Landscaping Options for Your Septic Drainfield

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When it comes to landscaping around your drainfield, keep in mind the damage that roots can do.  They can get into the lines and begin to plug them, leading to serious drainage issues.  While shrubs, trees, and vines are the biggest culprits, plants & flowers should also be researched before planting near your system.  For anything being planted directly on the drainfield, you don’t want anything with a deep or wide root-system.

Below is a list of common flora that can be worth considering for planting near drainfields: Traditional lawn (seed or turf), eco-grass naturalized lawn/meadows, gladiolus, hyacinth, iris, lily, tulip, bleeding heart, forget-me-not, ferns (most), sedums, native mosses, violets, columbine, and poppies.

Slow-growing shrubs with a contained root system can usually be planted at a recommended distance from the drainfield: boxwood, rhododendron/azaleas

Trees with more vertical root growth can usually be planted at a recommended distance from the drainfield: cherry, crabapple, dogwood, maple (griseum, amur), Japanese snowbell.

Of course, this is not a full list of possible landscaping options.  When considering landscaping near your septic system, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced landscaper and see what they suggest.  Remember, you are looking for plants and trees that don’t have wide, deep, or intrusive root-systems.

Based on the article “The Best Landscaping Options for Septic Drainfields” by Wynn Nielsen, Pumper Magazine.

What Causes Occasional Odors in the House or Yard?

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A common statement we hear from our customers, especially in the winter-time, is “We’re getting really strong sewer-like smells in the house.”  They usually follow by asking if their septic tank needs to be pumped.  While at times this can be a sign of the tank & system needing attention, odors often have nothing to do with the level in the tank itself.  When a customer calls with this complaint, there are two things we recommend they do.

First (and especially important in the winter), run some water down any sinks or drains that aren’t being used on a regular basis.  This includes floor drains in the basement.  In Wisconsin, our cold and dry winter air can cause the P-traps in the home’s plumbing to dry up, allowing odors from the septic tank to escape through sinks and drains.  If odors are very bad, and the P-traps seem to be the issue, some customers will add a small amount of a cleaner, like Pine-Sol to the water.

Second, check the plumbing vent on the roof.  Leaves and other debris can clog these vents throughout the year.  During winter, the vents can also freeze shut.  Put simply, with a plugged or frozen vent, the flow of air in the plumbing is interrupted and causes odors to remain in the house.  (The roof vent can also cause occasional odors in the house or yard, anytime throughout the year, due to the direction of airflow around the house and wind direction.  A steep roof and low vent location can contribute to this problem.)

If you’re experiencing occasional odors at your home, try these suggestions.  Feel free to give us a call if you have further questions!

COVID-19 and Your Septic System

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In this new era of COVID-19, of course the most important thing is to help keep ourselves and our family healthy.  At the moment, this includes extra cleaning and sanitizing at home.  You may find yourself using more bleach and anti-bacterial cleaners & sanitizers.  Keep in mind that these products do affect your septic tank and system, which needs healthy levels of good bacteria to function properly.  If you feel that frequent use of strong cleaners is a necessity in your home, please use a monthly bacteria additive for the septic system.  And please remember to never flush sanitizing wipes!  Contact us for more information and to order a year-supply of a beneficial and cost-effective bacteria additive!

We at Kuettel’s Septic Service sincerely hope your families are safe and healthy!

Septic System vs. Holding Tank- Part 2

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As discussed in our previous post, one of the first steps to understanding the septic service world is understanding the difference between a septic system and a holding tank.

Now we will discuss the basics of septic systems…

First of all, there are different “types” of septic systems (such as conventional, mound, at-grade, in-ground pressurized) but they all function on the same fundamental process.  Waste and water from the house’s plumbing go into a tank(s) where the solid waste & toilet paper sits(natural bacteria helps to “breakdown” that waste).  The liquids from the tank exit the tank via an outlet line and go out to a drainfield in the yard.  The drainfield is constructed with multiple layers through which the liquid filters down and is cleaned.

Septic systems are therefore a little more complicated than holding tanks, where everything sits until a pumper comes to empty it.  With septic systems, they are designed for the tank where the solids sit to be operating with a somewhat “full” level.  (Of course, you don’t want that level to get too high where the solids beginning to reach the inlet or outlet lines or even get all the way up to the cover.)  To keep an eye on the condition of the system, some states require that septic systems be pumped and inspected regularly, perhaps once every few years.  However, many customers find it beneficial to have their system pumped out (having the tanks emptied) and visually inspected, including having a licensed plumber check over the drainfield.

Compared with holding tanks, septic systems are more expensive to install.  However, they generally don’t require the frequent pumping that holding tanks do.  This in itself may be easier on the budget in the long-run.  But septic systems also have more components to them — perhaps a pump, a filter, baffles, etc. — which need to be maintained and, in time, replaced.  These are all factors to consider when building or buying a new home.

If you have questions about the type of system you have, the zoning department at your local county should be able to help you.

 

Septic System vs. Holding Tank- Part 1

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This is one of the first steps to understanding the septic service world: understanding the difference between a septic system and a holding tank.  It’s especially helpful if you’re looking to buy a home away from city sewer for the first time.  Each system type has its own unique maintenance requirements, so it’s smart to know these differences ahead of time.

In this post, we’ll discuss what a holding tank is…

Holding Tanks:   A system with a holding tank is fairly simple.  The home’s plumbing runs into a tank, or perhaps two connected tanks, that are buried out in the yard.  The covers to the tanks will generally be in the front yard because of strict guidelines allowing for close access for the pumpers.  When those tanks’ levels hit a certain point, an alarm is triggered to alert you that your holding tank is full.  The alarm can be silenced and then reset once the tanks are pumped.  When that alarm sounds, it’s time to call your pumper and get on their schedule.  They will come and empty the tanks, and you’ll be all set until next time the alarm goes off.

The biggest thing to be aware of with holding tanks is household water usage.  Keep in mind that your sinks, toilets, tubs, laundry, etc. all go into the holding tanks.  So a family is often surprised by how quickly those tanks can fill up.  We suggest learning how to conserve on water as much as possible: shorter showers, full loads of laundry, full dishwasher loads, fixing all leaking or dripping faucets, etc.  This can help you stretch out that time between pumpings a little more.

Holding tanks are very common and are less expensive to install.  The homeowner will want to keep in mind, though, that this type of system will require regular pumpings.

In our next post, we will explain how holding tanks are different from septic systems.

Going Somewhere Warm for Winter?

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Are you planning on taking a trip this winter and leaving your house empty for a few days?  Or are you one of those fortunate ones who skips Wisconsin winters altogether and heads south for several months?

If so, we’re happy for you… and a little jealous!  We hope you enjoy your time in the sun.

Keep in mind, though, that leaving winter behind is not entirely worry-free.  If your house is going to sit empty for any amount of time in the depths of our bitter cold winters, problems can occur with your plumbing and septic system.  Not only can pipes freeze if they aren’t being used, but issues can also arise with the septic system itself.  Extremely cold temps plus a period of non-use can equal annoying issues when you return home.

If you plan on leaving this winter, consider a house-sitter or having a trusted neighbor stop in and run water down the drains, flush the toilets, etc. to keep things moving in those lines.  And of course, give your local pumper a call to see what else they recommend for your particular system in order to keep everything working for you!

A Commonly Asked Question…

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In our business, a sure sign that summer is on its way begins this time of year — homeowners start receiving notice that their septic system is due for it’s regular pumping and maintenance.  (Here in Wisconsin, each county requires systems to be pumped and visually inspected at least once every 3 years.)  That means a lot of our day is spent on the phone with our customers, scheduling their system’s pumping and answering any questions they have.

One of the most commonly-asked questions is this…  “Do I have to be home when you come to pump?”  It’s a great question that plays a big part in the scheduling process.  The short answer is: no, not usually.

Why not?  Because for this kind of service (emptying the tank(s), cleaning the filter, visually inspecting the tank(s) and drainfield, etc), the access that our technician needs is outside.  We will therefore ask for the homeowner to make sure the covers are accessible and to provide a garden hose for cleaning the filter, if applicable.  But beyond that, the technician doesn’t generally need much else from the homeowner.  When he’s done with that service, he’ll leave an invoice in the door (unless the customer specifies otherwise) and then be on his way.  This is great news for the homeowner, since he/she doesn’t need to block out part of the day to run home and wait for our technician.

That being said, we perfectly understand if a customer would like to be home when our technician arrives and we will do our best to schedule accordingly.  — And as a reminder, this is mainly just for routine maintenance.  When a homeowner calls and needs quick service due to issues with their system, we often want the homeowner to be present so the technician has access to the house if needed and to be able to answer the customer’s questions right away.

So if you are one of the many who is about to schedule a pumping for your septic system, keep these points in mind.  And don’t be afraid to bring up any questions you may have when you give your local pumper a call.

A Guide to Basic Maintenance on Septic Systems

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Part of being a homeowner is maintenance. Unfortunately a lot of homeowners forget about the maintenance on their septic systems. Here in Wisconsin, homeowners are reminded every 3 years to have their system pumped and inspected. But what can be done between pumpings to keep the septic system in good shape?  Here are some tips:

Beware of excessive water use or leaky fixtures. The more the system has to work to keep up with a home’s usage, the quicker it will need attention.

Some clean-water source hookups, such as the sump-pump, can be routed away from the septic. But make sure it doesn’t dispense near the drainfield, adding unnecessary saturation to that area.  Keep down-spouts away from this area as well.

Be aware of improper landscaping around the tanks and drainfield.  Contact a local knowledgeable landscaper and/or septic service company for suggestions on this.

Avoid excessive use of anti-bacterial cleaners and strong chemicals that find their way down the lines in the sinks, tubs, and toilets.  These affect the healthy bacteria in the septic system that it needs in order to do its job.  And also realize that medications affect the septic system too.  Using a bacterial additive for the system can be very beneficial in these situations.

Keep up with regular maintenance by a licensed pumper. They should be emptying the tanks and looking over all the components, including the drainfield or mound, to make sure all looks good.

 

Renting a Home With a Septic System

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Less traffic, more privacy, peace and quiet… and extra costs???

If you are looking to rent a home in the country — that is, away from city water — you are probably looking forward to a little more privacy and peace.  However, please keep in mind that a home away from town needs to have its own septic system or holding tank.  Be aware of this and ask your potential landlord what the arrangements will be when it comes to maintaining the system. 

If the home has a septic system (conventional, mound, etc.), it will have to be pumped every few years.  Who will pay for this service?  You or the landlord?  If problems arise and the system needs to be jetted or even replaced, how much of that cost are you responsible for?

Or if the home has a holding tank (a tank that “holds” the solid waste and water from the house) it will need to be emptied rather frequently, perhaps monthly depending on the household’s use.  Again, does the landlord expect the renter to pay for this service? 

Ask your landlord ahead of time!  Don’t go into a renting agreement without knowing this information!  It may mean extra cost that perhaps you now need to consider.  At the very least, when it is time to be pumped, your local pumper will appreciate knowing when you call from whom they will be receiving payment.

And ask them to show you in the yard where the covers are for the tanks!  This is good basic information to know. 

A Few Basics to Septic Systems

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If you are a new homeowner, just moved away from city-sewer, or want to educate yourself on your system, here are a few basics to help you out:

  • Learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield, especially if your cover is underground.  If that’s the case, it will need to be dug up before your pumper comes.  (You can have risers installed to alleviate this problem.)
  • Your state may require that your system is pumped and/or inspected within a certain amount of time.  For example, here in Wisconsin, the requirement is every 3 years.  That maintenance is overseen by each county.  Any good local septic service will be able to explain how your county handles that requirement and what you will need to do as the homeowner.  However, each system is different and it may be wisest to pump more often.
  • Keep your system “healthy” by cutting back on antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning products in the kitchen and bathrooms.  Using a monthly bacterial additive can also help in this matter.
  • Whenever you suspect a problem with your system, do not hesitate to call a professional.  Don’t try to fix it yourself.