative implications on your family’s health. This can be unsightly, produce foul smell, as well as contaminate your well water. It’s for this reason that septic system maintenance is of great importance.

Septic system maintenance isn’t difficult

All you need is to follow some basic tips such as diverting rainwater from your septic drain field. A soggy drain field will not absorb and neutralize the liquid waste, so ensure you divert excess water away from the septic drain field.

Avoid overloading your drain field and septic tank. You should for instance try reducing the amount of water required to flush your toilet, reduce the amount of water used for your small loads of laundry, as well as reduce the amount of water you use at the shower.


You should avoid disposing garbage to your septic tank, because they will clog the tank in no time. Never flush disposable diapers, cat litter, sanitary napkins, paper towels, cigarette butts, or facial tissues. Your septic system should only have tiny particle waste, which is easier for it to digest.

As part of septic system maintenance, you should also minimize on the use of heavy duty cleaners as they kill beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. Such bacterial helps in the breakdown of solid waste. Avoid hazardous chemicals such as vanish, gasoline, paint thinners, and motor oil, because they ruin the septic system. You should also avoid pouring grease down the drain, as it makes it impossible for the soil to absorb liquids.

Having dense grass cover or other shallow rooted plants over your septic tank is beneficial. However, keep trees away from your septic tank because their roots can clog the system or break the pipes.

The septic tank should be pumped every 2 to 5 years, based on the use. This prevents particles of sludge or scum flushing out of the tank and clogging the drain tiles. You should hire a professional to clean your tank.

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What is Septic?

Septic System

What exactly does the “septic” in “septic system” refer to?

According to Dictionary.com, “septic” means “pertaining to or of the nature of sepsis; infected” or “putrefactive.” It comes from an original Greek word meaning “rotten.” FreeThesaurus.com lists synonyms including dirty, germy, infectious and unhealthful.


Clearly, nobody would want to be around anything that is septic.

So why would anybody want a septic tank or a septic system?

The “septic” in “septic tank” or “septic system” refers to the environment in the tank, which is, yes, septic because of what goes into it from sinks, bath drains, washing machines and toilets. This septic tank environment is rich in anaerobic bacteria, meaning bacteria that do not use oxygen. These bacteria break down the nasty elements that settle to the bottom of the tank into food for other bacteria. What goes into a septic system is indeed dirty, germy, infectious and unhealthful for us, but makes a lush banquet for our single-celled friends. The leftovers remain settled on the bottom, to be cleaned out periodically by trained technicians who can haul it off from our property and dispose of it. From there, it can go to a sewage treatment plant, a cesspool, or an approved landfill.

In some areas, the sludge from septic tanks is portioned out as fertilizer. In a few areas, it’s used to generate electricity by being broken down to release methane, which is then burned as fuel for a generator.

What of the stuff that doesn’t settle to the bottom? The fluid in the septic system makes its way to a drain field, where the organic material serves as a fertilizer for whatever plants are growing there.

Thus, while what goes into the septic system is indeed septic for us, it is nutritious for bacteria and plants, and can even become a renewable source of clean energy.

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Solving Septic System Problems with Air

A septic system is designed to clean household wastewater and restore it to the ground. This occurs through a two-step operation that involves bacterial digestion to break down solid material and soil filtration to remove toxins. Oxygen is vital to this process. Without air, the system cannot work properly and wastewater will back up, possibly contaminating wells and other water sources. The leach-field, the component that handles this function, is a common culprit in septic systems that perform poorly.

Over time, soil in the field can become densely compacted and deprived of oxygen. The aerobic bacteria responsible for waste digestion die off and the water is unable to percolate through the ground. Pathogenic bacteria and viruses are not filtered out and nitrogen accumulates in the soil. Homeowners may notice slow draining toilets and sinks, frequent blockages in plumbing fixtures, bare patches of ground around the system, and sewage odors inside the home. During servicing, a technician may note that water flows backwards into the holding tank.

Repair traditionally requires digging up the old system and relocating it or installing a new system. Although costly and time consuming, it may still be the best option in many cases. If the old septic system is damaged beyond repair or there is a significant increase in the demand for wastewater processing, a new tank and field line are necessary. Occasionally the old system can be left in place and used as a backup for heavy workloads.

For septic problems caused by poor soil drainage and aeration, lakenormanseptic.com recommends the Terra-lift technology as an affordable alternative. Using special equipment, high-pressure blasts of air are injected deep into the ground at various locations. Creating large fractures in compacted soil, new drainage channels are opened thereby increasing oxygen levels and loosening the dirt. Inserting plastic beads into the ground ensures that the new fissures remain open and prevent soil re-compaction. Ultimately, this leads to better waste water filtration and lower nitrogen levels in the system.

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How Often to Clean Out Your Septic Tank

There are all too many homeowners that spend unnecessary amounts of money to repair or replace their septic tank. This is likely because not many realize that regular maintenance performed by a professional company can help to save bundles in the future.

There are various factors that will determine how often your septic tank will need to be cleaned. Each home will require different cleaning times depending on the frequency of use and whether there are harsh chemicals or garbage disposals contributing to the pile. Other factors like the number of members in the household, size of the tank, and amount of waste also contribute to filling the tank.

The costs for a septic tank cleaning are minimal compared to the expenses involved with repairing. With the help of modern technology, septic tanks are fairly simple to maintain and empty but this operation should not be done by the inexperienced. It is vital that homeowners do not try to clean the tank on their own because harmful fumes can be damaging to the body when inhaled.

Even homeowners with new septic tanks installed should regularly empty, maintain, and clean the system. This is crucial because over time, sludge can buildup and cause problems with operations. A simple issue can quickly turn into a messy complication so simply because you do not see or smell the problem yet, having professional care is highly recommended.

Most homeowners do not hire professionals to care for their septic tank for fear that the costs are too high. But actually, finding an honest company with a wide range of services can be the answer to saving money in the long run. It is certainly important to beware of the companies that scam and do not have the sufficient foundation to complete the job.

Choosing the wrong company to do the job could mean unnecessary expenses and stress. A reliable way to go would be to choose a company like All About the Pipes Inc. because with experience necessary, fair pricing, and the utmost professional practices, your septic tank and wallet will be healthy.

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The Dog and the Clog

Christina got the call at work.

Dirty Dog“I swear, I was only gone for five minutes!” her thoroughly flustered husband explained. “I had just given the kids their lunch. I left to go to the bathroom. When I came back downstairs, they had smeared peanut butter all over the dog.”

The situation seemed straightforward enough to Christina. “Give the dog a bath,” she told him.

He did. Unfortunately, instead of taking their golden retriever outside and bathing her in the wading pool, her husband lathered up the besmeared pooch in the bath tub.

Needless to say, the next call Christina got was that the tub wouldn’t drain. It wasn’t going to drain with plunging. It wasn’t going to drain with a bottle of drain cleaner. This drain needed professional help.

Fortunately, professionals like the folks at Lake Norman Sewer & Septic have the tools and the know-how to deal with situations like this. A quick snaking cleared out the gooey dog hair, and the tub was soon draining normally.

It doesn’t take a move straight out of a situation comedy to clog a drain. Sometimes it’s just the accumulation of hair and products from innumerable showers. Sometimes all the grease and food bits from dinner plates congeal. Sometimes an outside drain is blocked thanks to a tree root. Lake Norman Sewer & Septic can help.

The skilled technicians at LKNSAS have cable snakes to tackle drains of all sizes, from 1 1/4 inch kitchen and bathroom sinks to 4-inch sewer drains. Their high pressure water jet trailer unit can take on gutter lines, floor drains, and exterior sewer drains of all sizes, up to 12 inches.

Their drain service for three inch and four inch drains include a high tech sewer camera that allows a thorough inspection of drains for bellies and breaks.

Whatever the problem is, from a peanut-butter-and-dog-hair clog fest to the toddler flushing his training pants down the toilet, Lake Norman Sewer & Septic can be there whenever there’s a need. The best Charlotte drain cleaning professionals are never more than a phone call away.

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Huntersville Septic and Huntersville septic cleaning

Finding The Best Septic Company Locally
In areas where septic systems are prominently installed, it’s important to find a professional septic company quickly. These localities have a number of choices. Choosing the septic service with top quality technicians and performance takes a more discerning view of personalized needs for septic service.

Lake Norman Septic
Visit www.lakenormanseptic.com and you’ll find a wealth of much-needed information that helps educate customers before services are performed. It’s reassuring to know Lake Norman Septic serves the entire North Charlotte area. This indicates a wider knowledge of local issues regarding terrain, water, septic problems and customer service. This is especially important for residents of the Hunterville area.

Hunterville Septic Service
Septic services in Hunterville are a big help to new home owners and those who relocated to this area. Correctly identifying locations of septic systems is performed reliably by Lake Norman Septic. This is part of their expertise acquired in 43 years of a family-owned business. With a staff that has 30-plus years of experience, customers need only make the initial contact at www.lakenorman.com to see that each detail of septic business for Hunterville septic systems is fully explained for customer convenience.

Hunterville Septic Systems
The certified, licensed professionals at Lake Norman Septic offer a variety of services for Hunterville septic systems including a technique of drain field service that’s particularly effective. In addition, they offer baffle replacement, pumping, system repairs, leaching line tracing and mapping as well as riser/cleanout installation and a range of additional services. They use only the best state-of-the-art equipment and provide a full report of their work.

Click on www.lakenorman.com
A professionally created website tells much about the business owner.
Click on www.lakenorman.com and it’s evident that every detail of service is clearly outlined for customer convenience. Take the time to view the website. Most visitors find a wealth of information on the company, status in the septic industry, services offered, regions serviced, complete details of each aspect of the numerous services offered and photos of their professional staff and the location of their business. With all of this information so near at hand, Hunterville has the advantage of insuring their septic systems are well maintained at cost-effective rates.

When An Emergency Occurs In Hunterville Septic Systems Whether the need is for regular maintenance or when emergencies occur, having the very best septic professionals ready to assist is a big relief.

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Cornelius Septic – Quality Work With A Quality Company

The Intricate Art Of Septic Installation And Repair
There’s much more to septic installation than meets the amateur eye. This is the reason septic installation, replacements and repair should never be left to chance. Septic experts are fully knowledgeable of regional terrain and septic excavation depths. Add to this design and planning, state-of-the-art excavating equipment and fully-trained operators and the entire installation or repair process creates the picture of a top quality septic company.

Experience Is Key To Quality
Experience is always the first priority when seeking septic professionals. These experts have accumulated years of experience that’s immediately evident in their efficient, quality work and timely response to their customers needs. A serious septic problem requires immediate attention. Ignoring regular maintenance may result in far more costly repairs. At the time of new installation or replacement check with the septic experts on an annual plan of maintenance.

Fast, Reliable Service
If a septic repair or replacement becomes necessary, look for a quality, licensed company that offers professional consultations and an estimate of work needed. This takes the guesswork out of cost for labor and equipment. This is also a good time to check the company’s liability insurance. Professional septic consultants will take the time to discuss the work in detail and the time involved in the project. This is another reason to look for a quality company with a good history of work in the local area.

Septic Reviews
Very often when a repair becomes evident, the septic professional may find other problems that require attention. This may include testing the integrity of the tank as well as leak testing and detection. This is one benefit of using a top quality company. They know specific water tables of the area and the effect on underground septic tanks. Long-term experience provides them with the ability to judge the seriousness of any changes to the area surrounding the septic tank. A full report will be provided and discussed with customers as a follow up to the review.

Cost vs. Expertise
In most cases, the quality professional consultant will offer several options and price ranges for customers so they have a better assessment of variables for each option. A full warranty arrangement will be provided when all work has been completed. It’s reassuring to know that the work performed and equipment installed, repaired or replaced is high quality and carries a full warranty.

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Charlotte Drain Cleaning

Experienced Drain Cleaning Services
The benchmark to look for in drain cleaning services is excellence and experience. Finding the most reputable, experienced drain cleaning professionals in the Charlotte area is as simple as visiting www.lakenormanseptic.com or calling (704) 483-5125. Lake Norman Septic has a 49-year history and track record of excellence and experience in drain cleaning services.

When an emergency occurs, you want to feel secure that your drain problem is resolved by top notch professionals. Lake Norman Septic offers a wide variety of services from cleaning clogged household drains to the installation of complex septic and sewer systems for businesses and residential needs. There’s no guesswork with Lake Norman Septic. Customers know their drain difficulties will be resolved quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.

Don’t Wait For An Emergency To Happen
Household and commercial drains are used daily. Heavy-duty use is one reason for residue buildup that cause clogs. Residue build-up over time can create gaseous odors, a potential health threat, as well as stubborn clogs in drains. When a drain is no longer free-flowing, it’s important to seek out the services of professionals to assess and remediate the situation as quickly as possible.

Repair Problems
It’s takes a trained eye to spot potential repair problems. Regular drain maintenance saves costly repairs before they occur. Drain cleaning maintenance plans are available and actually save customers expense. In older homes, a regular maintenance plan is especially important. As homes and commercial business drainage systems age, they often need replacement. Upgrading a drain system is one of the many services offered by Lake Norman Septic. Newer materials used in replacement parts and equipment are far more advanced and provide longer wear.

Regular drain inspections like regular drain maintenance are far less costly than waiting until an emergency occurs. Emergencies most always happen at the least convenient times. A clogged drain in a commercial business means loss of revenue, depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

Set Up A Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Plan
The experts at Lake Norman Septic are ready to provide inspection services for residential and commercial businesses. Discuss a preventative plan of inspections and maintenance with Lake Norman Septic’s professional consultants. They will arrange inspection and maintenance schedules at customers’ convenience as well as provide a detailed report of the type of work planned for each visit. This is the smart way to avoid problems and huge repair bills.

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Septic Pumping Reminder

For all of you homeowners who have septic systems, remember you should have your septic tank pump at a minimum of every three years. Remember to keep using your Bioremed in between pump outs.  Lapsing with regular system maintenance may lead to system backup of failure.

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Welcome to our new blog

Welcome to the Lake Norman Septic blog. We look forward to talking with you about all kinds of things related to the septic industry in the greater Lake Norman area.

Best regards,

Lake Norman Septic

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