Septic Services-How to Maintain
Septic systems are very common in rural areas, and these same areas are home to many natural water sources, both ground and surface water, that supply drinking water to areas that do not have wells. When a septic system is not properly operated or maintained, it not only affects the property it is on, it can cause harm to all that rely on the aquifer it contaminates.
The proper operation and maintenance of a system is the best method, or practice in preventing contamination. Improperly operating and maintaining a septic system can lead to failure even when a system has been designed and installed properly. Depending on the usage, a septic tank should be pumped and inspected every 3 – 5 years in most cases.
As a home owner, it is your responsibility to maintain the subsurface disposal system on your property. You should continuously monitor the drainage field area for signs of a failure, such as odors, wet areas of sewage on the surface, and even lush patches of vegetation above, or around a drainage field area. A common system failure is due to overloading a system, and signs of a failure will appear as surface pounding. Reducing water usage will extend the life of a drainage field. This can be done by the use of water saving devices, repairing plumbing fixtures that leak, shorting shower times, and running dishwashers, or washing machines only when there is a full load to be done. Surface water runoff from paved areas, roofs, and patio areas are another cause of overloading a drainage field, and should be directed away from a septic area, along with basement sump pumps and discharge from water softeners should never be discharged into a septic system.
Common household items such as drain cleaners, oils, paints, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides can all harm the biological activity that naturally occurs in a septic system to treat waste water before it percolates through the soil and into the aquifer. Taking advantage of local hazardous waste collection programs in your area for the proper disposal of these items is another way to prevent contamination to a water supply.
A home septic system is typically not designed to be driven on, vehicle traffic, and heavy equipment should be keep off the area of a septic system to prevent soil compaction, along with the possibility of damaging pipes. Soil compaction will cause the system not to drain properly and prevent the evaporation of water from the drainage filed.
One thing that is commonly overlooked, or never even thought of, is landscaping. Trees should never be planted over a septic system because there root systems can enter the perforated piping, causing sewage backups, and construction of any kind over any part of a septic system should never be done, including paving, asphalt, concrete or brick.
You can get more information about Septic Systems by visiting Excavation Contractor Alberta
Processing your request, Please wait....
