Spring Could Bring Problems To Septic Systems

Posted on March 22, 2014 by admin

Preventing Septic System Problems During Spring

Spring

Because many regions of the US have had a very tough winter this year, it is possible that spring may bring some problems to septic systems and their owners. The speedy melting of snow and some spring rains, may cause runoff from septic systems, which could contaminate other water sources or areas.

While it may be very difficult for this to happen, as most rural areas and agricultural land now follow certain procedures and standards for not having any of their livestock waste runoff into other septic systems, it is possible for some areas to experience problems and people should do their best to stay away from surface water, as there will be some high risk of bacteria levels and other waterborne diseases.

There are still however, some areas which are poorly placed or that have some damaged fields and this means that some water sources could become contaminated very easily. At the moment, authorities in several states are concerned about their rising streams and rivers, as these could be the water sources, which get contaminated first and take the bacteria to communities nearby.

Although their primary concerns are raising streams and rivers, authorities are also recommending people who live in rural areas or who have septic tanks to watch for flooding signs, as this may happen even if you do not live in a flood risk area.

The most critical warning sign to watch for is standing water on top of your septic system. This is an obvious sign that your septic system or tank is not draining as it should be. If you find some of your home’s drain to be working slower than usual or causing some gurgling, it might also mean that the septic system you have installed is experiencing some problems.

If this happens to you, it would be a good idea to reduce the pressure on the system by using less water than you usually do. If at all possible, you should stop using the septic system when you suspect that there might be a flooding problem or saturation problem, as this will prevent wastewater from being treated and it will only become a pollution source.

It is not a very good idea to pump your tank while the ground around it is saturated or even to use other equipment to try and reduce the water in the ground around the tank, as this could cause the situation to become even worse.

The best thing to do is to try and conserve as much water as possible and to wait for the system to restore itself and the water levels to drop down.

Septic Tanks And Running Water During Cold Temperatures

Posted on February 28, 2014 by admin

Septic tanks and cold weather

Septic systems can easily freeze when there are cold temperatures and frost is running deep under the ground. People, who live in rural areas and have a septic system installed in their properties, should be very careful about running water to keep their lines open.

If the temperatures are really cold and you keep adding water to your septic system, it could cause the entire system to freeze completely and lead to more problems in your home. Residences, which have a septic system installed, should consider installing an alternative method for keeping their water pipes flowing with water properly, as this will prevent their septic systems from freezing.

Mark Mathre, who is an environmental health specialist, stated “lots of communities are having trouble with freezing water lines, which is a fairly new issue for the larger systems. The easy fix is to tell people it’s a good idea to let the water drip. That is one of the worst ideas for a septic system, because it really increases the risk of freeze up.”

Here are some more tips, which will help any septic system owner, to prevent freezing and other problems:

Do not let water run, if you own and are using a septic system.
Dripping fixtures, like toilets and faucets, should be repaired immediately. If at all possible, using a condensation discharge from a high-efficiency furnace can help to prevent your septic system from freezing up.
Immersion-type tank heaters and stock tank heaters are also a good way to prevent your system’s tank from freezing.
Insulating your septic tank is an excellent way to prevent it from freezing and this can be done by piling up snow or covering the top of your septic tank.

If you are having other types of problems with your septic tank you can always contact Lake Norman Septic and we will help you solve your problems.

Thankfully, the cold winter days are almost over now and you will not have to worry much longer about your septic system freezing up.

Do Septic Systems Affect Water Quality?

Posted on January 30, 2014 by admin

Studies on The Effects of Septic Systems in the Environment

Around 25% of homes in the United States are not connected to the community sewage systems and have a separate septic system installed. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that at least 48.5% of homes in the State of North Carolina also have a septic system installed.

According to data from a study in Atlanta, there were around 500,000 septic systems in the area during 2006 and it was predicted that the number would grow at least 12,000 more units per year. Mussie Habteselassie, who is a researcher from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences said, “Home septic systems are still very common and not just in rural areas. On-site septic systems drain into drain fields where the soil treats the waste water. The soils filter out the contaminants in the waste water before it reaches the ground water and the streams.”

The University of Georgia is currently leading a three-year study in order to find out if septic systems do affect water quality. Water samples have been taken several times during a year in order to determine what septic systems can do to underwater canals and rivers. The samples have been taken during both wet and dry seasons, which will give a much better explanation of what goes underground and how much contamination a septic system can produce, if any at all.

People are under the impression that septic systems take away water from their streams and rivers, but the recent study’s results are proving that septic systems could in fact help to increase the overall level of water in these kinds of settings. The time of year and season seems to influence the amount of water that septic systems supply to streams and rivers, but further samples during 2014 will yield more information about this.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about the bacteria and residues that septic systems can send to rivers and streams, but the studies are proving that these systems do not affect the water in our environment and that septic water is naturally treated thanks to the soils composition and other climate factors.

At Lake Norman Septic, we worry about our environment and we are always looking to find new eco friendly methods for improving your home. Feel free to contact us for any inquiries or to get an answer to some of your questions. We are always ready to help you out and we want to make your home feel comfortable for you.

Leave Your Dirty Chores for your Sewer Cleaning Service

Posted on January 14, 2013 by admin

Let’s face it, nobody wants to have to take care of a house’s many responsibilities. That’s why it is of great importance to try to minimize your own work to as little as possible, by finding professional services to take care of your specific household requirements. Whether it is mowing the lawn, painting the walls, or construction work, it all gets easier when one finds a professional service to get the job done quickly and easily. One major household requirement which must be dealt with by a professional service is the sewer cleaning process, therefore making a sewer cleaning service a must to find.

Finding a professional service to clean the sewer is a very important process, as a service with little experience can cause more damage than help. Therefore, it is crucial to perform the necessary research before hiring a service to do so. This can be done by Googling service reviews and asking friends and family for recommendations.

Sewer lines can often get damaged or clogged from roots and other different environmental conditions. A blocked or damaged sewer line can be a huge nightmare when the sewage itself gets retrograded into the house or apartment. Fortunately, today’s sewer services have many options to offer in terms of sewer replacement, sewer cleaning and sewer repair. Decades ago, sewer repair meant having to dig up the lawn and a major undertaking. Due to recent technological advancements, most sewer contractors now have the option to offer alternative techniques, rather than digging into the lawn.

Depending on the exact sewer line issue, an experiences sewer service is able to provide the best solution to take care of your unique sewer repair. Issues like clogged sewer lines are often solved way easier if a sewer camera inspection gets involved.

At the end of the day, it is up to the property owner to be aware of the major responsibilities he has and to hire an experienced sewer cleaning service to make the job right. If you’re experiencing such problems, do the necessary research, and hire a contractor as soon as possible!

Sewer Cleaning Tips

Posted on January 14, 2013 by admin

Sewer cleaning is very easy as long as you follow the right procedures. However, most of the waste flushed through the sewer system may get stuck thus preventing your system from, flushing as expected. Problems may occur at the point of disposal, inside the sewerage pipes or even at the main drainage. In order to ensure that your sewer system remains in good working order, observe the following cleaning tips:

Flush only the products that disintegrate within the system

Most sewerage systems can dissolve toilet paper, while a few cannot. Ensure that you understand the way your sewerage system works in order to avoid blocking it and preventing flush water from going through.

Flush with hot water regularly

It is highly recommended that you flush your sinks and toilet with hot water once in a while. The recommended duration is two weeks. The purpose of hot water flush is to burn all the particles that could be stuck in the system, especially soaps and toilet paper. This helps unclog the pipes and thus flush waste away faster and smoothly.

Clean the main drainage regularly

When the main drainage is clogged, water and other waste from the toilet and sinks will not flush easily. It will always flow back, or go slowly. Therefore, if you notice a slight problem with the flush speed, it is advisable for you to consider cleaning the main drainage. Sewer cleaning involves the entire sewerage system, including the main drainage.

Call the plumber

Even though most of the sewerage cleaning problems can be diagnosed and fixed easily, you can call your plumber to diagnose any major problems. If you have tried all methods and failed, only a professional plumber can help.

In conclusion, every home owner has the ability to carry out sewer cleaning duties. The most important sewer cleaning tip is to watch what goes through the sewerage system in order to prevent clogs. If the sewerage system does not clog, you will never have flush problems. In extreme cases, you can consult a professional.