Blog - A & L Septic Products Inc

Signs You Need Septic Tank Pump Out Services

You assume that every time you flush your toilet that things will function normally. However, if you have a septic tank, chances are, problems will eventually occur. The last thing you want is for your wastewater to begin backing up into the bathroom. Prevent potentially hazardous conditions from contamination with septic tank pump out services in Orlando, FL.

Even though you may think your septic tank is operating efficiently, it may need maintenance now. A toilet that doesn’t flush quickly or completely is a sign of a septic tank problem. Have you noticed that it takes water longer to drain from sinks, showers, or tubs? A slow drain can also indicate issues with your septic system.

It should come as no surprise that raw sewage backup into your house and odors from your toilet and drains are two surefire signs that you need septic tank pump out services. Even if it hasn’t rained recently, standing water in your yard and healthier grass growth over your drain field rather than the rest of your yard can also be warning signs about your septic tank.

Contact A & L Septic to check your tank and provide complete pump out service when necessary.

What Kinds of Homes Have a Septic Tank

Septic systems are more common in rural areas and less so in towns and cities. In fact, many people who relocate to the country from an urban area know little about septic systems and what to expect. However, there are septic systems in cities. If you’re thinking about moving into a home with a septic tank in Orlando, it’s important to understand a little more about septic systems and their maintenance.

The Advantages of a Septic System

Some homeowners love septic systems, while others prefer municipal sewer lines. Your preference on the issue may depend on whether you enjoy being free of regular sewage bills, but don’t mind being responsible for occasional maintenance and other possible repair needs.

The benefits of a septic tank system can be boiled down to cost and ecology. You don’t have to worry about monthly bills or potentially harming the environment with wastewater when you have your own septic system.

What’s the Best Time of Year for Septic Tank Draining Service?

The best time to drain your septic tank is always when it needs it. Most tanks need to be emptied every three to five years, depending on their size and how many people live at the property. So if it’s been several years since you last arranged a septic tank draining service call, the right time to hire someone is now.

However, certain times of year are better for septic draining than others. In particular, experts recommend getting your tank serviced either before the winter holidays or during spring.

Before the Holidays

The holidays are about being together with the people you love – and that means a lot more people using your bathrooms. Make sure your septic tank is ready to handle the load and avoid disaster by scheduling septic tank draining services before the holidays begin. It is also best to get this maintenance out of the way before the ground becomes frozen, so the technicians have an easier time accessing your tank and covering it up again.

During Spring

Excessive rainfall can overwork your septic system and lead to problems. To ward off trouble, get your septic tank drained during spring before hurricane season kicks into high gear.

How Does Septic Tank Cleaning Work in Orlando?

Your septic tank plays an essential role in your plumbing system: it stores and process wastewater. As you can imagine, maintenance is crucial to keep the tank functioning right so that you never have to see that wastewater somewhere it doesn’t belong. But when you arrange septic tank cleaning in Orlando for your property, what’s actually happening?

Septic cleaning is often confused with septic pumping or draining. While they are quite similar, there are differences. When you get your tank pumped or drained, only liquids are removed. Cleaning, however, removes both liquids and solids. In particular, the process involves breaking down compacted sludge from the bottom of the tank. Depending on the equipment used, the technician may break up the solids using a rake tool or powerful jets of water.

When Should Your Tank Get Cleaned?

If your tank isn’t cleaned often enough, the solids from your wastewater will develop into a thick layer of scum that can eventually clog the tank. How frequently you need septic tank cleaning depends on a number of factors, including the size of your tank and how many people are in your household. In general, experts recommend having your septic tank inspected every three years to determine whether it needs to be cleaned out.

Understanding Septic Permitting in Orlando, FL

When you install a septic system, you first have to procure the proper permitting. The Environmental Health Section of the Florida Department of Health (FDH) is responsible for issuing septic tank permits. To apply for a permit, you will need to fill out Form DH4015 and submit it along with a site plan to the Orange County office of the FDH. You will also need to have a site evaluation as part of the application process.

For a new system, the permitting fee is currently $425. This fee includes the cost of the site evaluation. Along with your application form, you will need to attach a Zoning and Flood Plain form, a document that authenticates your ownership of the property, and a floor plan of the interior of your home.

Once you receive your permit, you must use a state-registered master septic tank contractor for the installation. At A & L Septic, we have provided exceptional septic service in Orlando since 1984. We are deeply familiar with the regulations and standards regarding septic tanks, as well as with the proper procedures for installation, maintenance, and repairs. If you have any questions about permitting or installation, we are happy to take your call.

How the Drain Field Works with Your Septic Tank

Your septic system has four main components: the pipe from your house, the septic tank, the drain field (or leach field), and soil. When everything is in good working order, the system efficiently breaks down waste and returns the water back to the water table. The most expensive component of this system is your drain field. Basically, the drain field is the part that filters wastewater and returns it to the ground.

The drain field has three main parts: perforated pipe, aggregate (stone gravel), and good soil. Wastewater (called effluent) from the septic tank drains into the field through the perforated pipes. The pipes, in turn, evenly distribute the water over the aggregate layer. The aggregate also helps to distribute the water evenly as it drains into the soil. The soil filters out any remaining harmful bacteria as the water rejoins the water table.

Your drain field should work reliably as long as you schedule routine system inspections, pump the tank every 3-5 years, don’t introduce too much water into your septic system, and landscape with care in the area of the drain field (tree roots can cause damage). If you notice that the grass above the drain field is conspicuously greener than in the rest of your lawn, it may mean that your drain field is backed up, and it’s time to call A & L Septic for septic tank service in Orlando, Florida.

How Professional Septic Tank Maintenance Helps You

Septic tank maintenance in Orlando, FL, is a critical component of good housekeeping. Your septic system treats wastewater and allows your plumbing system to operate normally. Like all pieces of equipment, however, your septic tank and its related pieces will require regular maintenance and monitoring. In these instances, it helps to get the assistance of a professional.

A septic system professional has the knowledge, training, and experience to ensure the regular operation of your wastewater treatment and disposal units. They can work with you to establish a routine maintenance program. There are many advantages to hiring a professional.

First, it saves time and minimizes uncertainty. As a homeowner, you are already familiar with the kinds of things you need to keep tabs on around your property: vehicle maintenance, electricity, HVAC, and yard work. It can be a hassle adding “septic tank maintenance” to your already lengthy to-do list. Hiring a septic system professional can save you time, and since they are keeping track of the condition of your system, they can remind you of when additional services may be required – something that can easily be overlooked amidst your other responsibilities.

Second, septic system professionals have the equipment, tools, and materials to perform their responsibilities effectively. On top of monitoring the performance of your system, they can also provide additional services that make your tank and drain field perform better. Such services include tank pumping, water jetting, and the addition of helpful bacteria.

All in all, hiring a septic tank maintenance professional allows your system to perform better, which can generate better efficiency and savings in the long run. Find a septic tank servicer near you and explore your options.

When to Consider Getting a New Septic Tank

A septic tank in Orlando, FL, is a smart choice if you live in a place that isn’t connected to a municipal sewer system. While it is a simple way to dispose of waste, it also means that you need to keep an eye on its maintenance needs. There may come a time when you will need to repair or replace the tank.

When should you replace the tank? Keep an eye (and nose) out for the telltale signs. If these symptoms are affecting your yard, then it’s time to call a septic tank contractor.

Backed Up Sewage: The sight of raw sewage backed up in your sinks and toilets is never a good sign. It almost certainly means that your septic system is clogged. If you hear gurgling coming from the drains, you may also be facing a congested pipe system.
Puddles in the Yard: Septic systems are supposed to treat wastewater before dispersing it to the drain field. When the system is overtaxed or failing, it may end up flooding the area where the tank is buried. If you see puddles in the yard even when it isn’t raining, you have a bad septic tank on your hands.
Contaminated Well Water: Chances are, if you have a septic system, then most of your drinking water comes from a well. If the water from your faucets smells foul or looks dirty, then there is a strong chance that your septic tank has failed and is contaminating your water. This creates an immediate health hazard, which means you need a replacement as quickly as possible.

By knowing the signs, you are on your way to keeping your home a safe and sanitary place. Keep an eye on your septic tank and get professional assistance if you notice anything wrong.

Understanding Septic Tank Draining Services

The first step in understanding how a septic tank draining service can help you is to understand your septic system and how it works. When designed and installed correctly, your septic system is designed to last for decades. If it isn’t treated properly, it can fail in just a few years. Thankfully, maintaining your septic system isn’t hard or expensive. You just need to know what to do to keep it working correctly.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your system is like a smorgasbord spread for bacteria. As the waste flows into the septic tank, anaerobic bacteria begin to break down the organic material. This creates a layer of sludge that falls to the bottom of the tank. Oil, grease, and fat, on the other hand, float to the top as scum. The remaining wastewater, also known as effluent, then flows out to the drain field, which is where bacteria can thrive and the treated water can then seep back into the ground.

When things that shouldn’t go into your septic tank get flushed down there, however, this system is disrupted, which can cause problems. Too much wastewater in too short of a period of time, garbage disposal waste, antibacterial soaps, and an assortment of other items can all lead to failure.

Septic tank draining services can remove scum and sludge, as well as other items, from your septic system to help restore complete functionality to it.

Items that Should Not Go Down Your Toilet

Do you find that you need septic tank maintenance in Orlando, FL, a little more often than most of your neighbors, friends, or family? The reason might be because the wrong things are going down your drain. Unlike sewers, your septic system doesn’t send waste and debris down the sewer system. That means whatever gets flushed stays in the tank until it decomposes or your tank is drained.

Your septic system should never be used as a garbage can. To make sure that you aren’t clogging or damaging your system, it is essential to remember that the only things that should go down your pipes are wastewater and toilet paper. Chemicals, fuels, grease, bleach, disinfectants, and even toilet bowl cleaners can all end up doing damage to your system. Furthermore, medications can have a negative effect on the performance of your system.

Here is just a sample of the different items you should not flush down your toilet or put in your drains:

Cigarette Butts
Paper Towels
Sanitary Napkins/Tampons
Condoms
Disposable Diapers
Anything Non-Biodegradable
Food Scraps
Coffee Grinds
Gasoline
Paint Thinner
Cooking Grease
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Pharmaceuticals

If you have any questions about your septic tank, you can ask the team at our business for more information.