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

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. 

TIps to prepare septic system for cold weather

Preparing Your Septic Tank for Colder Weather

by Ri Industries

It was a brutally hot summer, but we made it through and are being rewarded with cooler temperatures now. As the days and nights continue to grow colder as we move through Autumn, it’s time to prepare your septic system to work its best during the long winter months. Let’s discuss tips to prepare your septic tank for the colder weather.

  • Get Pumped! Septic tanks don’t need to be pumped every year, in fact on average they should be pumped every 3 – 5 years, but if this is the year that yours should be pumped do it before it gets too cold outside. Colder temperatures mean the ground becomes more difficult to break through and accessing your tank is therefore more difficult
  • Inspection Time! Locate the lid of your septic tank and inspect it for cracks and/or holes. A secure lid is imperative to keep small animals, debris, and even children from getting inside the tank. Plus, we want to trap heat inside the tank because there is 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. Ri-Industries offers stand-alone child-proof and vandal-proof concrete lids for our tanks should you need a replacement.
  • Protect! The drainage field around the septic tank should be protected during the cold months since freezing temperatures and frozen ground can cause damage. Insulate the drainage field by covering it with a layer of mulch a couple of inches thick.
  • Use It! 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.

That’s all there is to it! Just a few simple steps to help protect your septic tank and keep it working properly for you throughout the colder winter months. Of course, if you have questions or find you need a new septic tank, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

 

saddle risers and increments

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

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.

 

Ri-Industries Now Distributes FujiClean Wastewater Treatment Systems

Ri-Industries Now Distributes FujiClean Wastewater Treatment Systems

by Ri Industries

In order to provide the best options for each of our customers, Ri-Industries is pleased to announce we are now a South Australian distributor of FujiClean wastewater treatment systems. Fibreglass domestic wastewater treatment systems from FujiClean offer an affordable, reliable option for homeowners needing a smaller wastewater treatment system, or where site access is difficult.

Just like our proven Ri-Treat system, the FujiClean CE-1500EX domestic model efficiently converts household wastewater from your kitchen, bathroom and laundry into safe, clean water for re-use around your garden.

FujiClean wastewater treatment system

These fibreglass tanks are a lightweight alternative to our Ri-Treat concrete tanks, and offer the following advantages:

  • Proven design and high performance
  • Simple maintenance and high energy efficiency
  • An environmentally friendly design, resulting in lower operational cost
  • Ease of installation in locations where access is difficult or limited
  • A warranty of 15 years for tanks and 2 years for electrical components.

Why do we feel so strongly about wastewater treatment? Water is a limited resource that is in constant recirculation over time. The water we use today will, eventually, make its way back into our lives tomorrow. Water conservation is vital to ensure our planet has the resources it needs in the years to come.

More information on the FujiClean wastewater system can be found on our website.

If you’d like to learn how a FujiClean wastewater system can benefit your home, please call us at 08 8444 8100.

 

Ri-Industries logo

Tips for Healthy Septic Tanks

by Ri Industries

There are few things more unpleasant than non-functioning septic tanks. The cost of repair, the inconvenience, and oh …. the smell! No need for excessive worry because maintaining healthy septic tanks can be fairly simple once you are armed with some knowledge. Ri Industries has gathered such knowledge to share with you:

  • Do not overload your septic system
  • Use water sparingly
  • Do only full dishwasher loads, and full washing machine loads, at off-peak times if possible
  • Do not put kitchen grease down the drain
  • Do not flush cigarettes, feminine products, disposable nappies, or other inorganic materials down the toilet
  • Do not put petrol, oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, etc., down the drain
  • Do not flush medicines
  • Only use cleaning products approved for septic tanks
  • Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks.

Learn more about maintaining healthy septic tanks by calling Ri Industries on 08 8444 8100.

Ri-Industries logo

How to Spot Problem Signs in Septic Tanks

by Ri Industries

Would you know if your septic tank wasn’t working properly? Would you be able to read the signs before the problem grew? Because it stinks when a minor issue turns into a big emergency, Ri Industries want you to be aware of problem signs in septic tanks.

The following excerpt has been taken from Health.gov.au:

The septic tank will need to be checked if there are signs that it is not working properly.

Some signs that a septic tank is not working properly are:

  • The sewage in the toilet or the liquid waste from other fixtures flows away very slowly
  • Liquid waste overflows from the disconnector trap
  • Wet areas are seen at the top of the septic tank
  • There is a strong unpleasant smell near the septic tank
  • The grass around the tank is very green and growing well

In the case of on-site disposal systems, it is important to remember that some of these signs may indicate problems with the leach or French drain. Therefore, these drains will need to be checked at the same time as the septic tanks are checked.

If the septic tank and the leach or French drain need to be pumped out, both should be done at the same time.

Ri Industries adds the following:

  • For an average family of 4-6 people your septic tank may have to be de-sludged (pumped out) approximately every 4 years as required by regulations.
  • Septic tanks do not like material that will not break down e.g. plastic bags, tampons, disposable nappies, condoms, etc. Use biodegradable products whenever possible.
  • The bacterial action of your septic tank can be severely inhibited if excessive amounts of disinfectants or old medicine make their way into the tank. Only use products approved for use in septic systems.
  • Pooling of effluent near your seepage trench will give you a warning that the system may be clogging up.

Proper maintenance can help avoid unexpected and costly repairs. To learn more, call us at 08 8444 8100.