Name: |
water_watcher
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 7:32:30 AM
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Can anyone recommend someone to pump a septic tank?
When my water main broke it filled up my septic tank. It is not backing up, but after a few weeks now it has not gone down. There is an alarm inside the house if the level gets too high and everytime I plug it back in the alarm goes off. So I think my only option is to have the tank pumped out.
Thanks
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Name: |
Rooster
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 8:39:51 AM
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Archer Septic Systems in Jackson's Gap. Have used him and he is very, very good. Reasonable too.
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Name: |
froghog
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 8:56:40 AM
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Archer are the people to use. They do what they say they will do and at the time they say they will do it.
mike
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Name: |
GoneFishin
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 9:39:40 AM
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WW, where you able to negotiate a more reasonable bill for the water usage from the break?
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Name: |
Summer Lover
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 11:36:59 AM
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If you have a pump for the septic tank (to the field lines), you may want to check it's function. Water should not be a problem if there is no issue with field lines system. I had to replace the pump switch in ours - it is a different float than the alarm switch.
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Name: |
lakeplumber
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 2:49:40 PM
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If there is a pump in the DWV system then you are talking about sewer ejector. And as one poster on here has pointed out, if the holding tank is full, then you do have not a functioning pump. If you house is downhill from the distribution system (septic system or public sewer), you'll know quickly that it is a non functioning pump.
I'd verify that by physically looking into the tank. If the tank level is near empty but the alarm still goes off, it is a sensor problem (float switch).
Traditional septic systems are installed in places typical for gravity drainage. his consists of a 1000 gal (depending on number of bed rooms) underground tank that has a field distribution line(s). These normally do not have an alarm (and the tank on these are always full; thisallows for the biological breakdown of solids).
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Name: |
Mack
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 7:08:12 PM
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Are septic tank additives really effective, or are they a marketing scam?? We are very careful of what gets flushed down our system and we have consistently used an additive over the years, without a problem (knock on wood). But, can anybody say for sure that an additive really works??
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Name: |
lakeplumber
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 7:23:26 PM
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Trying to be PC... I have not heard of the product doing harm nor have I ever heard of a customer that used it say that he had septic tank troubles.
I personally do not know. From my experience septic systems are self-maintaining systems unless the engineers messed up the design or you had falsified "perk" test results.
That being said, the Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable, too.
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Name: |
Talullahhound
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 8:32:20 PM
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Be careful about using Rid-X. I have a new aerobic system and the literature said specifically not to use that kind of product.
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Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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Subject: |
Septic 101 as I remember it
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Date:
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3/3/2010 8:51:32 PM
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from my early years as a biology major.
Rid-x is basically a catalyst to a natural process and certainly will not hurt and may help. Septic systems are all about decomposition and water absorption. If the stuff you put in there decomposes properly, and the ground can handle the flow, a system can go for many years without any maintenance or pumping. The biggest enemies of a septic system are household chemicals (such as bleach) and trash (such as grease and garbage from a garbage disposal). These can overwhelm the natural decomposition process. Grease should always be avoided. If you use a garbage disposal or bleach regularly, a catalyst will help but you should still plan on pumping every 3-5 years. The best advice for a biologically healthy system is no grease, limited garbage, and little or no bleach (or other chemicals). Believe it or not, even the regular use of antibiotics (by associated humans) can upset the natural balance of a septic system.
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this applies to a traditional gravity fed system...as Hound pointed out, there are new technologies that may operate differently.
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Name: |
lakeplumber
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Subject: |
Septic 101 as I remember it
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Date:
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3/3/2010 9:12:52 PM
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I would agree with the Hound and Jlazc.
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Name: |
Maverick
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 9:22:30 PM
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Once asked Leon Archer's foreman the question regarding Rid-X as we may not use our cabin for 3 months or so in the winter and he said do not waste your money. But what he did say is he would recommend about every 6 months flush the following:
- 1 Quart of soured whole cultured butter milk - 1 Package of Bakers yeast
Sounds like a great formula to me to keep a septic tank active.
Have never tried it, but need too.
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Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 9:58:30 PM
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my guess is that the buttermilk and yeast combo would cost as much as a dose of Rid-x....from a biological standpoint you are doing about the same thing either way.
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Name: |
water_watcher
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 9:58:53 PM
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Yes, they were very helpful and cooperative. I was not the only one. Basically I had to pay about 10% after they looked back at my history.
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Name: |
water_watcher
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 10:00:07 PM
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Thanks for the info ... that is why I need someone to come out. I have no clue. :)
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Name: |
water_watcher
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/3/2010 10:07:04 PM
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Thanks much ... i will call them tomorrow.
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Name: |
lakeplumber
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Subject: |
Speaking of Rid-X for septic tanks
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Date:
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3/3/2010 10:35:30 PM
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Sounds like a volatile mix. I suggest that one not drink the mix but flush directly into the septic system.
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very good advice indeed...
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Name: |
roswellric
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Subject: |
Septic Tank
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Date:
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3/4/2010 9:53:26 PM
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William Fuller Backhoe 691 Point Cloxson Cir, Jacksons Gap, AL 36861-2508 (256) 212-3865
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