We Can Keep Your Septic System in Working Order

Your septic system is a vital resource for your home or business, as it collects and disposes of water waste. Unfortunately, these systems do not always function perfectly and will need service from time to time to correct issues or prevent problems from developing. Trinity Liquid Waste can provide the service you need and can help you learn more about how to avoid septic system backups at your San Francisco, CA property. Our team has years of experience and can help you prevent issues from occurring or provide service if problems arise. Contact us today for more information.

How a Septic Tank Works

Septic tanks use a combination of nature and technology to collect and treat wastewater before returning it to the ground. These systems effectively treat water from household plumbing in your bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry equipment. Your septic system disposes of wastewater by moving it through the following three components:

  • Waste Pipes: Waste pipes connected to your sinks, toilets, and tub drains funnel the water away from your home, moving it toward the septic tank.
  • Holding Tank: All of the wastewater collects in the septic or holding tank. Natural bacteria in the tank break down the solids and separate any floatable matter from the water. Any liquid material can leave the tank and head to the disposal field.
  • Disposal Field: Liquid waste is discharged from the tank into a series of perforated pipes that are buried underground in a disposal or leach field. The wastewater moves through these pipes and into the surrounding soil, which accepts, treats, and disperses the wastewater. The disposal field acts as a natural cleaning process to remove harmful substances from the water before being discharged to groundwater.

Types of Septic Tanks & Systems

Septic tanks can be built using a variety of materials. The most common option is usually concrete. However, fiberglass and polycarbonate materials are also a popular option. In addition to different tank materials, there are also different types of septic systems, which differ in how they dispose of wastewater. These two types of septic systems are:

  • Gravity: This type of system uses natural gravity to drain waste out of the septic tank. When the tank reaches its overflow limit, gravity naturally drains the liquid out into the disposal field, where it is cleaned and returned to the earth.
  • Pressurized: A pressurized system is a little different. The force of gravity is still used to pull waste from the tank. However, the waste is then sent to a second smaller tank downstream. Within this tank, there is a pump that pressurizes the liquid, forcing it out over the drain field evenly.

How to Prevent a Septic Backup

Clogs or blockages in your septic system can create quite a nasty surprise. With nowhere to go because the lines are blocked, the waste can potentially back up into your home or come to the surface of your yard. This can create an unhealthy and unpleasant situation. The best way to avoid a situation like this is to ensure your tank is regularly inspected by a professional and take preventative measures to protect the system. The best ways to prevent a septic backup include:

  • Protect the System’s Biological Activity: Your system relies on the biological activity of bacteria to break down solids in your household waste. It’s important to protect these bacteria by avoiding the use of antibacterial soaps and cleaners in any fixtures that drain to your septic tank.
  • Don’t Put Food Scraps into the System: Raw food scraps cannot be broken down by septic systems in the same way as human waste. Unlike food scraps, human waste is biologically active by nature, allowing it to be broken down by the bacteria within the system,
  • Avoid Planting Trees Near Waste Lines: Tree roots are naturally able to seek out water and moisture, including includes water inside pipes. If you plant trees too close to the septic system, the roots will be drawn to the water source, potentially puncturing and blocking the lines.
  • Don’t Use Heavy Machinery Near the System: You shouldn’t use heavy machinery in the area over your septic lines. The extra weight can potentially crush and destroy the lines, which can create backups in your system.

Steps to Take When Fixing a Septic Tank

When you encounter an issue with a septic tank, the best thing to do is to call a professional with experience. They will know how to deal with the problem and have specialized equipment, like cameras, to help identify where the blockage is located. After you call in a professional, you can take a look at the system yourself to see if you can determine the general area where the clog is occurring. If you have access to the lid of your tank, open it up and take a look. If the tank is low, there is likely an upstream blockage between the house and the tank. If the tank is full, you probably have a downstream blockage that is preventing waste from leaving the tank.

Contact Us for Septic Service

If you are currently experiencing an issue with your septic system or would like to have yours inspected, Trinity Liquid Waste is the team to call. We can provide our services to both home and business owners in the San Francisco Bay area, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and San Francisco. Please reach out to us today for additional information or to schedule an appointment for service.