"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."
Common signs that a septic tank is full include plumbing issues, odors, and changes in your yard. You may notice wastewater or sewage backing up into your home's drains, or that sinks, tubs, and toilets are draining slowly. Gurgling or bubbling sounds from the pipes are also a key indicator. Outside, you might smell foul sewage odors around your house or the septic tank area. Look for pooling water, spongy soil, or a marshy environment around the drain field. Another tell-tale sign is a patch of grass over the septic system that is suddenly lusher and greener than the rest of your lawn. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact a septic professional for an inspection and pumping.
Cisterns can be used as septic tanks, but septic tanks can’t be used as cisterns. This is because cisterns need to meet FDA standards for drinking water, but septic tanks aren’t required to meet those standards since they are only used for wastewater.
Most well pump pressure switches have a factory setting of 30 to 50 PSI. There’s some flexibility with this if you’d like a lower or higher water pressure, but remember that it should sit 2 to 3 PSI above your well tank’s general pressure setting.
The inside of your pressure switch cover will usually indicate minimum and maximum settings—going below and above the numbers might damage your well pump.
Because well water is not artificially filtered or pre-treated, it may contain contaminants. As a result, it’s possible for well water to damage pipes based on what is in the water. Well water can be corrosive, slowly rusting and dissolving pipes, fixtures, and fittings. The corrosion can affect the taste and quality of the drinking water that comes out of the taps in your home.
For the most part, choosing between 30/50 psi and 40/60 psi is based on your water-pressure preference. However, it can also depend a little bit on your house—if you have older plumbing, a lower water pressure can be easier on the pipes (and a bit more gentle on your well pump).
The lower 30/50 pressure is usually enough for a single-story home, but you may want 40/60 if you have multiple stories, as the extra pressure helps water flow smoothly up to the second floor.
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.
