Did you know that an important part of keeping your mound or at-grade system operating properly is jetting & treating the laterals in the actual mound itself? This will help keep things flowing properly throughout the mound. Let us explain! When the pump in the pump chamber engages, it discharges graywater from the pump chamber down the force-main into the mound. The mound itself generally has 1 – 4 laterals with holes drilled in them where the graywater is then dispersed properly. In time, these laterals become plugged up with sludge, scale and/or debris. Giving these laterals a good cleaning along with a high dose of bacteria about every 6 years or so, keeps water equally dispersing throughout the lateral(s), in turn adding life to your mound system; not to mention the savings from reduced wear and electrical use on pumps. When there is blockage in a lateral not only is it hard on your pump, but it can lead to discharge of sewage to the surface if left untreated. Our cleaning process is done with a high-pressure water jetter that feeds its way through the laterals cleaning the laterals thoroughly from one end to the other. Contact us today to schedule your jetting!
Tag Archives: troubleshooting
What Causes Occasional Odors in the House or Yard?
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!
What causes odor in the “house” that smells like my septic tank?
- Your roof vent that vents your plumbing could become plugged with leaves, debris, or snow in the winter. Check to see if it is clear.
- Check your vent(s) on your drainfield for your septic system. Be sure they are free from plants, leaves, debris or snow.
- Take a look at all your sinks and drains in the house and be sure to run water through them periodically, especially if they are not used often. The water that settles in the traps can evaporate and allow odors to come through.
- OR you could have a septic system problem! If you have tried the above mentioned things, call us to check out your septic system!
