Tips for Planting Around a Septic Tank

Thursday, 4 October 2018 by Ri Industries

Do you feel that? That’s the sun shining down and warming us up after a cold winter. And sunshine and warmth mean it’s time to start thinking about gardening. For those of us with septic tanks, that means thinking about the plants around your septic tank. How do you know where to plant and what to plant around your septic tank? That’s simple, you ask the experts at Ri-Industries for some tips.

Tip #1: No thirsty plants or trees with deep roots. The root system of water-loving shrubs can become entangled in the pipes of your septic system if planted too close to your drainage field and cause problematic clogging. The root system provides a tree’s primary way of absorbing water, and those roots will extend toward the most abundant source of water in your yard. This means that if a tree is planted too close to a septic system, its roots will grow in the direction of the wet drainage field around it.

Tip #2: It is NEVER safe to plant fruits and vegetables over the septic tank! Eating them might entail ingesting harmful bacteria and you certainly do not want to take that risk.

Tip #3: There is no reason to leave the ground above the septic tank bare. In fact, it is actually advisable to plant the right kind of vegetation to help prevent erosion. Perennials, annuals, and grasses have shallow roots and are good choices to cover the septic tank area. Willow Myrtle trees, Swamp Oak trees, River Red Gum trees, Papyrus shrubs, and Oleander shrubs make particularly good choices to plant near the septic tank.

Septic tanks are not only costly to install, but they provide a very necessary function for your home. It is in your best interest to take heed when planning the landscaping above and around the septic tank to avoid damage, costly repairs, and the extreme inconvenience that accompanies a non-working septic tank.

Ri-Industries produces concrete septic tanks and septic tank lids of the highest quality that are built to last. A septic tank from Ri-Industries delivers many benefits:

Engineer-designed and built from fine tolerance steel moulds
All horizontal tanks engineered to a maximum depth of 900mm
Manufactured from 40 MPa concrete to give additional strength and durability
Internally, all joints are sealed, reducing the potential for leakages
Available in 14 different sizes, for maximum flexibility
Child-proof and vandal-proof concrete lids on our septic tanks give you additional peace of mind – also available as stand-alone replacement lids

For more information, please call 08 8444 8100.

Image show woman and child doing laundry

Laundry Tips to Best Care for Your Septic Tank System

Wednesday, 5 September 2018 by Ri Industries

What is one chore around the home that is never complete? Laundry! The clothes you are wearing while you are washing, drying, and folding are becoming laundry as you work. It truly is a never-ending cycle and one that can affect your septic tank.

Short of sending your clothes out to be washed by someone else or never wearing the same article of clothing twice, laundry is a fact of life you cannot escape. Most people dread the monotonous chore of laundry and the last thing they want to do is cause problems in their home by the way they do the laundry. Ri-Industries is here to help you avoid common laundry mistakes that often lead to problems with septic tank systems.

Too Much is Not A Good a Thing

Some people like to take a big breath, dive in and get a week’s worth of laundry done in a day. Unless you can accomplish this in two loads, it’s not a good idea. When too much water passes through the septic tank, it does not have enough time to undergo the settlement process to properly break down the solid matter. The end result is that your soakage field could fail, causing expensive damage. Be especially cautious with the number of loads you do after an excessive amount of rain has fallen. To best care for your septic system, loads should be well spaced apart.

Double the Lint

Check your washing machine for a lint tray. Many machines come with one that needs to be emptied and cleaned just as you do with the lint tray in your dryer. Laundry debris and lint can escape to your pipes causing severe blockages. These substantial backups can break down your septic system, so take this tip seriously.

Liquid is Better Than Powder

Powdered detergents use fillers or extenders that can clog the soil in the drainfield and permanently damage its absorption ability.

Again, Too Much is Not a Good Thing

Excessive amounts of bleach and detergents will damage the good bacteria in the septic system. Good bacteria are needed to break down solids within your septic tank.

Excess Dirt Not Welcome

What? This is the laundry. Isn’t this where I’m supposed to put my dirty clothes? Normally soiled clothes, yes. Clothes that are excessively dirty, eg with caked-on mud, should first be brushed off to remove any excess dirt. The dirt/mud can clog the system and damage the absorption ability of your drainfield.

The above tips may not make your laundry chore go faster, but they will reduce the risk of damage to your septic tank system which we think you will consider a big plus. If you have more questions or would like to learn about Ri-Industries’ septic tanks, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

Why Does My Septic Tank Smell?

Thursday, 16 August 2018 by Ri Industries

There are many beautifully fragrant smells to enjoy in South Australia, but septic tank smells certainly are not on the list. In fact, you should not smell your septic tank at all. If you do notice a malodorous scent wafting from the direction of your septic tank, it may be an indication of something gone wrong. Let’s talk smells and what they might mean for your septic tank.

If you are smelling the odour from your septic tank on your property it is a sign that something has gone wrong and if not attended to it could lead to contaminated water supply and or dangerous situations.

A smelly septic tank may mean a full or overflowing septic tank. The solution to this problem is simple. Call a professional and have your tank pumped. Most tanks are designed to be pumped every 4 years, but this will vary depending upon the size of the tank and the water usage of your home. Using more water than usual or expected average use will mean the tank will need to be pumped more often to reduce the septic smell.
Another problem that may result in a smelly septic tank is a covered septic tank vent. This often happens when a home or landscape is remodeled or renovated after your septic tank was installed. Check to make sure the vents are uncovered and in best repair.
Do you notice the odour is worse mostly after showering? If this is case, it most likely means the septic tank was not properly installed and may have been installed without any type of vent at all.
A clogged drain can lead to dryness and when a drain is dry, the gases that are normally trapped and prevented from entering the home can seep in. If you suspect a drain is clogged, you need to call a plumber.
Finally, an overly ripe septic tank can be caused by inappropriate items making their way into the system. 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.

When installed and maintained properly, Ri-Industries septic tanks should not allow the natural bad odours they contain to escape. If you have questions about your septic tank, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

Why Use Pre-Cast Concrete?

Friday, 29 June 2018 by Ri Industries

Ri-Industries has been specialists in pre-cast concrete products since 1947. We think that’s impressive! We’re hoping you will think that too, especially once you fully understand what pre-cast concrete is.

Regular concrete, or insitu or site-cast concrete, is poured on site. In contrast, high quality precast concrete is produced in a controlled factory environment using advanced manufacturing techniques. Reusable, reinforceable, and adjustable moulds are used and they are set up per design specifications before the concrete is poured in. Then the concrete is poured, vibrated, and cured. If specified, architectural finishes (such as honing, polishing or staining) may then be applied while still in the factory. From there, the finished pre-cast elements are transported to the site and craned into position.

By manufacturing the concrete in a factory, we are able to do all the pre-checks before products get delivered to site which gives us increased quality control over insitu concrete. Dimensional accuracy, properties of the hardened concrete and position of reinforcement can all be checked before being sent to site.

Pre-cast concrete is extremely versatile. For example, we use it to make septic tanks, waste water treatment systems and rainwater tanks. It’s also safe for indoor use since it doesn’t require any chemical treatment. We also work regularly with civil engineering and construction companies to provide tailored pre-cast concrete solutions, such as bridge parapets, arch tunnels and retaining wall panels.

One of the great benefits of pre-cast concrete comes at the construction site. Unlike insitu concrete, there are no worries about weather delays. We can avoid a lot of headaches and hassles with this one. Because the tank is already formed in our factory, we can crane it into position during a rainy day just as we can on a sunny day (providing the rain hasn’t caused any access problems for our trucks). By manufacturing pre-cast concrete products in a factory, this also means that you can get the same results each time, as the weather will often affect the outcomes of concrete being poured on site.

On site, precast can be installed immediately, there is no waiting for it to gain strength and the modularity of precast products makes installation go quickly. With the ability to so tightly control the process, from materials to consolidation to curing, you can get extremely durable concrete.

These are just some of the reasons we are proud to be pre-cast concrete specialists. What projects can we complete for you? You can see some of our work on our website , but better yet, give us a call at 08 8444 8100.

Which Toilet Paper is Best for my Septic System?

Thursday, 21 June 2018 by Ri Industries

You may not realise that sense of satisfaction when you flush the toilet and see the smooth flow of water down the drain until the moment when you flush and feel a sense of dread as you watch the water rise towards the top of the bowl. The instant moment of panic as you realise the toilet is clogged and will likely overflow at any moment. Clogged toilets can cause a lot of damage. This is something you already know. What you might not know, is that the type of toilet paper you are using may actually be the culprit!

While people may think about what is and is not OK to flush down the toilet, toilet paper surely makes every ‘ok’ list out there. What most people don’t know is that soft and thick varieties of toilet paper could create problems for your septic system because they don’t dissolve quickly. Of course, the amount of toilet paper should also be watched. Flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper at one time can also be major contributors to problems and clogs.

The good news here is that the fix is simple and within your control. Only flush small amounts of toilet paper at one time and research the type of toilet paper you use. What’s the best type of toilet paper to buy? Paper that is soft, strong, and most importantly for your septic system, dissolves quickly. There’s even a fun little test you can do at home to check the toilet paper you choose before you flush. Test the paper by soaking it in water for 30 minutes and see how much it breaks down. The more it breaks down the better.

Properly functioning septic systems are important for your home and can be expensive to fix or replace. Taking control when and where you can will help keep your septic system running smoothly for many years to come. Questions? Call Ri-Industries at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to help you.

Why use Saddle Risers, Increments, and Cover Slabs with a Septic Tank

Friday, 4 May 2018 by Ri Industries

Septic tanks are one of those things we understand are important, but we’d rather not think about. We have them installed. We listen to the explanation of maintenance and we may even diary a time to have the tank pumped. Then we put all thoughts of septic tanks out of our minds and go about our business. That’s how it should be. Until the time comes for the tank to be pumped and we don’t remember exactly where it is. That can cause a problem. Luckily for you, Ri-Industries has a solution! Today, we’re going to tell you about saddle risers and increments.

So, what are saddle risers and increments? The word ‘saddle’ makes it sound like we are going for a ride on the septic tank, but we assure you, our feet are staying firmly planted on the ground. Saddle risers are simply a way to help you avoid digging up your septic tank every three to four years for maintenance.

Think about it. The septic tank is buried deep underground. Although low maintenance is required, some maintenance will be required from time to time. How will the worker do what needs to be done? In the past, the pump-out contractor would have to dig down until he reached the septic tank. Now saddle risers, increments, and cover slabs work together to help the worker avoid all that painful digging and disruption to your outdoor area. No more guessing the exact spot where the septic tank is located. The saddle makes it easy to find, open and access septic tanks to pump out the contents and quickly re‐seal the cover. The covers are gas tight to contain odours and water tight to prevent effluent leaking from the septic tank or water from entering the septic tank. They can also stop children and stock falling into or accessing your septic tank.

Ri-Industries manufacture saddles risers, increments, and cover slabs:

To suit all horizontal septic and holding tanks
Coverslabs suitable for pedestrian traffic only
Radius of saddle riser varies to suit tank
Each component fitted with 1.3t ‘Swiftlift’ anchors for lifting

For answers to all your septic tank, saddle riser, increment, and cover slab questions, call us at 08 8444 8100. We look forward to hearing from you.

Why Choose Pre-Cast Concrete Septic Tanks

Wednesday, 28 March 2018 by Ri Industries

Of all the many items in your home you worry about, the septic tank is definitely one you want to be sure remains in working order. Choosing the right type of septic tank, and the right company to buy it from, can make a huge difference. There are many different types of septic tank, but we still recommend choosing a pre-cast concrete septic tank if you can.

Why do we recommend a pre-cast concrete septic tank? It has many advantages to the available alternatives:

Concrete is inherently watertight which reduces the risk of leaks over the lifetime of the tank.
Concrete tanks are heavy and will not ‘float’ to the top as lighter tanks sometimes do in certain situations.
Concrete tanks are normally larger than ones made of other materials and therefore require pumping less often.
Concrete does not rust (which can be an issue for tanks made from steel and certain parts of some plastic and fiberglass tanks).
Concrete does not affect groundwater and surface water quality.
Concrete tanks can last for decades (which can be substantially longer than tanks made of other materials).
There is a lower risk of damage during installation of concrete tanks than during installation of tanks made of less durable materials.
Concrete tanks can be pumped without fear of collapse unlike tanks made of other materials.

The septic tank performs an important function in your home and you want to be sure you keep it in working order at all times. Partner with a company who has a great reputation, will guide you to choose the proper tank for your home, and works closely with installers of septic tanks.

Ri-Industries has over 70 years of experience in the septic tank business in Adelaide, South Australia and has developed efficient manufacturing techniques to produce pre-cast concrete septic tanks and septic tank lids of the highest quality that are built to last. Please call to learn more.

How Does Flooding Affect a Septic Tank?

Friday, 20 October 2017 by Ri Industries

At Ri-Industries, we often talk about changes in our environment and anyone paying attention is sure to have noticed an increase in storms around the globe. We have seen pictures of unbelievable flooding creating unlivable conditions. Whilst torrential flooding has not affected South Australia as it has other parts of the world, it’s still important to realise the impact of flooding on septic systems.

The good news is that most septic systems should not be damaged structurally by flooding. Our septic tanks are made of concrete and are installed underground so you can have confidence they will stay structurally intact. However, flood water may enter your septic tank system through the toilet, other fixtures, or the overflow relief gully grate and may wash out solids from the tank causing blockages or system damage.

According to the WA Government (https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/), in the event of flooding, the following safety issues should be checked:

open covers/pits
ruptured/leaking systems (including pipes)
damaged/exposed pipes that may need capping/sealing off.

Failed systems are not easy to identify. However, some simple indicators may include:

a pungent odour around the tank and land application area
blocked fixtures, with wastewater overflowing from the relief point
high sludge levels within the primary tank
sewage flowing up through the toilet and sinks.

Some onsite wastewater treatment systems may rely on mechanical and electrical equipment, such as pumps, aerators and filters.

This equipment may be damaged by flood or loss of power.

To prevent injury or further damage to your system contact your service agent.

Floods can also reduce the capacity or effectiveness of a septic system. Tanks, leach drains, pump pits and irrigation pipework can fill with silt and debris, crust can lift and block the inlet or outlet of the septic tank pipes.

If your septic tank has been under flood water, do not use toilets, laundry, kitchen, or bathroom utilities which connect to the tank until it has been checked by a trained specialist. If there has been sewage overflow, assume anything that has been touched is contaminated and wear protective gear when doing a clean up.

We are here to answer all of your questions regarding the care and maintenance of our concrete septic tanks. Call us at 08 8444 8100 to speak with one of our experts.

How Do Sewage and Effluent Move Through Septic Systems?

Thursday, 22 June 2017 by Ri Industries

Safe disposal of sewage and effluent is essential to protect the health of the community. Why? Sewage and effluent can contain a variety of human disease-causing microorganisms and parasites which can be spread to humans by direct contact or indirectly by consumption of contaminated food or water.

In most unsewered developments across Australia, septic tank systems are used to treat and dispose of sewage, also referred to as wastewater. The government of Western Australia has provided a rather simple explanation of how septic tank systems work which apply to South Australia as well:

“When wastewater passes through the septic tanks, heavier solids sink to the bottom and undergo bacterial digestion. This reduces the quantity of solids and also changes its composition to sludge, which builds up in the bottom of the tank. Materials such as grease and oil float to the surface in the tanks to forma crust over the liquid. The remaining liquid, called effluent, flows from the tanks into the drainage receptacles to soak into the surrounding soil where it may undergo further natural treatment processes.”

Also from the Government of Western Australia come tips for a healthy efficient septic tank system:

Have the septic tanks pumped out regularly.
Allow as little fat or grease as possible into the system.
Minimise and stagger water usage.
Regularly switch the drain or soakwells in use if you have an alternating system.
Do not dispose of non-biodegradable materials into your septic, e.g. plastics.
Do not dispose of old medicines, large amounts of disinfectant (biocides) or other strong chemicals into the septic tank. These can kill the normal bacteria and interfere with the system. Bleaches and detergents have no adverse effects when used in moderation.
Do not drive vehicles over the system.

Of course, Ri-Industries can answer all your questions on how septic tank systems work, problems that may arise, and how to maintain septic tank systems for best use. Call us with your questions or to learn about the products we sell. 08 8444 8100

Did You Know Conserving Water is Good for Your Septic Tank?

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 by Ri Industries

Isn’t it great when we can do something good for ourselves and it happens to be good for the environment too? Taking steps to care for your home’s septic tank can mean less stress and less money spent on repairs. One way of caring for your septic tank is by conserving water, which of course, is good for the environment too!

Let’s break this down. The septic system receives wastewater from many places in your home: toilets; showers; washing machines; dishwashers; and sinks. The less water you use, the less of a load that is placed on the soil absorption area (also known as a drainage field). The drainage field can only hold so much, meaning that excessive water may overload your septic system and result in system failure. By conserving water use in your home, not only can you extend the lifetime of the septic system, but you also extend the health of the environment.

So, how exactly can you limit water use in your home? Luckily there are some simple and easy ways to get started:

Fix leaky taps and running toilets.
Don’t leave the water running.
Toilets are not for rubbish – place rubbish in the rubbish bin, not the toilet.
Reduce water use up to 50% by using water efficient fixtures.
Do less loads! Only run dishwashers and washing machines when they are full.
One load of washing dispels a large amount of water into the drainage field. Give it time to recover by spacing out the loads.
Spread out showers and baths as well.
Fill your garden with plants, flowers, and bushes that require little water.
Don’t water your lawn or garden during the hottest times of the day.

With just a little thought and planning, it can be easy to reduce water use in your home. Share these tips with the others in your household to get the most benefits and help your septic system live a long and healthy life. Questions? Call Ri-Industries (08 8444 8100) for answers or to learn more about our septic tank systems.

Preparing Septic Systems for Winter

Thursday, 20 April 2017 by Ri Industries

The chill in the night air is a reminder for us to prepare for the cooler months ahead. While you close your pool, protect your plants/gardens, and pull out some jumpers from the wardrobe, don’t forget about your septic tank system! Preparing your septic system for the colder months of winter can save expense and hassle.

First of all, keep up with regular inspections and maintenance of your septic system. Winter is not the time to find your pump isn’t working properly, the tank lid is broken, or the pipes are leaking.

If the septic tank cover is broken (and you can’t get it repaired) it is a good idea to put a layer of mulch on top of the septic system. There are resident anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank that break down the solid waste materials and treat the raw wastewater that your household produces. The heat maintains a high level of metabolism among the bacteria. So it’s important to have a good cover. If your septic tank lid is broken (and you have a tank from Ri-Industries), we sell replacement lids so please call us on 8444 8100 to order.

Make sure there is no accumulated sludge in the septic tank, by keeping up with your septic tank maintenance and pump-out schedule.

Regular use of the septic system is important to keep things moving properly. Normal, everyday household use is typically sufficient. If you plan on being away during the winter months, arrange for someone to stop by and make sure your septic system gets some use.

Regular inspection, maintenance, and a bit of care should keep your septic system working smoothly throughout the cooler months. Have questions or want to learn more? Give Ri-Industries a call at 08 8444 8100.

Using Concrete Tanks for Underground Storage and Bunkers

Sunday, 12 March 2017 by Ri Industries

When you think of Ri-Industries, do you think of storage? Do you think of bunkers? Probably not, but you could. You may already be familiar with our reputation in precast concrete tanks used for waste water treatment systems, septic systems, and rainwater tanks. Now you can get to know us for some other uses.

We wrote about some of the unique uses for our tanks a while ago. If you read that blog, you will see pictures of concrete tanks being used as a base of a sculpture and even as a plunge pool. It also talks about using the concrete tanks for shelter and storage. We thought now might be a good time to elaborate on these, as we are seeing an increasing trend amongst our South Australian customers for underground cellars and bunkers.

The political and environmental climates of the world have created a larger interest in underground storage and underground bunkers. We can custom design features to suit your requirements, just as we have done for a customer in the Tea Tree Gully area. He used one of our precast concrete tanks as an underground cellar. We custom-made a lid for the tank and the customer added a staircase for easy access. It’s been our experience that people living in the metro area tend to use the concrete tanks as an underground cellar, while residents of the Adelaide Hills tend to use the concrete tanks as storage to protect belongings from fire.

What might someone place in underground tank? Some items might be:

Important documents
Family heirlooms
Clothing
Cash, credit cards
Food
Blankets
Camping equipment
Computer hardware/software
Wine

In bushfire prone areas, our customers really are thinking ahead by using underground concrete tanks as bunkers. What peace of mind you will have knowing that the documents you need to recover from a disaster are safe and accessible along with some clothing and cash to get you by. It is always so heartbreaking to see news footage of people coming back to their home destroyed by flood or fire and watch them sift through the wreckage trying to salvage precious family mementos. Concrete tanks really can help.

Please call us (08 8444 8100) to learn more about using precast concrete tanks for underground storage, cellars or bunkers. We look forward to hearing from you.

Septic Tanks