What to Expect From Septic Repair in Chappaqua, NY

February 20, 2020 Halstead Media Group

When your Chappaqua, NY, septic system is not functioning properly, do you know what to expect when you call for service? Here is what to expect from septic repair services.

Septic System Workings

A septic system is an environmentally responsive waste system that works well for homes that have no access to municipal sewage. A large tank is buried under the ground to store the water and waste. Once in the tank, the sludge and solids settle at the bottom where they are decomposed by beneficial bacteria and microorganisms.

The water sits in the middle and drains out through a pipe into the leach bed where it slowly sifts back into the ground. The ground acts as a natural filter for any impurities. The top portion of the tank holds the scum, grease, and oils that don’t break down.

What the Septic Systems Pros Will Check

When you call reliable septic professionals, they will check specific parts of your septic system to see where the problem lies and propose a solution. Sometimes it’s as simple as pumping the tank but other times it can be more serious.

Visual inspection: The septic professionals will perform a visual inspection to see how your toilets, drains, and washing machine are draining. They will flush the toilets and run the faucets to determine if the draining is slow or stopped up.
Inspection of yard: Inspection of the yard can involve looking for puddles when it has not been raining or moisture that is around where the tank is buried. They may also look for bright green, tall grass tufts, which can mean that extra water is there. This can indicate a broken pipe or damage to the tank that has caused your system not to work correctly.
Odor detection: Any stinky smells either indoors or outdoors can indicate a leak in the tank or in the pipes since there should be no odors associated with a septic system that is functioning correctly.
Roots in the pipes: Roots from trees and shrubs grow toward a water source, and when you have a leak or broken pipe that allows water to seep out, the roots grow in that direction. Eventually, the roots will penetrate the pipe and block the flow of waste from your home.

What Your Septic Expert Might Suggest

Your septic professionals might say that your septic tank needs to be pumped out, which should generally happen every one to three years. Or they could suggest more intensive measures to remedy the problems. However, no dirt should be moved before you completely understand the essential repair and exactly how it should be done.

Pump out: To pump out the contents of the tank and restore your system to good working order, they will bring out a truck to pump the contents out.
Repair of pipes: When tree roots have grown into the pipes, they must be removed and the pipe repaired to allow the waste to flow to the tank once more.
Tank replacement: Occasionally, the septic tank must be replaced because it has become non-functional.
Drain field reposition: At times the drain field might not be well situated on the property or it could be that the soil is too dense to drain correctly. In this case, they could suggest a biodiffuser, which provides 2.5 more volume capacity than a traditional drain field.