Frequently Asked Questions

Septic Systems are great when they are working!
Septic systems do an amazing job of returning liquids to the soil for purification. They can continue to operate effectively for over twenty years with proper use and regular tank pumping. But when they fail, the conditions they create are dangerous! These can include:

• Toxic sewage surfacing in the yard
• Health hazards to children and pets
• Noxious odors over large areas
• Polluted streams and ponds
• Sewage back-up in buildings
• Contaminated wells
• Breeding areas for mosquitoes

Septic system failure is practically inevitable.

Septic system failures are the result of many processes, most of which are out of sight and occurring unnoticed. The processes include:

• Soil clogging by organic material that is flushed out of the septic tank
• Soil clogging by chemicals from water conditioners and laundry detergents
• Hydrogen sulfide deterioration of concrete components
• Tree and shrub root intrusion that clogs pipes
• Excessive surface water flowing into the septic tank and/or the leach field
• Excessive water from building drains
• Restricted liquid flow due to improper design and/or installation
• Restricted liquid flow due to structural damage to the leach field

Nearly all processes that lead to failure can be eliminated.


Homeowners Tips

Do's and Don'ts

• Do spread automatic washer use over the week rather than many loads on one day.
• Do make a permanent record of where the key parts of your system are located for future maintenance, such as tank pump outs or field repairs.
• Do keep records of pump outs and maintenance.
• Do use water conserving devices where possible. Low flush toilets and shower heads are commonly available.
• Do have manually cleaned lint traps on your automatic washer.
• Do check any pumps, siphons, or other moving parts of your system regularly.
• Do remove or prevent trees with large root systems growing near the disposal field.
• Do maintain a healthy grass cover over the disposal field to use some of the water and to prevent erosion.
• Do keep surface water from upslope or from roof drains away from the disposal field.
• Do check your interceptor drain regularly to ensure that it is free-flowing.
• Do compost your kitchen waste or include it in your garbage. A garbage grinder should be installed only when the septic tank is oversized, and the tank will need to be pumped more often.

Don’ts

• Don’t overload the system with high volumes of water.
• Don’t connect basement sump pumps to the on-site system.
• Don’t connect backwash from water treatment devices directly to the on-site system without professional advice.
• Don’t allow large amounts of fats, chemicals, or solvents to enter the system; don’t allow any plastics to enter.
• Don’t use septic tank additives. They are not beneficial, and may damage your disposal system. Active bacteria are naturally present in sewage. Even with additives, regular pumping of solids is still required.
• Don’t enter a septic tank without proper ventilation, a second person (adult) above ground, and other requirements of the Department of Labour for confined spaces. Sewer gases can be fatal.
• Don’t allow vehicles or heavy equipment to drive over or park on the disposal field. This may compact the soil and crush the piping.
• Don’t plant anything over the disposal field except grass; especially, don’t cover the tank or field with asphalt or concrete or other impermeable material.
• Don’t put in a separate pipe to carry wash waters to a side ditch or woods. These ‘greywaters’ also contain disease carrying organisms
• Don’t wait for signs of failure. Check the system regularly.
• Don’t flush:
  • coffee grounds - dental floss - paints
  • disposable diapers - kitty litter - varnishes
  • sanitary napkins - tampons - waste oils
  • cigarette butts - condoms - poisons
  • fats, grease and oils - paper towels - thinners
  • disinfectants - pesticides
  • photographic chemicals - other chemical wastes.

Your system is failing if one or more of the following conditions exists:

• All of the drains from the house are slow.
• There is a persistent wet area over the leach field.
• Sewage is surfacing in the area of the septic tank or distribution box.
• There is sewage seeping through the foundation.

How's your septic system?

• Take this quick Homeowner's Test to determine the status of your septic system's leach field.
• The liquid level in the leach field is at the top of the crushed rock layer, the chambers or other underground structures.
• The vegetation over the leach field is greener and more lush than over adjacent areas of the yard.
• There is a sewage odor in the yard at times or constantly.
• There is a flow back from the leach field when the septic tank is pumped.
• The septic tank needs to be pumped frequently.
• The septic tank discharge baffle is damaged or missing.
• Rain water seems to take longer to disappear over the leach field than over adjacent areas of the yard.
• Well water is contaminated.

If any of these conditions are present, call us today, toll free at 877-378-4279! Your septic system may be a candidate for the White Knight ® Microbial
Inoculator/Generator, an economical, environmentally sound and permanent alternative to leach field replacement.