Home Septic System

Your Home Buyer’s Guide to Septic Systems

2009-01-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

If you're planning to purchase a new home, chances are you've given some thought as to what kind of plumbing and drainage system your home will have. If the home you purchase has an on-site septic system, that means that all of the waste products from your sink, your showers, your toilets, and other drains will be draining into a septic tank. A septic tank is designed to retain all solids and allow the flow of fluids into a drain field. A septic system that has been properly installed and designed is incredibly sanitary and quite efficient. In the United States today, more homes have septic systems than any other type of waste disposal system.

If you are planning to buy a home and you know that your home of choice has a septic tank and a drain field, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that the home you’re purchasing has an adequate and sanitary septic system. Read on for a little education in the home-buyers guide to septic systems.

First of all, ask your realtor or the current homeowner about the septic system itself. You should know where it is, every component that has been installed, if there have been any problems in the past, and if the system has been recently inspected and pumped. You should also make your own assessment and visual inspection of the sight. Look around and make sure that you see no signs of impending septic trouble. If possible you should perform the septic tank guide test. Most home inspectors will know how to perform this test, but many do not unless made by special request. If you get any negative feedback for the first three-steps, you should immediately consider pumping the septic tank. If you have a sneaking suspicion that there's a problem with your new or future home’s septic system, you may require a physical investigation. It's also a good idea to educate yourself on septic system care and learn about the components of the septic system through outside resources. And, as a side note, it's probably a good idea to ensure that your neighbors have not had septic problems. Often times, neighborhoods are constructed by a single source. As a result of this, problems at any of the neighbor’s homes can mean future problems at your home.

It’s a good idea that you do everything in your power to ensure that your septic system is adequate. If you have elected to purchase a home, your first step should be to install a laundry lint filter for your washing machine. While this may seem like a small step, it is imperative for ensuring that the solid waste in your septic system can be processed properly.

The Septic Tank – What’s in There?

2009-01-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

Every morning after you brush your teeth and hop into the shower and then shuffle to the kitchen for your morning coffee, the water you use to take a shower is draining into your septic system (that is, if your home is on a septic system). Along with the water that drains through your pipes are the contents of that water. Virtually everything you've washed from your body; your skin cells, soap, dirt and grime, all of it has to have a place to go. Most homeowners don't think twice about the contents of their septic system until they experience a problem. So, today, it might be wise to consider all of the things that wash into your septic system and what you can do to better care for your septic system.

As we all know, waste products from flushing the toilet end up in a septic tank. But that's not the only contents. One of the most prominent contents of the septic tank is the material gathered from laundry wash water. That's right! Your dryer is not the only place where lint accumulates. The difference is, when you wash your clothes the lint is spun out in the rinse cycle and washed down the drain into your septic system. The bad news is that laundry lint is not biodegradable. Virtually every piece of lint that has washed down your septic system is still there to this day.

While this may not seem like a big deal, the overabundance of accumulated lint in the septic system can cause major damage to not only your septic tank and septic drainage, but also to your law. No matter how many over the counter products you put into your toilet tank to help lower the level of waste, laundry lint will not respond. Because of the fact that laundry lint is not biodegradable, the enzymes and flushable products homeowners use to combat this problem will seek only to lower the level of actual human waste. You're basically flushing money down the toilet.

The best way to combat the issue of laundry lint is through the utilization of a laundry lint filter on your washing machine. Laundry lint filters are relatively inexpensive and can end up saving homeowners thousands of dollars in terms of septic repair. If you'd rather not have your lawn dug up, it is wise to consider purchasing a laundry lint filter. While the utilization of a laundry lint filter may seem insignificant but, the second a problem arises you're certain to think twice about the choice you made to buy one. Be smart and cut problems off at the pass. You'll be very happy you did.

Septic Lint Filters

2008-12-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

If you own your washer-dryer unit, it’s likely you already know that you have to empty the lint filter on your dryer with each load. And the chances are, when you pull out the lint trap, you find a virtual quilt of string and fuzz. But, have you ever stopped to wonder what happens to all the lint that ends up in your wash water? When you wash a load of clothing, much of the lint, as well as all those little strings that are attached to your clothing, end up in the rinse water. This ‘lint full’ rinse water is then drained and ends up; you guessed it, in your septic system. Because lint is not biodegradable eventually you will note your septic drainfield levels becoming higher at an alarming rate. Eventually, your septic system will require professional assistance or you run the risk having septic fluid back up into your home. So, what can you do to ensure that your septic system does not become clogged with laundry lint?

The answer to your septic questions comes in the form of a septic tank lint filter. A septic lint filter is a filter that is added to the drain hose of your washing unit to catch and prevent lint build up in your septic system. This lint trap or lint filter will have to be occasionally cleaned out, but this cleaning necessity is a small price to pay to avoid having your lawn dug up because of septic trouble.

Septic care is a homeowner responsibility that often goes overlooked, that is, until a problem occurs. The best way to ensure that you avoid cost and septic repair is to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. There's no better way to prevent septic clogs than by the utilization of the laundry lint filter that is designed for your septic drainage system. This one small investment can end up saving thousands in the long run when utilized and maintained properly. So, if you're a homeowner, and your home is on a septic system, you can't go wrong through the installation of a laundry lint filter for your septic system. You can save yourself time, trouble, and lots of money down the road, simply by taking a few moments to install a septic link filter.

Yes, you will have to take some time every so often to clean your lint filter, but you’ll significantly reduce the worry about a backhoe digging up your manicured front lawn or having sewage spill out into your home. Remember, as we’ve said before, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Septic System Care

2008-12-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

If you're a new homeowner, chances are one of the last things you’ve thought about is inspecting your home’s septic system. If your new home is on a septic system, you’ve very likely avoided any inspection or worry over the septic tank itself. Unfortunately, ignoring this issue will not prevent problems from occurring. It is all too common for new homeowners to neglect their septic systems until a crisis occurs.

If you're among the many homeowners who has avoided septic inspection, and you're now concerned that you may be facing a troublesome situation, read on to learn a little bit more about the proper care and consideration for your septic system.

First of all, one of the best ways to ensure septic system health is to have your tank and pipes inspected annually by a professional. This yearly inspection will provide you with an estimate of the level of waste in your septic tank, can provide you with information that will inform you as to whether or not intervention will be necessary, and can also provide you with some valuable tips on how to keep your septic system working efficiently.

You may also find that the purchase of some septic care products may help to both prevent or eliminate septic issues in your home septic system. For example, some tank additives that provide extra enzymes to help break down excess waste in your septic system will work to improve efficiency. Get a recommendation from a respected Septic Professional for the specific type for your system's needs. These additives are relatively inexpensive and can be added to your septic tank at any time.

Perhaps one of the best products to help prevent septic issues is a laundry lint filter. The lint filter is is designed to help prevent laundry lint from creating clogs and backups that will prove to be detrimental to your septic system, and finally, your lawn. After all, the last thing most homeowners want is a backhoe digging up their front lawn in order to fix their failing septic system.

You'll find that a small amount of care and consideration given to your septic system will help prevent lots of trouble down the road. There’s an old adage: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So if you're looking to save yourself some hard-earned money and some time, as well as stress, take care of your septic system today.

While septic care may seem like a detail that can be overlooked with little or no consequence, septic system crises can occur with little warning. And because so many homeowners tend to neglect the ongoing care of their septic systems, repair and replacement is statistically high and can cost thousands of dollars.