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Lack of Septic Pumping leads to Septic System Failure

Lack of Septic Pumping leads to Septic System Failure

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This septic emergency was because of lack of maintenance. This client was under the impression that you never need to pump the septic system, unless it’s giving you trouble.  He adds septic tank additives every months.  It’s never giving him a problem before. Unfortunately, over 8 years, it completely packed with solids.  All a septic tank does is separate liquids from solids and allow liquids to enter the drainfield.  If the septic tank get’s too full, it will allow solids…

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Nu-Water Aerobic Treatment Plant

Nu-Water Aerobic Treatment Plant

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The video attached is a video of a Nu Water Aerobic Treatment Plant by Enviro-flo. The reason we need to have this level of treatment was for the stream and high ground water in this area.  We need to protect our surface and ground water from contamination.  The neighbors well is pretty close as well, so in order to have a home this close this homeowner agreed to have annual maintenance to this system. Now annual maintenance does not mean…

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Septic tank backed up due to a clogged filter

Septic tank backed up due to a clogged filter

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Here is a friendly tip if you’re backed up in an emergency.  This home has a 2 compartment septic tank and an outlet filter that screens the effluent going to the drainfield.  This filter should be cleaned annually.  There is diaper wipes in this tank, so we pumped it out the same day. In the video I pulled the filter out and put it back in right away, didn’t want to send too much unscreened effluent to the drainfield.  I…

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Removing a clog from Septic tank inlet baffle

Removing a clog from Septic tank inlet baffle

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Below is a video of a clogged inlet baffle.  This homeowner called us out for a pumping and thought his septic tank needed cleaned.  It did need cleaned, but for other reasons.  The tank was backed up due to a clogged inlet baffle.  And this advice could save you money in a case of a backup. Just a reminder, this video is not an inspection.  A true inspection will involve sludge and scum measurements, second compartment (if applicable) inspection, and…

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Septic alarm and what it means

Septic alarm and what it means

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This is a working model of a basic septic systems pump and alarm for a pressure drainfield, sand filter, or sand mound.  Geogrpahically, these two yellow float switches are located in the tanks with the wastewater.  The light signifies the pump.  When I raise the lower float switch, you must imagine my hand as wastewater.  This is what will trigger the pump to turn on.  The light comes on.  When the lower float is lowered, the light goes off. Now…

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Real Estate Transaction Buyer Beware Septic Service

Real Estate Transaction Buyer Beware Septic Service

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Here comes another story of, “I just can’t make this stuff up” Scenario. Buyer and buyer’s agent call me to inspect a septic system of a house that they are going to purchase. I note that 1. There is an electrical problem that needs an electrician. 2. The alarm float has become detached from the float tree and needs to be reattached. 3. The solids levels in the tank show that the tank does not need pumped; however, there is…

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Interesting business plan from competitor

Interesting business plan from competitor

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This goes under the heading of: “I can’t make this stuff up” This story is unbelievable. Client purchases a home.  There is a deficiency marked on their septic system from competitor.  “Outlet Baffle is broken” Client calls my competitor who wrote up the deficiency and asks them to repair it. Competitor tells homeowner that they need to dig up the tank first.  (This is outrageous to me, for one, I know exactly where to dig.  It takes me all of…

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What does it cost to pump a septic tank

What does it cost to pump a septic tank

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Customer uses First Call Septic because our rates are clearly posted.  Visit the Rates Page for more details. Yesterday I received, what I call, “Tire Kicker Call”. You may wonder what that is. Person calls in checking prices, but has a million other questions about price. This usually happens when a customer has been burned by another in my field. Example: What if the tank has lids that need opened? What do you charge now? Or What if the lid…

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High Water Alarm

High Water Alarm

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Last night I was with my friends at Rusty Grape Winery. I received an emergency call from a homeowner. Obviously since I had a drink, I could not respond to the emergency of my customer. The emergency was her “Septic High Water Alarm” started sounding off. Now, what does that mean? Simply, it means the septic system is experiencing a “Higher Than Allowable” water event. A sewage pump must b e acting up, or failed all together. I instructed her…

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Septic Tank Additives

Septic Tank Additives

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Sometime last week we experienced an emergency call about a septic system only being 3 years old and needing pumped already.  They have used Rid-X septic tank additives religiously over the past three years. And they thought they didn’t have to pump the septic tank if they used their product. Here is the cut and paste from their website.  It’s also on the package of Rid-X they were using. “Q: If I use RID-X®, will I still have to have…

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