Category: Septic Service

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Septic Inspections

There are several reasons why you would need your septic system inspected.  It needs to be inspected if you are having a visible problem, every time you have your septic system pumping, and if you are buying/selling a home.  If you are having a visible problem with your septic system, such as a back-up inside your home or water standing in your yard, the inspection will find where your problem is located so it can be repaired.  When you have your septic system routine maintenance done every 3-5 years, your septic provider should also inspect your system, which can help locate problems before they become visible.  If you are buying or selling a home, the inspection is a valuable service that we can provide.

Septic inspectors need to be licensed in the state of Tennessee, so not just anyone can perform the inspection.  Many times, a buyer will require a septic system inspection before closing on the property.  Since septic systems are expensive to have installed, buyers do not want to worry about the system failing in the near future.  Keeping records of regular septic maintenance can also be a huge plus for the buyer.

A septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box, and a leach field, also called a drain field.  The purpose of a septic system is to digest organic matter and separate floatable material such as toilet paper.  When it is functioning properly it will discharge liquid from the septic tank into the perforated pipes buried in the drain field.  These pipes are designed to slowly release the wastewater into the ground.

A septic system inspection will make sure that the system is operating as it should so that no one will get sick because of a leak or other problems.  If the drain field is holding water on the surface, humans and animals can become sick if they come in contact with the wastewater.

Because a septic system is located underground, a septic inspection is something that homeowners or potential buyers can easily overlook.  Especially if the buyer has never had one before.  An inspection should be done throughout the time you own the home during your regular pumping service.  Otherwise, an extensive repair or replacement of the system could be waiting for you because the problem was not found early.

If you have an inspection for a real estate transaction, you will receive a written inspection report to give to potential buyers.  It will include the address of the property, the approximate age of the septic system if known, and the current status of the system.  It is important to hire a professional who will pump the tank so the bottom and sides of the tank will be visible.  This will allow the technician to check for any cracks or leaks in the tank.  He will also check the inlet and outlet pipes to make sure they are in good condition, make sure the drain field (or leach field) is accepting water as it should, and will make sure there are no clogs or back-ups in the home.  Your written inspection report will contain all of this information as well as a passing or failing grade.  If the septic system is not working as it should, he will recommend the repairs that will fix the problem.  If the septic system is over 30 years old, he may recommend a new system if it was not regularly maintained and cannot be repaired.

If you need to have a septic system inspection, please give us a call at (865)465-3011 to set an appointment.  If you are not in one of our service areas, you can always Google Septic Inspections Near Me, Septic Inspectors Near Me, or Septic Tank Inspection Near Me.

We service Knox County TN, Grainger County TN, Union County TN, Jefferson County TN and Sevier County TN.

 

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When You Call A Septic System Professional

When you call a septic service provider, the professional technician will first need to know where your septic system is located.  Some homeowners know this information, but many do not.  If you do not know where your tank is located, our septic professionals will locate your tank and drain field.   If you have a septic lid riser, which is a 12″ pipe that leads from the lid on your tank to the surface of the ground, he can use that portal as a way to pump your septic tank.  If you do not have this, your septic tank will need to be dug up so the technician can open your lid and access your tank.  Once your lid is removed, he can examine the scum and sludge layers in your tank.

Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which will prevent the scum and sludge from traveling to the drain field.  If the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or the top sludge layer is within twelve inches of the outlet, your septic tank will need to be pumped.  We will also inspect your system for leaks in the tank and drain field.

If you called us because you are having a back-up of sewage inside your home, our technician will locate your problem, let you know what needs to be done to correct the problem, and get your system running again.  Sometimes the problem is a clog, especially if you have been putting cooking grease down your drain, or flushing the wrong kind of toilet paper or any kind of wipes.  These things can clog your pipes as well as sit on top of your scum layer and prevent water from going into the drain field.  Sometimes the drain field is either clogged or has a pipe issue which keeps it from accepting any water.   If water cannot flow into the drain field, it will flow back up into the home.

Your septic service provider will inform you of any repairs that are recommended to keep your system from failing.  He will let you know if these need to be completed now, or approximately how long they can wait to be completed.  It is important for you to keep records on work performed on your septic system, including pump outs, and record which company completed the work with the date of service.  If you have a repair that needs to be addressed, you should make a note of that as well as the time frame recommended by the technician.  Some repairs can be costly, however addressing them before they become a major issue can save you the extra costs of having to replace your septic system once it has passed the point of being repairable.

If you would like for us to inspect, pump or repair your septic system, please give us a call to set an appointment, (865)465-3011.

We Service Knox County TN, Grainger County TN, Union County TN, Jefferson County TN, and Sevier County TN.

 

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When To Have Your Septic System Pumped & Inspected

Keeping your septic system regularly maintained will prevent you from having costly repairs.  Regular maintenance consists of water efficiency, not putting the wrong things into your septic tank, having your septic system pumped and inspected, and maintaining your drain field.

The average single family home typically uses 70 gallons of water per individual, per day.  Having a leaky faucet or a running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day.  Not only will this cause you to have a much higher water bill, but it can also overload your septic system, which includes your tank and drain field.

The more water your family conserves, the less water will enter your septic system and reduce the risk of failure.  You can save water by using water efficient products.  HIgh Efficiency Toilets use less water per flush and can reduce the amount of water that enters your system.  Faucet aerators and high efficiency showerheads help reduce water usage. Make sure you select the proper load size on your washing machine.  If you cannot change your load size, make sure to only run full loads of laundry.  Also, try spreading out your washing machine usage throughout the week.  Doing all your loads in one day can cause an overload to your septic system which will not allow it enough time to treat the waste and could flood your drainfield.  Similarly, make sure to spread out family showers and baths.

Properly disposing of waste can also affect how well your septic system works.  Anything that gets flushed down your toilet or put into your drains will end up in your septic system.  Your septic system is not a trash can.  The only thing that should go into your toilet or down your drains is human waste, toilet paper and water.  You should never put cooking grease or oil, wipes of any kind (even the ones that claim to be flushable), feminine hygiene products, condoms, dental floss, diapers, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, pharmaceuticals, or any kind of chemicals into your system.

Your septic system contains a collection of living organisms that digest and treat waste.  Pouring toxins down your drain can kill these organisms and harm your septic system.  Avoid any chemical drain openers.  Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake.  Never use a garbage disposal if you have a septic tank.  This will reduce the amount of solids that enter your septic tank and ultimately clog your drain field.

Your drain field is a component of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank.  It is an important part of your septic system.  If the liquid cannot flow into your drain field, it will flow the opposite way into your home.  To keep your drain field working properly, never park or drive on your drain field. This can crush the drain system where it cannot accept water.   Plant trees the appropriate distance from your drain field to keep roots from growing into your septic system.  A septic professional can advise you of the proper distance, depending on your septic tank, landscape and location of your drain field.  Keep roof drains, sump pumps, swimming pool drains and all water discharge systems away from your drain field area.  Excess water slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process.

The average household septic system should be pumped and inspected every 3-5 years, depending on how many people live in the home.  Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once per year.  Most professional septic companies will offer a service contract for alternative systems since they have mechanized parts.

The four major factors that influence the frequency of septic pumping are:

  • Household size
  • Total wastewater generated
  • Volumes of solids in wastewater
  • Septic tank size

Your septic professional can help you decide how often your system should be pumped.

Need your tank pumped?  We service Knox County TN, Grainger County TN, Union County TN, Jefferson County TN, and Sevier County TN.  Call us today to set an appointment, (865)465-3011

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