"The technician emptied the freezer, which was in the basement, to work on the part that needed repair. Then he neglected to put anything back into the freezer, including a turkey I had bought for Christmas and a rack of ribs. Two days after he left, I went out of town for two weeks. The turkey actually exploded and spewed its liquid all over everything, which had to be discarded. I let AHS know and they couldn't even bother to call me or follow up on this. I'm considering not renewing my contract with them because of the quality (or lack thereof) of many of the providers they send."
A septic perc test is done by drilling a hole into the ground, filling the hole with water, and testing to see how long it drains. While simple, the test itself provides a great deal of information about your yard. The last thing you want to do is skip a perc test only to discover your yard doesn’t drain sewage effectively.
Age is certainly a factor in well pump failure. The older your pump, the more likely it is to fail.
Beyond age, other factors can cause your well pump to fail, too. Things like poor water quality can cause sediment buildup in your pump. Without proper cleaning, your pump can seize up and fail. Having a dry well for too long can also cause your pump to fail, as it keeps working even though there's no water for it to pull.
Septic drain lines (or leach lines) are typically buried between 18 and 36 inches underground, and should be at least 6 inches below the surface. These pipes are perforated and surrounded by filtering materials like sand or gravel. Burying the lines at this depth helps minimize odors and allows bacteria and other biological processes in the soil to effectively treat the wastewater. Burying lines too close to the surface can cause issues unless the soil is very compact and stable.
If your leach field becomes clogged or saturated, it can cause several problems with your home's septic system. The clog can cause sewage to back up into your home, leading to unpleasant odors and mess. A backed-up septic system can be a health hazard, particularly if the sewage starts to leach into the ground surrounding the leach field.
There are several ways to fix a saturated drain field, including cleaning out your septic tank, adding enzymes and additives to your drain system, and installing a larger septic system.
Septic tanks can clog if they aren’t pumped every few years since solid waste accumulates inside of them. Your tank might also clog if you have a habit of flushing anything other than human waste or toilet paper. Items like diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, cat litter, and personal hygiene products should never go down your pipes.
The Stephen, MN homeowners’ guide to septic tank services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A damaged septic system can leak odors and sewage, so repairs are urgent. Find out how much septic tank repair costs based on repair type, tank size, and more.
It’s crucial to install a septic tank with the right volume to avoid wastewater backups. This guide will help you calculate the right septic tank volume.
Septic tank sizes vary depending on the size of your home, how many people live there, how much water you use, and more. Read on to learn how to determine the right size for you.
