Hello there septic system owners. This blog post is about trees and what they do to your septic system. But in this case it’s just the septic tank that stopped working. They can do all sorts of damage. This client has been warned for many years. 10 years ago roots had started infiltrating the seams of the septic tank. At that time the client was told it would be a good idea to cut the trees down by the septic…
Watch this video for a basic understanding how simple septic systems work. This applies to all Gravity Septic systems. The more you know Thanks for watching, Ronnie
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…
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…
This is a Septic Tank Baffle Inspection: Does not include the rest of the sludge and scum measurements or anything like that. I was working alone today, and saw that this was a great opportunity to video this part. These are the baffles that are located within a septic tank. These happen to be made of concrete and the outlet is rotting badly. The outlet baffle is the component that separates liquids from solids. The drainfield can handle water, nothing…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This is a super rare photo of me during a septic pumpout. The machine I’m running is called the crust buster and stirs up the tank so we can guarantee we clean the tank well. This picture was taken by my customer. He was a pleasure to work for and it’s rare to see someone want to take a picture and then share it. This picture was taken in the camas, washougal area just outside of vancouver.