Posts made in May 2018

Keeping Your Laundry Septic Safe – Pt. 2

woman doing laundryIn our last post, we gave you three tips you can use to keep your laundry septic safe and avoid winding up with a broken septic tank in Orlando. In this post, we will give you some more helpful information for your laundry routine.

Choose the Right Detergent

Choosing the proper detergent for your septic tank is one of the most important things you can do to change up your laundry routine.

  • Avoid Powder – Powdered detergent can clog a septic tank, resulting in slower processing speed. It can even completely block the drain if too much product is used. We recommend using liquid detergent or laundry pods if you use a septic tank for wastewater.
    • If you use an aerated septic system, choose a septic-safe powder detergent. Liquid, in this case, can cause too much foam to build up in the aeration chamber. Check to see whether your septic is gravity-powered or aerated before selecting a detergent.
  • Consider Homemade – many laundry detergents on the market contain soil-clogging fillers that can harm your septic tank. Consider making your own. It will not only be cheaper, but it will also prevent harm to your septic tank from dangerous chemicals and fillers.
  • Go Natural – A natural, plant-based detergent will contain fewer harmful chemicals and less foaming. It may be more expensive to go this route in the short term, but it may save you from costly repairs.

If you suspect your septic tank may be failing, call the experts at American Septic right away at 352.557.4832.

Keeping Your Laundry Septic Safe – Pt. 1

washing machineMany households in the United States rely on septic tanks to dispose of wastewater and sewage. Many people in those households also tend to take their septic system for granted – until there’s a problem. Taking steps to make sure that you are doing your laundry properly can help you avoid a septic disaster. While we all know to separate colors and measure our detergent, there are a few things you need to do differently to ensure that your septic system is working in optimal condition.

Limit Loads – Try to limit the loads of laundry you do to one or two loads per day. If you have a large family and need to do many loads, spread it out over the week instead of trying to do everything in one day.

High-Efficiency Washers – If you are still using an older top-loading washer, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency washer. Energy Star-rated washers only use around 15 gallons of water per load, which is significantly lower than the 30-40 gallons a standard machine uses.

Limit Detergent and Bleach – Use minimal amounts of detergent and bleach in your wash. These items contain chemicals called surfactants that can contaminate groundwater if the detergent is used excessively. Use enough to get your clothing clean, and no more.

These are just three things you can do to help make your laundry routine septic-safe. In our next post, we will discuss more laundry tips courtesy of our septic tank service in Orlando.

Avoid Growing these Plants above Your Septic Tank

hands planting small treeWhen designing your landscaping in the backyard, you need to consider your septic tank. Certain plants should not be placed near your septic system because their aggressive root systems can cause damage. It is usually best to avoid large, fast-growing trees, but there are other problematic plants that could pose a danger to your septic tank. Avoid these problematic plants to keep your septic system safe:

  • Weeping Willows
  • Pussy Willow Shrubs
  • Japanese Willow Shrubs
  • Aspen Trees
  • Lombardy Poplar Trees
  • Birch Trees
  • Beech Trees
  • Elm Trees
  • Maple Trees
  • American Sweetgum Trees
  • Ash Trees
  • Tulip Trees

These plants aggressively seek out water wherever they can find it and aren’t picky about the source. Their roots can break into the pipes in your septic system and cause septic system failure. Weeping willow trees are the most notorious examples of this.

Mature Trees

Another danger to your septic tank is large, mature trees in the area. These trees need to be as far away from the septic drain field as they are tall. For example, a 60-foot tree needs to be 60 feet away from the drain field. If you can’t achieve this, you can have root barriers installed.

Experience what makes American Septic Inc. one of the best septic companies in Orlando and the surrounding areas when you contact us for septic tank repairs.

How to Tell if Your Septic Tank is Failing

technician pumping septic tankFew things are more unpleasant than a septic tank failure. It can be caused by anything from clogging and blockages, to tree roots, to excessive quantities of wastewater entering the system. Because it’s underground and out of sight, most people don’t think about their septic tank until they encounter a huge, backyard-ruining issue. Here are some warning signs that you need septic tank repair:

Slow Drains – Do your sinks and you tub take too long to drain? This could indicate that there is a blockage building up in your pipes.

Strange Noises – Gurgling noises in the pipes are another sign that the pipes are becoming clogged. Clogged pipes are a leading cause of septic tank failure and should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Sewage Odors – Smelling the odor of raw sewage outside is an indicator that untreated wastewater is leaking out of your septic tank. This could mean there is a small leak, or a complete septic tank failure.

Flourishing Plant Life – Effluent from septic systems acts as a potent fertilizer. If you notice flourish plant life in one specific area of your yard, it is indicative of a septic leak. Look for a patch of grass that grows faster or is inexplicably greener than the rest of your yard.

Pools of Water – If there is water pooling in your yard, it means that a septic leak has progressed so far that the soil surrounding the tank has become completely saturated with untreated wastewater. You need emergency septic tank repairs.

If you are dealing with a broken septic tank in Orlando or the surrounding areas, contact American Septic Inc. for emergency septic services.

Preventative Maintenance Tips for Your Septic Tank

septic tankApproximately one-fourth of American homes use a septic tank to get rid of wastewater. It is a clean and cost-effective method, but it does come with some required maintenance. A broken septic tank is never fun, so we have compiled these tips for caring for your septic system better:

High-Efficiency Appliances – Using water saving appliances like high-efficiency washers and faucets, and low flow toilets can help decrease the amount of water that goes into your septic system. This prevents it from overloading.

  • You can also save water by ensuring that all leaks or drips are repaired as soon as possible.

Be Careful What You Flush – One of the leading causes of a broken septic tank is too much solid waste entering the septic system. You can prevent this by only flushing toilet paper. Have a garbage disposal installed that is designed for septic systems to prevent solid waste entering the system through your kitchen sink drain.

Get Regular Inspections – Septic tanks need to be pumped on a regular basis. When it needs to be pumped depends on a variety of factors, so it’s important to get your tank inspected once about every three years. It’s also good to keep detailed records, listing the age, size, and capacity of your tank. Then, keep a record of each inspection. This will save you from any nasty surprises because it gives you a good idea of when you need your tank pumped.

When you need septic tank pumping in Orlando, or anywhere in Lake and Orange counties, FL, rely on the team at American Septic Inc. Contact our team today to schedule a septic tank inspection.

Welcome to the American Septic Inc. Blog

American septic inc. logoWhen you rely on a septic tank for your wastewater treatment, you need a septic tank contractor that you can depend on for affordable and efficient maintenance and repairs. The technicians at American Septic Inc. use the most up-to-date equipment to deliver the best results every time. Whether you need septic tank pumping, cleaning, installation, or a host of other septic services; you can rely on our team.

In this blog, we will cover all sorts of topics related to septic tanks that homeowners should be aware of. We’ll cover caring for your septic tank, septic tank issues to look out for or even the best and worst plants to place over a septic system. If you use a septic tank for wastewater treatment and are interested in learning how to keep it in great shape, you should subscribe. We will be publishing interesting and informative content on a regular basis, so you should subscribe.

When you need septic tank service in Orlando and the surrounding areas, rely on American Septic Inc. We provide emergency septic cleaning when you need it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer installations and routine maintenance. Contact our team today and experience the customer service that sets us apart from our competitors.