Posted by Patrick Moreau on November 8, 2020 in Home
Septic maintenance services in Arnold, CA? First we need to explain the reason for pumping the septic tank or tanks. The normal riding level of waste water in a tank is approximately 4 feet deep, with a floating scum layer and a bottom solids layer. If a tank is not pumped prior to inspection, a proper visual inspection cannot be performed as no one can see through 4 feet of waste water. The tank floor & sidewalls, the tank center seam/seal, the tank baffle and the complete inlet/outlet sanitary tees are not visible for inspection and system evaluation without pumping the tank first.
Pump your septic tank. Most septic tanks need to be pumped every 3-5 years. The frequency depends on how many people are in your home. The more people living in your house, the more often you should pump your septic tank. Take care of your drain field. Make sure all water is diverted away from your soakage area. Additionally, only landscape your soakage area with grass. If you want to add plants, be sure to only pick ones with shallow root systems. Finally, never park a vehicle on top of your soakage area. Vehicles can put a strain on your soakage area and may lead to ruptured pipes.
If you are a customer experiencing an issue with any component of your septic system, we ask that you please contact us to alert us of the status of your system, however seek recommendations from a professional septic company for options to extend its life. To get started on a diagnosis of the status of your system, we suggest: Where is your septic tank located? Where is your drain field? Where are the inlet and outlet connections? Where are the portholes or manholes that provide access to the inside of the tank? Some of this information may be obtained by a professional septic service provider, however for a layout of your system, you should contact the Department. Your home’s “as-built” drawings may also show its location.
A Sand Filter System uses a bed of sand between the septic tank and the drain field. Sand filters have been used where conventional septic tank/absorption field systems have failed. They are a good option for sites with high groundwater, shallow bedrock, poor soils, or other restrictions. A typical sand filter is a line watertight box filled with sand. The effluent from the septic tank is introduced into the sand bed uniformly through controlled doses through a network of distribution pipes placed in a gravel bed located above the sand filter. As water trickles through the sand bed, it is filtered and collected at the bottom. The sand bed also is a biological filter using micro-organisms to decompose the waste water (a type of aerobic system) This water is then sent to the soil absorption field either through standard gravity or a pump system. The discharge pump chamber may be located in the sand filter. Find even more details at what are the different types of septic systems.
Water from your garbage disposal, dishwasher, sinks, toilets, showers and washing machine all enter the septic system. Therefore, it is crucial to watch what you flush or pour down your drains. Never put any of the following items into your plumbing system: Cooking fats or other grease, Disposal wipes (even the ones labeled flushable), Disposable diapers, Coffee grounds, eggshells, or nutshells, Sanitary napkins, tampons or condoms, Paper towels or rags, Paints or chemicals. Another important factor in maintaining the life of your septic system is the amount of water entering the tank each day. Too much water entering the septic system on a daily basis will not allow enough time for solids to separate properly and for the soil in the drain field to absorb all of the water.
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.
Best practice is to install a 1500 gallon effective net-volume two-compartment septic tank. Even when you are allowed to install a smaller tank, it will save money in the long run by having the septic tank pumped less often and a much smaller chance of eventual bio-mat formation in the leach field. Larger tanks retain effluent for a longer time, allowing solids to settle on the bottom and grease to float to the top. Plus, a larger tank will allow for adding of bedrooms later without the county requiring a larger septic tank. Every county has its own unique regulations with equations and definitions that can change yearly and always are open for interpretation. See extra info at Foothill Sanitary.