Keeping Your Sewer System Healthy
Your typical Andover MN Septic System comes equipped with an Underground Septic Tank. The tank is designed to collect and hold human waste materials and water until they are broken down into four different components; Gas, Scum, Liquids & Solids. The Natural Bacterial Action works quite well under the right conditions. Problems can arise when something disrupts the biological process going on inside of the tank. Septic Repair Professionals at Custom Septic, Inc. (CSI) are here to help keep your sewer system healthy and working at the optimal best.
4 Biological Components Inside Septic Tanks
Organic Sewage Treatment relies heavily on nature to organically break it down into something safe for humans and the environment. Natural Bacterial Action goes on inside of the underground septic tank. This is where everything that washes down the drain or gets flushed down a toilet is separated into Four Unique Sewage Components.
- Sewer Gases: A mix of both toxic and nontoxic gases that can include ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, methane, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Gases escape through vents.
- Floating Scum Layer: Lighter materials inside of the septic tank rise up and float on top of the liquid component. Sewage scum is made up of cooking grease, fats, oils, clothing fibers, food particles, etc.
- Liquid Effluent: Wastewater and urine from your home’s toilets, showers, dishwasher, sinks and washing machine make up the liquids inside of the septic tank. Partially treated water flows out of the tank and on to drainage field for further bacterial treatment action.
- Sludge Layer: Fecal solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank to form a thick layer of sludge or septage. Bacteria inside of the tank works to slowly decompose the solids. Typically, the sludge will build up and have to be pumped out about every three years.
What Causes Septic Tank Problems?
The best way to Avoid Septic System Problems is to start out with the right Septic System Design. Proper Septic Tank Installation is extremely important for starting out right and for fewer problems down the line. Of course Good Maintenance is vital to keeping everything running as it should.
The following is a list of some Common Causes of Septic Tank Problems and ways that they can be easily avoided:
- Water Overload: Excess water inside a septic tank can both slow down the biological breakdown of sludge in the bottom of the tank, and cause solids to rise up and clog the outlet pipe.
- Spread out loads of laundry
- Install low-flow shower heads
- Take shorter showers
- Repair leaky fixtures
- Chemical Overload: Bacteria are a vital part of the organic sewage treatment process. Cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that kill off the bacteria that are needed for decomposing sewage waste materials.
- Use antibacterial cleansers very sparingly
- Only use the recommended amount of detergents
- Choose natural cleaning products
- Avoid septic tank additives
- Non-Biodegradable Materials Overload: Whether its ground up food particles from a garbage disposal, clothing fibers from the laundry tub or tampons down the toilet – any and all of these things can clog things up inside of the septic tank.
- Minimize use of garbage disposals
- Install a lint filter on washing machine outlet hose
- Avoid “flushable wipes” that decompose far too slowly
- Only allow bodily waste and toilet tissue to be flushed down the toilet – nothing else!
Licensed MN Septic Repair Professionals
It is possible for your septic system to function efficiently for decades with proper care. Yearly Septic System Inspections can be a good way to stay ahead of any issues before they grow into a major problem. Consult with a Licensed Septic Repair Contractor at Custom Septic, Inc. (CSI) if you suspect any Septic System Problems.
In Andover MN, contact Custom Septic, Inc. (CSI) for a Free Estimate on Septic System Repairs at 763-218-4769
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