Posts Tagged ‘Septic’

How Often Are You Supposed to Drain Your Septic Tank?

Monday, November 28th, 2022
Septic tank cover opened. Technician about to do maintenance.

Your septic tank needs to be pumped to prevent leaks and backup over time, but how often is enough, and how much is too much? You don’t want to waste money pumping your tank more often than necessary, so let’s find the middle-of-the-road option and keep your tank healthy without making your wallet hurt and whether or not you’ll be finding septic services today.

(more…)

What You Should Know About Your Septic System

Monday, April 13th, 2015

In Vermont and New Hampshire, septic systems are very common. A septic system is essentially a small, on-site waste treatment system, generally used in areas which are not able to access a municipal sewage system. For reasons that we won’t dive too far into, it is best to ensure that your septic system is in fine working condition at all times. Problems with a septic system are undesirable, to say the least. Here is some information for you to consider if you are having a new septic system installed, or if you just want to know that yours is operating properly. When you need septic services of any sort, from installations to maintenance and repairs, you need only one number: ours. Contact HB Energy Solutions today to schedule your septic services with trained and experienced professionals.  (more…)

The Necessity of Septic Maintenance

Monday, May 5th, 2014

A septic system for a home is a solution for waste disposal when regular sewage treatment plants are unavailable. The standard septic system, the one most likely attached to your home’s sewage line, consists of a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil beneath. The tank separates solids from wastewater, a process that removes most of the disease-causing bacteria and pollutants. The water then enters the drainfield, where it trickles down into the soil, which filters out the remainder of the toxic organisms and safely releases the water into the ground.

For this system of waste management to work, a septic system must have routine maintenance. We’ll explain why this is a necessity, not merely a way to have the septic tank work more effectively. The U.S. Department of Health, Education and Public Welfare emphasizes the importance of septic maintenance to avoid the escape of disease-causing organisms.

HB Energy Solutions offers full services for New Hampshire septic systems. For pumping, maintaining bacteria levels, and other important septic system care, you can count on our team.

Why a septic system must have maintenance

The solids that gather inside the bottom of the septic tank gradually build up as sludge (bacteria consumes some, but not all). This layer of sludge must be regularly pumped from the tank. How often you need to have pumping done depends on the tank size, its age, and the volume of waste it regularly receives. You should have the tank pumped when the layer of sludge takes up 25–33% of the tank volume. Without regular pumping, the waste material will eventually flood the tank, first blocking the intake pipes and then clogging the sewage system, which can be disastrous for your home. The solids can also enter the drainfield and contaminate the soil so that the soil’s pores become blocked and stop wastewater flow. This can result in the sewage moving upward and onto the surface.

Along with pumping the tank, the bacteria levels inside the system must be maintained. Although a septic system removes bacteria from wastewater, some level of bacteria needs to remain to help digest the solids in the tank. Anti-bacterial liquids that enter the wastewater, such as detergents and bleach, can lower the bacteria level and result in sewage overflow from rapid sludge build-up.

Maintenance frequency

How often do you need general maintenance services beyond regular pumping? We advise that an average-sized family schedule septic maintenance every three to four years. Along with bacteria balancing and necessary pumping, technicians will examine the condition of the tank and drainfield for leaks and damage.

Your septic system should take care of its important job without you noticing it. To make sure it stays that way and becomes neither a nuisance nor a danger, contact a New Hampshire septic service for regular maintenance. HB Energy Solutions can handle all your septic system needs; call us today to find out about our services.

Southern Vermont Septic Guide: How Your Septic System Works

Monday, March 18th, 2013

If you don’t rely on the municipal waste management system to get rid of your wastewater, chances are you have a septic tank in your backyard. Your septic tank sifts through the organic waste, and separates the water from the solid matter, allowing it to drain effectively into the drain field. The septic tank experts at HB Energy are committed to informing their customers about how their home systems work, so that they have the tools necessary to recognize major problems before they cause serious malfunction. While it’s not always possible to prevent repairs, a little bit of know-how goes a long way. For any septic tank problems in Southern Vermont, call HB Energy Solutions today!

Your septic tank is a watertight box buried in your yard that is usually made out of concrete or fiberglass. It typically holds about 1000 gallons, but its size depends upon the size of your home and your plumbing needs. Your sewer and drains gang together into your sewer main and flow into your tank. This new water displaces the old. Once there, there are three different layers that form inside: decomposing matter floating at the top of the tank (scum), mostly solid matter collected on the bottom (sludge), and relatively clear water in the middle of the two, which overflows into your drain field. The decomposition process takes the scum and separates it into solid matter and water.

The entire system is passive, meaning that it is powered only by gravity and the design of the system and materials themselves. The drain field, also known as the soil absorption system, is a trench with perforated piping overlaid with gravel to disperse the water. The septic tank requires a periodical removal service, which pumps the solid matter out of the septic tank to avoid overflows and promote efficient sewerage. The frequency of the septic pumping depends upon tank size, condition, and usage.

We hope that answers some of your questions about how a septic tank works. For more information, or to schedule septic tank maintenance in Southern Vermont, call HB Energy Solutions.