#1 in Solving Septic Tank Problems

Septic Tank Problems Resolved

Nearly every municipal wastewater treatment plant utilizes aerobic treatment as one of its primary treatment processes. This process is robust, fast and efficient at cleaning wastewater. The aerobic treatment of the wastewater in your septic tank reduces the strength of the organic material leaving the tank by some 70%-80%, resolving common septic tank problems. The Septic System Saver® has solved septic tank problems in virtually every septic system and septic tank configuration, all soil types, and all distribution component materials, including: drain fields, trenches and chambers, gravel and pipe fields, dry wells and seepage pits, mounds and sand filters, and cesspools and lagoons. The Septic System Saver® Remediation and Restoration System does not modify soil structure, however, it can optimize your system performance, resolve your septic tank problems, in all soil types — even those with high clay content.

Begin seeing results immediately

Immediately after the Septic System Saver® is installed in your septic tank the restoration process begins. Solids inside the septic tank are broken down and clear highly oxygenated water begins restoring your drain field. We are the pioneers and patent holder of the retrofit aerobic restoration concept to resolve septic problems. The Septic System Saver®

The Cause of Septic Tank Problems

Septic tank problems are inherent in every anaerobic septic system. Identifying the signs and symptoms of common septic tank problems and failures are key to resolving these septic tank problems. You will learn how to diagnose your problems and how a few simple observations will avoid the high costs of common septic tank problems. You will discover how to correct common problems and actions required to prevent them from occurring. Homeowners tell us everyday “My septic system always worked fine and yesterday it just backed up. What could cause these sudden problems?” We explain that the problems and aging actually began the first day it was put into service. Improper maintenance always accelerates the inevitable drainfield failure and the most common septic tank problems.

The Septic Tank

Generally speaking, the physical septic tank itself does not cause problems. The purpose of the tank is to hold the wastewater for a period of time to separate the solids from the liquids and breakdown the organic material. By definition, a septic tank has no oxygen for the process. During the treatment process, the solids settle to the bottom of the septic tank (solids layer) and the grease, fats and oils float to the top of the water (scum layer). Between these layers is the clear zone. It contains water with microscopic organic material and anaerobic bacteria. The wastewater is always moving through the tank anytime water is put down the drain in the dwelling. For example, when a toilet is flushed, 1.6 gallons flows into the tank. This raises the water level in the tank a fraction of an inch. This causes the water level in the septic tank to rise above the bottom of the outlet pipe and a slow trickle flows towards the drain field until the 1.6 gallons exits the septic tank. This process repeats itself every time water flows down the drain of the dwelling all the way to the drain field. The septic tank capacity is sized so it is at least 2 times the daily flow rate from the dwelling. For example if the daily flow rate is 500 gallons per day, the tank capacity should be at least 1,000 gallons. By this example, you can see that the more water that is used daily, the shorter the hold time in the septic tank. The shorter the hold time, the less time the bio-chemical process has to breakdown the organic material in the septic tank and the stronger the wastewater is flowing to the drain field. The anaerobic bio-chemical process in the septic tank reduces the strength of the wastewater between 30% – 40% in the ideal condition. When the system is overloaded hydraulically the reduction in effluent strength can be minimal to the point of allowing raw sewage into the drain field.

The Drain Field and Biomat Problems

In a short period of time, the anaerobic bacteria together with the mucus that it secretes forms a biomat creating problems. The biomat is a living organism that digests the wastes and pathogens. This is the #1 cause of septic problems. The mucus secreted by the anaerobic bacteria is a black sludge looking material that is semi-impermeable and therefore slows the flow rate of the wastewater from the drain field. Any waste and pathogens that are not consumed by the biomat are consumed by the naturally occurring aerobic soil bacteria. In theory, the soil bacteria digest the biomat from the outside in to control the permeability of the biomat and minimize septic problems. Unfortunatley the soil bacteria cannot keep up and septic problems occur

How a Septic System Fails

A septic system can fail by two methods: mechanical problems with a component or biologically. The septic systems installed in the past 30 years are made from durable materials. So generally speaking, there are rarely problems with the septic tank itself. Prior to then, some components were marginally durable by today s standards. Many times after a problems occurs, these  components can be upgraded to more modern materials.

Mechanical Problems

Most septic tank designs are very durable and seldom cause problems. The typical problem with a septic tank is corrosion. It is rare to have problems with plastic and fiberglass tanks as they are not susceptible to corrosion like concrete and steel. The problem with concrete tanks is that they can deteriorate from exposure to the hydrogen sulfide gas (rotten egg odor) produced by the anaerobic bio-chemical process. Steel tanks are problematic because they can rust from two sources, the hydrogen sulfide gas and general oxidation. If the tank is manufactured using industry standard materials mechanical problems are not likely. Mechanical problems are generally caused by human error such as crushing or collapsing the tank with heavy equipment or improper installation. The pipe system to and from the tank is also very durable. While durable, problems can occur with cast iron pipes because of corrosion. The inlet and outlet pipes can cause problems through crushing with heavy equipment. The pipes can also be a problem if the soil below and adjacent to the tank was not properly compacted during installation; however, this is the exception.

Biological Problems

More likely, a septic system is going to fail biologically. As described above, the maturing of the biomat is the number one cause of septic tank problems, more specifically the drain field. By design, the biomat will grow at the infiltrative surface of the drain field. Theoretically, the natural aerobic soil bacteria will keep the biomat permeable enough for the system to function. This theory is correct for a finite period of time. On average the biomat will mature into a non-permeable layer in about 15 – 20 years of service. When the biomat is no longer permeable the drain field is considered failed and the septic tank problems need to be addressed. The range of service life is wide, anywhere from 5 years to 40 years. The service life is influenced by many factors such as soil types, climate, installation techniques, abuse, and proper maintenance. When septic system failure occurs, the conventional solution is to replace the drain field through excavation. While this solution is effective for a finite time period, the drainfield will fail again within 5 – 40 years. The science-based solution to restoring a drain field is conversion of the bio-chemical process to an aerobic environment by installing the Septic System Saver® Unit!

Septic System Facts

• A new septic system can cost from $5,000 to $40,000 – and this does not include and landscape restoration.
• The average cost of Terralift® procedure varies across the US from $1500 to $4000.
• A system can be abused by dumping excess materials into it: paint, thinners, bleach, anti-bacterial products, and non-organic trash, such as wrappers and cigarette butts.
• There are no septic treatment, additive or bacterial solutions on the market that have been proven effective in resolving septic tank problems or maintaining your septic system.

• The expected life of a drain field is based on many factors, such as soil conditions, daily hydraulic loading, and the types of household chemicals used.

When should the Septic System Saver® be used? If your septic tank shows signs common septic tank problems such as sluggish flow – toilets that are slow to flush, sewage backing up in drains, fowl smelling liquid above the septic tank system, or backflow from the septic drain field during septic tank pumping- you will want to install the Septic System Saver® and run it for 12 to 18 months to remedy the situation.

Once your Septic System Saver® is installed, you will find it helpful to run it periodically as a preventative measure to prevent septic tank problems in the future. As a minimum, we suggest running the Septic System Saver® for nine months every three years to maintain the permeability of the bio-mat. There is no harm in allowing the system to operate continuously to prevent the biomat from reforming.

Don’t Excavate… Remediate!™ Easily installed in an hour or less, the Septic System Saver® controlled aerator process is designed to fit any existing septic system to resolve common septic system problems and maintain optimum performance-without the hassles, damage and high costs associated with yesterday’s solutions. A pioneer of the retrofit aerobic remediation concept, the Septic System Saver® has over a 95% success rate across North America. The industry’s sole UL listed product specifically designed for this application, the Septic System Saver® patented process meets stringent National Electric Code (NEC) requirements as a permanent outdoor appliance.

You can buy the Septic System Saver® direct, or from any of these fine Retailers across the US and Canada!