Septic Backups

02 Oct 2011

Causes

Blocked lines in your septic tank are definitely a major contributor to backup of septic systems. One cause of blocked lines are tree roots that penetrate the lines and create obstructions that solid waste gets caught on. Another frequent cause of backup is damage to the septic tank itself. Damage can come from a natural shift of the earth, but a much more likely instigator would be heavy equipment (such as a car) moving across the ground on top of the septic system. Also, if the amount of water being used or lost is too high, the water in the system will influx and cause blocking issues within the system itself. Then you also may have problems arise if you use your garbage disposal if your home is connected to a septic system directly. Problems occur because the debris from the disposal doesn’t break down properly resulting in a buildup of sludge in the bottom of your septic tank, causing you to have to pump the system out much more frequently than normal. Finally, if you apply harsh chemicals to your system, the natural bacterium that consumes the waste that collects in your system will be killed off, requiring you to pump out your system for a steep price of $300 to $500.

Precautions

To avoid these issues in your septic system altogether there are some simple precautions you can take in your day-to-day life. These include:

Only wash full loads of laundry or dishes, take shorter showers, & repair all water leaks ASAP (this will greatly reduce the amount of water entering the system, which reduces the risk of having water influx into your septic tank)
Do not use a garbage disposal if your home is on a septic system
Never plant trees or large shrubs over any part of your system, their roots are too large and will likely break through the pipes or tank, disrupting the flow; if you want to plant something on top of your system, plant grasses to prevent erosion and assist with evaporation
Never allow any vehicle or heavy equipment to drive over the septic system
Limit the amount of harsh chemicals that you introduce to your system

By applying these useful tips to your system, you will greatly reduce the probability of system failure as well as the frequency of pumping, which will in turn save you money and time spent stressing out.

Treatment

If it’s too late for you to apply the useful precautions to your system, and you already have problems associated with your septic tank, then you might want to look toward our useful treatment line of naturally based bacteria products and chemical compound treatments. First off, you have to determine if the problem you are dealing with is a blockage issue or a tree root problem. If the problem you are attempting to fix is a system that’s backing up because it has something (like a mass of sludge) blocking the water’s flow, then you’re going to want to use Septi-Clean. This product is an all natural, bacteria based liquid that you just apply by pouring down the drain. If your problem has to do with tree roots breaking the barrier of your system, then you might want to try our new product: Root Destroyer. This chemical is composed of copper sulfate that attacks and disintegrates the roots that are in the system; so it only kills the alien roots that have invaded the system, not the roots that are outside the system or the plant itself.

For more information on Sanco's septic productscontact our helpful staff.