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Septic Tank FAQ’s: Septic Tank Questions

by Ri Industries

Speech bubble with Septic Tank FAQ's written in it.

We have compiled a list of septic tank questions which you may find handy. Please have a read and of course, feel free to call us with any additional questions!

  • Are septic tanks environmentally friendly? Yes, septic tanks are environmentally friendly. In fact, the process they use is all  natural. Commercial treatment plants use harsh chemicals to break down waste, but your residential septic tank uses natural bacteria to break down the household waste. 
  • Should I be concerned about disease? No! While it’s true that improperly treated household waste can contribute to, or cause, illness and disease, a properly functioning septic tank can remove this risk.
  • How long will the septic tank last? Concrete tanks, like those built by Ri-Industries, can last up 40 years if it’s properly maintained.
  • Will my septic tank be damaged by flushing things like pills or bleach down the toilet? The process can be disturbed when chemicals are introduced into the system. The process uses bacteria to break down waste. Chemicals, like antibiotics, and those found in some cleaning products, can cause an imbalance in the ecosystem which can weaken or kill the bacteria. When this happens, solid waste will build up more quickly which can lead to problems in the drainfield. 
  • The power’s out! Will the septic tank still work? The pump requires electricity to pump the effluent into the drain field. Without electricity, the tank will fill up. To help minimise problems, when the power is out try to conserve as much water as possible. Take shorter showers, don’t do laundry, and ration the flushing of the toilets. 
  • Is a plastic septic tank better than a concrete septic tank? There are pros and cons of both but concrete tanks typically last longer, they’re more durable, they don’t need as much maintenance and they’re not usually affected by changes to their environment such as tree roots or changing soil conditions.

The questions above are ones that have not been addressed very often in our blogs. For more questions, answers, tips, and facts please check out some of our previous blogs:

What Happens When a Septic Tank is Pumped?

Common Septic Tank Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well

Weather and Septic Tanks – What You Need to Know

Toilet Paper – Which is Best for Septic Systems

To see all of our blogs, including more on septic tanks, please click here. 

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Septic Safe Shower Products

by Ri Industries

We often get questions about which shower/bath products are the best to use in a home with a septic system. Here are some quick tips:

  • Does shower water go into the septic tank? Yes, all the water that leaves your house through a drain goes into the septic tank. This includes shower water, toilet water, laundry water, and sink water.
  • Are long showers bad for septic tanks? That depends. The most important thing to understand is that the size of the septic tank will determine how much use it can handle. Each septic tank is designed to handle a certain quantity of wastewater. Overload it and you can cause problems. Consider factors such as how many loads of laundry have been done, how many people have been using the toilets, has the kitchen sink been used to wash dishes, and how many people are taking showers. When multiple utilities are being used and/or multiple people are using the utilities, you will want to limit the amount of time spent in the shower.
  • Are there special ‘septic safe’ shampoos? Yes there are. Shampoos with high ph balances and certain chemicals can cause problems in the septic system by killing the enzymes which eat the waste in the tank. Without these enzymes, the system may get full or backed up. This can result in the drain field not working properly or the tank needing to be emptied more frequently. Look for shampoos that have less chemicals, use natural ingredients and are pH balanced. The good news is that septic safe shampoos typically make hair softer, smoother, easier to manage, and preserves hair colour longer.
  • Should I use septic safe body soap when I bathe? Generally speaking, natural and organic products made with biodegradable ingredients are best for use with septic tanks because the tank will be able to efficiently filter them. The most harmful soaps are the ‘antibacterial’ ones. Regular use of antibacterial soap can compromise the efficacy of the bacteria in the septic tank.

Our experts at Ri-Industries are here to answer your questions on septic tanks or any of our other products. Please feel free to call us at 8444 8100.

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What Happens When a Septic Tank is Pumped?

by Ri Industries

What happens when a septic tank is pumped? What is the process and where do the contents go? If you own a property that has a septic tank, you may be curious.

First, let’s quickly recap how a septic tank works. Simply put, septic tanks allow for the safe disposal of certain household waste products. Wastewater flows down through the sewer pipes in your home and enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle (sludge layer). A crust then forms on the surface of the effluent, known as the scum layer. The settled solids are anaerobically digested, reducing the volume of solids. The liquid component flows through the dividing wall into the second chamber, where further settlement takes place, with the excess liquid then draining in a relatively clear condition from the outlet into the soakage field. To learn more, see our articles How a Septic Tank Works and How Do Sewage and Effluent Move Through Septic Systems?

Soil, sludge, excrement and solid waste will build up in the tank over time, eventually requiring the tank to be pumped to make room for more waste to be added. Waste disposal companies begin the pumping process by emptying the tank and removing all the solid waste that has been collected. A tank truck with suction gear, called a gully sucker, collects the waste by sucking the wastewater and sludge from the tank. Once the tank is emptied, the contents will be transported for disposal.

The South Australian government dictates how the contents are to be disposed of. “Septage must either be taken to a facility licensed to receive septage or where this is not reasonable or practicable, applied to land only if for beneficial reuse (for example, in regional locations or small townships).”

We know talking about waste products is not a fun topic, but for those who use septic tanks, this information is important. Knowledge can help keep the septic system running smoothly. For more information on our septic tanks or any of our products, please call 08 8444 8100.

https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/files/8427_guide_septic.pdf
Ri-Industries logo and title of article: Common Septic Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well

Common Septic Tank Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well

by Ri Industries

Ri-Industries logo and title of article: Common Septic Mistakes to Avoid to Keep Your System Running Well

Septic tank mistakes can be innocently made by homeowners leading to damage and expensive repairs. While you don’t want to think about your septic tank often, a little knowledge and planning can help you keep it in good working order. 

Let’s talk about common septic tank mistakes:

  1. Lack of Maintenance – This is one of the biggest reasons homeowners find themselves with a non-working septic tank. Maintenance is not required often, but should be done on a regular basis. The size and use of the system will factor into how often it should be pumped, but typically it is best to do every few years. 
  2. Toilets Are Not Rubbish Bins –  Rubbish should be properly disposed of, and this does NOT mean flushed down the toilet. Restrict flushing to toilet paper only and the waste that exits in your body. The most common items flushed which should NOT be flushed are feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, toilet paper that is not labeled ‘septic safe’, and nappies.
  3. System Overload – A steady flow of water is best for the septic system. Frequent loads of laundry and exceptionally long showers should be avoided. 
  4. Ignoring Warning Signs – Common signs of trouble include the sink/bath draining slowly, bad odour emanating from the tank or drain field, and spots of healthy/green grass over the drain field. If you see one or more of these, call in a professional. When caught early, repairs may be less costly than if the warning signs are ignored.
  5. Drain Field Care – Waste water gets treated in the septic tank and then it flows into the drain field where it filters through the soil. When the drain field is not properly cared for, the wastewater cannot filter correctly, which can cause it to flow into the groundwater, or back through your pipes and into your home. Don’t build structures or park vehicles on the drain field and avoid overloading the drain field with too much wastewater at once. 

It’s never pleasant to find your septic system not working properly. Avoiding these common mistakes can help you avoid that unpleasantness. If you have questions, please call and speak with one of our experts or you may find the answers in one of our many blogs at https://www.ri-industries.com.au/blog/.

 

HomeBuilder Grant

The Homebuilder Grant and Septic Systems

by Ri Industries

HomeBuilder Grant

If you were planning on building a new home or renovating an existing home any time over the past year or so, you’re likely familiar with the Homebuilder grant. The grant provides eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) $25,000 towards the cost of building or buying a new home or substantially renovating an existing home. The application process is now closed, but the construction commencement requirement has been extended for all contracts signed between 4 June 2020 to 31 March 2021, from six months to 18 months. This is great news as  the construction industry is experiencing a shortage of many materials, such as timber and steel. 

What can the Homebuilder Grant do for you?

  • For those who are building a new home in a non-sewered area, Ri-Industries can provide either a soakage system septic tank or an aerobic waste water treatment system such as the EP10. Funds from the Homebuilder grant can be used for this expense. 
  • The Homebuilder Grant can also be used for home renovations such as adding additional bedrooms and/or bathrooms to accommodate more people. When adding more people living in the home or increasing the use of water in the home and you already have a septic tank, it’s a good idea to see if the current septic system is large enough to handle the increased use. If not, it’s time to upgrade the system to a bigger unit or possibly move away from the old soakage system septic tank to an aerobic septic tank, and take advantage of recycling your waste water at the same time.

It’s been a stressful year to say the least and you deserve some upgrades in your life. If you’ve already applied for the Homebuilder grant and are planning the build of your new home or the renovation of your existing home, be sure to consider your septic system needs. The experts at Ri-Industries will be happy to help you choose the best solution for your home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Weather and Septic Tanks – What You Need to Know

by Ri Industries

You may not think about the impact of weather on septic tanks as the seasons change, but since weather can affect the functioning of septic tanks, it’s a good idea to understand how it can affect it and what you should do about it. 

We typically give no thought to the septic system at our home or place of business until something goes wrong. And many problems can arise when the septic system isn’t properly working. Fortunately, like most things in life, knowledge and prevention can help keep things running smoothly.

Take the weather, for instance. Having the knowledge that weather can affect how the septic system works means you can take steps to prevent problems. Let’s take a look at weather and septic tanks:

    • Cold Weather – Bacteria in the septic tank is used to digest waste. Waste that is left behind by the bacteria will settle to the bottom of the tank as sludge. Cold weather can cause the bacteria to slow down or even come to a complete stop. When this happens, the sludge builds up and problems arise. Fortunately for those of us living in South Australia, bacteria typically doesn’t slow down until the temperature drops to 10 degrees celsius or below. 
    • Heavy Rainfall – Lots of rain can saturate the drain field which means water will be unable to drain from the septic tank. When this happens, the water will move backwards through the pipes and up into the toilets and various drains in your home. It can also cause untreated sewage to make its way into the groundwater and/or local bodies of water causing contamination.

Now that you have some knowledge about weather and septic tanks, how do you use the knowledge to help keep things smoothly flowing? This is where prevention comes into play.

Prevention is the best tool against malfunctioning septic systems.

  • In a previous blog, Preparing Your Septic Tank for Colder Weather, we shared a number of tips about getting ready for cold weather. The first tip, Get Pumped!, is one of the most important preventative steps you can take … and it only needs to be done approximately every 3 – 5 years! Pumping the septic tank will help prevent problems due to cold weather as well as heavy rainfall. 
  • You can also prevent problems by avoiding harsh chemicals or substances that can negatively affect the bacteria population. We have a number of blogs with household tips for your reference. 
  • Heavy vehicles or machinery can damage the drain field, so be sure to place them away from the septic area. 

Knowledge about weather and septic tanks can help you prevent problems. If you have questions or are in need of a new septic tank, please call us at 8444 8100 and we’ll be pleased to assist you.