Virginia Septic Maintenance – An Overview

Those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of a more metropolitan setting may find that adopting a more rural way of life is the best option for them. However, if you do this, you may lose access to some services, such as access to a municipal sewage system.

Under these circumstances, you must adopt a self-contained waste management system. It is called a septic system. A septic tank is one of the most vital components of a septic system. So, it stands to reason that doing routine Virginia septic tank maintenance is essential to ensure that everything is in proper operating condition.

Suppose you presently own a house with a septic system or are considering purchasing a property with a septic system. In that case, you may be asking why it is so necessary to maintain the septic tank. As septic system experts, we are happy to answer it for you. The answer is simple. Sludge, grease, and other solids may build up in the tank as the system is utilized, and if the tank is not pumped out regularly, the system might get blocked.

This may result in clogs and spills, both of which can cause harm not just to your property but also to the surrounding environment. It is also possible for it to cause damage to the system, which may result in costly repairs or, in some situations, replacement entirely, which is an even more expensive scenario. Always remember that the owner of the house or property is held liable for any environmental harm on their land and may be subject to criminal prosecution and financial penalties.

When you consider what a septic tank really is, it becomes clear why keeping it in good working order is essential. A septic tank is what its name implies. It is a tank that collects everything and everything that is flushed down a toilet or drain in a residential building.

It has a hole in both ends; one end is linked to the house and is designed to receive the wastewater from home, and the other end has a hole that is designed to let liquids flow into the drain field. Solid waste falls to the bottom of the tank, and just like any other tank, it will eventually get full.

The nature of the system and how it is used are two major factors that influence how often it must be cleaned. First things first, you have to take into account the real size of the tank. The vast majority of tanks range in size from 1000 to 1500 gallons.

The usage rate of the system is the second aspect that will decide how often you will need to do Virginia septic tank cleaning, pumping, and inspecting. Usage rate depends on how many people use it constantly, whether there is a washing machine and how frequently it is used, and whether there is a dishwasher and whether it is run daily, among other similar aspects.

If only a couple of people live in the home, the tank should be cleaned once every 4 to 5 years, according to a general rule of thumb. If 3 to 4 people live in the home, the cleaning schedule should be every 2 to 3 years. On the other hand, if you have a big family or your system receives a lot of use, you’ll need to have it pumped out and cleaned every 1 to 2 years.

The Virginia septic tank maintenance schedule might also be affected by the various items you choose to flush down the toilet that runs down the sinks’ drains. Since sewage and water are the two things that are expected to be placed into septic systems, anything else in these systems is likely to result in complications.

Any program for the maintenance of septic tanks should almost certainly include a comprehensive examination of the whole system. This is something that has to be done every time the pumping service empties the tank. It will result in additional costs associated with the on-site visit. Remember that the costs are more than justified when weighed against the potential expenses associated with system repairs and replacement.

A complete inspection of the septic system is included in the process of pumping out the septic tank, and this inspection will involve the following:

• A careful inspection of the tank once it has been emptied and cleaned.
• Doing a thorough inspection of the whole residential plumbing system since each component of the system has the potential to influence the overall functioning of the system.
• The connections will be inspected, and water will be circulated through each fixture to confirm adequate water pressure is maintained throughout the system. When the water is circulated through the system, the inspector will also have the chance to check that the waste water is being sent into the septic tank appropriately.
• A thorough inspection of the drain field is also required. To ensure that there are no indications of obstructions in the system, a visual assessment of the ground above the drain field will be performed.
• If any issues are detected, one can utilize tiny cameras installed on a plumber’s snake to investigate the pipes that go into the drain field.

Maintaining your septic system in a way that allows it to continue operating effectively demands that you follow the recommended Virginia septic tank maintenance procedures throughout the year. Getting it pumped out at regular intervals, avoiding flushing objects that are not biodegradable or difficult to disintegrate into it, and getting it examined periodically will go a long way toward prolonging the system’s life and making it more reliable. Also, it will avoid issues that could result in costly repairs.

Three Types of Septic Systems

If you are searching for an answer to the question, “What are the 3 types of septic systems?” the professional at Advantage Septic Service would be more than happy to help you find an answer.

Please remember that there are more than three types of septic systems, and here we are discussing only three.

1. Mound Systems

Raised platforms for collecting and disposing of wastewater make up raised bed septic tanks, often known as mound septic systems. While building these septic systems, please note that it is often preferable to develop vertically than to spread out across a space that is too small for a full drain field.

While constructing these septic systems, professionals often use a special sand fill mixture to build a mound elevated above the surrounding natural soil. A gravel bed and a network of underground pipes may be beneath the sand.

In a mound septic system, water is pushed via pipes at predetermined intervals and uniformly sprayed over the sand bed. Always remember that the effectiveness of your system depends on ensuring proper drainage in the region surrounding the mound.

2. Aerobic Treatment Systems

Aerobic sewage treatment systems are sewage treatment plants in a miniature form. Aerobic procedures handle wastewater like a traditional septic tank system since they demand more oxygen.

Often seen in outlying locations, these systems may be scaled up or down to provide service to a single home or an entire community. Compared to conventional treatment methods, the aerobic treatment system’s effluent (wastewater) generated has better quality. In addition, you may position it wherever you find it most convenient since it reduces the size of the required area.

3. Pressurized Dosing Systems

As the name implies, the effluent from these septic systems is metered and spread more evenly across a leach field. In other words, because the wastewater is spread in a regulated way, making it safer for people and animals, these sorts of septic systems may help restore the leach field.

We advise pumping a septic tank using a pressured dosing system every three to four years. Additionally, you must properly maintain the system’s electromechanical components. This is why routine inspections are critical to a pressure dose system’s maintenance.

Does Heavy Rain Affect the Septic Tank?

Spring rains may bring beautiful flowers but may also cause issues with your septic tank. Have you ever heard an alert from your septic system during a rainstorm? When it rains a lot, does it make your plumbing back up? Learn how heavy rains affect your septic system and what you can do to prepare for the approaching rainy season and avoid complications.

For example, if you are searching for an answer to the question, “Does Heavy Rains Affect the Septic Tank?” the professionals at Advantage Septic Service can help you. Please read on to know more about this topic.

Ground flooding and blocked drain fields are only two septic system issues that heavy rainstorms may bring. Let us look into these in detail.

1. Ground flooding

The area surrounding the drain field is susceptible to flooding if heavy rains occur. The function of the drain field is to treat wastewater before dispersing it in an environmentally acceptable manner into the ground. Remember that there is a maximum capacity for the quantity of wastewater stored in your septic tank.

If too much liquid can end up in the tank, if rainfall mixes in with the sewage, it may not be able to process it. Since there won’t be any way for water to leave the septic tank, wastewater from the septic tank could collect in your yard. However, it may worsen if it backs up your home’s plumbing.

2. Clogged Drain Field

The drain field may catch precipitation as it falls. Saturation of the drain field prevents it from doing its job of absorbing wastewater. Because of the lack of another outlet, the water might flood your septic system.

This excess water has the potential to seep into the plumbing system and eventually result in slower drains, gurgling pipes, and unpleasant smells. Clogged drain fields may also release untreated sewage into the groundwater, which can then seep into nearby streams and cause severe environmental damage.

How to Avoid Septic Tank Backup When It Rains?

There are numerous things you can do to get your septic system ready for the forthcoming storms, such as:

• Watch what you flush down the toilet: Many items should not be disposed of in a septic tank, such as sanitary products, cigarette butts, oil, paper towels, coffee beans, and chemicals. So, take care with what you put in the toilet or the sink.
• Reroute water that normally goes into a drain because if the rainwater runs off and collects, you may have issues with your drain field. So, runoff water and water from gutters should always be guided away from it.
• Keep cars and other vehicles away from the drain field since their tires may compress the soil, reducing its absorption capacity.
• In addition, it would also help if you would take shorter showers, do less laundry, and flush the toilet less often while it’s raining.

Is OxiClean Safe for a Septic Tank?

Homeowners with septic systems often worry about what cleaning products are safe to use around the house. This is because the bacterial equilibrium necessary for a healthy septic tank might be disrupted if you consistently use too many harsh chemical items.

Biodegradable materials and water-based alternatives are also viable options. Remember that almost all cleaning agents you use, such as soap, shampoo, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, bathroom cleanser, and so on, will end up in the septic tank.

So, always check their chemical ingredients and use them cautiously if you cannot avoid them altogether. You should keep the frequency to a minimum and aim for moderate intake if you know any of these items have toxic chemicals. According to us, the best thing to do is to keep things basic by relying on all-natural ingredients. Look for items that say “septic-safe” or “environmentally friendly” on the label.

This being the fact, what are your thoughts on OxiClean? Is OxiClean safe for a septic tank? Advantage Septic Service, a trusted local provider of septic system installations and Virginia septic tank maintenance, would be happy to shed light on this matter.

Sodium percarbonate, an adduct of hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate, is the primary component of OxiClean. Oxiclean breaks down to hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water, which is harmless to the environment and does not affect your sewage disposal system. In other words, OxiClean is safe for your septic tank. It’s also convenient since you may put it to use for a wide variety of tasks outside just washing laundry.

In addition to avoiding toxic chemicals, it would help to be cautious about what you put into your tank. For example, avoid putting diapers, sanitary pads, wet wipes, tampons, coffee grounds, cooking oil, and cigarette butts into your septic tank. If your system is already backed up, try chemical-free methods such as using hot water or a drain snake to unclog it.

Remember that it is crucial to maintain your septic system clean by carrying out its maintenance as per schedule. Clogging and drain field failure are two consequences of neglecting maintenance. It’s still a good idea to empty your septic tank occasionally, even if you’re careful about what you put into it.

An ideal interval to perform such an emptying would be three to five years. The precise frequency will vary according to individual habits and the number of individuals living in the house. If you don’t have a large family and use water carefully, you may not need to empty your tank often.

No matter what septic system you employ, keep in mind that it needs Virginia septic tank maintenance from a qualified expert like Advantage Septic Service to increase its life span. To contact us, kindly use the website’s contact form. A team member will get in touch with you as soon as possible and provide the assistance you need once you fill out this form and supply us with your contact information.