Septic tank maintenance

October, 2013:

Chemicals used to keep roots away from French drains.

Oct 25th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

This article will cover chemicals used to keep roots away from French drains. There are homeowners who prefer having French drains in their premises. The French drain is also known as the blind drain, weeping tile, rock drain, rubble drain, French ditch, land drain, perimeter drain or drain tile. It is a constructed trench filled with rock, gravel, or a perforated pipeline. Its purpose is to redirect the groundwater or surface water away from the living area. The perforated pipeline extends below the layer of rock to help channel the water seeping through quickly. It was made popular by the pre-engineered version that doesn’t require the use of gravel or rocks anymore. The pre-engineered French drain has substitute lightweight gravel surrounding the corrugated, perforated pipe. The gravel substitute and pipe are then wrapped with a filter fabric. French drains are usually constructed to prevent surface water from damaging or penetrating the foundations of a structure. It also distributes wastewater towards the septic system. They are also situated at the back or retaining walls to eliminate the ground water pressure.

You can find French drains very useful in facing several issues such as water stagnation or collection that causes damage to the foundations of your home or areas of your basement. It could also help you eliminate the flooding in your yard every time heavy rains occur. French drains also help solve your problems with seepage if your property is situated near a water table that is near the surface.

In siting and constructing a French drain, you should consider the following:

  • It should be placed 3 feet from the house or building. The depth of the drain should be equal to its distance from the structure. The necessary distance keeps its trench from damage and the foundations from corroding.
  • The water source should be noted. You have to set where the water will come from. Is it low end or low end of the French drain. It would be ideal to divert the water flow to the downwards slope of the property or the house. It could easily be directed to drain into a dry well of a gravel pit where it could just seep into the ground. It could also be directed to flow into a natural drain in the area such as a creek.
  • Make sure that there is at least 1/8 inch fall in every foot of your drain. Essentially, this is 1 foot for every 100 feet of the drain’s length. You can effectively make a path for the drain with paint that could be sprayed upside down.
  • See to it that there are no plants or trees where the French drain is located. Root systems constantly look for abundant sources of food and nutrients for the growing organisms. If you French drain becomes invaded by roots, it is only a matter of time before it is clogged and fails to do its function. As you know, roots love moist environments. If they aren’t controlled, they will damage the French drain system. Consider the following in  French drain root control:
    • Replace the pipe is there is already significant damage or clogging.
    • Line the pipe to prevent the roots from getting into the holes of the pipe. This option is more practical than constantly replacing the pipe or extensively removing the trees.
    • Get experts to remove the surrounding trees or plants manually. This should be done on a regular basis because even if they are removed, there is still a possibility that they will grow back. Manual o mechanical removal of roots is usually done with other treatments such as chemical control.
    • Consider chemicals used to keep roots away from French drains. There are chemicals that can inexpensively remove and prevent roots from invading your French drain. However, caution should be considered because they are usually hazardous to the surrounding environment. That is why many homeowners and drain experts stick to copper sulphate-based root killers.

Always consult your local drain expert for additional information about French drain maintenance and care. You drain can serve you for a long time if they are protected from blockages brought upon by solid wastes and root systems.

Chemicals used to keep roots away from septic systems

Oct 21st, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

This article will cover types chemicals used to keep roots away from septic systems. Maintaining you septic system can be a tedious job to do. It’s one of the responsibilities of being a homeowner. Your property will always be livable, pleasant, and enticing when the area is clean and every component is optimal. The septic system should always be well cared for because it is part of your yard. It may be concealed but the moment it fails, everyone will be aware of it. You septic system is responsible for treating the wastewater that your household produces. It works non-stop, every single day to ensure a safe and clean living environment for you, your family, and guests. It is only appropriate that you provide the best possible care for it and this includes making sure that roots do not penetrate and damage it. Various brands of chemicals used to keep roots away from septic systems are available in the market these days. You may become too overwhelmed with all the promises that root killer manufacturers declare all the time. Before you start your selection process, remember that you have to keep an open mind and be objective when it comes to purchasing the most beneficial root killer in your book.

Below are some pointers to consider in selecting chemicals used to keep roots away from septic systems:

  • Get a hold of your house plans to have a good perception of your septic system’s dimensions. This way, you could have an idea how much root killer you need. It will also tell you how much the entire root killing treatment will set you back.
  • As you go about your root killer shopping, read the guarantees of each product carefully. Make sure that you review all the details and point out their most significant guarantee. Also look at the frequency of the treatments that each product requires in order to eliminate the root problem. Use these facts in calculating the amount you have to set aside.
  • Analyze the method of application for each product. Look at the types of tools that you need and the amount of chemicals you have to consume to guarantee a successful treatment. Compare the amount of time that each product needs to be effective and efficient.
  • Select the root killer that is able to kill the most roots. Also see to it that the chemicals do not harm the surrounding environment and the components of your septic system. Look for the EPA rating if each product to make sure that it’s eco-friendly.
  • Look for a root killer that provides a coating of protection for the septic pipes. The coating should prevent roots from growing around those areas again. Keep an eye out for degreasing products as well. These will allow the root killer to penetrate areas saturated by grease and reach the invasive roots within.
  • See to it that the product reaches the top of the septic pipe upon application. This is where the roots live. See if the product also has the ability to decay roots naturally with the help of bacterial enzymes. Do not patronize root killers that chemically burn the roots.
  • Check the label of the product and see if it is approved in 50 states. Look for a product that has a low rating as a chemical hazard.

If you really plant to purchase a root killer, do it before the problem becomes too expensive to correct. You should immediately consult your local septic expert for early root treatments for your septic. The product you choose should have no copper sulfate, should be non-fumigating, and non-caustic. Your septic expert knows all about this part of the selection. Consider trying K-77 Root Killer. It is known to treat the root problem and bring back the functionality of your septic as well. It is very environmental friendly because it doesn’t kill off the resident bacteria in the septic system, it doesn’t harm the trees, and it is harmless to ground cover.

Think about the pointers given above so that you could go home with peace of mind, knowing your root problem will be resolved and prevented in the future.

Conserving water to help you cesspools.

Oct 17th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

This article will discuss Conserving water to help you cesspools. Because you own a cesspool, you already know that you own an old system of wastewater treatment. Even if it is considered a basic system, it remains an efficient way to treat wastewater. The cesspool has been used and retained by many homeowners especially if they own an old house. The cesspool may not have an outflow pipe like the modern septic system but it does have an absorption field that is reached by the pre-treated effluent through perforations in the tank itself. Due to the fact that it is very expensive to purchase and install a modern septic system with this economy, many maintain the cesspool that they have in their premises. They do their best to make sure that their wastewater treatment system is optimal for years to come. It can be a challenge to do this especially since a cesspool may be very old already but with the proper guidance from the local septic expert, you can make sure of caring for it the right way. It was definitely a milestone for modern man to design and build the cesspool. Through it, households were able to isolate the toxic wastes from the livable environments effectively and communities were able to prevent epidemics.

To keep a cesspool running smoothly, you have to practice proper use and care of it. The primary consideration that you have to take is the type of chemicals you use as household cleaners. As much as possible, avoid using harsh chemicals. Instead, purchase the eco-friendly ones that do not harm the bacteria in the cesspool or contaminate the environment. Harsh chemicals kill off the resident bacteria. Without these microorganisms, there is no wastewater treatment processes that take place. You and your household should also avoid dumping non-biodegradable materials into your toilets, drains, and sinks. These substances cannot be decomposed by the resident bacteria. They just stay in the cesspool and clog everything there. Performing regular pump outs is also a vital factor to consider in caring for your cesspool. By regularly pumping out the sludge from the cesspool, you make room for the proper wastewater treatment process. It also prevents the solid waste from clogging the tank’s perforations and the absorption field. Also, make sure that you remove all heavy vehicles and structures over your cesspool. These will crush your cesspool’s components and severely damage your wastewater treatment system.

You should also practice conserving water to help you care for your cesspools. As you may know, wastewater is produced by your household every day. Your cesspool has a certain capacity that could hold just the right amount of fluids. If you are not mindful of your water consumption, then you continuously add more water into your cesspool. The sudden rush of grey water from your washing machine or dishwasher stirs up the solid waste materials in the cesspool and delays the decomposition performed by the anaerobic bacteria. As a result, the solid waste particles flow into the soil absorption field. When this happens, the entire cesspool system will inevitably fail. You could conserve water in your home by doing the following:

  • Cut down your tub baths. Just use your shower. This way, you won’t be overwhelming your cesspool with that much wastewater.
  • Have your plumber repair any leaks in your plumbing. Even a collection of small leaks can bring forth a lot of water into the cesspool.
  • Avoid using your dishwasher and washing machine at the same time. They could overwhelm the cesspool with the large amount of grey water they dump into it.

You could have a dry well built beside your cesspool to catch the grey water from your home and excess runoff during a heavy rain. This will help your cesspool run smoothly because it won’t suffer from too much from the additional fluids. Talk to your household members and tell them to manage their water consumption so that water can be used more wisely and not merely dumped into the cesspool to cause trouble such as wastewater flooding or backup.

Conserving water to help you cesspits

Oct 15th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

This article will cover Conserving water to help you cesspits. Wastewater is always produced in every household and establishment every day. It is inevitable and unavoidable because as long as there are people using facilities, wastewater will remain as a standard by-product. For centuries, people have been thinking of ways to isolate toxic waste from living areas. There used to be holes dug in the ground or chamber pots dumped into street canals but these only contaminated water supplies and spread epidemics. Cesspits became the most efficient means to isolate wastewater from residential and business premises. It is much like the modern septic system but it doesn’t have an outflow pipe. Instead, it has perforated sides through which the pre-treated wastewater could flow towards the absorption field for further treatment and purification. Until today, many homeowners use cesspits because the houses that they purchased have had the system for the longest time. Some choose to “grandfather” their cesspits. This is just letting the cesspit fail so that they could replace it with a more modern septic system especially if they have the money for it. However, most cesspit owners just prefer to maintain their cesspits than spend thousands of dollars to replace them. It’s a more practical move now that the economy is very unstable. Your money should be used to buy other important things than be poured out for a new septic system alone.

Caring for your cesspit requires you and your household to be responsible when it comes to using toilets and drains. You should always make sure that you don’t dump non-biodegradable materials into your toilets and drains because these cannot be degraded by the resident bacteria in you cesspit. They will just accumulate in the cesspit and clog the perforations in it. You should avoid using harsh chemicals as household cleaners because these kill off the resident bacteria. Without bacteria, there can never be solid waste degradation and wastewater treatment. Look for eco-friendly cleaning products that are friendly to your cesspit bacteria and to the surrounding environment. Paying attention to your rain gutter is also a major factor in keeping your cesspit optimal.

When there is a downpour, the rainwater brings in more water and sediments into the cesspit. This retards the wastewater treatment because the solid waste is stirred up and the pre-treated effluent becomes murky. The sediments then clog the absorption field. You and your household should also be mindful of your water use especially with your washing machine and dishwasher. As much as possible, don’t use these appliances at the same time. Every time you do, you increase the amount of water that flows into the cesspit. The sudden flow of greywater from the washing machine and the dishwasher stir up the solid waste and delay the decomposing ability of the bacteria. By conserving water to help you care for cesspits, many homeowners can avoid having to deal with cesspit problems such as wastewater backups, wastewater flooding, and foul odors in and out of the house.

You should practice water conservation if you want to make your cesspit function optimally for a longer period. Check your faucets and fixtures. See if they are intact or if they have leaks. Have them repaired or replaced if they do because even the smallest of leaks adds to the amount of water that enters the cesspit. Have your professional plumber change your showerheads and faucets that dispense less water. If you have tub baths every day, you could just resort to having it once every week. This way, your water consumption is cut down and your cesspit’s run flows smoothly.

Conserving water helps your cesspit and the environment at the same time. Teach your household to save water when washing dishes, bathing, washing the car, washing clothes, and watering plants. Make each member understand that their actions affect the environment and the wastewater treatment of your property. With proper cooperation, you can be assured of a lasting cesspit for years to come.

School grease trap problems

Oct 9th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

This article will cover School grease trap problems and bacteria. They may be the higher powers in the school system and they may look like they have it made every day but school administrators have a lot on their shoulders than one could ever imagine. Yes, they have survived school as young people. They may have gone through the same issues that their students and employees are experiencing presently. More than a handful of problems and tasks should be accomplished by these extraordinary individuals. Their priority is to make sure that the students get what they need to excel in everything they choose to participate.

The school’s physical components are very important elements in making sure that the students go to school in a comfortable environment so that learning may be maximized. Cleanliness, security, and nutrition are the primary needs that the students should have and school administrators strive hard to deliver. School grease trap problems are starting to overwhelm the schools and the country. The US government has already mandated the academic community to follow the grease ordinance. This requires the schools to have grease traps installed. These traps should have permits so that it would be easier for the City Sewer department could inspect them much easier. Regular maintenance is also a requirement for these traps.

School grease trap problems are not isolated issues within the school. It spreads out into the surrounding environment as well. Schools have cafeterias and these produce tons of FOG (fats, oils, grease) because most of the food items that they serve are made up of sugars and fats. With the student populations getting bigger every school year, regular inspection and maintenance aren’t done as vigilantly anymore. FOG overflow now becomes a regular crisis. When FOG overflow occurs, the FOG solidifies as it gets carried by the untreated effluent through the pipe lines. The FOG adheres to the inner pipe walls and hardens there. The FOG continuous to accumulate until the wastewater gets blocked. It backs up into the school premises and surrounding areas. Inside the school, the bathrooms and drains get flooded with effluent. The surrounding residential areas suffer the same fate. The clean water supply gets contaminated as well. Rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds become polluted and the aquatic life dies off.

These school grease trap problems also include health issues that the students and employees may suffer from once they get in direct contact with the untreated effluent. Their attendance will be affected, resulting to fewer opportunities of learning. Environmental lawsuits and hefty fines are faced by school administrators. This greatly affects the school’s reputation and budget.

In order to set things right, school grease trap problems should  be resolved immediately. This calls for an improvement in the grease trap maintenance practices. The kitchen staff should primarily be in charge of this matter because of their  direct involvement in FOG production and disposal. There should be an added batch of leak-proof bins that could contain the grease materials in the cafeteria. The students and employees could scrape off the greasy leftovers themselves. This would make it easier for the cafeteria staff to dispose of the FOG properly. Once the bins are full, they could be properly sealed and thrown with the regular trash. Another improvement would be to install strainers or meshes in the sink drains so that the FOG may be filtered off before the wastewater enters the grease trap.

Bacteria should be used in the maintenance of the grease traps as well. Unlike the other additives whose active ingredients are chemicals and enzymes, bacteria are alive. They consume the FOG and solid wastes and transform them into less harmful forms. Bacteria have been on Earth since before the ancient plants ever started to exist. They have mastered the art and science of survival. Voraciously eating away the FOG is just a natural thing for them to do. And in doing so, they leave the grease trap odorless and the environment safe from pollution.

School grease trap elimination

Oct 7th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

What is a grease trap? School grease trap elimination is the focus of this article. There are many key virtues that different schools inculcate into the minds of their students. Sometimes, the virtues come from the patron saint of the school. Others get the beliefs of the person who founded the school and gather virtues and values from them. The common denominator of all the schools in the United States is teaching the virtues of cleanliness and order to their students. There’s no school without someone sweeping or mopping all the time. If there weren’t anyone setting an example of cleanliness in schools, students won’t get the life lesson at all.

A confined environment such as the school acts like a small country or a small government, where there are rules and regulations to be followed. These rules and regulations aim to mold the students into ideal citizens when they leave the school’s premises someday. Cleanliness is one of the most important lessons that a school could teach a student. There will come a point in his or her life when he or she will not have anyone to clean up things for her anymore. With this, cleanliness should be learned. It should be part and parcel of the individual’s life.

To make sure that the virtue of cleanliness is taught well, a school should maintain cleanliness. But because of the FOG (fats. Oils, grease) problem that the United States is experiencing, this task was proven to b extra challenging. Schools in the US have large canteens to seat and feed their students and staff. Naturally, a large amount of food has to be prepared each day. This accelerates the increase of FOG in the school grease traps. When the traps are unmaintained, FOG overflow occurs. Many schools tend to neglect their grease traps because of all the other tasks that have to be done. The poor maintenance has convinced the US government to mandate the school administrations in the country to abide by the grease ordinance. The ordinance requires the school administrations to secure and install grease traps within their premises. The traps should have permits and should be properly maintained regularly. Inspection should also be performed by assigned employees so that a regular pump out schedule can be established.

The school canteen produces a lot of FOG. There should be a school grease trap elimination campaign started to help resolve the FOG crisis. It isn’t an easy task to do especially when there are other activities that should be accomplished in such a limited number of school days in a school year. The students and staff should be motivated to aid in the proper collection and disposal of the grease materials. The administration could provide leak-proof receptacles in major corners of the canteen. The students and staff could just scrape off their greasy leftovers there. When the receptacle is full, it should then be sealed and disposed of properly. It may take a longer break period because the students have to form another line again but the end results will be worth it.

School grease trap elimination also involves the efforts of the kitchen staff. Their wash area should have drains that are fitted with fine food meshes and strainers that could catch the smaller bits of food and grease. These practices done by students and staff should significantly contribute to school grease trap elimination. Without large amounts of FOG in the traps, there will be no FOG overflows to be anxious about.

Another way to help in school grease trap elimination is to use bacteria in cleaning or maintaining the grease trap. Bacteria are very effective in consuming and digesting the solid wastes and FOG in the grease interceptors. They convert these substances into less harmful forms and completely eradicate them. Even the foul smells in the traps are eliminated. This results to a clean school environment that everyone could enjoy and appreciate. Besides, learning is much better if done in a FOG overflow-free school setting.

School grease removal

Oct 4th, 2013
by Service.
Comments are off for this post

In this article we will discuss school grease removal. The educational system in the United States have has its ups and downs. Even so, the standards have been kept high especially in honing the academic and non-academic skills of the students all over the country. In order to bring out the best in the students, every imaginable facility is provided in various departments such as athletics, culinary arts, performance arts, debates, and mathematics, just to name a few. But being in school all day needs energy. To provide a constant flow of energy, the students need to eat. What facility in school is the most familiar source of sustenance? The cafeteria, of course.

The school cafeteria is an institution in itself. Many generations of students in every school have grown up eating comforting food that settle their physical hunger. Whether it’s big meals or snacks, cafeterias provide easy and familiar food that everyone loves to eat. Just recently, there was a  health revolution started in some parts of the US wherein the food served in school cafeterias are changed into much healthier ones. For years, the students have taken in synthetic food and drinks that they believe are delicious and nutritious just because everyone has been eating and drinking them for years.

FOG (fats, oils, grease) are in massive amounts in school cafeterias. This is basically because of the main ingredients found in what they have always prepared—oils, salts, and sugars. What are the usual food items served in school cafeterias?

  • French fries
  • Potato wedges
  • Mac and cheese
  • Burgers
  • Spaghetti
  • Chicken nuggets
  • Flavored milk
  • Buttered corn and peas
  • Jello
  • Fried chicken
  • Pudding
  • Cakes
  • Donuts
  • Soda

 

As everyone has experienced, these are what the students eat every single day at the school cafeteria. When the school is large, there are more students. If there are more students, the cafeteria is even bigger because there are lots to seat and feed. More and more schools are being established these days and this strengthens the fact that the schools are major contributors to the FOG (fats, oils, grease) problem in the country. FOG overflow means that the FOG spills into the untreated effluent that flows through sewer lines towards the wastewater treatment facility. When the Fog mixes with the effluent, it hardens and sticks to the inner walls of the pipes. As more FOG enters the sewer pipes, more blockage is formed. Eventually, the effluent just backs up into the school because it couldn’t flow normally towards the wastewater treatment facility anymore.

School grease removal has to be performed if a sanitary and healthy school system is to be enjoyed for years to come. This is a very challenging task to do especially in a school cafeteria. But extra effort should be done for the desired outcome. The FOG crisis can be stopped significantly if the schools all work together in properly disposing of the grease that they produce. They could manually scrape off the grease and food from the dishes and equipment that they use. These would then be placed in leak-proof vessels that could be disposed of with the rest of the trash. Strainers or fine meshes could then be fitted into their drains to prevent the bits of food and grease from entering the grease trap.

Using bacteria based additives to clean the grease trap on a regular basis is also a significant change that has to be made. With bacteria, FOG and solid wastes are digested and converted into much harmless forms. Chemicals and enzymes just emulsify the FOG and make it easier to combine with the untreated effluent. Bacteria are living organisms that voraciously eat FOG and solid materials. They even eliminate the disarming odors that come from accumulated gunk in the grease trap. Once school grease removal is successful, there will be no environmental lawsuits to file. The administration will even save a lot from pumping the grease trap too much when bacteria are always there to keep FOG levels at a low minimum.