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Pumping Your Septic Tank
By Scott Byers
Pumps are typically either vacuum or centrifugal. Vacuum pumps, the most common system used by septage haulers, have the following advantages: Iiquid does not flow through the pump, which reduces wear; the pump is less likely to freeze; and the tank contents can be discharged under pressure. Vacuum pumps should be equipped with a water trap to prevent dispersion of aerosols. Because liq-uid moves through the pump, centrifugal pumps are more likely to clog and wear more readily from grit and debris. Centrifugal pumps are typically open-impeller or recessed-impeller for handling solids. Both types of centrifugal pumps have a maximum suction lift of about 27 ft (8 m). Some truck-mounted tanks are equipped with high-level automatic shutoff controls to prevent overfilling. Pump capacities are typically at least 400 gal/min (1,500 Umin). Hoses should be of high-vacuum black rubber or synthetic material, with a minimum diameter of 3 in. (8 cm). Hoses should also be capable of being drained and capped to minimize spillage. Haulers typically carry at least 100 ft (30 m) of hose. Discharge valves on the hauler trucks should be drip tight, and a discharge nipple should accommodate a quick-disconnect coupling. Other equipment includes a device for breaking up the scum layer (e.g., a long-handled fork), shovel, soil probe for locating the septic tank, and other tools to either measure accumulations or perform other tasks in the field. A squeegee and suction wand attachments should be carried ��The Pumper,� a monthly publication aimed at the liquid waste hauler industry, produces an annual directory of equipment suppliers that is free with a subscription to �The Pumper.� to help clean up any spills. Lime should also be available to apply to areas where septage has been spilled.
Mobile septage dewatering systems, originally developed in Europe, are now available in the United States. Withthese systems, septage is pulled from the septic tank into one compartment on the truck; filtrate is returned to the septic tank. Polymer or lime is added to the septage during transfer to a dewatering tank, where solids are concentrated. A sludge solids content of 15 to 20 percent is reportedly achievable for polymer and lime systems, respectively Mobile dewatering systems offer: Lower transportation costs due to fewer trips to the disposal site, greater truck capacity, lower volumes of material requiring further treatment and disposal. These advantages are best suited to areas with many septic tanks and long travel distances to the discharge site. Disadvantages include more complex operational requirements and high equipment investment costs.
After the septic tank has been located and the access hatches exposed, the inlet and outlet baffles or tees are examined for such problems as damage, loose connections, and plugging. Broken pipes or baffles should be replaced or repaired. If the liquid level in the tank is higher than the outlet pipe, this may indicate clogging in the outlet pipe or in the drainfield. Next, the scum mat is manually broken up to facilitate pumping. Before this is done, the liquid level in the septic tank first is lowered below the invert of the outlet, which prevents grease and scum from being washed into the drainfield. After the scum mat is broken up, the contents of the tank are removed. Normally, the vacuum/suction hose draws air at a point where 1 to 2 in. (2.5 to 5 cm) of sludge remains over the tank bottom; this materialshould be left in the tank. Washing down the inside of the tank is unnecessary unless leakage is suspected and the inside must be inspected for cracks, If internal inspection is warranted, fresh air should be continuously blown into the tank for at least 10 min.
Displace toxic gases or oxygen-deficient air. The interior can then be inspected from the surface with a flashlight. A septic tank should never be entered without first testing the air for oxygen content, lower explosive limit, and hydrogen sulfide. This is accomplished using electronic �triple gas detectors,� available from suppliers of industrial safety equipment. Septic tanks are considered confined spaces and are subject to confined-space entry regulations published by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA Standard 1910.146). Anyone entering a septic tank should wear a safety harness connected to an aboveground hoist. Two additional workers should be topside to assist the inspector in the event of problems. Your state or local agency responsible for occupational health and safety should be contacted regarding any additional regulations regarding confined-space entry in their jurisdiction. In the event of a spill, septage should be immediately cleaned up. Hydrated lime should be sprinkled over the area of the spill, and a squeegee and a suction wand attached to the end of the vacuum hose are useful tools for cleanup. For large spills, a second pumper truck may be necessary; companies with one truck should reach an agreement with another company to assist in emergency spill cleanup.
Addition of any chemical or biochemical agents to the septic tank, such as disinfectants, microorganisms, and enzymes, is discouraged. Such formulations offer little or no benefit and may even be detrimental to the operation of the septic tank and drainfield. For instance, agents that emulsify grease allow its discharge to the soil absorption system, where the emulsion may break at the soil infiltrative surface and cause increased rates of clogging or pass through the soil to ground water. Other
agents are formulated of strong alkaline compounds that can pass through a tank and destroy soil structure. The most detrimental formulations contain chlorinated hydrocarbons, which can pass through the tank and soil to contaminate ground water. Fortunately, many commercial products do little to affect performance of either tanks or soil systems. Although no known benefits have been demonstrated to date, the possibility of an effective formulation in the future cannot be ruled out.
Scott Byers is a major contributor to My Septic Tank Info as well as many other websites. Visit us to find out more about septic tanks.
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About Septic Tank Cleaners
By Daniel Roshard
Think about the time you had a very large and heavy dinner. How did you belch the following day? Surely, you know that the system in you body that has to process all that food went through a lot of effort.
Well, the process occurring inside a septic tank is not that far from your digestive system. Digestion is basically the decomposition of wastes done by bacteria in an environment where air is absent. In a septic tank setting, gases are also produced in the breakdown of solids. However, these gases are further utilized to stir the foul matters inside instead of being burped out.
A functional septic tank will be able to turn the dregs of solid wastes into liquid form. Nevertheless, similar to your digestive tract, a septic tank encounters several problems as more and more sludge and scum materials are--for want of a better term --deposited. The following materials are some potential clicking time bombs that can eventually wear your septic tank down.
Oil And Grease
Too much dumping of oils and greases into the household or industrial draining system can eventually fill up the brim of the septic tank with hard and rubbery sludge that can block the drains. Oils and grease are very hard to breakdown and can give off unbearable stench over time.
Non-Biodegradable Materials
Generally, non-biodegradable materials will quickly and almost automatically choke your septic tank. There have been countless cases of clogs in houses and apartments caused by sanitary napkins, cotton products, and even condoms.
Kitchen Sink Grinders
Grinders attached to the kitchen sink drainage system can do more harm than benefits. Unsupervised usage of grinders can result to overload of the drain system and unavoidable clogging.
Unwanted Chemicals
Some chemicals can damage the septic tank system. Pesticides, solvents, even bleaches and paints can rapidly cause drainage blockage as the oil contents in these chemicals can form into solid mass of sludge that can be difficult for the septic tank system to disintegrate. Besides, most chemicals can kill the useful bacteria that promote solid waste disintegration inside the septic tank.
Nature's Touch
Nature itself may have a hand in damaging your septic tank. Roots from trees and shrubs, especially those planted right above the septic tank, can creep into the tank and result to breach in the septic tank walls.
Fortunately, for these potential septic problems you have one dependable solution that can counter the ill effects of a malfunctioning septic tank system. A septic tank cleaner is a confection that greatly improves the efficiency of the septic tank. Septic tank cleaners can help you avoid pumping up your drainage to get rid of the clogs.
Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by outdoor architecture, currently studying public parks and outdoor design. Daniel writes articles about home improvement issues. Learn more about Septic Systems and septic tanks.
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Septic Systems 101 for Home Buyers
By Raynor James
If you�re a city dweller who is looking for a home in the suburbs, it�s likely that you�re looking at homes with septic for the first time. This situation tends to make buyers nervous. It needn�t.
Let�s take an overview of what a simple septic system is, how it�s maintained, and what you can do if you�re buying a home that uses one. A septic system is a self-contained system for disposing of sewerage. They�re frequently found in rural and suburban areas that do not have public sewerage systems. The system one sees most often is a holding tank in which enzyme and bacterial action decomposes the waste material and buried lines in a drainage field use soil to strain out what remains.
Septic permits are usually issued specifying the number of bedrooms a house may have that is to be built on the lot for which the permit is being issued. How well the soil percolates (how well water drains through the soil) on the lot is taken into account when issuing the permit. It typically costs between $6,000 and $10,000 to install a conventional system in the part of the country I live in. Systems are usually adequate for the size of the house because of the permit system.
When a system and the demands of a household are in balance, it can be literally years between times any maintenance is needed. Some jurisdictions require that they be pumped periodically. There are companies which make a specialty of this. In my area it costs about $200 to have a septic tank pumped.
Home Buyer Precautions
There are a number of things a homebuyer can do when buying a home with a septic system to minimize the possibility of having a problem. You can make your contract offer subject to a septic inspection and pumping. You can ask the seller to sign an affidavit stating that to the best of his knowledge the permit was issued for the number of bedrooms the home has, or, alternatively, you can check at the courthouse yourself. Just call and ask what department handles the permits, then call that department and ask about archived information.
Water should not stand for hours after a heavy rain on property with a septic system. There should never be any unpleasant odor associated with a septic system.
Alternative Systems
What we�ve been talking about is a simple conventional septic tank and drain field. It used to be virtually impossible to install a septic system where the soil does not drain well, or where the water table is high. Clay soils don�t drain well. High water tables are often encountered near the ocean, near marshy areas, and in areas near large bodies of water. Some pretty amazing systems which can handle problem areas have been designed in recent years.
I was recently talking to a builder friend of mine who is building a new home for his own family. The soil on their property drains very poorly. He has done some research and has contracted out having an alternative system installed. He got three bids which ranged from $18,000 to $60,000. After talking to the manufacturer, he accepted the low bid. It looks like the finished job will come in right at $20,000 and the contractor is following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
I�ve seen very few re-sales of properties using these super-duper systems-on-steroids, but I predict they�ll start turning up fairly soon. My builder friend says he could build a house on a rock using the best new systems. It sounds like we have some interesting developments to look forward to, doesn�t it?
Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our "sell my home" page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.
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