More Septic Care Guidelines

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Hi neighbor! Our service team is always scouring the web for the latest information to help you better manage your Septic system.

We're adding more information to help you get the most from your septic system year-round. Keeping your system efficent isn’t difficult when done correctly. Follow these simple tips and you'll be in good shape for a long, long time:

System Inspections and Pumpout Frequency

The average household septic system should be inspected at least every two to three years by a septic service professional like ourselves. Household tanks are commonly pumped every three to five years depending on usage maintenance and state of the system. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more commonly every year. A service contract can be of critical importance as alternative systems have mechanical parts which provide functionailty but can also deteriorate and cause problems.

Is it time for your pumpout? Contact Copsey’s today to set up an appointment!

Several major factors influence the frequency of pumpouts:

  • Household size
  • Total wastewater generated
  • Volume of solids in wastewater
  • Septic tank size

Copsey’s coming? Here is what you need to know...

When you schedule a service call, we will inspect for leaks and examine the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank.

We also create maintenance records on work performed on your septic system.

Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet to prevents sludge and scum from leaving your tank and accessing your drainfield area. If the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or the top of the sludge layer is within 1 foot of the outlet, your ready for a pumpout.

To keep track of when to pump out your tank, we note the sludge and scum levels found when we arrive and document tank condition when we are complete.

Of course we note repairs completed and the tank condition in your system’s service report. If other repairs are recommended, we can assist in arranging repairs with the correct professionals.

Copsey’s Septic Service helps make it easy to make sure your septic system will be in good operating condition for you and (also of great importance) if you decide to sell your property.

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Use Water Efficiently

Average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is nearly 70 gallons per individual, per day. Even a single leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day. This costs money and wastes resources tremendously. Any hissing noises from your plumbing should be inspected and repaired immediately.

All of the water your household sends down its pipes winds up in your septic system. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use improves the operation of a septic system and reduces the risk of failure.

EPA’s WaterSense program has many simple ways to save water and to locate water-efficient products. Some Examples here:

  • High-efficiency toilets.

    Toilet use accounts for 25 to 30 percent of household water use. Many older homes have toilets with 3.5- to 5-gallon reservoirs, while newer, high-efficiency toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. Repllacement of existing toilets with higher-efficiency models is an easy way to reduce the amount of household water entering your septic system. Also newer toilets and internal parts sometimes have "Dual FLush" modes where they use far less water for liquid waste than solids (aka pee-pee vs. poopies!) These systems save even more water when used properly.

  • Aerators and high-efficiency showerheads.

    Faucet aerators, high-efficiency showerheads, and shower flow restrictors reduce water use and the volume of water entering your septic system. Often these aerators are now engineered to feel like just as much water and to apply as much pressure for removing soaps and conditioners as older models that used more water. For warm showers these also save on your energy bill. A pure WIN!

  • Washing machines.

    Washing small loads of laundry on your washing machine’s large-load cycle wastes water and energy. By selecting the proper load size, you will reduce water waste. If you are unable to select a load size, runnig only full loads of laundry can yield similar results.

    Spread washing machine use throughout the week. Doing all household laundry in one day might seem like a time-saver; but it can harm your septic system. Allow your septic tank enough time to treat waste or it could even could flood your drainfield.

    Clothes washers that bear the ENERGY STAR label use 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than standard models. Other Energy Star appliances provide significant energy and water savings. Look for this label as a confirmation that you’re purchasing equipment engineered to provide great results while saving you money and resources.

  • If you have questions about your septic system and how to get more out of it while putting less into it, please contact us any time. We’re your neighbors and we're here to help.

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Properly Dispose of all Waste

Whether you flush it down the toilet, grind it in the garbage disposal, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath, everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. What goes down the drain affects how well your septic system works.

Toilets aren’t trash cans!

Your septic system is nothing like a trash can. An easy rule of thumb: Do not flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. It’s critical you Never flush or put the following down your drains:

  • Coffee grounds
  • Cat litter
  • Photographic solutions
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Condoms
  • Cooking grease or oil
  • Flushable wipes
  • Dental floss
  • Diapers
  • Cigarette butts
  • Paper towels
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint or paint thinners

So always think at the sink!

In Conclusion, here are a few questions we get asked often:

Q: How often should we pump our residential tank?
A: every 2-5 years based on amount of people in house, wash loads, age of system, thickness of sludge. Our professional service men will give you an honest estimate of frequency after evaluation. We also send/mail reminder cards every 2 years for your convenience

Q: We have an odor! is this a septic problem?
A: Typically not. If you do not see raw sewage either in the yard, tub, toilet or sink. The septic is usually not the problem. The vent pipes on the roof may be clogged with leaves or bird debris. If you don't use those specific drains that the odor is coming from, they could also have dried - out causing smell.

Q: How do I know where my septic is located?
A: The best suggestion is to contact the local Health Department Environmental Division to obtain a copy of the plot from the inspection at installation. Some homes may have a white pvc pipe sticking up in the yard, or a concrete square or round lid. Newer homes commonly have a pipe sticking up, but that may only be a snake (metal apparatus used to unclog drains) access. We cannot pump from this pipe. The best cleaning comes from digging the larger 2-foot diameter lids, whether square or round.

39665 New Market Turner Rd.
Mechanicsville, MD 20659

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