FAQ
Q. How often should my septic tank or tanks be pumped?
A. It depends on the volume of water and sewage used in the home. For residential, you would typically want to pump your septic tank approximately every 2 years.
Q. Why do I have problems with my septic system upon heavy rainfall?
A. Typically, when you have heavy rain problems it is due to the age of the system, bio-matting of septic trenches, or hydraulic overload.
Q. Why do I hear gurgling noises in my plumbing?
A. The gurgling in your pipe indicates that the drain pipes in your home are full of water and are searching for air. This could be caused by a backed up septic system or septic field. This could be an indication of an aging or failing septic system, broken or clogged pipe, or a great number of things. Pumping the system would result in temporary relief of the backup which is causing the gurgling noise. Further inspection would be necessary to solve the problem at it’s root.
Q. How come I have to have a more costly or different septic system than my neighbor? Aren’t they all the same?
A. No. Not all septic systems are the same. Each site is tested by soil scientists and soil consistency can change within a matter of a few feet. This means that your test could come back with optimum results while your neighbor may have to install a more complex or costly system based on the results of their soil tests or vice versa.
Q. What is a perimeter drain and why might I need one?
A. A perimeter drain is a drain that goes around your septic field and lowers the water table in the immediate area of your system. This is needed so that the only water or effluent going into the system is coming from the home or from rain fall. All other water is diverted.
Q. What is a flood dosing system?
A. A flood dosing system is a septic system that has an additional tank called a dosing chamber. These systems must be used on septic fields that are greater than 1500 square feet or septic trenches that are too shallow to be gravity fed.