Septic tank maintenance

September, 2011:

What is a Greywater System?

Today with the world looking at complying with the environmental issues people from all over are trying to do their part by basically saving water which is slowly growing to be a costly commodity in years to come. Just as people today are in wars with each other due to oil reserves, days will come when people will be against each other over water resources. We all are well aware that on a daily basis we are disposing of great amounts of waste material that comes out from us utilizing toilets, baths, kitchens, sinks and other factors which lead to waste being accumulated for disposal. We normally call the waste matter coming from toilets and baths as “blackwater” and waste emitting from sinks, washing machines and other similar items as “greywater”.

A greywater system is a process where water from basins, washing machines and similar objects are being recycled as washwater to be utilized for various options like irrigation to possible filtered water for cooking and drinking purposes. It has been found that numerous advantages exists to greywater recycling where it is most beneficial in areas where there is a shortage of water supply. In addition it has created a huge impact in places where people are very much concerned about the usage of water and the influence it creates on the environment.

The greywater system is considered a simple process where it has to do with steering water from washwater equipments like sinks, washing machines and showers to a designated location or storing tank, instead of permitting it to flow into the sewer system. With desired needs for this greywater people could treat the water for the necessary requirements. The basic recycled greywater could be used for watering the plants in the garden and flushing the toilets by undergoing a filtration treatment to remove undesired particles. In addition greywater could be submitted to further treatments whereby it could be accepted and utilized for drinking and cooking purposes.

By installing a greywater system in their premises people have the advantage of saving on their water consumption eventually leading to saying on their water bills. They also would trim down the risk of waste spills along with contamination which are normally occurred when both greywater and blackwater come in contact with each other. Studies have shown that if the greywater is redirected to another source it would ease the strain on septic tanks and the sewage system providing safer and long last life to the sewerage treatment system.

Putting Yeast in a Septic Tank

The proper management and maintenance of the septic tanks are vital to avoid problems regarding it. The lack of proper maintenance will result in clogs and such other problems and will make you spend huge sums for the repairs of it. Putting yeast in the septic tanks is considered as an easy and less expensive method to prevent the clogs and to maintain the level of decomposing bacteria in the tank. The yeast could also help in increasing the speed of decomposition as it could work as a catalyst to the chemical reactions happening in the septic tank. This should be done as a periodic measure to avoid future problems.

Therefore, it is always better to conduct periodic maintenance rather than spending big amount at a later stage. In some cases, the maintenance issues have rendered the septic tank unusable and the people will have to find other ways for wastewater management like that of constructing a completely new septic tank that could prove really costly. The inconvenience that is caused due to the repairs is another big problem, which is even more problematic at times than that of the amount spent for it.

There are so many things that can be done to make the septic tanks work properly and efficiently. The main aim of the processes is to prevent the clogs that could occur due to the excess solid waste particles entering the wastewater stream. There are some chemicals that are available in the market that could be used to prevent clogs. The main thing that you should take care while option to use some chemicals for the septic tank is about the effect of these chemicals on the amount of decomposing bacteria in the tank. Yeast is the best option to treat the clogs, as it is not affecting the bacteria population. It is so easy to use too. It can also keep the bad odor from the septic tanks.

It is easy to make a yeast solution for the septic tank. Boil 4 cups of water and add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of oatmeal in to it. After allowing that solution to cool down to the normal room temperature, add two packs of dry yeast in to the solution. Allow it to stand for about 20 minutes and then put it in your closet and flush. This is the easiest way for putting yeast in a septic tank.

Since yeast is simply a fuel source for bacteria, you will want to include monthly bacteria and enzyme treatments to complete your maintenance regimen. NT-MAX septic tank maintenance packets are packed with hungry digesters designed to eat sludge and keep your entire system flowing properly.

How to Locate Your Septic Tank

We all know that a septic tank is a module of the drainage system in a home that is not connected to the normal sewer network usually provided by the authorities. Septic tanks are basically found in rural areas where houses are far apart from each other or as mentioned above do not have a drainage system connect to a main sewer line. It is common for people residing at these locations to install their own private sewerage system in order to live without restraint. A normal septic tank is designed by using non-corrosive material which would not corrode, rust or leak, so that it processes the drainage and not just dumps it in the tank.

When people happen to move into a home which was built earlier they would need to know the whereabouts of the septic tank in their property. This information is very vital for the new owners to know especially in times when the septic tank happens to overflow, provide a foul smell or falls apart. In cases like this people often wonder how to locate their septic tank so that they are able to have it put right in times of emergency. There are many ways in knowing how to locate your septic tank by either looking at the original plans of the property, checking with the housing approving authority or by contacting the local drain cleaning service agency.

 The best and most reliable means of knowing how to locate your septic tank would be in engaging the local drain cleaning agency that would bring in the necessary equipment and rod in sticks or other tools through your main outlet from the house to the sewer processing location.  These drain cleaning agencies are well versed in their jobs, as they are dealing with homes on a daily basis and have the through knowledge of how the sewer septic tank design is established in all homes.

It is common to find the septic tank at a distance around 20 feet from the main house which could be easily identified by a manhole cover which normally sits at the center of the septic tank. These on site drainage system chambers could be found in different shapes like square, rectangle and even round that all depend on the volume it is built to accommodate. When locating the septic tank do not go digging away on the property or else the connecting pipe to the septic tank would get damaged causing a major disaster.