Septic maintenance firm in Arnold, CA? Periodic Septic Tank Maintenance is also essential to keep your system running. This is especially critical on advanced systems, with pumps, float, control panels & filters. We perform a very thorough maintenance and inspection on your system. During routine maintenance we open the entire system. All components,( i.e.- pumps, floats, filters splice boxes, P/D laterals, valve boxes and more) are checked, cleaned and flushed. Flushing of the P/D laterals is a very important part of the maintenance. Lateral pipes can get full of sludge / solids and not allow the effluent into the drain field trenches. In addition, flushing can remove early root mats growing into the lines through the trench.
Repair leaky faucets. Water that is wasted through leaky taps puts a strain on your septic tank system (not to mention, it also increases your water bill!). Be sure to repair leaky tap right away. Don’t pour household chemicals down the drain. Dispose of motor oil, antifreeze, paint, pesticides and potent cleaners properly. They should never be poured down the drain because they kill bacteria that breaks down solids in your septic tank.
The most common cause of a failed system is overloading it. This can be caused by the consecutive use of high-volume activities such as laundry, showering, and running the dishwasher. Space out their usage as well as follow water conservation efforts year round. If your drainfield is flooded, your first step should be to drastically reduce water use in the house until you notice it is dry at the surface. Pumping the septic tank may be an option, however should be considered after the area above it is dry, otherwise it could cause the tank to float out of the ground, damaging the inlet and outlet pipes. Consult a professional septic service provider for advice.
A Dosing System introduces the effluent waste water from the septic tank to the drain field in intermittent intervals (doses) throughout the day. This allows the soil to absorb the “dosed” water in the drain field before more water is introduced. These types of systems are used in soils with poor absorption rates or shallow soils. There are two common types of dosing systems: The Siphon Dose and the Low Pressure Dose. A siphon dose system (not pictured) does not use an electrical discharge pump. It uses a siphon bell ( an inverted bell that is open on the bottom and traps air) that cycles as the water level rises and cause the effluent to dose into the drain field by a siphon action (Click on the link to the left to see how it actually works). A low pressure dosing system uses a pump in a pump chamber (as shown in picture on the left). The pump turns on intermittently through electronic controls and sends the effluent to the drain field in intervals throughout the day. Find additional details at septic systems types.
Water is then returned to the soil in the drain field. The drain field is made up of a network of perforated pipes in gravel trenches buried beneath the soil. The drain field is designed to help the wastewater flowing through the septic tank dissipate into the surrounding environment. Most of the water drains down through the topsoil and is eventually filtered into the groundwater. With regular maintenance, a septic system will last between 20-30 years. However if the system is not properly installed and maintained, a system can fail within a few years. Once a system fails, it can be difficult to repair and a complete replacement is often needed. With a tank replacement costing between $3,000 and $7,000, it’s important to keep your system in the best possible condition. Fortunately, it’s not hard to take care of a septic system, if you follow a few simple tips.
Foothill Sanitary Septic and Foothill Portable Toilets has been serving California in the Calaveras, Tuolomne, Amador, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties for many years. With locations in Copperopolis, Valley Springs and Arnold we are equipped to fulfill all of your septic or portable toilet needs in a timely manner to your complete satisfaction. We’re committed to providing you with the highest level of service, so you’ll always choose us for your septic pumping, maintenance and repair needs.
The home’s sewer line drain pipe needs to slope 1/4 inch per foot downhill to the inlet side of the septic tank and the outlet pipe needs to flow downhill at least 1/8 inch per foot downhill to the leach field, where the septic tank effluent enters a manifold or distribution D box. Beyond the manifold or D box the leach field trenches (for an Infiltrator chamber system) are excavated perfectly level at a depth of at least seven inches below the grade of the manifold pipes or D box (for chambers). And covered with at least one foot of soil atop the trench or chamber. Trenches can be deeper, if the site dictates, but rarely more than three feet below finish grade. Find even more information at https://www.foothillsanitary.com/.