3 Steps to a Healthy Septic

Sunday, 13 April 2014 by Ri Industries

In order to make sure that you are healthy, it is important to visit the doctor for a check-up from time to time.

But what ensures the health of your septic tank? Believe it or not, a healthy septic starts with you.

Here are the steps you should take to make sure your septic tank is healthy:

Step 1: Know the Signs

Just as a cough and a fever are signs of illness, your septic tank can exhibit certain signs that it might be time for repair. What are those signs that every responsible septic tank owner should know?

• Something smells funny- you know your septic tank is sickly if the air around it smells – usually like rotten egg gas.

• Something is damp- things are probably not working properly if the ground around your septic tank is damp or soggy, or pools form downhill.

• There is unusual grass growing- it might be time to contact a professional if you see dark green grass growing on or around the absorption area of your septic tank.

• Your flush is ineffective- a sure sign of a broken septic is when your toilet or drains are slow to clear, or keep backing up.

Step 2:.Pay Attention

If your septic tank has not been checked for more than 12 months, you may start to experience the smelly, damp, and slimy problems that come along with a malfunctioning septic. The most common cause of septic problems is when septic tank owners forget to pump out the septic every 3-5 years.

Step 3: Call in the Experts

Although you can play septic tank doctor now and then, it is also important to call in professionals when the going gets tough. If you see any signs of a sickly septic, you should act quickly so that the damage, and the cost of repair, does not get any worse.

Here’s who to call if you are experiencing any of these problems:

1) Your council environmental health officer– if in doubt, call for advice. Often a phone call to the council will either solve the problem or put your mind at rest.

2) A plumber, septic system expert or septic pumper –Plumbers, pumpers, and experts can be found under Septic Tank Cleaning Services in the Yellow Pages or Google search.

3) Ri-Industries– Do you have any questions about your septic? As always, do not hesitate to contact us.

4 Reasons to Pump Your Septic Tank

Monday, 31 March 2014 by Ri Industries

Most people do not enjoy doing chores. But sometimes, the least appealing activity can turn out to be the most necessary.

The team at Ri-Industries does not want to be a “pump grump,” but there are many reasons that you should get out there at least once a year to clean out your septic tank. We have compiled a list that will hopefully motivate you to get your septic system chores done.

**So, why exactly is it important to pump out your septic tank on a regular basis?**

Reason 1: Even your septic tank deserves a long, healthy life

Ri-Industries strives for excellence, with engineering experience that spans 60 years and extended 10 to 15 year warranties for our products. Pumping your septic tank at least every four to five years will help ensure the longevity of your tank, perhaps even beyond warranty.

Reason 2: It is important to be a good neighbour

No matter how friendly you may be with your neighbours, they will not be pleased with the smell if you let your septic tank fall into neglect and overflow. The last thing Ri-Industries wants is for you to be known as “the neighbor who smells like poo.” Keep your family and community happy and healthy by ensuring that your tank does not overflow.

Reason 3: You can save money

The cost and effort of getting your Ri-Industries septic tank pumped is minimal, while a failing or improperly maintained septic system may result in costly damage. By pumping your Ri-Industries septic tank regularly, you can maintain the value of your property, and save expenditures on repairs.

Reason 4: Satisfaction

Once you pump your tank, the job is done. It is as simple as that! Pumping your tank at least once every four to five years is an easy way to feel accomplished about maintaining a happy and healthy household.

Now that we have told you why it is important to maintain your septic tank, you might be wondering just how to maintain it. If you have any questions about how to maintain your septic tank, Ri-Industries is here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us with thoughts and questions at [email protected] / 08 8444 810, or through our Contact Us page.

Septic Tank Smells, Decoded

Sunday, 30 March 2014 by Ri Industries

Do you ever wake up from a long night of sleep, take in a deep breath and think, “Ah, I just LOVE the smell of septic in the morning!” You probably don’t. Or at least, we hope you don’t!

It would be natural for your septic tank to be smelly because it’s a receptacle for human waste. But you should never be able to smell the septic on your property because a Ri-Industries septic tank is designed to contain its own odour. The plague of uncontrollable septic odour is more than just a nuisance; it is a sign of sewage issues which, if left untended, can contaminate the water supply and lead to dangerous situations.

What is a diligent septic tank owner to do when their septic starts to smell? Ri-Industries has decoded some of the common problems that lead to stink, and how to solve them:

Smelly Problem #1: Full or Overflowing Septic Tank

Solution: This is the easiest smelly situation to solve. Simply have your tank pumped. A septic tank’s size is usually determined by the expected water usage for your home, and most septic tanks are designed to be pumped every 4 years. If you have a leaky tap, or are using more water than usual, you may need to have the septic tank pumped more often to reduce the septic smell.

Smelly Problem #2: Covered Septic Tank Vent

Solution: If your home has been remodeled or renovated since your Ri-Industries septic tank was installed, your septic tank may have been capped or covered up. If you have a septic tank in an older house, check to see that the head vent off of the main drain is still attached and extends above the roof line of the house. When dealing with an old septic tank, make sure to keep your vents uncovered and in best repair.

Smelly Problem #3: No Septic Tank Vent

Solution: If you are experiencing septic tank odour, you may need to install a proper septic tank vent in your home. If the tank wasn’t installed properly, it may have been installed without any sort of vent at all. If you notice the odour mostly after showering, then this is likely the case.

Smelly Problem #4: Bad Chemistry

Solution: Some things simply shouldn’t go into the septic tank. Here is a list of things you shouldn’t let go down the drain: cooking grease, oil or fat, industrial cleaning products, paints, solvents, feminine hygiene products, condoms, antibiotics and other expired medications, anti-freeze, transmission fluid, or gasoline. These can disrupt the sewage breakdown and cause pungent septic tank odours.

If you have tried all of these solutions to your smelly septic problem and the odour still persists, please do not hesitate to contact us with questions.

Natural Products for Cleaning Your Home

Sunday, 16 March 2014 by Ri Industries

There is an old saying that goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Ri-Industries believes that lemons can be used for much more. That’s because lemons are just one of many natural products that you can use to clean your home.

Natural cleaning products such as lemon juice are especially useful to the owner of a Ri-Industries septic tank because they are not as harsh or harmful to the environment as many brand name chemical products.

What are some of these products, and where do they work? We have compiled a list of some commonly used natural cleaning products, and the places they work best.

Product #1: Lemons

In Your Bathroom: Use lemon juice to dissolve hard water deposits and soap scum.

In Your Kitchen: Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon half to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains.

In Your Living Room: Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice, and use it as hardwood furniture polish.

Beware: While lemon juice may be easy on your Ri-Industries septic tank or your Ri-Treat wastewater treatment system, keep in mind that it can also act as a natural bleach. Before you go all natural, test your lemon juice remedy on a place that is out of sight.

Product #2: Vinegar

In Your Bathroom: Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down before pouring the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim, and scrub down the bowl. Mop the bathroom floor with a water/vinegar solution.

In Your Kitchen: Clean the top of your stove with equal parts water and vinegar. You can also do the same for most surfaces in your kitchen. Vinegar will keep your countertops and floors sparkling clean, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural deodoriser.

In Your Laundry: Adding ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle can act in the place of store-bought fabric softener. Vinegar breaks down laundry detergent more effectively, leading to less harmful grey water, and can also be used to clean out the washing machine.

Beware: Improperly diluted vinegar can eat away at tile grout, and should never be used on marble surfaces. However, if you’re worried about your home smelling like vinegar, have no fear; the vinegar smell vanishes almost as quickly as it cleans.

Product #3: Baking Soda

In Your Kitchen: Put a box of baking soda in your refrigerator or freezer to absorb the frozen food smell.

Anywhere That Smells: Like vinegar, baking soda is a phenomenal natural deodoriser.

Anywhere in the Home: Use baking soda in a mixture with lemon juice and vinegar to make a cleaning paste, and scrub surfaces anywhere in your home.

We hope you found our tips to be helpful for keeping your home clean. By using natural cleaning products, not only will your house smell and look great, you will be helping the environment as well.

What to Do With A New Septic System

Sunday, 16 February 2014 by Ri Industries

We at Ri-Industries are always here to answer our customers’ questions, and one of our most frequently asked questions is how to get started with a new or recently pumped-out septic. There can be a lot of different information floating around in the murky water of the septic world, so Ri-Industries would like to clear things up.

Do I need to do anything to start my new septic?

When purchasing a new septic system, you may wonder if there is something special you might need to do in order to get it started. Here is some background knowledge that might be helpful for your septic tanks’ ‘opening ceremony.’

The dead possum myth

In the old days, when a new septic system was started up on a farm, a dead possum or sheep was thrown in to the septic tank; septic folklore had it that the rotten possum would ‘kick-start’ the system. Some people even suggest dropping buttermilk or raw meat into your septic in order to add some additional bacteria.

Myth busted:

How trustworthy are these at-home remedies for starting up your septic tank? Because raw meat and buttermilk would add minimal amounts of bacteria in comparison to the size of your tank, you would need to use them daily, and this would be insensible, costly (and weird). As for the possum myth, if you are installing a new septic system in the near future, it could certainly be difficult to find a possum or sheep on such short notice!

In the end, the sewage which starts flowing into the tank as soon as it is connected to the house provides plenty of nutrients for the bacteria to begin doing their job; no possum, sheep, or buttermilk required.

The recommended treatment:

To start up a new or pumped out Ri-Industries septic system, fill the tank with clean water and add a cupful of lime down the toilet every day for 7 days. This little bit of extra added effort at the beginning of your septic tank’s life will be worth it in the long run. The lime prevents odours and increases the pH (alkalinity), which encourages bacterial growth.

Remember that good bacteria can be your septic system’s best friend, and there are many ways to maintain good bacteria in your septic tank. If your septic becomes smelly over the course of its lifetime, try repeating the lime treatment to promote further bacterial growth.

When it is time to get your new Ri-Industries septic system off to a start, please do not hesitate to contact us. We promise there will be no possum involved!

The Ri-Industries Water Dictionary

Monday, 3 February 2014 by Ri Industries

Ri-Industries strives for excellence and environmental efficiency with all of its products, from our rainwater tanks to the Ri-Treat Waste Water Treatment System.

We often use so many terms related to water conservation that it can be difficult to sort everything out. What is the difference between ‘hard water’ and ‘soft water?’ Is ‘grey water’ really grey after all? It’s about time someone answered all of these water questions, so Ri-Industries is here to clarify.

Grey Water: While it is not always ‘grey’ in colour, grey water is the leftover water from baths, showers, hand basins, kitchen sinks and washing machines around your home. Not comfortable recycling water right out of the sink? The Ri-Treat Aerobic Wastewater System processes the grey water from your main drainage pipe into clean, odourless water to use for irrigation. Reusing grey water from laundry and bathrooms can save about 100,000 litres a year. With the average Australian family using 800 litres of water each day, conserving grey water can be crucial to helping our environment.

Hard Water: Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, and is measured as the equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate (milligrams per liter). For this reason, it is considered ‘hard,’ like a rock. ‘Hard water’ tends to lessen the lathering of soap, shampoo and detergents. You can typically find hard water in wells and boreholes.

Soft Water: Hardness levels of water in Adelaide are classified as less than 200 mg/L, and are considered by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines as good quality. However, people may want to ‘soften’ the water in their home in order to avoid mineral build-up from excessively hard water that can potentially clog the pipes or stain crockery. While soft water does not occur naturally as often as hard water, it reduces the need for detergent because it doesn’t contain minerals that interact with cleaning products.

So there you have it: three entries in the Ri-Industries Water Dictionary. Above all, it is important to remember that the best kind of water is reused and recycled efficiently. Are you interested in ways to make your home more environmentally friendly? Ri-Industries can help! Contact us with any questions.

Top 3 Ways To Conserve Water In Your Bathroom

Monday, 20 January 2014 by Ri Industries

Are you looking for easy ways to conserve water? Your bathroom is a good place to start. Between showers and flushing toilets, wasting water is a frequent occurrence in the bathroom.

Here are three top ways to conserve water in your bathroom:

Tip #1: Shorten your showers

The average person spends eight minutes in the shower, which uses approximately 62 litres of hot water. If you cut your shower down to five minutes, you can save about 22 litres of water with each shower. Need help shortening your shower? Select a five-minute song, and when the music stops, your shower is over.

For extra water conservation, consider changing out your showerhead to a high-efficiency rain showerhead. A high-efficiency rain showerhead helps save costs in two ways: less water and lower heating costs.

Tip #2: Turn off the bathroom tap when you’re not using it

This seems like such a simple tip, really, but it is surprising how many people keep their bathroom tap on while they are brushing their teeth, washing their face and hands, or cleaning the sink. When you turn the water off during these tasks, you are reducing water waste – by about 30 litres a day!

Tip #3: Use rainwater for flushing

Did you know you can install a rainwater tank and have it connected to your toilet plumbing? Have a concrete rainwater tank put in your backyard to collect rain from your roof and gutters. Then, every time you flush, you are using rainwater, instead of water from the main. Recycled rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water, plus it will save on your monthly water bills.

When looking for a rainwater tank, look for one made of concrete. A concrete rainwater tank keeps the water cooler, prevents the development of algae and is more durable than other rainwater tanks. Also, make sure your rainwater tank has a secure lid to protect your water from insects and dirt.

While your bathroom may be one of the busiest rooms in your house, it doesn’t need to be the center of wasteful water usage. By implementing these three water conservation tips, you’ll appreciate lower water and heating bills, plus help in conserving water in your community. If you need help finding solutions for water conservation in your home, please contact us with any questions.

How To Teach Kids About Water Conservation

Sunday, 19 January 2014 by Ri Industries

At Ri-Industries, we are committed to teaching water conservation to all people – and that includes kids. Believe it or not, children are not too young to learn ways to conserve and recycle water in the home.

Here is a list of 13 water conservation tips just for kids:

Turn off the bathroom tap when you don’t need water, especially when you’re washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
Showers use less water than baths do, so try to take a shower when you can.
Only flush human waste. Don’t throw tissues, sweet wrappers or paper in your toilet. It makes your toilet use more water to dispose of these items.
If you are doing dishes, turn off the tap as you scrape food into the bin. Only use water when you are rinsing dishes.
Let a parent know if you notice a leaky tap.
Find out if you have a leak in your toilet with this fun test. Place a drop of food colouring in the toilet tank. If colour shows up in the bowl and you haven’t flushed, your toilet has a leak.
Observe when your sprinkler system is running and let a parent know if it is running during the hottest part of the day. The sun absorbs the water too quickly then.
If your job is to water plants, remember that you only need to sprinkle them with water. A little bit of water goes a long way when it comes to gardening.
Collect the water from a pot of cooked pasta or other food (make sure it’s cooled off first!) and put into a watering can for your indoor plants.
When you want to wash your bicycle, fill up a bucket with water instead of using a hose. Hoses let out much more water than you need.
Does that shirt really need to be washed? Only put dirty clothes into your laundry hamper. This will save water when you use the washing machine.
Did you know buying recycled paper products helps with water conservation too? It takes about 22 litres of water to produce a dollar’s worth of paper. Ask your parent to look for recycled paper to save water and the environment.
Get your parents to check out concrete rainwater tanks. They collect rainwater that can be used for irrigation or hot water systems.

And for more great water tips, check out this video from Watersong.com.au:

If you need help finding solutions for water conservation in your home, please contact us with any questions.

12 Septic Tank Facts That You Need To Know

Wednesday, 18 December 2013 by Ri Industries

Do you own a septic tank, or are you thinking about installing one? Knowing the facts about septic tanks will help you maintain the life of your investment.

Here are 12 septic tank facts that you need to know.

Septic Tank Maintenance

A septic tank needs to be pumped out every four years if you have 4-6 family members.
Have your septic tank inspected once or twice a year to make sure there is no buildup that can cause damage to your system.

Drainage Field Maintenance

Make sure all water is diverted away from your drainage field.
Never park a vehicle on your drainage field. It could lead to ruptured pipes.
Ideally, only plant grass in your drainage field. If you want to add plants, make sure to pick ones with shallow root systems.

Draining

Never pour grease down your drain. Grease doesn’t allow the soil around your drain field to absorb liquids, which could cause a backup.
Do not pour motor oil, antifreeze, paint, pesticides or potent cleaners down your drain as they will kill the bacteria that break down the solids in your septic tank.

Flushing

Never flush plastic bags, disposable nappies, tampons or other non-biodegradable items down your toilet. Septic tanks cannot break down these materials.
Don’t flush disinfectants or old medicines down your toilet. It can affect the bacterial action of your septic tank, making it work ineffectively.

Warning Signs

If you see effluent pooling near your seepage trench, it’s more than likely a warning sign that your septic system is clogged.
An unusual odor around your septic tank can be a sign that your system needs repair.
Look at the grass around your septic tank. If you notice darker grass growing around the area, you should get your septic tank checked out.

Also, be sure to consult with your Local Council Health Inspector to understand septic tank maintenance requirements for where you live. If you need more information about septic tanks, please contact us, and we will be happy to help.

What To Look For In A Rainwater Tank

Sunday, 1 December 2013 by Ri Industries

South Australia is Australia’s driest state, and predictions say that it will only become hotter and drier as years go on.

Do you ever wish you had some sort of magical machine that could make it rain every day, or at least when you wanted it to?

Ri-Industries can make your wishes come true with our pre-cast concrete rainwater tanks. Rainwater tanks can help you harvest and save precious rainwater for a variety of uses around your home.

Here is a list of things that you should look for, so you can tell whether or not your rainwater has that magic touch.

Safety

At Ri-Industries, we believe in safety first. When purchasing and installing a rainwater tank, it is important to have a tight-fitting cover so that no children or animals can get access. A cover is also crucial so that water cannot be lost through evaporation and light cannot enter, which would promote harmful algae growth. Steel mesh is cast into all of Ri-Industries’ tanks and lids, and all fittings are made from brass so you can have peace of mind that everything fits together tightly and securely.

Discreteness

Even though a rainwater tank is efficient and environmentally friendly, it does not have to be an eye sore. With Ri-Industries, you can choose between an-above ground or underground rainwater tank, and both options offer aesthetically pleasing features. The underground rainwater tanks are out of sight and won’t take much space from your valuable real estate, while the above-ground tanks feature attractive conical or flat roofs. If you are building a new house, it can be especially easy to install a rainwater tank out of the way under the house, or at gutter level. Appearance is important when buying a rainwater tank, and discretion is key; that’s why Ri-Industries also offers to paint above ground tanks to fit in better with your surroundings.

Location

When installing your rainwater tank, you need to pay special mind to where you are placing it. For example, you should put your tank out of the path of the midday sun in order to avoid evaporation from the inspection holes. Thankfully, for those of us who are not rainwater-tank-placement experts, Ri-Industries is here to help. All Ri-Industries tanks are manufactured in our South Australian factory, and all inlets and outlets can be custom inserted at any required position to fit your specific needs.

Durability

This one is fairly self-explanatory. You want a reliable product that will last a long time without needing replacement. Ri-Industries’ concrete tanks are made from high frequency reinforced concrete, made from only the highest quality materials. All Ri-Industries rainwater tanks also come with a 10-15 year warranty, meaning you can be sure that your tank will go the distance.

Versatility

Did you know that some customers have used Ri-Industries rainwater tanks for a variety of uses, including installing them into the ground as cellars? You can install an underground rainwater tank and build a house or shed over the top. This can serve as a cheap, effective alternative to building a cellar out of bricks or pouring on onsite.

Keep these five features in mind when looking for your new rainwater tank, and you can’t go wrong. If you have any questions about your current or future rainwater tank, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Your Rainwater Tank: What Can You Use The Water For?

Monday, 18 November 2013 by Ri Industries

In July 2006, South Australia began requiring that most new homes have a rainwater tank plumbed into the house, in an effort to reduce the demands on water supply in the region. As a result, South Australia has more rainwater tanks in backyards than any other state in Australia.

A rainwater tank is a great way to conserve water. Typically, rainwater tanks collect water that has run off your roof or gutters. If you have a rainwater tank in your home, or are thinking of purchasing one, you may be wondering what you can use the rainwater for.

Here are some uses for the water collected from your rainwater tank.

Hot water systems

In most homes, hot water comes from a separate plumbing unit, so you can use rainwater to produce hot water for your use. Because the water is heated, your water will have less pathogens that cause illness. While still not recommended for drinking, having a hot water system hooked up to your rainwater tank can be used for other hot water uses, such as cleaning and showering.

Laundering

Another excellent use of a rainwater tank is for laundry. For either cold or hot water laundering, your rainwater can supply the water to your washing machine, which will save you money every time you start a load of laundry.

Toilet flushing

Ask your plumber to connect your toilet to your rainwater tank. Rainwater is an excellent water source for flushing your toilet. And with the average household flushing their toilet 2,000 times a year, think of the savings you can create when you use rainwater.

Irrigation

One of the most popular uses of rainwater is for irrigation. Rainwater can be applied to your lawn or garden through many methods, including a gravity-fed water hose, watering can or directly pumped to your sprinkler system.

Is rainwater safe to drink?

SA Water recommends that you not drink the water from your rainwater tank. Variables such as emissions from vehicles, gutter cleanliness and industry emissions can affect the quality of the collected rainwater. If you want to consume water from your rainwater tank, it is recommended you add a filtration system to purify the water.

No matter how you to choose to use your collected rainwater, your decision to use a rainwater tank is helping the local ecosystem by recycling water and putting less strain on local water mains. Consult with a plumber or rainwater tank expert to determine what size tank you need, and how you should use the water. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us about any rainwater tank needs.

3 Ways to Use Your Rainwater Tank

Sunday, 20 October 2013 by Ri Industries

Do you ever think about the ways that you could use your Ri-Industries rainwater tank? We certainly do. The possibilities are seemingly endless, as rainwater tanks could serve every purpose from water recycling to storage. Hopefully Ri-Industries can help spark some new ideas for how our products can suit your needs. Now let us help you utilise your rainwater tank to the best of its potential; here are just three of the countless ways you can creatively repurpose this product.

Water your plants-Keeping your plants well cared for can be a challenge, especially in this dry Southern Australian climate, but you can overcome the ways of nature by taking advantage of a Ri-Industries rainwater tank. Collect water in our concrete tanks and then use it to water your garden the smart way.
Store your things-Did you know that you can convert your below-ground rainwater tank into a cellar? In the past, customers have installed rainwater tanks beneath an outdoor shed for use as extra storage space. Ri-Industries guarantees our rainwater tanks as bullet-proof, vandal proof, and fire proof, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are safe and sound.
Record an album- Who knew that you could use your rainwater tank to make music? Plenty of people know that rainwater tanks are a way to collect and recycle water in your home. But Sydney music trio RUFUS used a rainwater tank in an entirely new way when they wrote, produced and recorded part of their debut album “Atlas” in a hollowed out water tank under one of their parents’ houses. Thanks to Ri-Industries’ high frequency reinforced concrete, you can rock out as much as you like in one of our rainwater tanks (after draining the water out, of course).

Have you thought of other ways to use your rainwater tank? Let us know! We always appreciate feedback from our customers.