Septic Tank Problems

Posts Tagged ‘Water’

Question Asked by : How to reduce water in septic tank?
My “High water” alarm went off today on our septic system and after reading about it, I think we need to reduce the water in the tank. How do we do this?

Best answer:

Answer by tHENEW_MAN
suck it out with a straw

Answer by Jeffrey
Call the honey wagon to suck it out.

Answer by wvparanormal
If the alarm went off, it means the pump failed to come on. You need a service tech to check it out for you, since obviously you don’t know enough about it to tackle the job. Make sure the breaker to the pump is not tripped. I don’t think that’s the case though as it’s probably the same breaker powering the alarm.

Answer by MillerPlantenet
Reduce the amount of Water you are using on your Spouts and Washing Machine. For septic system and plumbing maintenance use the all-natural http://www.MillerPlante.net Advanced Formula Septic-Helper 2000 and Enza Drain Line Cleaner. It has the 8 natural bacteria and enzymes that digest the waste in the tank AND out in the drain field. To reduce your Phosphate and Nitrate levels to Zero coming from your Laundry, use their new All-Natural Enza Wash-Balls. According to the EPA, Chemicals used in the home are the #1 problem polluting water supplies and water wells.

In 2011, the EPA (TMDL), Mandates that States clean up their water supplies. It mandates new inspections on all septic systems, water wells and with funding, local waterways. A failed inspection would include a slow drain in your leach field, low septic tank bacteria levels or elevated Nitrate levels in your Water Well or local Water Supplies; could require replacement of your entire system for $ 10K to $ 80K+ or connect to the city sewer system for $ 5K to $ 40K. The EPA admits that the new inspections are failing 12% of systems each year and 82% of those older than 1977.

1000+ Septic, Well & Water News Stories:

http://www.Twitter.com/MillerPlanteInc

Search our Facebook News by State:

http://www.Facebook.com/Miller.Plante

http://www.Facebook.com/groups/207776162612151/

Add your own answer in the comments!

Popularity: unranked [?]

Question Asked by Jen: Considering purchasing a home with a septic system and well water?
Is it a good idea? What are some things to look for. Depth of well? Septic systems I know nothing about. Anybody have them for a long time or work on them? Thank you for your imput.

Best answer:

Answer by twv706
I have one and you benefit by not having to pay for a water bill. Have a inspector come out to inspect the well and septic tank. You want to make sure your well is deep enough and your not going to run out of water in 5 minutes from the well being too shallow. Also, have the water quality tested to make sure its safe to drink.

Answer by ckm1956
#1) Get the water professionally tested. (bacteria AND minerals)
#2) How old is the pump?
#3) Is there a holding tank for house water?
#4) How deep is the well?
#5) What type of septic system? (tank or drain field)
#6) Last time it had to be cleaned?

Most of the time, having a well is trouble free. (At least ours have been.) If the pump breaks, then it’s not cheap. If the water is high in minerals, you can either buy a treatment system or live with it.

As for septic systems, you should give them “booster” treatments. The intervals depend on the products you use. We got ours from Home Depot.

Good luck!

Answer by Adam J
Make sure you sample the water first. I was on a contract job in Ohio and was put up in a house on well water. The water quality was literally so bad that I started showering at the local YMCA. A minor inconvenience for three months, but not something I would have wanted to put up with permanently.

I think the area I was in (Grove City OH, just south of Columbus) may have had exceptionally low quality water, but make sure you check to see if its OK with you. (I’ve heard it can also be a bit of a shock for people who are on city water.)

Answer by REALLY
well? not sure
septic tank: nothing to worry about really. about every month or so pour a bag a granulated sugar in your toilet and flush. they have other products for the septic tank that does the same thing but are costly.

Answer by Harry W
i have a septic and well system. the deeper the well the better, check the rating for the septic for how many people and how often it has been cleaned out. i m single bought a property rated for 4, has been clean for 3 yrs so far

Answer by yspring64
Homes with a well and septic system are fine. You must realize they do require some maintenance. It depends on the type of septic and water systems the house has. Not every house has a well – they might have a pond, a cistern, or a spring. Also, not every house has a septic tank and leachfield (many do), it might have a tank and filter bed, or an aeration system, or a mound, or something else.

Whatever you do, have the local health department do a well and septic inspection, including a bacterial water test (on the well). Get copies of the well and septic records. When was the septic tank last pumped out?

The health department is your best unbiased resource for well and septic system questions.

Answer by jthessen
before you buy in your offer stipulate that the owners are responsible for inspection of your septic system. the cost is cheap and even if the owners won’t do this you should have that done. depending on where you live your local health department will collect water samples and analize it at no cost, also ask the owners for information concerning the age of the well pump, and if it is a JET pump or Submersible. submersible is what you want. ask your realtor about the aquifer in the area. have a water well company inspect the system. if you do tese things you not have any surprises, a new submersible pump will cost you about $ 1200-1400

Answer by www.lendersgreen.com
Make sure you have the inspection done before you sign the contract of sale.

Answer by Myron
Here is your best answer;
The seller will have to have the septic tank pumped and inspected at sellers expense. Get a copy of such as the lender usually will not fund until they get their copy. Look for rows of buttercups or longer grass in rows in the yard. Either can be evidence of drainfield issues. The well needs to be certified by the county ecology department for purity and adequate supply. All info is extremely handy to keep for when you become the seller years from now. Can the well serve more than one residence ? If so that can be useful in the future. Does the well water require additional filtration such as iron removal or sulfur removal. I have sold hundreds of rural properties that have had wells and septic systems and any good agent should already have had the correct answers for you by now. The septic tank should be full when they open the access lid and the field discharge box access cover should also be uncovered. The tank if not full will be due to a crack in it and that will need repaired. The well cap should not allow bugs to drop down the casing. You can check that yourself. The pump will have a breaker box between it and the house. The breakers should be protected from rain and children being able to access them. Having no water or sewer bill is a good plus as long as the systems are in good working order. Some people use sugar others flush a packet of yeast into their septic once a month to keep the enzymes active. You do not want to use your garbage disposal like you did when on a sewer line as grease is not good for a septic tank. Lastly the tank itself should be large enough for your home to add 1 more bedroom. Septic tanks are rated by bedrooms in a house, not bathrooms. Should you want to add a 4th bedroom in a remodel you cannot sell the house as a 4 bedroom with only a 3 bedroom rated septic tank. Hope this helps you as most of the previous answers are city people that know little about rural things.

Answer by godged
Your state or county probably was a well water website which can give you information about the depths of wells in your area and check to see if yours is comparable. Check to see if your well and septic were permitted, just in case there are issues down the road. If it is an old well and septic, it may not be, and that is not cause for panic. Permits didn’t happen until the mid-70′s in most areas. The type of pump and septic is important. If you write an offer on the house, make sure that it includes that the seller provides either a very recent test regarding the function of the well, the quality of the water and septic or will pay to get it tested. Sometimes if well function is questionable, a house will have a holding tank. In times where you are not using the water (i. e. during the night) the well pump will kick on and fill your holding tank.

A well and septic really isn’t a scary proposition, just write your offer contingent on having a good well and septic system.

Give your answer to this question below!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Question Asked by Okole: Will taking salt water baths damage a home’s plumbing/septic system?
Will regular (full) baths of very salty water (but less salty than sea water,) damage a home’s plumbing and septic system, even if lots of fresh water turned on right after the bath? Will salt water kill the bacteria in the septic tank?

Best answer:

Answer by trekkie706
no

Answer by Mortal Wombat
Subject: Keeping Chemicals Out of Septic System
Topic: Plumbing

Question:
Would it be worth while to divert salt water waste of water softener away from septic tank? Septic system digestion would be improved wouldn’t it? Thanks

- Jim from Ofallon, Mo.

Answer:
Yes, the salt water waste would likely interfere with the beneficial bacterial action in the septic systems.

George

Return to Q & A Search.

You can contact us to report any errors on this page. Please include the URL for this page in the body of your e-mail. Thank you!

Answer by Irv S
Probably won’t harm the piping, but that
septic tank is a biosphere all in itself.
‘Jolts` of salt water will limit the bacteria that can
grow there in ways that might not be good.

Answer by matt g
absolutely not

Answer by thewrangler_sw
The salt water will not harm the plumbing pipes in any way. It could however, kill off some of the bacteria.

If you routinely add a box of Rid X to the system, it will help replenish any bacteria your septic tank may be short on. A typical box will treat up to a 1500 gallon tank, larger than most folks own. And you don’t need to worry about having too many bacteria…they ‘eat’ the waste solids in the tank….if there are too many, they simply die off.

I use epsom salts myself for arthritis relief, and havent had any problems with our septic system.

Good Luck

What do you think? Answer below!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• retrofast biomicrobics price

Question Asked by Ms No: After a shower, the water drain out slowly, but the sinks and toliets started to rise. I have a septic system?
Plumbing Slow shower drain, Rising water
As I was showering, I noticed the water was not draining out as usual. Ten minutes had passed before the water went down, but the sinks, tubs, and toilets has risen. We do have a septic system and use Rid-X monthly. If it is the septic, what is the cost and length of time to fix?

Best answer:

Answer by K
WE had this same problem last weekend, and it was a clog in the pipe right at the enterance to the septic tank. But, it could be a few different problems, hopefully theres nothing wrong with the drainfield because that could get expensive. Call a plumber

Answer by greydoc6
Check the shower drain first. If clearing that is no help, check the septic tank. It sounds as if you are not experienced at DYI. A septic tank should be serviced every two or three years depending on the size of the tank and the number of people living in the house. If you fail to do this, you could get fats and other solids in your drain field, rendering it ineffective. While the service fee isn’t exactly cheap, it’s much less expensive than replacing a drain field. Failing to do this is a classic example of being penny wise and pound foolish.

Answer by John
Your Rid-x should keep the fats and greases down to a minimum, but won’t remove Hair which sounds like it may be the problem also, if someone has been on Antibiotics, they will kill the good bacteria in your septic system, so you need to 1: remove the shower base drain plug and clean as best as you can, maybe with a straighten wire coat hanger, (messy business). 2. Then use a propriety brand of active bacteria like “Actizime” which will “eat hair et all” … follow the instructions on the package …

Give your answer to this question below!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Question Asked by flashforcash1: In southern Illinois, about how much money would it cost to install a septic system and drill a water well?
The septic system would be a sand filter type for a family of 4, I don’t know how deep the well would have to be, but there is a stream and a pond nearby.

Best answer:

Answer by yspring
Although I cannot answer for S. Illinois, I can answer for Ohio. A subsurface sand filter for a four bedroom home would be around $ 7000 to $ 9000, assuming no mechanical parts.

The cost of the well is usually determined by the depth. You might ask neighbors how deep their wells are and the quality of water they have.

You will need permits for each of these – contact your local health department for more info. They may also be able to answer your cost questions as well as any other questions you may have.

What do you think? Answer below!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Question Asked by Don’t you get it??: Is it expensive to convert your propane tank, Septic system, and well water from your home in NJ?
I would like to buy this home but it has a propane tank, Septic system, and well water. I don’t want neither of them but I do want the house. Is it expensive to switch them all to City?

Best answer:

Answer by Irv S
Yes. Both involve new services from the street and connection fees.

Septic:
It doesn’t pay to do the sewer until the septic needs work, maybe
not even then. (Some municipalities charge a ‘rate’ for the service, ,
so don’t pay for it till you need it.)

Gas:
Depending on fuel prices, you might save by converting to natural
gas from propane. Your equipment conversion shouldn’t cost much,
but installing the Gas Service will.

Answer by controlfreak38
First these services need to be available where you live. Local utility connection fees vary WIDELY. Contact the local utility companies that provide those services where you live and get some budgets from them.

Give your answer to this question below!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Question Asked by tracy: What type of solutions work to clean hard water stains, yet won’t harm my clearwater septic system?
I have tried everything on the hard water stains in the toilets, but I also have to be careful of the solutions I use. I cannot use bleach or extremely harsh chemicals because they will kill the “critters” in our clearwater septic system. Does anyone have some tried and true less harsh cleaning solutions for hard water stains? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Mars1111
My sister-in-law swears by “Melaluca” brand cleaning items. They are all made from the oil of a plant in Australia or something and work really well. I like the bathtub cleaner, myself. It gets all the soap scum off and leaves all the chrome finishings shiny! And they’re not very toxic because the products are derived from a plant- my daughter got some of the anti-bacterial spray in her mouth and poison control said to just give her some milk and she’d be fine. I think they have a website. Sorry I don’t have more info on it. Good Luck!

Answer by man_marathon
ok,start out by pouring several buckets of hot water from your tub faucet down the toilet,then, mix some arm and hammer baking soda,limaway and some basic hair shampoo(it has ph in it),pour in toilet and scrubunder ,accross the top,inside and everywhere,let it sit for half hour and pour more hot water in it as well as tank

Answer by niska94
I would check out:
\ Restore-A-Shower

This professional-strength cleaner cuts through years of tough lime stains, soap scum, rust and calcium deposits to make your bathroom tile and fixtures shine like new! Deodorizes, too! Easy to use, just spray and wipe with water. Ideal
Ideal For: Showers, Tubs, Tile/Grout, Fiberglass, Plastic, Glass and Porcelain

May We Suggest…

Restore-A-Shower
Item 43392 Comp. Price $ 14.99…. $ 12.99

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Rust Guard 2-Ounce Tablet Set of 2

Research these to see how biodegradeable they are!!

Good Luck, Girl!!

Answer by Jen
My mom always used vinegar and boiled water…. I don’t know how it works but it does. In my toilets I use half a gallon of vinegar (I know it’s probably overkill, you could probably get away with using a quarter of a gallon) and a teapot full of boiling water. I let it sit for a few hours then use a scrub brush and then I have a very clean and mineral free toilet.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Question Asked by bucky: Is it harmul to a toilet and septic tank if you use dehumidifier water to flush the toilet?
I have been putting the water from dehumidifier in my toilet back tank. Does it harm the toilet or kill bacterian in the septic tank?

Best answer:

Answer by DIY Doc
It won’t KILL anything specifically. I’m curious though. Is this just a means by which to dump that water? OR more to help the toilet flush?

If it has nothing to do with the toilet operation just pour the water in the bowl. If the toilet is malfunctioning; then perhaps that issue is as important.

Steven Wolf

Answer by hip lady
no. look what goes inside it anyway

Answer by Allan C
Absolutely no harm done. You don’t have to dump the water in the tank though, you can dump it directly into the bowl. As far as killing anything, no because it should be just clean water. If you want to kill bacteria I recommend a product called “Rid-X” depending on your location, you can usually find this product at your local hardware store.

Answer by prymo
NO

Answer by emgee1956
Keep moving around the lid on the tank and you’ll be buying a replacement soon. Just dump the water in the bowl or a sink. Good god, it’s just water. It has no magic properties.

Answer by davidb196
Water is water its not going to do anything think of all the other stuff you put in your septic tank like bleach, soap, etc.

Answer by John himself
No. It’s just distilled water. Won’t hurt a thing.

Answer by Webster
It won’t hurt a thing and it’s way better than just dumping the water down the drain. You paid to extract the water from the air; you may as well use it.

Answer by Lynda
It’s not clean enough to be safely used for human consumption but should be ok to use in flushing.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Question Asked by af: Rural water and septic tank sewer vs city. What do we need to know before we buy a house in the country?
Is there any downside or benefits to rural water and septic tank sewer? We’re looking at a house in the country that has these features.

Best answer:

Answer by finance_coder
I grew up in the country and always had a septic tank and a well for water.

Well water may taste better or worse. Try the water in the house you’re looking at. One place I lived had an extremely deep (400 ft) well; it never dried up, but the water smelled awful. Another house had great water, but the well was too shallow and occasionally we had to ration water.

The upside is that you don’t pay for the water, only the electricity to pump it into your house.

The same goes for a septic tank: you don’t have to pay the city’s sewer fees. If the septic tank is reasonably new, you probably won’t have to worry about it. However, if it’s old or if something goes wrong, it can be very costly to remedy.

If you can trust the seller/realtor, ask them how deep the well is and if they’ve ever had problems with it going dry. Also ask them about the age and condition of the septic tank.

Answer by vickie m
Well, most house you find in rural areas have a septic tank, I live in the country and I do, when buying a house find out when the septic was put in, because if you have to replace it, it’s not cheap. Then you should have them pumped out every few years, by the guy on Red-Green ha ha.

Answer by Sintori
You need to have the septic tank inspected to make sure it’s in running order. It may be a big price difference if it needs to be replaced.

Answer by Michael H
the ”down” side to ”wellwater” is heavy iron in the water making ”red stains” in your sinks,tub/shower,washer, have the water ”tested” before you buy any home that has wellwater and have the septic system checked out to see if it needs to be re-built(tank and drain field) If everything checks out good, than one good thing is no ”bill” for water/sewer service.

Answer by Jacki
I lived in the country once and the major problem we had was that whenever there was a power outage, we had no water (because of the pump that was powered by electricity.). Also, check the depth of your well, this is especially important if there is a dry spell, and have your septic tank checked and/or cleaned. Have an environmental agency do a water test (mine was contaminated when we went to sell, nothing big) and if needed, purify with bleach. They can give you the directions if you need it. Also, expect a bigger electric bill, but no water bill.

Answer by toldyouso
Check the taste of the water and see if you like it . Most counties check it for bacteria or you can require the seller to. Septic tanks need to be pumped out every few years, sewerage treatment plants not quite as often. Wells do not work without electricty, having a generator handy is a good thing if you think inclimate weather could affect your power. You can’t flush without water. I personally love well water and not getting a bill for water and sewerage.

Answer by sensible_man
You really want an inspection of the water and the septic system. As stated, no electricity equals no water. If you have always been a city dweller, you will need to change some bad habits to live with a septic. You cannot just dump anything you want down the drains. A septic works from bacteria eating the solids. If you dump lots of chemicals or grease/oil down the drain, you will kill the bacteria and have problems. Old saying is “if it didn’t go thorough you, it shouldn’t go through the septic”. This is overstatement but is true for basics. I have had septics for 15 years and have had no problems.

What do you think? Answer below!

Popularity: 2% [?]

This system turns a failing and odor-causing septic system into an aerobic system. It helps homeowners save thousands in septic repairs and restores your existing system! Used to upgrade existing conventional septic systems, the RetroFAST® septic system enhancement renovates biologically failed septic systems.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• septic ispection san diego cost
• cost to jet drain field laterals orlando
• effluent pumps for septic tanks promblems
• residential septic problems
• retrofast septic
• retrofast septic system enhancement
• septic tank enhancement
• septicdrainer nz

Royshowto.com Septic tank outlet pipe repair using a Mustang ME3003 Mini Excavator.

Popularity: 8% [?]

www.superiorplumbing.com – When you need emergency Atlanta plumbing service in the Atlanta and Cobb County area call Superior Plumbing – 770-422-PLUM (770-422-7586)

Related Websites

Popularity: 8% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• Septic installation in collin county
• Septic pumping Collin County

Michael Grubb shows you how effectively Septic Genie cleans water. Visit www.septicgenie.com

Related Websites

Popularity: 7% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• septic water in drinking water
• Does the septic Genie really work?
• procedure in constructing/building a septic toilet tank
• septic tank drink water
• septic tank drinking water
• smell of septic in drinking water

In this Jaw-Dropping FREE Report, you’ll learn how to “INSTANTLY” improve the health of your septic system and how you can clear blocked drain fields and trenches without digging them up. Best of all, you will discover an amazingly simple technique for turning septic tank water into garden water.

Related Websites

Popularity: 4% [?]

A hard rain coupled with power outage has left our sump pump clogged and could potentially burn out and back up our independent sewage treatment plant. I unclog the pump and reset it to its positing in the clarified water tank. I explain a little bit about septic, but I will go in depth with a later video. Also, yellow pollen had collected on the 06 Sentra all day so I gave it a quick econo-wash.

Related Websites

Popularity: 6% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• how to repair septic tank line diy
• septic tank sump pump
• Wastewater pump

Installing the septic tank at Longleaf Breeze.

Related Websites

• Landlord will not repair Septic tank& Shut off water | Renter Protection Agency
• Lawmakers Confident Gov. Ric Scott Will Delay Septic Tank Inspections : NorthEscambia.com
• Monty Pelerin's World » Septic Tank Economics

Popularity: 2% [?]

Miller Plante Inc Septic-Helper 2000 – the Best Septic Tank Treatment for System Maintenance – How to Fix Septic System Problems, WasteWater Treatment, Repair Failure in Drain Fields, Septic System Backups, Drain Line Clogging. Reduce Septic Tank Pumping and Septic System Repair Costs. …

Related Websites

• What is a septic pump? | Septic System Problems
• Septic Tank Systems | My San Diego
• System Maintenance Note | Division of Libraries

Popularity: 11% [?]

SaniTEE® self-cleaning wastewater deflection screens (commonly known as septic tank effluent filters) are designed to reduce suspended solids discharged in septic tank effluent by promoting natural sedimentation and excluding gas-lifted particles from entering the outlet pipe. Additionally, SaniTEEs patented keyhole weirs help to attenuate surge flows, delivering a more consistent flow for further treatment or dispersal. These features help extend the life of drain field, reduce the clogging of orifices in effluent disposal systems and allow flexibility in the use of different types of effluent pumps. SaniTEE wastewater screens are available in 4, 8 and 16 model sizes with flow capacities up to 20000 GPD. Multiple screens can be used for flows higher than 20000 GPD.

Related Websites

• Septic Tank Systems – How to Maximize Your Resale Value
• How Solar Energy Works, Create your own Solar Energy House. » Solar Stocks ;JA Solar (Nasdaq:JASO ) Announces First Quarter 2010 Results-Record Shipments of 272MW
• The Sounds of Cup Sizes | Tomima's Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

Popularity: 9% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• septic tank screen problems
• septic tank effluent filter
• effluent filter for septic tank
• septic tank filter tank
• septic tank effluent filter maitenance
• septic system screen ego
• septic screeners
• septic mbr
• septic field filter sanitee
• self-cleaning septic tank effluent filter
• sanitee septic how to buy
• Sanitee septic filter
• sanitee screening
• sanitee price
• sanitee filter
• problems with septic filters
• make your own septic tank filter
• Effluent Filter/Screen in septic
• septic tank with screen

Need pumping or repair on a septic tank, grease trap or sediment pit? Call Savings Liquid Waste in Harrison, Ohio. Ryan Cushing and his team offer decades of experience in diagnosis and repairs in getting your equipment in working order. Whether you need service for your home or business, you can count on the pros at Savings Liquid Waste. Visit us www.yellowpages.com

Related Websites

• Sediment Filter | Water purification tips and filtration devices sold here
• How Solar Energy Works, Create your own Solar Energy House. » Renewable Energy Stocks, Green Energy Stocks Directory Update, Wind Stocks and LED Stocks Added
• What Ever Happened To Ryan Cushing Who Tossed A Turkey Out A Car Window? – windows – Windows Pie

Popularity: 9% [?]

Incoming Search Terms:

• septic tank harrison ohio
• harrison ohio septic
• how much to redo all sediment pit in a septic system
• ryan cushing liquid waste
• septic cleaning harrison ohio
• septic cleanout harrison OH
• septic pumping harrison

Soil plays a key role in the function of a septic system

Related Websites

• Experts for sewer Cloaca Roof Top Vent Stack Filters | Septic System Problems
• Monty Anderson Construction Group: Questions to Ask about your Septic System | Monty Anderson Construction News
• Iron deficiency in soil threatens soybean production | Science Blog

Popularity: 2% [?]