Avoid saturating the area around your septic system with excess water by ensuring that the down spouts and runoff flow away from the septic field. Again the excess water may not give the bacteria the proper amount of time to do their job.

Don’t Crush It

The soil above the drain field must remain loose and not compacted. Avoid compacting the soil over the infiltration area by not driving or parking vehicles over the area. Likewise, avoid building any structures or placing a driveway above the drain field. Besides just compacting the soil and not allowing the effluent to be absorbed, these actions can also crack the pipes or cause the distribution box to settle unevenly, causing the effluent to flow into only part of the drain field.

Vegetation

It is recommended and beneficial to have dense grass cover and other shallow rooted plants over a septic field. Having these will prevent soil erosion and provide a means to controlling the saturation of the area above the drain field. However, do not plant trees near the septic field as their large plant roots can clog or break the pipes. Be especially careful of plant or trees with aggressive root growth. You will want to plant those even farther away.

Septic Tank Pumping

How often should I clean out my septic tank? Eventually, your septic tank will have too many solids in its tank and the septic tank will need to be cleaned out of those solids. Some people call this septic tank cleaning, while others refer to as septic tank pumping. Regardless of how you prefer to refer to it, it is still a very necessary and important step in proper septic system maintenance. If these solids are allowed to accumulate, they will eventually enter the drain pipes and clog the drain field.

NOTE: Typically the tank should be pumped every 3-5 years depending on how many people live in the house and the size of your tank and use of Bio-Clean.

Excess water into your septic system will not give the beneficial bacteria time to do their job. Check for and fix leaks and drips. Make sure your toilet is not leaking water. You can check if it is by simply adding some food coloring to the tank. If the food coloring begins to appear in the water in the toilet bowl, you have a leak and will need to address it. While you’re at it, put a “water displacer” in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water it uses. Installing aerators also reduces water consumption, so it is a good idea to install those if you haven’t already. If you replace any old fixtures, use the new “low flow” style fixtures.

Don’t use to much water at the same time. Overloading a septic system is a primary cause of septic system failures. Be especially aware in the early morning and at bedtime as these are peak water use times in a home. Run dishwashers and washing machines at other times during the day. Avoid doing all of your family’s laundry in one day; instead try to do it over the course of the week to avoid pumping too much water into your septic system all at once.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Use a garbage disposal judiciously, if at all. Garbage disposals will increase the amount of solids in the septic tank, thereby requiring more frequent pumping of your septic system. If you are going to use a garbage disposal, use a “top level” disposal as they will grind the particles into smaller pieces, giving the bacteria time to break them down more.

Drains

Likewise, don’t dump coffee grounds in the sink, or flush kitty litter, plastic, cloth, or unnecessary paper products into the sewage system. Don’t put items such as paper towels, tissue, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons and other material in the toilet. Instead, place them in the trash can, where they belong. Also avoid disposing of any grease, fats, or oil in the disposal or drain. These can damage your system by clogging the septic tank pipes and drain field soil. As I said above, adding more solids into the septic tank decreases its capacity and shortens the timeframe between septic tank pumping’s.

septic-safe detergents

Use normal amounts of septic safe detergents (i.e. low or no-phosphate) and Bio-Clean.  Avoid use of anti-bacterial soaps, bleaches, drain cleaners, household cleaners and other products. Avoid dumping heavy duty or toxic chemicals into your drains. Solvents like dry cleaning fluid, pesticides, photography chemicals, paint thinner, or auto products and motor oils can kill the bacteria necessary for your septic system to operate effectively and possibly clog your drains. In addition, these hazardous materials could eventually reach your well water and contaminate it, creating a serious health issue for you and your family.

Information compliments of www.septiccontractors.com

We are always looking for talented plumbing service technicians. Because of our ever growing support from all over Central Florida and so many of our ever growing customers in The Villages Florida,  we are hiring again. If you think you have what it takes and would like to learn more about what it will take to become part of our team, fill out our online employment application and tell us about yourself!

Our wide range of services are far reaching! It’s probably obvious we are proud of our plumbing team and our services. But some customers aren’t aware we provide many more services and repair including: New Residential and Commercial Construction Installations, Septic Pumping and Drain Field Work, Irrigation new and repair, Backflow Installations  and Repair, Lift Station Installs and Repair, Well Installations and Repair, Gas Piping Installations and Repair, Including Appliance Hook-Up, and Water Management for Many Communities. We can handle your situation no many how large or small!

Looking to save even more money! Become a valued fan with us on Facebook or Twitter. Look in your local circulars, newspapers, coupon books or phone book for coupon savings. Heck, just mention you read this or seen one of our billboards! We will always find a way to help you save. Already have a quote from a competitor, call us, we’ll review it and if it is from a licensed and insured competitor we will do our best to beat it!

As always, keep this in mind… WE GUARANTEE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!

Remember:
LLC: Limited Liability Company.
LLC behind a business name shields them from liabilities caused by them.

Liability Insurance: Their Liability Insurance is to protect your property should a problem occur now or in the future. If the plumber was not carrying this extremely important tool and accidents occur, i.e., bodily accidents to ANYONE, property damage, etc., you and your estate WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE!

Workers Compensation: This is the most commonly, un-required document of insurance from homeowners. Most plumbers don’t carry this and get by with a waiver that costs them a mere $50.00 and leaves you open to incur any bodily accidents that may occur while completing your project. Without a real workers compensation insurance policy from your hired plumber, he and his workers and anyone else he employs to complete your work and gets hurt, its you and your estate who will incur any and all debts, lawsuits, judgments, etc., however long, until proven rehabilitation.

Due to the economic issues effecting just about everyone, it is commonplace to want to save money, more now than ever.
Remember that…Diligence will always play a key to happiness and financial success!

James Hyland
Owner / Operator
Prime Plumbing Incorporated