How to Tell If Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped

When your septic system has a leak or some kind of other issue, you might think of it as a minor annoyance. Unfortunately, though, the problem can sometimes be more serious than that. Septic leaks and other problems can be surprisingly hazardous and dangerous. You need to be aware of the different dangers that can go along with septic problems so you can help to prevent problems to protect your family from any associated risks.

A septic tank acts as a settling chamber where waste from your house separates from the wastewater before this water flows into the drain field. With time, the solid waste left behind in the septic tank accumulates and can inhibit the settlement and separation process. Periodic inspection can help to identify the level of sludge, the overall health of the septic system, and if pumping is necessary. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the septic inspection process.

Whether you're a new homeowner with a septic system already installed or you're thinking of buying or building a home without sewer hookups, you'll need to prepare for a few differences in maintenance, usage, and budgeting. This guide lists three ways your budget will work differently when your wastewater is processed through a septic system. 1. You Won't Need to Budget for City Sewer Service City sewer service is often based on how much water you buy from the city since the municipal wastewater system typically processes all the water. If you have a septic system, then you won't need to pay for the sewer wastewater service. Many homes that have septic systems also rely on wells for fresh water rather than using city water, so you'll likely save money in that category as well. However, in this situation, you'll need to budget for annual well testing because private wells can sometimes become contaminated by a septic system. 2. You'll Need to Add Septic Maintenance to Your Budget Although you don't have to pay the city for the use of your septic system, you will have to pay for maintenance costs if you want the system to keep working well. These maintenance costs include annual inspections and regular tank pumping, and perhaps an occasional repair such as a baffle replacement or a tree root removal. These maintenance costs and occasional repair costs can add up, so you may want to set up an emergency fund for unexpected repair costs. For example, you can make a designated category in your budget for septic repair and maintenance or include these costs in your existing home maintenance category. You'll also need to budget the price of one inspection and start saving for a tank pumping. If you save about one-third of the cost each year, then you’ll have enough saved to have your tank pumped, since you only need to do this once every few years. Spreading the costs out over the months is the best budgeting plan, even for an expenditure such as a tank pumping that doesn't happen every year, since it helps you anticipate the costs. 3. You Might Need to Budget for Septic Replacement A septic system can last up to 25 or even 30 years. If you have a relatively new septic system and you're planning to sell the house within a few years, then you may not end up needing to replace the tank or the leach field. However, you should that when you try to sell the house once the septic system is a couple of decades old, your house's market value may be lower. However, if you're house has a septic system that is more than a decade old, then you'll want to start looking into how much replacement will cost. Even though a well-maintained system can last 25 years or more, the working life may be shortened. For example, if the previous owners didn't keep up with maintenance or if the system was installed in clay soil. Because of these and other variables, you should be prepared to replace the entire system (or at least major parts of it) early if need be. Starting to save up for this possibility is a wise move. Like any unexpected major expense, a septic system replacement can put you into debt if you don't have enough emergency funds. Use these three ways to budget differently when you own a septic system. If you're looking for someone to pump your home's septic tank or perform an annual septic inspection, then give us a call today. Our team at C.E. Taylor and Son Inc. will be glad to help you assess, maintain, or repair any septic system.

Your septic system is made up of two main components: the tank and the drain field, which is also called the leach field. Most septic system owners know that their wastewater travels into a septic tank, but most homeowners are not well-versed in the care and operation of the drain field. Here are five things every homeowner should know about their septic field. 1. The Drain Field Must Never Be Covered Your septic drain field is designed to help all the wastewater flowing from your septic tank dissipate into the surrounding environment. Much of the water drains down through the topsoil and is eventually filtered into the groundwater. However, a good portion of the water also travels to the surface to evaporate in the air. If you cover your drain field, even just with a tarp or piece of landscape fabric, you're suppressing its ability to evaporate water into the air. This reduces your field's ability to treat wastewater. 2. The Area Needs Uncompacted Soil Because of the critical function of evaporation, you also need to take care not to smash the soil down. Doing so would reduce the soil’s ability to evaporate water into the surrounding air. It would also be problematic because the drain field needs aerobic bacteria, and aerobic bacteria won't thrive if all the air has been smashed out of the soil. 3. Some Plants Are Off-Limits Planting grass or another low-maintenance groundcover over your septic drain field is recommended because the plants can help hold the soil together so the water doesn't erode it away. The plants also use some of the excess water that the drain field is working to dissipate. However, if you want to do more complicated landscape plantings in the area, you need to be careful to avoid certain types of plants. These include: Trees and shrubs, as well as other plants with deep, aggressive roots High-maintenance plants that will require lots of foot traffic to the area Edible plants; they could absorb contaminants (especially if there's ever a leak) Planting any of these types of plants above your septic field could cause problems later on. 4. The Drain Field Is More Expensive to Replace Than the Tank Septic professionals know that septic tanks don't last forever; in fact, they often need to be replaced after about 20 years . Still, you don't want to make that interval any shorter by neglecting maintenance, because the installation can cost several thousand dollars. However, you may not realize that replacing your drain field can cost much more than replacing the tank. In addition, the drain field is what's likely to be damaged if you put trash down the drains or neglect to pump the solids out of your septic tank. This is because these solid waste products can clog up the drain field pipes. 5. Drain Field Damage Can Contaminate Groundwater It's not just the price of replacement that should drive you to keep your septic leach field well-maintained. There's also the danger that if damaged, the drain field may not process water correctly anymore. This can allow contaminants to make their way into the groundwater, and you may not even realize that it's happening If you have a private well, then you rely on this groundwater for your drinking water. So keeping your septic drain field in good health is a critical part of keeping yourself and your family in good health. These five basics will help you understand your drain field a little better so that you don't take it for granted. Whether you need help diagnosing and repairing your field or whether you're looking for preventive maintenance to keep problems from occurring later, get in touch with C.E. Taylor and Son Inc. today to schedule an appointment.

The septic system underneath your home is vital. You need to keep a regular maintenance schedule so that it gets looked at by a professional with frequency. Here are some things you can do to ensure your next inspection goes smoothly.

Your septic system gives you many years of service if you care for it properly and have it cleaned on schedule. One important step in septic tank maintenance that you may not think of is water conservation. Conserving water is useful for a number of reasons — for example, it’s better for the environment — but it also prolongs the life of your septic system. Here's a look at why water conservation is helpful and what you can do to cut down the amount of water you use at home. How Waste Water Flows Through Your Septic Tank The waste in your septic tank separates into layers. The heavy solids fall to the bottom where they decompose and form sludge, while the light material such as fat and oil floats to the top and forms a scum layer. Wastewater is sandwiched between these two layers. Waste enters one side of the tank and separates into layers, and then wastewater flows out the other side. Sludge and scum are trapped in the tank to be pumped out later. The rate at which water leaves the tank depends on how much water you flush down your drains. If you use a lot of water, water flows through the tank and empties into the drainfield quicker. Ideally, wastewater has enough time to sit in the tank for solids and scum to separate before the water is pushed out. This protects the drainfield and tank from being clogged by bits of solids or clumps of grease. How to Conserve Water and Protect Your Septic System There are several ways to conserve water in your home, and some don't require any money at all. For instance, you can take shorter showers and turn off the water when you brush your teeth and between rinsing dishes. Limit running the dishwasher and clothes washer to times when you have full loads and avoid running multiple loads of wash one after the other. Consider how your water use affects the septic tank. By being aware of your actions, you can space your water usage apart to allow time for the waste to separate in the tank. Other water conservation methods require investing in new plumbing supplies. You can put aerators on your faucets and have low-flow shower heads installed in your bathrooms. These are relatively inexpensive ways to cut down on the amount of water you use without even trying. Another good way to reduce water use automatically is to buy high-efficiency appliances. You can buy many types of appliances that are made to use less water, including toilets and washing machines. While it can be expensive to replace all your appliances at once, consider buying high-efficiency models when you're ready to upgrade. Other practices you'll want to avoid include draining a hot tub or swimming pool into a drain or over the drainfield. Instead, drain all that excess water away from your septic system and house so it doesn't impact the tank or stress the field. Also, you'll want to repair plumbing leaks promptly. A leaky faucet or running toilet wastes a surprising amount of water over the course of the day, and it drains straight into your septic tank. By allowing the wastewater to settle properly, the septic system can work as it is designed. Proper settling is the first step in the treatment of waste that leaves your home. It's necessary so the drainfield can do its important job of filtering the water as it seeps through the soil. Conserving water helps your system work better, and it helps you avoid unnecessary septic system repairs . Call C.E. Taylor and Son, Inc., when your septic tank needs attention. We can clean, repair, or replace the tank or drainfield as needed to get your system back in shape.

Problems with your septic tank will disrupt everyday life in your home. You need to keep your septic tank well maintained to ensure that your plumbing fixtures continue to operate properly and make life convenient for your household. Having a septic tank means that you will need to take some special considerations to keep your plumbing system healthy. The following are seven things you need to be aware of regarding septic tank maintenance to avoid cumbersome malfunctions: Record Keeping One of the most important things that you need to do to ensure that you keep up with septic tank maintenance is to keep records. In can be difficult to remember that you've completed maintenance tasks that are only necessary every few years. By keeping careful records, you will always know when you need to undergo maintenance again Septic Tank Pumping Septic tank pumping is an important maintenance task that needs to be carried out periodically to ensure septic tank health. Bacteria within a septic tank digests wastewater, but the solid material will build up in a septic tank over time and need to be pumped out. A variety of factors influence how often a septic tank needs to be pumped out. Factors that influence pumping frequency include the size of the tank, the size of the household, and the water consumption demands of the household. As a general rule, you can assume that a septic tank will need to be pumped out once every four years . However, you should consult with septic tank professionals to determine the exact frequency for your particular situation. Vigilance Simply being vigilant and paying attention to your plumbing fixtures and septic tank goes a long way in ensuring that you perform all necessary maintenance. Pay attention and look into any unusual odors that come from your septic tank and plumbing fixtures. Also, look into any chronic clog problems you notice in your drains and toilets because they could be caused by septic tank issues. Usage of Water If you want to keep your septic tank in the best shape possible, you should try to be efficient about water consumption around your home. Heavy water consumption will put more stress on a septic system and necessitate more frequent septic tank pumping. Heavy water consumption can also increase the chances that clogs will develop in the system. Maintenance of the Drain Field Properly maintaining the septic tank's drain field is every bit as important as maintaining the septic tank itself. The drain field is important the dispersal of wastewater. You need to be aware of the boundaries of your drain field. You also need to avoid landscaping or construction tasks on the drain field that could cause punctures in the ground to penetrate your septic tank. Inspections Homeowners should have their septic tank inspected every few years to look out for any developing malfunctions. Inspections performed by septic tank experts let homeowners know if they need to have their septic tank pumped out soon. They can also inform homeowners if any backups are developing in the line that could eventually create clogging issues in plumbing fixtures on the home's interior. Protection of Septic Tank Bacteria As part of your normal household cleaning regime, you may put disinfectants down your drains. However, putting too much disinfectant down your drain can kill important bacteria in your septic tank that is needed to break down solids. Limit the amount of disinfectants like bleach that you put down your drains to avoid malfunctions and backup issues. Contact C. E. Taylor & Son, Inc. for assistance with septic tank issues. Among the services offered by C. E. Taylor & Son, Inc. are septic tank pumping, inspection, installation, repair, and cleaning.

Some trees are more aggressive towards pipes than other trees are, and some have much larger root systems and much thirstier water-guzzling habits than others. So not every tree poses the same threat, but as a rule, you'll want to keep trees as far away from both your water and septic pipes as possible. As a quick back-of-the-hand estimate, you can use the tree's own size to check for correct placement. Find out what kinds of trees you have and what their mature height should be, and use that number as a guideline — if there's a pipe within that distance, the tree is too close. This goes for not only your clean water lines and the pipe to your septic tank, but also the entire septic drain field system (also known as the leach field), which is primarily composed of pipes. If you're wondering why it's so important to keep trees away from your pipes, that's because tree root systems can cause damage to pipes in a number of ways. Here are four of them. 1. Causing Bellied Pipes "Bellied" pipes refer to pipes that have a sunken section where the regular downward slope has been interrupted. This generally happens because the ground under the pipe has eroded, crumbled or settled, but tree roots can play a part in bellying as well. Anything that destabilizes the ground under a section of pipe, undermining the pipe's support in that section, can cause it to belly. 2. Prying Open Cracks Tree roots are experts at searching for traces of water. A miniscule crack or even a nearly-perfect joint that doesn't leak enough water to cause a problem can be like blood in the water for a tree root. And once it's found the source of the water, the root will head straight for the tiny crack and force its way in, growing thicker as it does so. As you can imagine, this can make cracks wider and allow more water to escape. 3. Creating Blockages Some trees have fast-growing roots that can grow through a crack and then grow at such speeds that they curl around and around inside the pipe until they've formed a mat that nothing can get through. This blockage can create problems for the rest of the system, including septic backups and flooding in your home (in a worst-case scenario). 4. Bursting Pipes The problem with roots is that they don't know when to stop. Once they've entered a pipe, they'll just keep going and going. If the root mass doesn't incapacitate the septic system, it will continue growing and may even burst the pipe from the inside. Tree roots can get huge and woody over weeks and months of growth, so they could end up taking over yards and yards of your pipes before they're discovered and removed. If caught in time, tree roots can often be removed with special equipment that cuts the roots out of the pipe from the inside. However, if the pipes are too damaged — for example, if they're burst from the inside — it may be necessary to dig up large sections of the pipes for replacement. So keeping trees away from your septic system is the best way to prevent these expensive types of damage. Whether you're looking for tree root removal, tips on protecting your system from roots or more information on how to tell if you have a root problem, we'd love to talk to you! Feel free to contact us today and ask about our repair and maintenance services. You can call us or simply use our online form !

The kitchen is a place where you can enjoy time with family and bond over delicious, home-cooked meals. However, it can also be the place where septic tank issues begin. Many homeowners unknowingly engage in food prep and kitchen maintenance practices that leave their septic tanks prone to damage and backups. If you follow any of these common kitchen habits, it's a good idea to stop before you end up having to call for emergency septic service. Putting Grease Down the Drain When you hear grease problems discussed among plumbers and homeowners, these discussions are often focused on how grease can clog a main sewer line, leading to backups. Since you don't have a sewer connection, you might assume putting some grease down the drain is okay, especially if you're careful to run the hot water and keep the grease liquid as it runs down the pipes. Sadly, this is not the case. Even if the grease manages to make its way through your drain pipes without latching onto the walls --and in most cases, it won't--grease is notoriously bad for your septic tank. Any grease you pour down the drain ends up floating on top of the water in the tank and interfering with the way water and broken down waste flow out into your septic leech field. Fatty deposits are hard for your septic pumping professional to remove, too. Instead of pouring cooking grease down the sink, allow it to solidify or cool, and then scoop it out into the trash can. The same goes for any greasy or oily sauces. Also make sure you wipe out any greasy pans with a paper towel before putting them in the dishwasher or washing them by hand. Using a Garbage Disposal Garbage disposals have made cleaning up after big meals or food prep sessions so much easier. However, many septic experts recommend against installing them in homes with septic systems because all of the ground-up food waste they send down into the septic tank increases the chances of clogs and the frequency at which you'll need to pump your tank. This food takes a while to break down and takes up space that could otherwise be utilized by human waste and waste water. If you have a garbage disposal in your home with a septic system, the best thing you can do is to stop using it completely. But if that's not realistic, you can at least decrease the frequency of use. Try disposing of most of your food waste in a compost bin and only using the disposal when you scrape off plates. Or, only use the disposal when you are in a rush, and take the time to compost when you have it. The less you put down the disposal, the better. Using a Lot of Bleach and Drain Cleaners Your septic tank only works as well as it does because of the bacteria living within it. These bacteria break down the solid waste into tiny particles that are easily rinsed out into the drain field, along with water. While the bacterial population can generally withstand the occasional douse of bleach or disinfectants, constantly using these harsh chemicals in your kitchen can decrease the bacterial population significantly, slowing down the rate at which your tank empties. So, if you are a heavy bleach user, it may be time to change your ways. There's really no reason to use gallons of bleach in your kitchen anyways. Just a tablespoon in a gallon of water is enough to sanitize your surfaces, and that amount is generally safe for your septic tank, too. Also watch your use of drain cleaners, which are even more harmful to septic bacteria. Remove drain clogs with a plunger and hot water whenever possible. If you stop engaging in the kitchen habits above, your septic tank should continue to operate more effectively. In addition to avoiding these habits, make sure you have your system pumped by a service like C.E. Taylor and Son, Inc every three to five years, and avoid agitating your septic drain field with heavy equipment.