| How to Properly Maintain Your Septic System |
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When you buy a car, you are given an owner's manual containing instructions on how to care for
your car. Septic systems often cost as much or more than cars. Unfortunately, nobody gives you
a manual when they are installed, and most people have little idea of how to maintain a septic
system. Some people don't even know they have a septic system! As a result, many septic
systems fail unnecessarily. The price for failure is steep in two ways. More than 1200 people die
each year from contaminated water, and failing septic systems are the leading source of water
born disease outbreaks in the country today. Septic system replacement is also extremely
expensive, with costs running from $5000 to $20,000 or more. Fortunately, there are some
highly effective, inexpensive steps you can take to eliminate this problem.
your car. Septic systems often cost as much or more than cars. Unfortunately, nobody gives you
a manual when they are installed, and most people have little idea of how to maintain a septic
system. Some people don't even know they have a septic system! As a result, many septic
systems fail unnecessarily. The price for failure is steep in two ways. More than 1200 people die
each year from contaminated water, and failing septic systems are the leading source of water
born disease outbreaks in the country today. Septic system replacement is also extremely
expensive, with costs running from $5000 to $20,000 or more. Fortunately, there are some
highly effective, inexpensive steps you can take to eliminate this problem.
Before discussing solutions, let's look at why septic systems fail. Septic system failure is actually
pretty simple to understand. Think about this...When a good septic system fails, the tank doesn't
fail, the soil fails...and the soil fails because it won't allow liquid to pass through it. In most cases
the soil fails when it gets plugged with solids. Now for your solutions.
pretty simple to understand. Think about this...When a good septic system fails, the tank doesn't
fail, the soil fails...and the soil fails because it won't allow liquid to pass through it. In most cases
the soil fails when it gets plugged with solids. Now for your solutions.
| Use a Washing Machine Filter. |
Did you know that washing machines are one of the leading causes of septic system failure? The
primary culprit is lint generated by washing machines, which clogs the soil in drain fields. Did you
know that typical family washing machine produces enough lint every year to carpet an entire
living room floor! Lint screens and nylon socks trap less than 5 percent of these contaminates.
These minute particles, because they are so small and light, do not settle in the septic tank.
Instead, they stay in suspension and are flushed out to the drain field where they plug-up the
pores of the soil bed.
primary culprit is lint generated by washing machines, which clogs the soil in drain fields. Did you
know that typical family washing machine produces enough lint every year to carpet an entire
living room floor! Lint screens and nylon socks trap less than 5 percent of these contaminates.
These minute particles, because they are so small and light, do not settle in the septic tank.
Instead, they stay in suspension and are flushed out to the drain field where they plug-up the
pores of the soil bed.
To compound the problem, much of our clothing and carpeting is now manufactured with
synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. These substances are not biodegradable, and will
not break down in a septic system. Instead, they accumulate and clog the soil. Once these
non-organic materials enter the drain field, there is no way to remove them.
synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. These substances are not biodegradable, and will
not break down in a septic system. Instead, they accumulate and clog the soil. Once these
non-organic materials enter the drain field, there is no way to remove them.
The good news is that lint can be prevented from entering the septic system through the use of a
reusable, inline filter which attaches to your washing machine discharge hose. The filter, called the
Septic Protectorä, retails for $149.95.
reusable, inline filter which attaches to your washing machine discharge hose. The filter, called the
Septic Protectorä, retails for $149.95.
| Avoid Excessive Water Use. |
You can also damage your septic system by doing a large number of laundry loads in a short
period of time. In standard septic systems, solid materials settle in the tank, while effluent flows
out into the ground. If you put more water into the septic system than it is built to handle, the high
volume of water will flood your system, and can also flush solids out of the tank into the drain
field. A typical washing machine can use up to 62 gallons of water per wash load. On a heavy
wash day you can easily put 400, 500, 600 gallons of water down the drain in a few hours (many
washing machines use 60 or more gallons of water per load). The solution is to spread out your
water use. Do 1 or 2 loads of laundry per day, rather than 10-15 loads on Saturday morning.
period of time. In standard septic systems, solid materials settle in the tank, while effluent flows
out into the ground. If you put more water into the septic system than it is built to handle, the high
volume of water will flood your system, and can also flush solids out of the tank into the drain
field. A typical washing machine can use up to 62 gallons of water per wash load. On a heavy
wash day you can easily put 400, 500, 600 gallons of water down the drain in a few hours (many
washing machines use 60 or more gallons of water per load). The solution is to spread out your
water use. Do 1 or 2 loads of laundry per day, rather than 10-15 loads on Saturday morning.
Water softeners can also damage your system by putting too much water through the septic
system. These devices can put several hundred gallons of water down the drain every week that
is not contaminated and does not need to go through the treatment process. Fortunately, there
are a couple solutions to this problem. You can upgrade your softener with a newer efficient
model that uses less water and regenerates on demand (when you use x number of gallons of
water) instead of a timer system that regenerates whether you use water or not. You can also
install a mini-septic system for your softener.
system. These devices can put several hundred gallons of water down the drain every week that
is not contaminated and does not need to go through the treatment process. Fortunately, there
are a couple solutions to this problem. You can upgrade your softener with a newer efficient
model that uses less water and regenerates on demand (when you use x number of gallons of
water) instead of a timer system that regenerates whether you use water or not. You can also
install a mini-septic system for your softener.
| Prevent Solids from Leaving the Tank. |
First of all, you should get your tank pumped at regularly scheduled intervals to prevent
excessive accumulation of solids in the tank. Under normal conditions, you should have the tank
pumped and inspected every 1-3 years. Very Important: Tanks should be pumped and
inspected through the manhole cover, not the inspection pipe.
excessive accumulation of solids in the tank. Under normal conditions, you should have the tank
pumped and inspected every 1-3 years. Very Important: Tanks should be pumped and
inspected through the manhole cover, not the inspection pipe.
Effluent filters, about $70, are installed (by a contractor) in the exit baffle of the tank and stop the
larger solids from getting out to the drainfield. These filters are cleaned every few years when you
have your tank pumped. They are cheap insurance and along with a washing machine filter, one
of the best things you can do to protect your system.
larger solids from getting out to the drainfield. These filters are cleaned every few years when you
have your tank pumped. They are cheap insurance and along with a washing machine filter, one
of the best things you can do to protect your system.
| Usage of Household Cleaning Products. |
Excessive use of these products can contribute to septic system failure. If you do over 5 loads a
week using bleach, problems could arise. Avoid powdered detergents, as they contain
non-biodegradable fillers that can plug up your system. Also, be careful with harsh automatic
toilet bowl cleaners, which have put quite a few septic systems out of commission.
week using bleach, problems could arise. Avoid powdered detergents, as they contain
non-biodegradable fillers that can plug up your system. Also, be careful with harsh automatic
toilet bowl cleaners, which have put quite a few septic systems out of commission.
| Should I Use a Separate System for my Washing Machine? |
Some people say that you should use a separate system for your washing machine, called a
laundry interceptor. However, this is not necessary and is in fact undesirable. Washing machines
should discharge into the regular system because it actually works BETTER than discharging into
it's own system. In order to work, septic tanks require bacteria colonies which break down
biodegradable matter. These bacteria colonies require "food" which is found in our wastewater,
but not in detergent. Without "food" these bacterial colonies die, and the system fails. Many
people who have installed these systems found this out the hard way, as their systems failed in a
short period of time. A research project conducted in several east coast states utilized some
rather high tech systems for washing machine discharge and many began failing in as little as 8
months.
laundry interceptor. However, this is not necessary and is in fact undesirable. Washing machines
should discharge into the regular system because it actually works BETTER than discharging into
it's own system. In order to work, septic tanks require bacteria colonies which break down
biodegradable matter. These bacteria colonies require "food" which is found in our wastewater,
but not in detergent. Without "food" these bacterial colonies die, and the system fails. Many
people who have installed these systems found this out the hard way, as their systems failed in a
short period of time. A research project conducted in several east coast states utilized some
rather high tech systems for washing machine discharge and many began failing in as little as 8
months.
| Other tips: |
| * Only discharge biodegradable wastes into system. |
* Divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from
your drainfield.
your drainfield.
| * Keep your septic tank cover accessible. |
* Have your septic tank pumped regularly. It should also be inspected for leaks, cracks, and to
make sure the exit baffle is in place.
make sure the exit baffle is in place.
| * Compost your garbage or put it in the trash. |
* Divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from
the drain field.
the drain field.
| Don't: |
* Use a garbage disposal. These items usually double the amount of solids added to the tank!
* Flush sanitary napkins, tampons, disposable diapers, condoms and other non biodegradable
products into your system.
* Dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides or poisons down the drain which
can disrupt the treatment process and contaminate the groundwater.
* Use harsh toilet bowl cleaners, which have put quite a few septic systems out of commission.
* Dig in your drainfield or build anything over it.
* Drive over your drainfield or compact the soil in any way.
* Plant trees or shrubbery in the absorption field area, because the roots can get into the lines
and plug them. Grass is the only thing that should be planted on or near a drainfield.
* Cover the absorption field with hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt.
* Flush sanitary napkins, tampons, disposable diapers, condoms and other non biodegradable
products into your system.
* Dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides or poisons down the drain which
can disrupt the treatment process and contaminate the groundwater.
* Use harsh toilet bowl cleaners, which have put quite a few septic systems out of commission.
* Dig in your drainfield or build anything over it.
* Drive over your drainfield or compact the soil in any way.
* Plant trees or shrubbery in the absorption field area, because the roots can get into the lines
and plug them. Grass is the only thing that should be planted on or near a drainfield.
* Cover the absorption field with hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt.
| If Your System Fails. |
In quite a few cases, a tune-up can fix your system and you can avoid the high costs of replacing
the system. This tune-up includes properly pumping the tank, cleaning the drainfield lines, and
installing washing machine and effluent filters. If these measures are not sufficient, some failed
systems can be rejuvenated by fracturing the soil. This process utilizes a hollow tube inserted into
the soil, then a 300 pound blast of air is injected into the soil creating thousands of tiny fissures.
These fissures allow the drainfield to drain, creating an oxygen atmosphere and allowing the
aerobic bacterial colonies to re-populate. This process can be performed in a matter of hours
with no digging or damage to the yard. The cost will range from $1,000-$2,000, which is a lot
cheaper than a replacement septic system.
If you have a clay soil which has become plugged due to sodium from wastewater, Septic Seep
can help. This product releases sodium bonded clays and reopens soil, restoring passages of air
and water. It also has the added benefit of dispersing greases and scums that clog soil passages.
-Corey K. Tournet
Corey is the President of The Laundry Alternative, Inc., a company which specializes in
providing environmentally-friendly, cost-saving laundry products and advice.
the system. This tune-up includes properly pumping the tank, cleaning the drainfield lines, and
installing washing machine and effluent filters. If these measures are not sufficient, some failed
systems can be rejuvenated by fracturing the soil. This process utilizes a hollow tube inserted into
the soil, then a 300 pound blast of air is injected into the soil creating thousands of tiny fissures.
These fissures allow the drainfield to drain, creating an oxygen atmosphere and allowing the
aerobic bacterial colonies to re-populate. This process can be performed in a matter of hours
with no digging or damage to the yard. The cost will range from $1,000-$2,000, which is a lot
cheaper than a replacement septic system.
If you have a clay soil which has become plugged due to sodium from wastewater, Septic Seep
can help. This product releases sodium bonded clays and reopens soil, restoring passages of air
and water. It also has the added benefit of dispersing greases and scums that clog soil passages.
-Corey K. Tournet
Corey is the President of The Laundry Alternative, Inc., a company which specializes in
providing environmentally-friendly, cost-saving laundry products and advice.
| Here's more terrific information on grey water and septic systems: |
Create an Oasis With
Greywater: Your Complete
Guide to Choosing,
Building, and Using
Greywater Systems
Greywater: Your Complete
Guide to Choosing,
Building, and Using
Greywater Systems
(Click on the book or title)
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Energy conservation
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Photovoltaic, wind and
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on off-grid concerns such
as:
Energy conservation
Heating and cooling
Photovoltaic, wind and
microhydro energy
generation
Battery selection, voltage
regulation and inverters
Backup power
