5 Ways to Avoid the Cost of Replacing Your Septic Tank

5 Ways to Avoid the Cost of Replacing Your Septic Tank

by Ri Industries

Replacing a septic tank is costly. Though it may be necessary at some point in your lifetime, scheduled routine maintenance and inspection of your septic tank can lengthen the life of your septic system. Ri Industries recommends doing these five things to avoid replacing your septic tank.

5 Ways to Avoid the Cost of Replacing Your Septic Tank

1. Keep Foreign Materials Out

It is important to keep foreign materials from getting flushed into your system.  Flush biodegradable only; items such as dental floss, tampons, condoms, plastic bags and grease should not be disposed of through your septic system.

2. Remove Sludge

Sludge will build up and block your outlet pipe, eventually causing the septic system to fail.  Periodically removing sludge, often called de-sludging, will keep your septic system processing properly. Ri Industries recommends de-sludging every 3-4 years, or according to local regulations.

3. Conserve Water Usage

Water conservation will keep your septic system in good working condition by reducing the amount of water absorption in your drainfield.   Ways to reduce your water usage include repair leaky taps and toilets; use water-saving showerheads and low-flow toilets; and not running water when brushing teeth or shaving.  Also, when machine laundering, be sure to wash full loads or change your settings to accommodate smaller loads.

4. Maintain Proper Tank Conditions

The enzyme/bacteria in your septic tank converts the solids to liquids – a process necessary to begin purification. To remain at the septic tank system’s recommended bacteria levels, do not dispose of household cleaners, drain openers, chlorine bleaches and other harsh chemicals through the system.

5. Know Your Septic System

Understand your septic tank system’s design; know how it operates and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how best to care for your septic tank system. Remember— knowledge is power.

In addition to these five maintenance tips, prepare a routine checklist and maintenance schedule, and stick to it. Septic tank inspections should occur 1-2 times each year to allow for timely detection of operating issues and may deter a full replacement of your system.

Do you have any questions about your septic system? Please do not hesitate to contact us for your septic tank needs in Adelaide and South Australia.

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12 Septic Tank Facts That You Need To Know

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.

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

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.