Wind River Environmental

The 3 Worst Household Items for your Septic Tank

Wind River — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:13 +0000

If you've ever owned an older home, you know how difficult the septic systems can be. Older homes mean older septic tanks and we soon found ourselves dealing with clogs, backed-up toilets, and bad odors near the drains. Septic pumping was a huge help but we wanted to make sure the problems didn't come back. It turns out we were doing all the wrong things inside our home! There are several household appliances that are terrible for your septic tank. They use up too much household water (putting pressure onto the tank) or clog up the drains and pipes. We can’t get rid of all our appliances but we can cut down on some things. Here are top three worst household items for your septic system:

The toilets. The toilet itself doesn't cause problems with your septic system. It’s really what ends up getting flushed down the toilet. Clogged or backed up toilets is the number one reason for homeowners calling in professionals for septic pumping. Never use your toilet like a garbage can. Flushing a wad of paper towel, a diaper, cat litter, food, or debris down the toilet can cause you serious problems. Toilet paper has been specially made to break down in water and something like paper towels, sanitary napkins, tampons, or diapers are not made with the same materials. Flushing items other than toilet paper down your toilet will result in serious clogging and back-ups.
Your garbage disposal. A kitchen garbage disposal is so bad for your drains and septic system that many professionals suggest you disable it. Though the purpose of a garbage disposal is to chop up food and trash before going down the drain, it is a major source of clogs because the bacteria in the septic system can’t break down the food particles. If they build up, there will be back-ups in your home.
Chemical cleaners. This one is always a shock to people. Bleach and harsh chemical cleaners can actually destroy your septic system. Putting these chemicals down your drain can cause serious damage to the septic tank by killing off all the good bacteria. This means the waste can’t be broken down and it ends up clogging up the drain. This leads to back-ups which causes leaking and foul sewage odors.

Top 3 Worst Items to Flush

Wind River — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:27 +0000

Whether you own a home or a business, taking care of the toilets is a high priority. If you have an old septic tank and toilets, you can find yourself spending a lot of your time and money on septic services. The septic tank can simply not break down anything other than waste and toilet paper. Some of the worst items to flush are ones people are tossing down the toilet every day! You can cut down on the amount of septic service you need with a few easy to follow tips. Here are the top 3 worst items to flush down your toilet:

Anything that goes in the garbage. A toilet should never be used like a garbage can. All toilets, even the newest ones, are only meant to flush toilet paper and waste. Why? These are biodegradable items that can be broken down in the septic tank. You should never throw anything like cat litter, food, cigarette butts, napkins, or even wet wipes into the toilet. The bacteria in the septic tank will not be able to break those items down and your pipes will clog and you will be forced to call help in for septic service and pumping.
Heavy toilet paper. People don’t realize that all toilet paper isn’t the same. All toilet paper is made for flushing but some of the paper works better than others. The best type of toilet paper for your septic system is white 1 ply toilet paper. This type of toilet paper breaks down in the tank very easily. White toilet paper is a good choice as many people believe that dyes can cause problems with the septic system.
Bleach. It can be hard to convince many people that using bleach is bad for their toilets. Cleaning your toilet bowl with bleach can cause serious septic system issues. Since your toilet and drains rely on bacteria to break down the waste, it’s important to keep the balance healthy. Using chemical cleaners actually kills off this good bacteria, leaving you with clogs, back-ups, and septic problems.

3 Rules for Septic and Cesspool Maintenance

Wind River — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:30:32 +0000

In order to keep your cesspool in good shape and working properly, maintenance is important. Many people spend time and money working on their home. They invest their energy into painting, remodeling, and fixing up the yard. But the value and health of your home is centered on the cesspool. A well maintained septic system or cesspool will not only keep your house drains in good shape but can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Here are some of the top rules to remember when taking care of your septic or cesspool:

Pay attention to the red flags. If you notice warning signs (even small ones) that your septic system or cesspool is in trouble, don’t ignore them. Some signs are: if your drains are running slowly, dealing with constant clogs and back-ups, rotten egg odors, gurgling noises coming from your drains, or leaking around the system’s lid. Don’t wait to call your local septic or cesspool company even if you’ve recently had an inspection. You may need your tank pumped or other repairs.
Always choose a reputable company for repairs. If you need a septic or cesspool inspection, pumping, or repairs, you should only choose professionals who specialize in those services. Also, never hire someone without an interview and a reference. While most companies are experienced and reputable, there are some that operate scams such as “skimming” or partial pumping.
Safety first. When the company arrives for septic or cesspool pumping and inspection, be very careful of the surrounding area. Keep the land around the open lid free from children and pets. Never throw anything into the tank and don’t attempt to take off or replace the lid yourself. This could be extremely dangerous. You should also never attempt to pump out your own tank. The gases and waste inside could be toxic and harmful to your health. It’s also very dangerous to make repairs to a septic tank if you don’t have the right training. Leave this one to the professionals.

Don’t Ignore Your Septic Tank

Wind River — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:30:57 +0000

If you’re a home or business owner with a septic system, you may not realize how important good septic tank maintenance is. A new septic tank can cost you several thousand dollars plus the installation costs but with a little extra care, your septic tank can last as long as twenty years. Don’t neglect your septic tank or your drains because you may end up paying the price. Most of the ways you can help your septic tank are easy and cost effective. Some are even free! Here are a few tips to help you keep your septic system in great shape:

Always schedule routine septic pumping. Many homeowners don’t realize they should have their septic tank pumped every one to two years. If you’ve recently moved into a home, you should schedule one right away, especially if you have no idea how long it’s been since the last septic inspection. Even if your tank and drains are running properly, you should schedule a septic service appointment to check for problems. If you can discover a problem early, it will be much easier and cheaper to fix.
Pay attention to red flags. This is an easy one to miss. Many people don’t realize the warning signs when they see them. Some of the biggest red flags to watch out for are: slow moving drains, persistent clogs, backed up toilets, foul smells, or leaking around your septic tank lid. If you notice any of these signs, you should schedule septic service right away.
Use a bacterial additive. Healthy bacteria must be present in the septic in order to break down the solids. Over the counter cleaners use a wide range of anti-bacterial soaps, detergents and harsh cleaning fluids that actually kill the bacteria in the septic tank. By using a bacterial additive regularly, you will ensure consistent introduction of bacteria into your system.

3 Easy Water Saving Tips for Your Home

Wind River — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:30:02 +0000

Saving water is a large part of helping the environment and our planet. Since water is a very precious resource, we should only use what we need and be sure not to pollute the water from our homes. Saving water in your household can benefit you in other ways too. It can save you money every month on your bills and it can help to keep your septic system in good condition. The less water that goes through the drains and pipes means less wear and tear on your septic tank. This can reduce the amount of costly and time consuming septic repairs that you may need. You can make a huge difference with just a few simple steps. Here are 3 easy water saving tips for your home:

Start in the bathroom. One way to reduce the amount of water in your home is to replace baths with showers. A five to ten minute shower uses much less water than a full bath. You can also replace the nozzle on your showerhead with a low flow attachment. This will cause less water to come out with each shower.
Use less water appliances. A great way to reduce septic repairs and save water in your home is to cut down on the laundry and dish washing. By doing too many loads of laundry in a day, you can clog up your pipes with lint and other materials. This can often cause serious back-ups in the drains which require costly septic service. Instead, save water and clogs by spreading out the laundry and dishes and only washing what you need. The garbage disposal is often the worst culprit for wasting water and causing clogs. Professionals highly recommend never using a garbage disposal!
No more leaks. A leaky faucet can cost you in lost water and lost money. It is a huge waste of water and can wear down your septic tank. Always fix leaky faucets right away. If the leak returns, try calling in a professional for help. This may be a sign of a larger issue.

Make Your Own Drain Cleaners

Wind River — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:30:20 +0000

If you’re looking to save money on your household expenses, making your own cleaners is a great start. Not only will making household cleaners save you money at the grocery store but it will help to save the environment and save you thousands on your septic system. I recently discovered that all natural cleaners and a well running septic system go hand in hand. Did you realize that the items you use to clean your drains, sinks, and tubs make a huge difference? Chemical cleaners will kill off all the bacteria in your septic tank, including the healthy kind that helps to break down waste. If the waste isn't broken down correctly, it can end up causing clogs in your drains which lead to back-ups and a breakdown of your septic system. Making your own cleaners is simple. You’ll be surprised at how many products can be found in the kitchen. Here are four of my favorites:

Baking soda. Baking soda is great for cleaning sinks, tubs, or combining with other products to unclog a drain. It’s very affordable; I buy several boxes for my fridge, baking, and to use as a cleaner. Mix it with vinegar for a powerful cleaning agent.
Vinegar. Vinegar is more powerful than you think. Vinegar can actually kill as many germs as bleach but without the harsh chemicals. You can use vinegar to clean anything in the bathroom and kitchen. I also use vinegar in a solution for cleaning my toilet. It is safe and keeps your pipes running smoothly.
Tea tree oil. It smells and works great in the bathroom and kitchen. Tea tree oil also works wonders against mold and mildew. Simply mix it with a little water, place in a spray bottle and kill off the mold in your tub.
Castile soap. If you don’t have time to mix up solutions, you can just use plain old castile soap. It’s great for washing out tubs and sinks. You can use it for dishes, and even in the laundry.

How to Avoid Septic Problems at Your Business

Wind River — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:30:19 +0000

Running a business can bring in all kinds of little repairs and maintenance issues. One thing you should never forget about is your septic tank. Having to replace a septic tank can cost your business thousands of dollars plus time and effort. You also don’t want to be dealing with clogged drains, backed-up sinks or toilets in a place of business. This can cause issues with customers and the health board. Here is some great advice for any business that has a lot of customers using their sinks and toilets, or a business that prepares food:

Install a grease trap. If you have a kitchen in your business, then a grease trap is a must. This will help to catch any run off of grease (from washing dishes, cooking, etc.) before it goes down your drain. Grease in a drain can cause serious problems to your pipes and the septic tank.
Post signs in the bathrooms. If you offer bathrooms to customers, it’s important that you inform them about flushing items. Most of the clogging comes from people tossing items into the toilet that can’t be flushed. Items like napkins, paper towel, diapers, sanitary napkins or tampons, trash, or food can seriously back up a toilet. To save yourself and your business from extra septic pumping, try posting a sign in each stall. Inform your customers that no items should be flushed down the toilet other than toilet paper.
Stop using chemical cleaners. If you’re buying the cheapest cleaning products you can find, you’re actually costing yourself more money. Bleach and other harsh chemicals actually kill off the good bacteria in your septic system. This makes it harder for waste to be broken down and results in clogs or backups. Try using all natural cleaning products instead.

Septic Tank Care for Older Homes

Wind River — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:30:03 +0000

If you have an older or vintage home, you most likely have an older septic system too. This means your tank may be more vulnerable to repairs and problems. Since no one wants to pay thousands of dollars for a new septic tank, it’s better to take good care of the one you have. With good maintenance, a septic system can last as long as twenty years. The first thing you should do is hire a professional for a septic pumping service. This will give you a good idea of the condition of your tank and how often you should be scheduling your routine septic service. Then it’s time to practice good septic care in your home. Here are a few easy and cost effective ways to care for an older septic system:

Don’t use any harsh chemical cleaners. One way to avoid septic problems like clogs and back-ups is by making sure your pipes and septic tank stay chemical free. Skip the harsh chemical cleaners for your home. Chemical cleaners, like bleach, can actually kill off the good bacteria in your septic tank that is needed to break down the waste. If it is not broken down properly, this means more clogged drains, which results in wear and tear on your septic tank. Instead, use all natural cleaners or items in your house like baking soda, lemon, and vinegar to clean your sinks, toilets, and tubs.
Be cautious what you flush. Family members flushing non-disposable items that won’t break down in the system is the number one cause of septic back-ups. This is even more important if you have an older septic system. The septic tank simply can’t break down items like cigarette butts, diapers, tissues, sanitary napkins, or cat litter. In fact, you should never flush anything down your toilet except for toilet paper and waste.
Use less water in the home. The more water you use in your household (taking baths, running the water while you brush your teeth, running the dishwasher when it’s not full, and/or using the washing machine constantly), the more pressure you put on your septic tank. This will lead to a shorter lifecycle for your septic tank as well as more problems and repairs.

All Natural Drain Cleaning

Wind River — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:30:26 +0000

Our family tries to do as many home repairs ourselves as possible. This helps us to save money. If you want to practice your own septic maintenance, it’s a good idea to learn about the drains, septic tank, and leach field. If you own an older home, you will be dealing with an older septic system which often requires more TLC. Many small issues like clogged drains and backed-up toilets can be dealt with naturally and easily. Here are a couple all natural cleaning tips for your drains:

How to unclog a drain: If you have a very persistent clog followed by an odor of sewage, you may need professional drain cleaning or septic pumping. If the drain is a small one, you can often unclog it yourself using household ingredients. You can use a baking soda and vinegar solution which I pour down the drain with hot water. Wait ten minutes and then plunge the drain.
How to make your own household cleaners: You can use all natural cleaners for the bathroom and kitchen and save a lot of money. All natural cleaners cost much less and they won’t kill off important bacteria in your septic tank. Make your own cleaners and disinfectants using lemon, baking soda, castile soap, and tea tree oil.
When to call a professional: No matter how well you take care of your drains, you will occasionally have problems you need help with. If you notice foul odors like sewage or raw eggs leaking outside the septic tank, or very serious clogs then it is time to call a professional.

The 3 Worst Items for your Septic System

Wind River — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:30:05 +0000

One of the biggest mistakes home and business owners make is not taking care of their septic system. A septic tank can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs, services, or to replace. Many people don’t realize how fragile a septic tank and the leach field can be. For instance, if you toss items or substances into your drains that can’t be broken down, you can cause serious problems with your tank. You may end up dealing with clogs, backed up toilets, foul odors, or overflowing from your septic tank. Here are the top three items you should never put down your drain:

Any type of grease. This is a huge problem in many restaurants and homes. Grease can’t be broken down in the septic tank and it ends up causing major clogs in your pipes. If you are pouring grease into the drains, you’ll end up paying hundreds for costly septic repairs
Chemicals. Pouring hazardous, toxic, or even cleaning chemicals down the drain or toilet is bad for your septic tank and is an environmental hazard! Chemicals that are poured into the drain will kill off all the good bacteria that help to eat away and break down the natural waste. Once this happens, you will end up with back-ups, clogs, and leaks. This also means that the chemicals could leak back into the groundwater and contaminate the soil.
Food or garbage. The toilet is never the place to throw items away. The worst items to put down your toilets are cigarette butts, diapers, sanitary napkins, tissue paper, or cat litter. They simply can’t be broken down properly and you will experience some bad clogs. Instead, throw these items into a nearby garbage can and save yourself time and money.