FAQs

The top two things to help maintain your aerobic system are to not flush anything other than waste and to use a monthly enzyme that will help break down sludge in your system.

We recommend that you always keep the power on to the system, add liquid or tablet chlorine every month, keep the grass mowed around the tank and sprinkler heads (be careful not to run over those sprinkler heads!), use granulated ant killer to keep ants away from your components and have your pump tank cleaned out when sludge levels indicate 10-12 inches. Depending on the county you reside in, you may be required to maintain a septic maintenance contract, so check with your county to see if this is required.

Pumping out the septic tank is essential for its reliable operation. A septic tank that isn't working can pose problems for any household, such as sewage backing up into household drains or sewage bubbling up from the ground around the septic tank and around the field lines.

This is a great question that we get all the time, and it really depends on the number of people in your home, the capacity of the system, and how much water you use. 

We recommend that the system for a standard home of two adults and two children be cleaned out every 18-24 months. For a single-person home, we recommend a cleanout at least every 3-5 years. Again, it really depends upon your usage. Ask us about how we can help monitor the sludge levels.

When buying a home with a septic system, you will want to start fresh by requesting a septic inspection to be done by a licensed sanitarian and not just a home inspector. Having an inspection done will ensure that the septic system is in good functioning condition. You can also determine at this time if it needs to be cleaned out. If the system is not up to code or there are problems with it, the inspection will give you a chance to negotiate the proper repairs before closing on the property. We recommend asking the sellers for the history of the maintenance on the system.

Having a large number of people over can be hard on your septic system as the systems are designed for the size of the house and the number of people who live there. Large parties can easily overload the system and cause problems if your system is already getting full. To avoid any embarrassing or hectic situations, have your system checked and possibly cleaned out before the holidays or planned events.

It is highly recommended that the only things that go into your system are waste and household greywater (bathing, dishes, laundry). We do not recommend flushing feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, food scraps, grease, or animal waste. If you must flush toilet paper, use a brand that has no oil additives in it. 

Helpful tip for grease: Place a sheet of aluminum foil in your sink and form it slightly to your drain, and raise the edges of the foil, if needed, to catch all the grease. Let it sit for a few minutes to cool and throw it away!

A properly maintained septic tank should be odor-free, so if you notice a bad smell inside your home or outside near the field lines, it’s a sign that there’s a problem. A foul smell doesn’t necessarily mean the septic tank needs to be pumped, however. Septic odors are caused by gases in the system, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane.

There could be a smell for several reasons:

• The floor drain trap could be dried out, allowing septic tank gases to vent back into your house.
• The cleanout access plug (located inside the drain) could be loose and allowing sewer gas to leak.
• The plumbing vent on the roof could be clogged or blocked.
• It could be something as simple as your toilet's wax seal.

Always call out a professional to assist you if needed.

When the septic alarm goes off, you should silence it. Then check the electricity to see if the pump has power. Do not use a lot of water. Wait for 12 hours — the pump will finish a couple of cycles and possibly remove the excess water. If that’s not the case, inspect the system or call a professional.

There are a number of reasons why your drains or toilets are flushing slowly, but generally, the problem occurs for one of three reasons:

• Clogging issues
• Part failures
• Water issues

You can start by minimalizing your water usage and attempting to plunge the drain. You can also try pouring ½ cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by ½ cup of white vinegar, then plugging your drain. This will create a chemical reaction and will break up small clogs

This is never advisable and is against most municipal codes. Do not build any additions, pools, or driveways over a tank.

Also, do not build or plant on top of your drain field. Your system needs to have sunlight to be able to function properly as your system operates off of ground conditions. If the ground is saturated, the system may not function properly.

There are so many things that you can proactively do to avoid a system overflow:

• The number one thing is to have your system pumped out regularly.
• Conserve water as much as possible!
• Fix dripping faucets and leaking toilets. Replace them with low-flow fixtures.
• Do not leave the faucet running when shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Wait for full loads before doing laundry.

These symptoms tell you that you have a problem:

• Sewage backup in your sink and tub drains or toilets — this is often a black liquid with a disagreeable odor.
• Slow flushing of your toilets or slow drains elsewhere in the house despite the use of plungers or drain cleaning products. 
• Sometimes you will notice liquid seeping along the surface of the ground near your septic system with lush green grass over the absorption field, even during dry weather. Often, this indicates that an excessive amount of liquid from your system is moving up through the soil instead of downward, as it should. While some upward movement of liquid from the drain field is good, too much could indicate problems. 
• The presence of nitrates or bacteria in your drinking water well indicates that liquid from the system may be flowing into the well through the ground or over the surface. Water tests available from your local health department will indicate if you have this problem.
• Unpleasant odors around your house are often an improperly vented plumbing system or a failing septic system.

The grease trap collects solids and waste oil before your wastewater enters the city sewer. Over time, the tank must be drained and cleaned from all of its collected material. Not having the tank cleaned will cause an overflow of collected material. This causes backups and possible city fines, but it can be prevented with routine service.

Our septic company accepts all major credit cards, cash, or checks.

Most of the time, your appointment with our septic company will take 45 minutes to an hour.

Yes, our septic company is fully licensed and insured.

If you have any kind of gurgling or foul smell, please call our septic company at Anytime Septic Solutions. Regular maintenance cleaning should happen every two to three years, in our experience.

Yes, our septic company offers a 10% discount for active military, veterans, and first responders. You can also save 10% by signing up for our maintenance contract.

• Conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated and disposed of.
• Repair any leaking faucets and toilets.
• Only discharge biodegradable wastes into your system. Divert downspouts and other surface water away from your drain field.
• Keep your septic tank cover accessible for tank inspections and pumping.
• Have your septic tank pumped regularly and checked for leaks and cracks.
• Call a professional when you have problems.

• Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, or sanitary napkins and applicators. They rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
• Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
• Do not dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides, or poisons down the drain. They can disrupt the treatment process and contaminate groundwater or even clog your lines.
• Do not dig in your drain field or plan on building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic tank or drain field. Your system needs a sun source to function properly.
• The area over the drain field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines.
• Do not drive over your drain field or compact the soil in any way. This could collapse or damage your lines.
• Do not put too much water into the septic system.