What is it?
A septic system treats and disposes of household wastewater right on your property—no need for a sewer hookup. It usually includes a septic tank and a drainfield (also called a leaching bed or tile field). The more you understand how your system works, the easier it is to keep it running smoothly.
What's in a Septic System?
Septic tanks are watertight containers made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. The size depends on your home and household use. Older systems tend to be smaller, so water conservation is key to avoiding overload.
Types of Systems
Type 1: A septic tank and disposal field
Type 2: A small mechanical biological packaged treatment plant and disposal field
Type 3: Advanced mechanical-biological packaged treatment plant.
Common Questions
2.
How can I avoid problems with my septic system?
Regular maintenance is key! Pumping your septic tank every few years prevents solids from reaching the drainfield, extending your system’s life. We also recommend installing an effluent filter in the outlet tee—it catches solids and only lets wastewater through. Clean it annually for best performance.
How often should I have my septic tank pumped out?
Your septic tank should be pumped when scum and sludge reach one-third of its capacity. Every household is different, so rely on your septic company to check it semi-annually. When choosing a company, consider price, knowledge, reputation, and availability.
What do I do if my toilet starts gurgling?
If your toilet gurgles while flushing or refilling, check other drains. If only the toilet gurgles, it may be a plumbing issue. If multiple drains gurgle, it could signal a sewer line blockage or a full septic tank.
If I'm not having a problem with my septic system, do I still have to have it pumped out?
Yes, Yes, Yes. One of the most important things is providing your septic system with the proper maintenance, just think - you would never drive your car 50,000 miles without changing the oil. When your tank is pumped out, the scum and sludge layers are removed and the leaching portion of your system is able to take a brief break from receiving any liquid.
I smell a septic odor?
Septic odors don’t always mean it’s time to pump. Indoors, check that drains have water and that toilet seals aren’t broken. Outdoors, odors can escape from vents or the tank lid—seal the lid or use a charcoal filter to help. Call us for filter options.
Understanding Septic
1.
What is it?
A septic system treats and disposes of household wastewater right on your property—no need for a sewer hookup. It usually includes a septic tank and a drainfield (also called a leaching bed or tile field). The more you understand how your system works, the easier it is to keep it running smoothly.
Types of Systems
Type 1: A septic tank and disposal field
Type 2: A small mechanical biological packaged treatment plant and disposal field
Type 3: Advanced mechanical-biological packaged treatment plant.
What's in a Septic System?
Septic tanks are watertight containers made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. The size depends on your home and household use. Older systems tend to be smaller, so water conservation is key to avoiding overload.
Understanding Septic
1.
What is it?
A septic system treats and disposes of household wastewater right on your property—no need for a sewer hookup. It usually includes a septic tank and a drainfield (also called a leaching bed or tile field). The more you understand how your system works, the easier it is to keep it running smoothly.
Types of Systems
Type 1: A septic tank and disposal field
Type 2: A small mechanical biological packaged treatment plant and disposal field
Type 3: Advanced mechanical-biological packaged treatment plant.
What's in a Septic System?
Septic tanks are watertight containers made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. The size depends on your home and household use. Older systems tend to be smaller, so water conservation is key to avoiding overload.
1.
Do's and
Don'ts
Do
Minimize the use of bleach and cleaning solvents.
Practice water conservation and endure that fixtures do not leak.
Check toilets for leaks annually by placing dye in the tank (food coloring) and leaving it for several hours. The dye should not appear in the toilet bowl.
Have a maintenance provider in place to maintain and monitor the system.
Keep maintenance/ service records at all times. These records are to stay with the system (and passed to new owners of property changes ownership).
DO NOT
Discharge from water treatment devices including water softeners into the system.
Use powdered laundry detergent or dishwasher soap, liquid soap is acceptable.
Flush anything into the system that does not pass through the human body with the only exception of toilet paper.
Introduce excessive amounts of fats, oils or grease into the system.
Use commercial septic tank additives: they are unnecessary, expensive and can impair system performance.
Stress system with multiple laundry loads on one day- spread laundry throughout week.
Introduce or put any non-biodegradable substances into the system such as:
Chemicals, including paint (do not wash paint brushes inside the house)
Solvents, antifreeze, gas, herbicides, pesticides
Coffee grounds
Cigarette butts
Disposable diapers
Feminine hygiene products
Condoms
Paper towel, facial tissue, sanitary wipes
Cat litter
Hair
3.
Do's and Don'ts
3.
Do
Minimize the use of bleach and cleaning solvents.
Practice water conservation and endure that fixtures do not leak.
Check toilets for leaks annually by placing dye in the tank (food coloring) and leaving it for several hours. The dye should not appear in the toilet bowl.
Have a maintenance provider in place to maintain and monitor the system.
Keep maintenance/ service records at all times. These records are to stay with the system (and passed to new owners of property changes ownership).
DO NOT
Discharge from water treatment devices including water softeners into the system.
Use powdered laundry detergent or dishwasher soap, liquid soap is acceptable.
Flush anything into the system that does not pass through the human body with the only exception of toilet paper.
Introduce excessive amounts of fats, oils or grease into the system.
Use commercial septic tank additives: they are unnecessary, expensive and can impair system performance.
Stress system with multiple laundry loads on one day- spread laundry throughout week.
Introduce or put any non-biodegradable substances into the system such as:
Chemicals, including paint (do not wash paint brushes inside the house)
Solvents, antifreeze, gas, herbicides, pesticides
Coffee grounds
Cigarette butts
Disposable diapers
Feminine hygiene products
Condoms
Paper towel, facial tissue, sanitary wipes
Cat litter
Hair
Quesnel Septic Service LTD
Home
Services
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Contact Us
How can I avoid problems with my septic system?
Regular maintenance is key! Pumping your septic tank every few years prevents solids from reaching the drainfield, extending your system’s life. We also recommend installing an effluent filter in the outlet tee—it catches solids and only lets wastewater through. Clean it annually for best performance.
If I'm not having a problem with my septic system, do I still have to have it pumped out?
Yes, Yes, Yes. One of the most important things is providing your septic system with the proper maintenance, just think - you would never drive your car 50,000 miles without changing the oil. When your tank is pumped out, the scum and sludge layers are removed and the leaching portion of your system is able to take a brief break from receiving any liquid.
How often should I have my septic tank pumped out?
Your septic tank should be pumped when scum and sludge reach one-third of its capacity. Every household is different, so rely on your septic company to check it semi-annually. When choosing a company, consider price, knowledge, reputation, and availability.
What do I do if my toilet starts gurgling?
If your toilet gurgles while in the flushing or refilling stage, you should check other items in the house. If your kitchen sink and bathroom sink work fine, it could be sign of a problem with the toilet plumbing. If your other items do the same gurgle then you need to call your septic system company. This could indicate a blockage in the building sewer pipe or a full septic tank.
I smell a septic odor?
Septic odors don’t always mean it’s time to pump. Indoors, check that drains have water and that toilet seals aren’t broken. Outdoors, odors can escape from vents or the tank lid—seal the lid or use a charcoal filter to help. Call us for filter options.
Common
Questions
2.
How can I avoid problems with my septic system?
Regular maintenance is key! Pumping your septic tank every few years prevents solids from reaching the drainfield, extending your system’s life. We also recommend installing an effluent filter in the outlet tee—it catches solids and only lets wastewater through. Clean it annually for best performance.
If I'm not having a problem with my septic system, do I still have to have it pumped out?
Yes, Yes, Yes. One of the most important things is providing your septic system with the proper maintenance, just think - you would never drive your car 50,000 miles without changing the oil. When your tank is pumped out, the scum and sludge layers are removed and the leaching portion of your system is able to take a brief break from receiving any liquid.
How often should I have my septic tank pumped out?
Your septic tank should be pumped when scum and sludge reach one-third of its capacity. Every household is different, so rely on your septic company to check it semi-annually. When choosing a company, consider price, knowledge, reputation, and availability.
What do I do if my toilet starts gurgling?
If your toilet gurgles while in the flushing or refilling stage, you should check other items in the house. If your kitchen sink and bathroom sink work fine, it could be sign of a problem with the toilet plumbing. If your other items do the same gurgle then you need to call your septic system company. This could indicate a blockage in the building sewer pipe or a full septic tank.
I smell a septic odor?
Septic odors don’t always mean it’s time to pump. Indoors, check that drains have water and that toilet seals aren’t broken. Outdoors, odors can escape from vents or the tank lid—seal the lid or use a charcoal filter to help. Call us for filter options.
Common
Questions
2.
Quesnel Septic Service LTD
Septic Basics
What Every Homeowner Should Know
Septic Basics
What Every Homeowner Should Know