In this article we will cover what causes sand mounds to fail? It may still be a puzzle to many homeowners how their sand mounds malfunction and then fail. Perhaps they forget that being a homeowner with a sand mound in their yard requires an extra special set of responsibilities. The sand mound is an unconventional form of septic system that is designed and made for properties that have soil that either absorbs too fast or too slow. It is above the surface of the ground so it is more prone to severe exposure to the elements such as rain and snow.
The sand mound or the raised mound is the result of highly technological innovations in the septic system industry. What causes sand mounds to fail? The following are just some of the reasons why they do:
- Root invasionThe complex root systems of higher plants such as shrubs and trees deeply go through the sand mound system, in search of nutrient-rich effluent. The moment they see a chance to gain access t that, they get into gaps and perforations that clog and damage the entire system. If they go undetected due to lack of inspection and maintenance, they will cause the sand mound to fail. .
- The sand mound area with vehicles and structuresHeavy structures and vehicles over your sand mound system area is not a very good setup for it. These components are heavy. Their weight compresses the soil, thus bringing about soil compaction that crushes the sand mound components. If the components of the sand mound are crushed, then leaks, clogging, and inevitable failure will come out of it. Immediately get rid of these from your sand mound area and make sure to call your septic expert for the necessary repairs that your sand mound needs.
- Incorrect usage of drains, toilets, and sinksIf you and your household don’t use your facilities the right way, you will end up with a very terrible sand mound system experience. Dumping non-biodegradable materials, paint, and grease in drains, toilets, and sinks will only cause severe clogging in the sand mound, resulting to clogging, backing up of effluent, overflow of effluent, and eventual failure of the system. Dumping strong chemicals will corrode the system’s components and will kill the resident bacteria. If bacteria are gone, then the entire sand mound system will stop. The sand mound system will fail and if not corrected at the soonest possible time, this will be reason enough for you to buy a new sand mound system.
- Not following the pump out scheduleWhatever reasons you may have for skipping your sand mound’s pump out schedule, it will never be justified once the sand mound starts to malfunction. Pumping out your sand mound is the most basic care that you could give your system. It clears the sand mound tank of gunk. This will ensure that the soil absorption area will remain clog-free and the process of wastewater treatment will go on smoothly. Discuss the pump out schedule with your septic expert because it depends on how many people live in your home. You just have to set a small amount every month for the scheduled pump out so that it won’t be very hard on your budget.
Bacteria could be used to help prevent sand mound system failure. These are very reliable microorganisms that voraciously eat the solid waste in the sand mound’s tank. They even leave the tank odorless. They do not harm the surrounding environment at all because they do not have chemicals that pollute the bodies of water and the clean water supply in the area. It’s better to stick to the natural solution to and prevention of sand mound system failure. Chemicals and enzymes will only aggravate the situation and will even harm the physical components of the sand mound. Work with your septic expert so that you may be guided in caring for your sand mound system.