Septic tank maintenance

August, 2013:

Tree roots can harm raised mound systems.

Aug 14th, 2013
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This article will cover tree roots can harm raised mound systems. It’s no secret that many homes have tree roots in their raised mound system, tree roots in my septic system owners want to have gardens in their properties. A garden can help you relax and be free from your everyday worries. It also allows you to have a piece of Nature in your life. Trees can also give you shade during lazy afternoons and special gatherings so they can be good elements to your yard. However, you would have to consider other things to achieve balance in your property. If you have a raised mound system, you have a type of soil that has either a very fast percolation rate or a very slow one. That is why it is a raised septic system. It is designed to be elevated to give way to additional filters that help treat your wastewater. If you want to have trees around your raised mound, think about it first because tree roots can harm raised mound systems.

Facts about Trees and Wastewater Treatment

Below are some of the important facts that you have to know about raised mound systems and trees in general:

ü  Raised mound systems contain oxygen

The oxygen in the raised mound system is utilized by the soil’s aerobic bacteria to further treat and purify the wastewater.

ü  Raised mound systems should be protected from erosion

Adequate protection from erosion should be provided so that 6 to 12 inches of the soil’s covering is retained. Carefully selected trees can be used as vegetative cover , cover crops, or mulch to help conserve soil.

ü  Vegetative cover that is dense is able to insulate the raised mound

A raised mound’s vegetative cover is vital to retaining the heat inside the system all throughout winter. If the vegetation is well established enough, it helps hold the snow near the surface of the soil. This provides heat to the treatment area, pipelines, and septic tank. The trapped snow also keeps the soil and wastewater from leaking out.

ü  Tree rooting depths are different from one another

They can go from 12 to 48 inches.

Concerns about Trees around Raised Mound Systems

  • Tree roots create macro pores that allow the untreated effluent to travel through the soil. This results to soil contamination.
  • When there are storms, trees can be uprooted. Uprooted trees disturb the soil that protects the raised mound system and its components.
  • If you create a clear patch of soil near a densely vegetated area, wind velocities may increase and this could bring forth tree throw incidences. You should study the wind directions, shelterbelt establishments, and other considerations when setting a location for your raised mound system.

Rooting Behavior of Trees

The roots of a tree grow depending on the species and the environment. In sandy and clay soils, about 90% of tree roots can be found 12 to 36 inches from the top layer of the soil. In sandy loam soil, Aspen tree roots are found 48 inches from the top.

The spread of lateral roots is influenced by the type of soil. Sandy soil causes roots to spread out about 2to 3 times the installed drip line. In clay soils, the roots spread up to 5 times the established drip line.  The development of taproots is dependent on the tree’s soil, cultivation, age, and species. Trees that are classified as nursery trees have taproots cut to make way for lateral growth of their roots. The sinker root is from nursery trees. Sinker roots are able to penetrate the soil vertically until they reach water. Upon reaching the water source, they will develop a root mass. There are sinker roots that can grow 114 inches into the ground.

As you can see, you have to make sure that you know the trees you want for your yard and around your raised mound system. You have to work well with your arborist and septic expert to make sure that your wastewater treatment does not go haywire.

Chemicals used to keep roots away from lateral lines??

Aug 12th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will cover chemicals used to keep roots away from lateral lines. Your property is optimal when every component is working flawlessly. The most important part you should always keep an eye on is your septic system. The septic system is a modern version of the cesspool. It has an inflow and outflow,  a septic tank, and a drain field that efficiently takes care of the wastewater treatment. The major divisions of the septic systems are the septic tank and the drain field. As you know, the septic tank collects and treats the wastewater with the help of the anaerobic bacteria. The raw wastewater stays there for a while until it forms three layers—the scum (top), the effluent (middle), and the sludge (bottom). The scum layer has the lightweight solid waste. The effluent layer is the clear, treated wastewater. The sludge layer has the heavy waste materials being broken down by the anaerobic bacteria. The next division is the drain field. It is comprised of lateral lines that are perforated to allow the even distribution of treated wastewater. Lateral lines should be installed professionally so that the pipes are level and the effluent doesn’t flow to one side of the property.

Lateral lines should be maintained and cared for. Any malfunction that happens to the septic tank affects the drain field and its lateral lines. To make sure that everything is ok with your lateral lines, consider the following pointers:

  • Do not use harsh chemicals as household cleaners. These kill off the resident bacteria in your septic tank. When the bacteria die, the wastewater treatment stops. The solid waste materials flow into the drain field and into the lateral lines. This results to blockage. If the lateral lines get blocked, the wastewater will backflow into your house and onto your yard.
  • Do not dump grease, paint, and non-biodegradable materials into the toilet and drains. These will not be broken down by bacteria. They will just block the normal flow of wastewater. They will also flow into the drain field and the lateral lines, eventually causing a septic system failure.
  • Do not place vehicles or structures on the lateral lines. The weight will cause soil compaction and the pressure will crush the lines. The damage will cause leaks, backflow, and wastewater flooding.
  • Do not plant trees and other hardwood plants near or over the lateral lines. The roots are invasive because they seek abundant and regular sources of water and nutrients. Lateral lines are easily accessible. Roots get into their perforations and completely block the normal flow of wastewater. Untreated wastewater then backs up into your home and floods the property. Roots should be removed from the lateral lines once they have penetrated them. They should also be protected from root invasion.Roots are very detrimental to lateral lines and the entire septic system. They persistently enter the system and create impenetrable meshes that block the flow of wastewater. They could also damage the lateral lines and other components of the septic system. This will eventually lead to septic failure and huge septic replacement bills. It can set you back thousands of dollars to replace your entire septic system. 

    Invasive root systems can be removed by manually removing them. This is a more laborious method of eradicating your root problem because of all the digging and replacements involved. For a more inexpensive means, there are chemicals used to keep roots away from lateral lines. All you have to do is to relocate the trees and shrubs and form a shield of root killers around the lateral line premises. Dig lines of small holes between the trees and the lateral lines. Fill the holes with root killers and then cover them with soil. These will effectively keep out the roots from entering the lateral lines again.

     

    Consult your local septic expert for the best means to control roots. It would be ideal to consult a landscape architect as well to know where to replant the trees without causing significant harm to the lawn.

Keeping groundwater away from leach field lines

Aug 12th, 2013
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This article will cover keeping groundwater away from leach field lines. Groundwater is generally accessed for irrigation, industrial use, and drinking. Rainfall delivers it to the ground. When it reaches the ground, it moves into the rocks and soil called aquifers. This is accessed by water companies so that they could tap into the groundwater and deliver clean water that we can use for everyday activities. It is a very important resource especially during dry seasons. Groundwater helps sustain the flow of the streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments.

Various communities prioritize the safety of groundwater because majority of residents use it as a sources of clean drinking water. Sadly, there have been cases where groundwater has been polluted. This is because many have taken it for granted. That is why the US Environmental Protection Agency has come up with the Ground Water Rule. It was published in the Federal Register on the 8th of November, 2006. This rule aims to increase the ground water’s  level of protection against pathogens. The EPA is mainly focused on the groundwater that is very susceptible to contamination brought about by fecal material. Disease-causing bacteria thrive in fecal matter so it is crucial to protect groundwater from this type of impurity.

The established GWR applies to public water supply systems that use groundwater as their main resource. It is also applicable to any water system that is able to mix groundwater and surface water. There are systems that just directly add groundwater into their system without treating it. As a result, their consumers receive untreated groundwater. Health and sanitation are very important and with the help of the GWR, all consumers are confident that they will always get safe drinking water.

Some residents have private wells dug and built on their premises so that they could also get direct access to groundwater. As homeowners, they have to make sure that their access point is hazard-free by keeping groundwater away from leach field lines.  If you want to have a well, you have to isolate the groundwater from your leach field. Once wastewater and groundwater mix up, you won’t be able to use your clean groundwater anymore. Below are some of the things you can do to make sure that your groundwater is separated from your leach field lines:

  • Always be aware of the GWR.

If you are always aware of the GWR, you allow yourself to be educated about how important sanitation is when it comes to protecting groundwater.

  • Maintain a regular pump out schedule for your septic tank.

By doing so, you will prevent the sludge from accumulating in the tank. If the sludge is just allowed to build up, the tank will overflow with raw sewage. It will go straight into the soil and reach the groundwater.

  • Provide a secure cap for your well.

This cap will keep impurities from the surface of the well from contaminating the groundwater. It will also keep out animals that might eliminate in the well. Make sure that only you or a loved one have the key to the cap so that it will remain intact and stable even if you’re out of the house.

  • Avoid keeping toxic compounds (solvents, fertilizers)  near your well.

This should be practiced strictly to protect your groundwater. You should keep them stored away from your well or from your groundwater access point.

  • Avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning.

Once these compounds reach the septic system, the resident bacteria will be killed off and the wastewater won’t be treated anymore. The solid waste particles will reach the leach field lines and clog them. The result would be a dreadful wastewater overflow that will seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater.

If you have your own well or direct access to groundwater, it is best to have your drinking water tested regularly so that you can monitor its safety. Keeping groundwater away from leach field lines  will definitely make you feel more secure about the water you use and drink every day.

Will hydrogen peroxide clean lateral lines.

Aug 9th, 2013
by Service.
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This article will try to answer the age old question of will hydrogen peroxide clean lateral lines. Everyone is always constantly looking for effective products. For women, there is a constant search for the perfect foundation, the most flattering outfit, and the trendiest pair of shoes. For men, there is a need for the coolest car, the most effective muscle building program, and the latest pair of running shoes. For the typical homeowner, here are some of the questions that may have echoed a few times already: How much will having a deck cost next year? Will I save water if I don’t turn on the dishwasher and the washing machine at the same time? Will having a salt scrub bath every week affect my septic system? Will hydrogen peroxide clean lateral lines?

There are definitely more questions that could possibly be formulated when it concerns the home. A septic system is a fixed component in a residence so that health and sanitation could be provided to the household. This system is responsible for separating the livable area from the toxic and very harmful wastes produced by the household everyday. The wastewater contains organic wastes, chemicals, and pathogens that are not wanted in a safe home. With this, every component of the septic system—septic tank and drain field—should be well cared for. It is mandatory that regular inspection and maintenance should be performed on them so that the treatment of the effluent could take place ideally.

Maintenance of the septic system involves the help of the local septic expert. It is most preferable that the septic expert who installed the system should be the one to monitor and maintain it. A pump out schedule should be well-established so that the solid wastes that have accumulated over time will be eliminated, leaving a better treatment system for the wastewater. The products used on the septic system should also be well-thought about. There are many products out there that merely promise unbelievable results but really aggravate the situation.

The drain field is a very important part of the septic system because this is where the lasts stage of the wastewater treatment takes place. This area of the system is composed of the distribution box and the leach field. the leach field is made up of lateral lines that are needed to evenly distribute the treated effluent, provided that the perforated pipes are installed properly and evenly. Lateral lines need to be clog-free so that the effluent won’t back up into the home anymore. If the lateral lines become blocked, the wastewater treatment will not push through. The drain field will then be saturated, decreasing the aerobic bacteria and increasing the bio-mat. This halts the purification of the wastewater. The septic system will then overflow, leading to more solid waste materials dispersing into the drain field and raw effluent backing up into the home and onto the yard.

To remedy clogs in the lateral lines or to make sure that there aren’t any, 35% pure and distilled hydrogen peroxide is bought, transported, and used by licensed technicians only. About 25 gallons should set one back by 1,200 USD or more, depending on the expert’s labor rate. Ordinary hydrogen peroxide found in first aid kits produce a bubbling effect when in contact with blood. This is because blood is organic. The same effect is seen when the lateral lines are being treated with hydrogen peroxide. The unwanted organic materials in them sizzle or bubble when the 35% pure hydrogen peroxide is applied. Many experts still use hydrogen peroxide because it is potent yet safe for the environment.

Another additive that should be used more often is the bacteria-based one. Bacteria are all-natural organisms that voraciously digest the solid waste materials that clog the lateral lines. Regular maintenance of lateral lines with bacteria will make sure that the system functions smoothly without any delays. It also saves the homeowner a lot of money since pump out treatments will be less frequent if bacteria are always there to keep things clean.

How to landscape around leach field lines

Aug 9th, 2013
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This article will cover how to landscape around leach field lines. Leach field, also known as a drain field, is where the last phase of wastewater treatment happens. This is where the aerobic bacteria continue to break down the minute solid particles in the wastewater. The aerobic bacteria also regulate the biomat that purifies the effluent. By the time the effluent makes it to the water table, it will be potable enough to be reused. Many experts say that if the leach field lines fail, the entire septic system is doomed. You would end up with an uninhabitable home and a he hole in your pocket. The task of taking good care of your leach field means that you have to consider everything before you do something to your lawn or yard. Making sure that your septic system is functional and optimal is important. Doing so will help you maintain a good-looking yard and a flowing septic at the same time.

Homeowners often want to landscape their yards in an attempt to make their garden dream come true. Well, it is possible to have a beautiful garden. You just have to make sure that your leach field is not harmed in any way. Landscaping involves choosing specific plants and building particular structures that will make your yard more attractive. If you make the wrong decision, you will end up interrupting your wastewater treatment system. Here are some considerations in how to landscape around leach field lines:

  • Divert the rain gutter drains away from your leach field. Heavy rains introduce excess water and sediments into the leach field. As you know, leach field lines are made up of perforated pipes. The perforations are needed to distribute the effluent throughout the leach field evenly. These holes are also easy access points for rainwater and sediments to enter the septic system. Once excess water makes it inside the pipelines, the raw wastewater will be pushed back into the septic system and into your home. When rainwater falls over the septic tank, the excess water will rush into the tank, stirring up the solid waste particles in the tank, delaying the breakdown process performed by the resident anaerobic bacteria. When this happens, the solid particles flow towards the leach field. The leach field lines become clogged and the wastewater treatment is interrupted.
  • Do not place any irrigation systems over the leach field lines. These will only add more water into the leach field lines, pushing back the raw wastewater in your home. Sprinklers and birdbaths are examples of these irrigation systems.
  • Do not make your leach field a parking space or a place for your tool shed. The heavy weight will cause soil compaction. This will damage the leach field components and give way to leaks. If this goes unattended, you will definitely face a failed septic soon.
  • Choose the right plants to place in your yard. You should consult your arborist and landscape architect when it comes to this matter. Many trees grow quickly. This means that they have the most aggressive root systems that your leach field can encounter. They reach deeper and farther than other plants just to access the closes supply of water and nutrients. Their invasive roots penetrate the leach field lines and grow inside them. The roots form meshes that clog the normal flow of wastewater. They also damage the pipelines. When this happens, wastewater leaks and flooding take place.
  • If you’re sure of the shrubs’ root range as it grows, then you can plant them near your leach field lines. Otherwise, you should make sure that all plants are planted far away from the septic system.

Landscaping around your leach field lines takes consideration and effort. Your leach field line is crucial for your septic’s life span. You wouldn’t want your landscaping become the end of your wastewater treatment system, would you? Be sure that you plan your landscaping well so that you won’t suffer from poor decisions in the long run.

How plastics and nylons from laundry water can cause blockage in a seepage pit.

Aug 6th, 2013
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This article will cover how plastics and nylons from laundry water can cause blockage in a seepage pit. Some homeowners find it very helpful to have seepage pits to help their septic system deal with the wastewater they produce every day. A seepage pit is just like a cesspool when you look at its construction. It is also a huge pit that’s lined with porous blocks or concrete rings to support its walls. It also has a layer of gravel that surrounds it. The only difference is that the seepage pit is supposed to receive fluids only. The pit is constructed next to the septic system to receive the pre-treated effluent. The septic tank is supposed to have the solid waste particles decomposed by its anaerobic bacteria already. The resulting effluent enters the seepage pit and stays there for a while until all of it safely gets absorbed in the surrounding environment. At the seepage pit’s bottom is biomat. It purifies the effluent before it enters the soil surrounding the septic system. Just like the septic system, the seepage pit should have the right size to accommodate the wastewater produced by the household every day. It should also be free of solid waste materials that cannot be decomposed or degraded. Unfortunately, plastics and nylons still enter the septic system and the seepage pit. The seepage pit can still have non-biodegradable materials from greywater especially if you don’t have a greywater system or a dry well.

Laundry water is greywater that’s produced daily, if not, weekly. It is possible that laundry water can carry plastic and nylon pieces and fibers. Plastic is used to manufacture anything. If it is incorporated into fabrics, the result will be a more durable cloth that could even be more resistant to stains and moisture. You should know how plastics and nylons from laundry water can cause blockage in a seepage pit so that you could prevent the malfunction or failure of the entire septic system. This would also ensure the longevity of your seepage pit.

Wastewater treatment in your property will be more efficient if there are no plastic or nylon fibers entering it from the laundry water. you should spearhead this effort to ensure the continuous health and sanitation of your entire property. Making sure that the seepage pit doesn’t acquire plastic and nylon fibers means that you have to perform the following:

  • Repair any synthetic clothes to avoid having plastic fibers in the laundry water.
  • Take note of the washing instructions for every clothing so that the fabric won’t get damaged.
  • Use gentle, environment friendly detergents so that the fibers remain intact and won’t fall apart while they are in the washing machine.
  • Ask your septic expert to install additional filters in the laudry area, inflow pipe, and outflow pipe to make sure that no plastic and nylon materials could clog the seepage pit.
  • Arrange for a dry well or a greywater system installation to lighten the load of your septic tank and seepage pit.
  • Segregate your waste. Do not allow plastic and nylons to enter your drains, even if you do have a garbage disposal unit. Plastic is plastic. It will still clog the seepage pit.You can extend the life of your seepage pit depends greatly on the filters you have installed especially since it also receives blackwater. Debris and fibers should not enter your seepage pit. You should also have intermittent dosing systems to help the seepage pit regulate the amount of wastewater it accommodates.Plastic and nylon materials should never make it into the septic and seepage pit systems. These are synthetic substances and they would only cause more trouble to the system by producing methane as they are degraded. Methane is a flammable, odorless, and colorless gas that is toxic when present in large quantities. Be a responsible property owner. This will enable you to enjoy the property you’ve invested in longer. Having an efficient septic and seepage pit system cold even raise the value of your property higher.

How to landscape around drain field lines

Aug 5th, 2013
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This article will cover how to landscape around drain field lines. Every homeowner should know and understand how to landscape around drain field lines. Plants are good to have as natural decoration for your home’s perimeter but they should not damage or disable your septic system. Landscaping should be done with the help of knowledgeable professionals who can help you with your landscaping decisions. You should not take a risk and just randomly plant anything you want on your lawn. Root systems of higher plants can damage or clog your drain field lines. If this happens, your entire septic will fail. Here are some tips on how to landscape around drain fields:

  • Plan the landscaping for your drain field lines.Your drain field lines should not be interrupted during the wastewater treatments process. Pause and look at your lawn for a moment. Think about how it would fare for years to com. Your landscaping should not interfere with the normal flow of wastewater treatment. With this in mind, you should never place structures such as sheds, patios, parking areas, driveways, decks, swings, and driveways over your drain field lines. These will only be huge obstacles in accessing your drain field system during maintenance, care, repairs, and replacements. Plan all these well before you design and install your drain field system.
  • Keep access points in sight.Remember that accessing your drain field lines is vital. The elements in your drain field should be found right away so that drain field line care and pump outs can be done easily. The septic systems decades ago had access ports that were installed underground, about 6 inches to 2 feet. That is why it was so difficult for them to find. Homeowners usually have sundials, potted plants, sculptures and bird baths to mark the location of the access point. Modern septics have access points that can be seen above the surface. However, homeowners tend to disguise them by placing movable planter boxes over the access points. This is an effective way to easily pump ut the septic system so that the drain field lines won’t be clogged.
  • Care for water and soil
  • Make sure that irrigation systems and runoff drains are not placed over the drain field. The excess water load that enters the drain field will only stop the normal flow of wastewater treatment. The raw sewage will go back into your home and over your lawn. The flooding will kill off the aerobic bacteria in the drain field. As you know, the aerobic bacteria regulate the biomat and breakdown particles that may still be present in the pre-treated effluent. The biomat purify the effluent but if they’re not regulated, they clog the drain field. Any irrigation system should be installed at least ten feet away from your drain field lines.
  • Make sure that heavy vehicles and animals move over your drain field. Their heavy weight causes soil compaction that reduces the number of bacteria that treat wastewater, and negatively affect the performance of the drain field system.
  • Never use bark, landscape fabric on over the drain field. These only store moisture and decrease the amount of air being exchanged.
  • Make sure that large animals do not graze over the cesspool area because they also cause soil compaction.
  • Do not use mulch, bark, or landscape fabric over the cesspool. These decrease the amount of air that is being exchanged and also retain moisture.
  • Discuss the design with your landscape expert. They have know-how about the techniques in making your property an ideal place for your drain field system.
  • Decide on your plants wisely. Experts recommend using small, low maintenance, and low water plants that have shallow roots. Grass and herbs are good because they provide sufficient cover over the drain field while leaving your drain field alone to do its job efficiently.Go forth and express your love for plants through landscaping. Just make sure that your drain fields will not suffer during the aesthetic change.

Commercial grease trap cleaner

Aug 5th, 2013
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This article will cover grease trap cleaner and cleaners as well as their uses. Modern times have brought forth so many conveniences to mankind. Medicines, machines, clothes, houses, and food are instantly produced according to the preference of the target market. Among these major industries, machine and food businesses are the biggest contributors to the FOG (fats, oils, grease) crisis. This is because of the by-products that they produce—FOG.

It’s really quite saddening to realize that the price of convenience is the harm that it gives to the environment and to man himself. FOG continues to overwhelm highly industrialized countries especially the United States. The US is a country known to be run by entrepreneurs and businesses that pop are machine and food production. More and more businesses like these pop up every day and as a result, more FOG is produced. This is the reason why there is a call for a good commercial grease trap cleaner.

But before the commercial grease trap cleaner is given focus, the government created a grease ordinance or a pretreatment ordinance for every food and machine establishment to follow. The ordinance mandates the business owners to have grease traps installed and maintained in their premises. The traps should have permits from the Department of City Government so that they could be inspected at any given time. Maintenance of the grease traps needs to be performed on a regular basis. This includes a thorough inspection every week. Pumping out the grease traps depends on the size, location, and accessibility. The large outdoor grease traps need to be pumped out every quarter. The smaller, indoor grease traps should be pumped out every month. But even with these basic schedules, most companies prefer having their grease traps pumped out every week. They would rather pay for weekly pump outs than face environmental lawsuits and pay large fines for FOG overflow.

The process of pumping out the grease trap is already established. All that’s needed is a stable schedule and a certified hauler for the waste. The critical aspect here is the commercial grease trap cleaner that should be purchased and used on a regular basis. There are so many products out there that promise to eliminate grease permanently once you use them. The most common of them are the enzymes and chemicals.  The manufacturers of these grease trap cleaners tell their customers that the FOG problem is considered solved once they use the products. When the customers apply these cleaners into their traps, the FOG seems to disappear or melt away. What really happens is that the FOG just gets emulsified and mixed up with the untreated effluent. The FOG cools down within the pipes, solidifies, and sticks to the walls of the pipelines, blocking the normal flow of the wastewater that’s supposed to reach the wastewater treatment facility, already pre-treated or FOG-free. Everything just gets far worse because the wastewater backs up into the business establishment and contaminates everything.

The most efficient commercial grease trap cleaner is the additive that’s composed of bacteria. Bacteria are primitive microorganisms that have survived even nuclear fallouts. They have continued to exist even in the harshest of environments. Realizing their potency to consume and to survive, they are now utilized as a type of commercial grease trap cleaner. Bacteria can digest or consume the FOG and the solid waste materials in the grease trap. They also get rid of the awful, offensive smells and keep the surrounding environment free from pollution. There are several forms of bacteria that are available in the market today—powdered bacteria, liquid bacteria, bacteria pumps, bacteria blocks, and grease trap tablets. Among these forms, the grease tablet is the latest modification. It contains buffers, aerobic bacteria, nutrients, and active oxygen to facilitate the faster breakdown of FOG and solid wastes.

The use of bacteria as a commercial grease trap cleaner should be encouraged. With bacteria, companies could save on pumping out bills every week. They also help in preventing environmental lawsuits and large fines.

How to keep roots away from drain field lines

Aug 3rd, 2013
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This article will cover how to keep roots away from drain field lines. The holidays have come! Every homeowner knows that it is part of the season to decorate the lawn. It is always much more cozy to look at holiday decorations set up on your very own bushes and trees, rather than on artificial metal frames, right? That is why many people opt to have naturally growing plants on their lawns. Thriving gardens are always a welcome sight and they are very necessary elements on your property if you want to incorporate a Nature. In the desire to have trees and shrubs, the septic system often pays the price. The septic is usually affected by the invasive roots of hardwood plants. As you know, plants are living organisms that need a steady and abundant supply of water and nutrients. They are not mobile so they look for the closest sources available. In your property, the easiest to gain access to is your septic system.

The septic system needs to function smoothly to do the job of treating the wastewater that your household produces every single day. The process starts when the wastewater is collected in the septic tank. Here, the anaerobic bacteria break down the solid waste materials so that a clear effluent can flow outwards into the drain field. The drain field has drain field lines that help distribute the effluent so that it can be purified in the soil before it returns to the surrounding environment. The aim of the wastewater treatment is to make the effluent potable by the time it returns to the water table.

When you have plants on your property, you have to consider some things so that you may avoid septic system or drain field failure. You should know how to keep roots away from drain field lines so that your septic can go about handling the wastewater business without any issues. Tree root penetration or invasion is the biggest problem any homeowner could face if this issue is not taken seriously enough. Many trees are not suitable in a property that has limited space. Some trees need to have at least a hundred feet of distance from the drain field lines for them not to cause any blockage or failure. Tree roots are complex systems. They use time to their advantage. They grow gradually until they establish a firm hold onto your drain field lines. Drain field lines have perforations that roots can easily access. Once they are inside the pipelines, they grow deeper, over, and around the system to make sure that they get everything that they need.  Inside the drain field lines, the roots create a mesh that blocks the normal flow of effluent. This makes the raw sewage backup into your home, overflow onto your property, and flood the lawn. As a result, the aerobic bacteria in the drain field die off because the excessive moisture drowns them. Without the aerobic bacteria in the drain field, the biomat will increase in number. They become too abundant that they help clog the system. Eventually, the drain field fails. The damage will set you back thousands of dollars if the root invasion id not addressed properly.

Asking your septic expert about eliminating the roots near, over, or around your drain fields would be a good idea. They know exactly what to do about the problem tree and plant roots. They could manually eliminate the roots by excavating your lawn. They could also use some anti-root chemicals that can eliminate roots and prevent them from getting into your system.

Once you notice slow drainage, slow flushing, septic backups, and flooding in your septic, you should immediately consult your septic expert. You can also consult an arborist so that the trees could be safely replanted away from your drain field lines instead of killing them. It would certainly be nice to have plants on your lawn for the holidays but see to it that it is at a safe distance from your fully functional septic system.

Retirement home grease trap odors

Aug 1st, 2013
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This article will cover Retirement home grease trap odors. One of the most pleasant environments that anyone anticipates is the retirement home. Well, years back, it wasn’t this way. The retirement homes back then were like forgotten hospitals that had sanitation problems. There were even news items that informed people of the abuse that the elderly get from the care providers in retirement homes. Because of these serious issues, many elderly people dreaded the thought that their families will send them in “The Home” one day. Those who stay in there don’t get out until they pass away, unless their families choose to bring them out and allow the elderly to stay with them.

These days, retirement homes are not as lame and as pathetic as before. It seems like there were people who were struck hard by the crisis of the retirees were convinced that the seniors should not put up with that kind of poor living condition any longer.  They should not be treated badly and should not pay for mediocre of even substandard services. They should live within secure and sanitary environments that give warm services and healthy food. In a matter of years, the retirement home setting was transformed into what would seem like resorts, gated communities, and hotels. The owners and spearheads of these institutions have also come up with establishments like markets, stores, clubs, and jobs for the elderly. These amenities and more like them definitely target the improvement of the seniors’ self-esteem.

But these retirement homes have already been categorized as big causes of FOG (fats, oils, grease) in the US. With this, they have been included in the list of institutions that should abide by the grease ordinance. According to the strict ordinance, the retirement home owners should make sure that they have legally issued grease traps installed in their premises. They should see to it that the traps are well-maintained and regularly inspected to monitor the level of FOG in them. When FOG overflow occurs due to poor maintenance and monitoring, retirement home grease trap odors will surely waft throughout the entire area.

Retirement home grease trap odors become apparent because of the effluent backups. When FOG overflows into the untreated wastewater, it eventually solidifies in the sewer pipes and blocks the flow of effluent towards the wastewater treatment facility. The disarming odors from the backed up effluent carries fumes of every kind. These fumes could trigger asthma attacks and allergies that retirees suffer from, aggravating their already difficult medical conditions. It’s a sanitation problem when there are retirement home grease trap odors floating about. This should be dealt with immediately or fines and lawsuits will be served.

In order to prevent retirement home grease trap odors, the grease trap should be pumped out at least four times annually as recommended. But the owners of these retirement homes have their traps pumped out almost weekly to keep the FOG levels very low. The retirement home kitchens are the largest sources of FOG. Those who work there should segregate the scraps and collect the grease materials in leak-proof containers that can be dumped with regular trash. The wash sinks should have drains fitted with fine strainers to catch the grease particles and food bits before they reach the grease trap.

Bacteria-based additives should also be used to prevent retirement home grease trap odors. These microorganisms are really efficient in digesting the food and grease materials in the trap. The odors disappear when the bacteria are done with the trap. They are living organisms that feed on the FOG and solid wastes in the grease trap. They do not emulsify the FOG like what chemicals and enzymes do. Bacteria don’t have chemical discharges that pollute the environment. They are all-natural and would be perfectly safe to use for as long as the trap is functional. Bacteria are good investments in preventing retirement home grease trap odors. They are Nature’s simple yet potent grease trap solutions.

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