With huge multi-storied buildings and large residential complexes being built now-a-days, a professional residential plumbing service has become a necessity of today.

Whether it is the problem of clogged sewer or leaking tap in the home, it is always beneficial to call a professional. This is because the professional plumber services are carried out by trained, expert and technical plumbers who deliver unique and customized services to customers.

Another advantage of calling professionals is that the professional plumbers are experienced and certified, and follow the safety codes set for all plumbing requirements, such as repair of sewage and water pipe systems.

Talking about major residential plumbing services provided by trained plumbers, they include:

• Piping estimating
• 2D drafting
• Pipe fabrication and Marking
• Water line installation
• Pipe restoration
• Backflow testing
• Grease and waste removal
• PVC water leak repair
• Pinhole leak repair
• Sanitary sewer repair
• Faucet and toilet repair
• Leady pipes and plugged drains repair

One of the best advantages of hiring professional residential plumbing services is that the certified plumbers can deal with any kind of pipes, including lead, stone, clay and plastic. They are proficient enough in using specialized machineries and tools that are helpful in pumping out the sewer waste and cleaning of humidifier or drain or a clogged toilet or sink in a professional, expert and fast manner.

By hiring professional plumber services, the latest and most advanced plumbing equipments are made use of by the professional plumbers for your residential plumbing system. Some of the latest equipment used by certified plumbers include rigid tripods, propane torches, transfer pumps, trash pumps and bolt cutters which may not be available in households normally.

Other major plumber services that can be obtained by hiring professional include water heater repair, repairing of pressure tanks and pumps, tap fitting, cleaning of drain channel and sink drain, hydro jetting and cleaning of water tank and septic tank.

Roberto Luongo
http://www.articlesbase.com/tools-and-equipment-articles/why-to-hire-professionals-for-residential-plumbing-services-750639.html

A septic tank is a large, underground, watertight container, typically about 9 feet long, 4-5 feet wide and 5 feet tall that is connected to the home’s sewer line. While typically designed with a 1,000-gallon liquid capacity, the size of the tank is legally determined by the number of bedrooms in the home. (Septic tanks come under the legal supervision of counties in Montana.) Septic tanks may be rectangular or cylindrical and may be made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene.

Raw waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room flows into the tank where the solids separate from the liquid. Light solids, such as soap suds and fat, float to the top and form a scum layer. This layer remains on top and gradually thickens until you have the tank cleaned. The liquid waste goes into the drainfield, while the heavier solids settle to the bottom of the tank where they are gradually decomposed by bacteria. But some non-decomposed solids remain, forming a sludge layer that eventually must be pumped out.

Septic tanks may have one or two compartments. Two-compartment tanks do a better job of settling solids and are required in some areas for new installations. Tees or baffles at the tank’s inlet pipe slow the incoming wastes and reduce disturbance of the settled sludge. A tee or baffle at the outlet keeps the solids or scum in the tank. All tanks should have accessible covers for checking the condition of the baffles and for pumping both compartments.

The Drainfield: Further treatment of wastewater occurs in the soil beneath the drainfield. The drainfield consists of long underground perforated pipes or tiles connected to the septic tank. The network of pipes is laid in gravel-filled trenches (2-3 feet wide), or beds (over 3 feet wide) in the soil. Liquid waste or effluent flows out of the tank and is evenly distributed into the soil through the piping system. The soil below the drain-field provides the final treatment and disposal of the septic tank effluent. After the effluent has passed into the soil, most of it percolates downward and outward, eventually entering the groundwater. A small percentage is taken up by plants through their roots, or evaporates from the soil.

The soil filters the effluent as it passes through the pore spaces. Chemical and biological processes treat the effluent before it reaches groundwater, or a restrictive layer, such as hardpan, bedrock, or clay soils. These processes work best where the soil is somewhat dry and permeable, and contains plenty of oxygen for several feet below the drain field. The size and type of drainfield depends on the estimated daily wastewater flow and soil conditions.

Tips for using your septic system:

-Even a properly designed and installed septic system cannot treat wastewater if the tank is not used and maintained properly. Here are a few tips for installing and using your septic system:
-For future maintenance and to avoid deep root planting and other damaging activities in the drain-field area, make an accurate diagram showing the location of your
tank, drainfield and replacement area.
-Keep a record of pumping, inspection, and other maintenance. Include name, address and phone numbers for installers and pumpers.
-To simplify tank access for inspection and maintenance, install a watertight concrete riser over the septic tank.
-The area over the drainfield should be left undisturbed, with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines.

Scott Byers
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/septic-tanks-an-overview-57395.html

When building a new house a connection to the sewer system is sometimes a problem, many home owners are left with a hard decision, and many choose to use a septic system, these septic tanks are reliable and efficient, but there are some things that you must remember and always practice if you have a septic tank, otherwise you might have problems with your system.

Proper landscaping

When constructing your septic system, make sure that the soil absorption area is far from rainwater drainage or downspouts. Make sure that it is not underneath your garage and areas where you will put heavy equipment. Divert the water coming from other means away from the septic tank drainfield. Do not construct your septic system near a tree or areas where soil erosion can easily occur. Roots from the trees can get through and damage your septic tank.

Dispose chemicals and other liquid materials properly

Gasoline, paint thinners, motor oil, varnish, and other chemicals that contain active substances can ruin your septic tank walls and can cause hazard to groundwater as well. Make sure you dispose them properly and away from your septic tank system. Also, grease can easily clog in your septic tank so make sure you steer away from disposing them in your toilet.

Differentiate the toilet from garbage cans.

Cigarette butts and filters facial tissues, paper towels, coffee grounds, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, tampons, cat litter, and other solid waste must be disposed in your garbage bins and not on your toilet. They clog to your septic tank easily.

Proper maintenance

Builders would suggest constructing a septic system with 1,000-gallon capacity for a family of 4. This would last from 3 to 5 years of full time use before you notice that it is getting filled up. When it does, there are professional wastewater treating system services to help you pump out solids on your septic tank.

If there are damages to your tank, do not attempt to open it yourself. Do not enter your septic tank as well. There are bacteria and gases in your tank that can be fatal. Call a professional to make the necessary repairs.

Never use chemical or biological solutions in place of septic tank pumping system.

Upgrade your septic system, like your roof, doors, cabinets, driveway, ceilings, and furnace, your septic tank will need to get an upgrade and possibly a replacement in due time. Do not hesitate to do this. Advances in the latest system will tremendously improve your wastewater disposal system.

Taking proper care of your septic tank and regular maintenance of the septic system will result in a reliable system, one that is not so much different than any sewer system.

Simon Oldmann
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/septic-tank-care-and-maintenance-guide-79201.html

A septic tank is a small scale sewage treatment system common in rural areas and small towns that have no connection to main sewage pipes. A septic system is a type of onsite sewage facility. Septic simply refers to the hazardous environment that develops in the tank and which decomposes the waste discharged into the septic tank.

Septic tanks can contain vacuum systems that feature industrial vacuum/pressure pumps. And some tanks are fitted with a heavy duty stainless steel portal shutoff, complete with stainless steel mesh cartridge type filter to insure protection of your valuable vacuum system. The units are designed to accept any or all components to meet the demanding requirements of liquid and semi-solid hazardous waste removal, transportation and disposal.

Why does the hazardous waste need to be transported? Because over time the waste that is not decomposed by the anaerobic digestion does build up. If it is not removed from the septic tank, the tank fills up and nondecomposed waste water overflows directly to the drainage field. Not only is this bad for your yard but it also can damage the environment.

I bet you’re wondering how often does the septic tank need to be emptied? This all depends on the volume of the tank relative to the usage. The bigger the family, the more usage it will get. The smaller the tank, the more often it will require emptying. In general it is rare for a septic tank system to require emptying more than once a year.

Septic truck companies and vacuum truck companies are hired to remove the hazardous waste that fills septic tanks. These tank trucks are referenced by their size or volume capacity. Large trucks typically have capacities ranging from 4000 to 9000 gallons, whereas a smaller truck might have a capacity of less than 3000 gallons. The truck uses a vacuum to clean several septic tanks in a neighborhood and then deposit the septic material to a collection site.

A normally operating and properly designed septic system is odor free and with an inspection and pumping of the septic tank periodically the tank itself should last for at least 50 years with little to no maintenance.

Leaftech
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/trusted-vacuum-equipment-and-septic-systems-114234.html

If you have a septic tank, you probably have a love/hate relationship with it. Most of the time it saves you money, because you do not have to pay regularly for water reclamation services. However, when something goes wrong, it can be a costly and messy affair. People with septic tanks need to make sure they are properly maintaining their tanks, and they can do so with these basic tips.

Pump the Tank when Needed

You need to pump your septic tank regularly. The regularity of pumping depends on the size of the tank and the size of the residence. Experts recommend a typical home with a 1,000-gallon tank should be pumped every three to five years. If your tank is smaller, you will need to pump it more often. Pumping the tank removes the solid build up that is an inevitable part of the septic process.

One way to stretch the time you can go between septic tank pumpings is to increase the amount of solid waste that is destroyed by the bacteria in the system. You can do this by installing a Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment (FAST) septic system in your home. FAST systems create the ideal environment for the bacteria that are necessary to decompose much of the solid waste you send into the system. FAST systems house these bacteria in an underground, aerated, self-cleaning reactor chamber that allows for optimal bacteria growth. This unique system leads to a 90-95 percent removal of total suspended solids from the waste water.

Keep Water Flow Even

Too much water and too little water sent through a septic tank can cause problems. To keep the tank running efficiently, keep the water flow as balanced as possible. Too much water, such as what you may send through the system if you are doing extensive laundry, can put more water through the system than it was built to handle. This means that it can flood the system. Also, too much water flow can push some of the solids that have settled into the bottom of the tank into the leaching field, causing clogs and environmental damage. Times of low water usage can lead to the death of the bacteria in the system.

Keeping water flow even is not always possible. There will be times when you need to use more water, and other times, such as when you are out of town, that you will not be using as much water. The unique design of FLASH systems makes them capable of handling a changing water volume.

Avoiding Nitrogen Contamination

The process that occurs inside the septic tank produces nitrogen as a byproduct. Too much nitrogen in groundwater leads to contamination that is when it reaches human drinking water. This means that your septic tank could be a very real environmental hazard.

The bacteria in the septic tank work to neutralize much of this nitrogen. For this reason, you need to make sure that the bacteria are functioning properly. Avoid sending high amounts of household cleaners and other strong chemicals down the drain, as these can kill some of the bacteria in the system, causing more nitrogen to build up and leach into the environment. It is not possible to avoid sending these products down the drain completely, but avoid excessive use. Also, avoid using powdered detergents in a septic system.

If you have a FAST system, you will not need to be as concerned with nitrogen buildup. The FAST system involves multiple processes when treating wastewater, including bio-chemical, physical, and biological processes. As a result, the system greatly reduces nitrogen levels in the water that is sent to the leach field.

Amy Nutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/have-a-septic-tank-this-is-what-you-need-to-know-698373.html

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
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/pumping-your-septic-tank-58290.html

Septic tanks are usually buried in the ground. There are three main types, all of which cause different concerns.

Steel tanks rust, especially when buried in the ground. A steel septic tank can be so corroded that it can lead to someone walking over it falling through and into the tank. The hapless person is suffocated by the methane generated in the tank, or drowns.

Most rural homes are not connected to a mains sewage system. These homes rely on a self-contained sewage treatment plant called a septic tank.

Septic tanks are usually buried in the ground. There are three main types, all of which cause different concerns.

Steel tanks rust, especially when buried in the ground. A steel septic tank can be so corroded that it can lead to someone walking over it falling through and into the tank. The hapless person is suffocated by the methane generated in the tank, or drowns.

Concrete tanks may be damaged internally, leading to permanent and expensive to rectify damage to the absorption drain-field.

The worst tanks are those built from concrete blocks on site. Sometimes the blocks are just laid and not cemented together. Even if they are cemented together years of attack from acidic sewage will dissolve the mortar. These tanks can collapse without warning and probably fail to meet local planning and environmental protection regulations.

How do you tell if your septic tank has problems?

If there are ANY areas of sunken ground around it STAY AWAY. Call in a contractor immediately. If you step on these areas you could fall through, into the septic tank and die. These are signs that your septic tank has partially collapsed.

Check for signs of solid sewage material in the drain-field area. If the drain-field has been contaminated because the septic tank has not been pumped out regularly, this can be very expensive to rectify.

If you are buying a home with a septic tank, you should insist on the tank being pumped out and an investigation by a septic tank contractor carried out. It is not possible to examine a septic tank properly while it is full.

You may have to pay for a contractor to give you a report, but this will be a tiny amount compared to the cost of any necessary remedial work

Plan to have your septic tank pumped by a professional every 3-5 years. However, four factors can influence the frequency of pumping: the amount of people in your household, the amount of wastewater generated, the volume of solids in the wastewater, and septic tank size

Jerry Kobylarczyk
tricounty septic (WI)