Welcome to our Newsletter Page.

On this page we will give a different plumbing or septic tip per month to help you save time and money.

The tip this month is: How do I know my septic system is on it's last leg?

During the summer months when it's dry and dusty we don't ever think that it's possible for our septic system to experience problems. We all think that since the ground is dry then that is better for our septic system to work and that's not all together a wrong statement but it's wrong in it's context.

A septic system drainage field is graded by it's absorption ability. The determining factor in this ability is soil type. In Georgia we all know what red clay is and it's ability to absorb water is not the best; matter of fact it just stinks. No pun intended.

Some soil types absorb water really great while other soil types take a longer time. For example: Type A let's say absorbs twenty gallons of water in twenty minutes while Type B absorbs twenty gallons of water in fifty minutes while Type C takes one hour to absorb the same amount of water. So if an average adult shower takes twenty gallons of water and you have Type C soil then it will take one hour for your septic system to take care of the water from your shower. What if your teenager takes a shower with forty gallons of water? Then how long would it take for Type C soil to absorb the water? It will take two hours! What if your washing clothes and running the dishwasher at the same time as the teenager is bathing then suddenly you see the problem. Your septic system is now in a flooded condition and hopefully it won't back into your home.

How would you know the septic system is flooded? The only sure way to know is check the level of the septic tank by pulling open the lid. If the water is touching the top of the septic tank or running over when the lid is removed then your system is flooded. Flooded means there is more water in your septic system than the system can deal with. It will eventually normalize but it takes time. This amount of time is usually more than the average household can wait. We all live busy lives and we just don't have time to wait on bathing, washing dishes and other household chores involving water.

Another way to determine your septic system's functionability is checking to see if effluent is running up out of the ground anywhere along the field line system. Everyone has probably seen the wet spots in yards that smell to high heaven or maybe even got the riding lawnmower struck in the mess. That was effluent run up. This is the septic system's way of relieving the pressure of the extra water. It no longer can handle the water usage load.

What's the answer to this terrible problem?

The answer is more absorption area is needed. This is provided by adding more field lines to your field line system to allow more water to be absorbed. On average this means adding at least one hundred foot of field lines it all depends on the soil type.

Sometimes it can be as simple to fix as extending your gutter downspouts past the field line field so rain water is not absorbed more than necessary by the soil in your field line system. Field lines back fill dirt is very soft and an ideal place for rain water to get soaked into just like a sponge.

Many people believe that pumping the septic tank will alleviate the problem forever. No this is not correct. Pumping the tank will relieve the system of it's extra water for a while and give it time to hopefully catch up with absorption but it's not the answer.

A septic tank is pumped mostly as a maintenance project. Solids build up at the top of the tank and scum builds up on the bottom of the tank. If it is to much it affects the amount of water and space that the tank has to deal with collection of this matter. This in return can begin to go into the field line system stopping up what absorption ability the field lines do have and in effect killing the field line system. The State of Georgia recommends the average household to pump the septic system every three to five years as maintenance to prevent septic system damage.

All these problems seem like big over your head panic problems but I see them on a daily basis and if you just tell yourself, "I'm going to check it out myself today" then you'll be glad you did because it will save you time and money to do so. If you need us then we're just a phone call away. We have a fully trained staff to answer all your questions.

Thanks for reading this month's newsletter and join me next month for a new subject you won't want to miss.

Safe Plumbing,

Lindsey, Master Plumber