F.A.Q.

How often you need to have your septic tank pumped depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the household, and the amount of water usage. In most cases, a septic tank should be pumped every 3 to 5 years. Some alternative systems that are more complex may need pumping more frequently. Every system is different. What is right for your system may not be right for your neighbor’s.

Every 3 years but several factors should be considered when deciding how often your sand mound system needs to be serviced. You must take into account the number of people in the household, and the amount of water usage.  Every system is different. What is right for your system may not be right for your neighbor’s.  When pumping a sand mound system there are two (2) tanks that must be pumped, the main septic tank and the dosing tank.  This keeps the effluent (sludge) from being pumped into the sand mound and causing it to fail.

Yes! Bacteria must be present in the septic tank in order to break down and digest the organic solids. Today, households use a wide range of anti-bacterial soaps, detergents and cleaning fluids. While these ordinary household products do a great job killing unwanted bacteria in your home, they also destroy good bacteria that your system needs in order to function properly.  However, none of these products eliminate the need for routine maintenance and pumping.

Likely, yes. In this case, we will first pump the septic tank and determine if there is a blockage at that time. A lot of times waste matter gets caught in the inlet baffle and a simple septic pumping will solve the problem.  If a blockage in the line coming from the home is found we will try and snake the line open at that time.  If the line cannot be opened by snaking it, then we will send out our Service Van with cable rooter and jetter equipment to clear the line to the tank.

What happens when a septic system fails? How can I tell?  Usually when a standard septic system fails, the drain field is not functioning properly. When a septic tank overflows, the effluent (sludge) can pass to the drain field, clogging up the pipes. This causes sinks and toilets to back up in the house. Other signs include: slow draining toilets and drains, an odor of sewage, wet area on or near the drain field, or contaminated well water.

Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! If your system has been properly designed, sited, and installed, the rest is up to you. Pump your system usually every 3-5 years, avoid excess water use, and watch what you put down the drain and flush down the toilet.

Bleach kills bacteria, which is a crucial element to the operation of your septic system. Your septic system needs to have a healthy supply of bacteria in order to help eat away at the sludge in your tank to prevent system failure. Many products we use in our homes today are anti-bacterial, so it is important to replace that bacteria by using bacterial additives such as Lenzyme or Rid-X.

A drain field is a series of pipes (usually 20 to 40 feet long) that extend out from your distribution box. These pipes have small holes along the sides that drain out grey water from your septic system. The drain field pipes are laid over dirt and gravel. As the water seeps out of the drain field lines, it will filter through the ground entering into the natural water cycle of the earth.

A Distribution Box, or D-Box, is usually a 2 foot by 2 foot cement box that has 2-3 holes in it from which the drain field lines originate. The distribution box does what it says, helping to distribute the liquid from the tank out evenly along the drain field lines. Usually the Distribution Box does not need to be pumped at the time of the septic pumping during regular servicing. If you distribution box is full of water, it is a sign that your drain field is not operating properly.

There are a few common reasons for having standing water in your yard. In most cases, water surfaces because of improper maintenance and neglect of the septic system from not servicing the system over the course of several years.  There could also be a break in your main line leaving the Septic Tank to your drain field, or from your home to your tank.  If the ponding is concentrated over the drain field, this usually means that the lines in your drain field are blocked – this issue should be addressed promptly by cleaning and jetting the lines. Wet spots in your drain field is a definite sign that you are having issues with your septic system.

First, most main septic tanks are rectangular.   For homes built after 1997, there are two 24” rounds lids; one over the inlet side of the septic tank (where the water from your home enters the tank), and one on the outlet side of the tank (where the liquid from the tank exits to your drain field).  They are 4’ apart measuring from center of one lid to center of other lid.  Both of these lids would need to be dug open to pump your septic tank correctly.

For homes built before, 1997 you likely have four 2 foot x 4 foot rectangle lids across the top of your tank. One of these needs to be dug open for us to pump your septic tank properly.  There are other size tanks and lids that exist, but these are the most common in Central PA.

No. Garbage disposals have a dramatic impact on how often you’ll need to pump your septic tank. Food particles usually are not digested by the bacteria and accumulate as scum. If a large amount of water enters the tank, it can then push the food particles into the drain field, causing your drain field lines to clog and ultimately causing your septic system to fail. If you must use a garbage disposal, your tank will need to be pumped more frequently.

You should be careful of what you pour down the drain.  Many materials that are poured down the drain do not decompose and remain in the tank. In addition to minimal use of a garbage disposal, don’t pour grease, fats, and oils down the drain or place coffee grounds and egg shells in the disposal or down the drain. In short: if it is edible or comes from food, do not put it down the drain.

Proper operating level is where the water level in your tank meets the outlet pipe leaving the tank, which is ordinarily 6-12 inches from the lid of the tank. As water enters your tank it should push water out of your tank through the outlet pipe.  Approximately after two (2) to three (3) weeks of getting your septic tank(s) pumped, your septic tank should return to a “proper working level”. Your septic tank will hold liquid in order for the separation of solids and liquid to occur, resulting in only the liquid (or grey water) flowing out to the drain field pipes.

Filters keep the hair, grit and grime from getting out into your drain field lines. A filter goes on the outlet “T” of your septic tank and acts as a strainer, keeping all solid, large particles in the tank and therefore out of your drain field lines.  Filters should be cleaned every 6 months.

There are many reasons why odors occasionally seep into the home.  The most common reason for odor problems is that your septic tank needs to be cleaned. Drain issues are the second most common reason for odors, which usually occur due to issues with the trap in the drain. Drain traps do as they say: trap water inside, preventing sewer gases from coming back into the home.  If you have a dry drain trap in the house that you do not use on a regular basis, such as a basement drain or shower, etc., pouring water down the drain will solve odor issues on occasion as this will form a vapor to block out the odor.

Another tip for eliminating odors is to check to see if you have a clogged vent pipe on your house roof,  as sometimes birds drop sticks down these pipes preventing the odors from escaping.

If these tips do not work and the odor persists, give us call us so we can discuss your issue.

No. The only thing that should be planted over or near the surface of the drain field is grass. Tree and shrubbery roots can cause major blockages in your drain field lines. It’s also important to never cover the septic tank or drain field with asphalt or concrete or other impermeable material.

Trees and shrubs generally have extensive root systems that seek out and grow into wet areas, such as drain fields. As a result, trees and large shrubs should be kept at least 30 feet away from your drain field, and may require greater setbacks depending on the root structure and soil type.

Flush only human waste and toilet paper down the toilet—avoid flushing dental floss, cat litter (including “flushable” varieties), hair, Kleenex, cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, condoms, paper towels, diapers, and disposable wipes. These items could clog your septic system components and cause a failure because of their inability to decompose or breakdown in the system.

Septic tanks are mainly settling chambers. They allow time for solids and scum to separate out from wastewater, so clear liquid can safely go to the drainfield. Over time, the scum and sludge layers get thicker, leaving less space and time for the waste-water to settle before passing to the drainfield.

There are limits to the amount of water septic systems can treat. For every gallon entering the tank, one gallon is pushed out. In some instances, too much water entering the tank at one time may back up into your house or overload the drain field and surface in the yard. Large volumes of water in short periods of time may also not allow solids enough time to settle, and may be carried out to the drain field, ultimately clogging the pipes with sludge.

The most inexpensive way to maintain your septic system is to cut down on your water usage throughout the house, don’t throw anything down the toilets, sinks or drains that shouldn’t be in the septic system, do not do more than 2 loads of laundry a day, and try to use less harsh chemicals.  Do not ignore your septic system. Schedule regular septic pumping service and stay ahead of any potential issues. This is the best way to prolong the life of your septic system.

Yes. Downspouts and storm water from surfaces such as driveways and patios should be diverted off and far away from the septic tank and drain field.