Septic Systems

Septic Systems
Hell hath no fury like a septic scorned.

They aren’t glamorous.  They aren’t sexy.  They aren’t bubbly (well, maybe sometimes, but not in a good way).  They aren’t popular, either.

Septic systems are easy to forget about.  They silently do their job, accepting whatever is flushed their way, until they reach that point.  The toilets don’t flush.  The kitchen sink water ends up in the bathtub.  The lawn is wet, smells vile and you haven’t watered in days.   The septic system has had enough and it’s letting you know.  It’s been betrayed!

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we can help you get back into the good graces of your septic system.  To begin with, we can find it.  (Do you know where yours is?)  We can diagnose and repair it as well.  We’ll also teach you how to keep your system in good order so it doesn’t seethe quietly underground, waiting for retribution!

How a Septic system works
The basics that aren’t so basic

A septic system is the most misunderstood part of a plumbing system. It is much, much more than a tank and trench for dumping the sewage from the house. (That’s called an outhouse.) It is a custom waste water treatment plant designed specifically for your home and when operating properly will protect ground water, which may be a source of your drinking water. A typical system consists of the sewer line from the house, a septic tank, effluent line to a distribution box and a leach field.

Waste from the home travels through the sewer line to a compartmentalized tank where it is directed to the bottom by an inlet tee. In the solids chamber of a septic tank, the waste separates into three general layers; heavier sludge at the bottom, the “clear zone”(it’s hard to believe this stuff ever gets “clear”) and the scum layer of lighter waste like grease, oil, and fat, some times called “cake”(and it isn’t tasty). A baffle in the dividing wall separates the two compartments and is positioned in the clear zone. The baffle allows the waste to move into the effluent chamber of the septic tank where it separates yet again to a more refined degree. From there it moves into the outlet tee where it travels to the leachfield and is dispersed into the soil.

The septic tank treats the sewage with naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria that are present in the waste. Anaerobic bacteria survive in an environment with little or no oxygen and they consume waste very slowly. This is where time and water flows are critical. The more time the bacteria have to consume the waste the more thoroughly they are able to do it. When new water is added to the tank it displaces water in the clear zone and shortens the amount of treatment time in the tank.
The distribution box directs equal flows of effluent to the leachfield where it continues to be treated by the anaerobic bacteria and by other microbes present in the soil. Some of the effluent is absorbed by plants, some is evaporated through the soil and most of it travels through the layers of soil and rock to become ground water.

Maintenance of Septic Systems
Support your local bugs

A common misconception is that you don’t have to maintain a septic system. Nothing could be further from the truth. The bacteria ( we’ll call them bugs) in the system are alive and need to be given the proper environment in which to live so they can do their job of consuming waste. Anything that can kill the bugs outside of a septic system can kill the bugs inside a septic system. As a homeowner you must make a conscious effort to support your local bugs by activities like restricting the use of chemical cleaners in favor of environmentally friendly ones, limiting anti-bacterial soap, using garbage disposals sparingly and limiting the amount of water that gets put into the system. Forget the additives that claim to treat your tank, especially the ones from the telemarketer who calls at dinner time (it’s always dinner time isn’t it?) and don’t believe the homespun myths about raw chicken, and brewers yeast. At best you’ll either disrupt the cozy environment your bugs already live in, or end up with a really bad batch of beer.
Periodic inspection will help detect problems in the early stages and can prolong the life of the system while avoiding costly repairs. Generally we recommend pumping the septic tank when the cake layer (adds a whole new meaning to layer cake doesn’t it?) is about 6 inches deep, although it doesn’t hurt to pump before then.

Septic Repairs
The root canal of Homeownership

If you’ve ever experienced septic system problems you know there is nothing worse than raw sewage surfacing in the yard. Except maybe when it overflows the tank and the dog is playing in it. Or, when its backing into your house and the kids are walking through it. Then YOU have to deal with it. It’s easier to go to the dentist for a root canal. At least he gives you something for the pain.
The reality is that most septic repairs are uncomfortable (an understatement). Not only for you, the homeowner, but for the person making the repair. Remember, it’s underground, (which means digging), it’s stinky (which means you have to have a strong stomach) and it’s just plain nasty work (which means you’d better be a disciplined worker). Who are you going to get to fix the mess? At the Ukiah branch of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing we’re ready to take on your septic challenge. We know what hard work is (we aren’t afraid of it, either) and we’re trained to know what an important role septic systems play in a smoothly operating household.

New Septic Systems
Size Matters

Septic system design is derived research designed to protect ground water supplies. (Remember, this is what you drink!) New septic systems start with testing the soil to determine it’s capacity for treating and dispersing effluent through the leachfield. ( It is futile to call a plumber and ask how much a septic system costs before soil analysis is completed, you’ll be disappointed or hoodwinked, one of the two, maybe both.)

Information from the soil analysis, along with site specific conditions such as size and slope of the lot, anticipated flow rates, setbacks from buildings, property lines and wells, huge boulders and other obstacles are used to determine whether the system will be standard or alternative, plus how big it will be. Size Matters.