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Septic System Plumbing Services

The following topics are discussed below:

 

Introduction

A septic tank system is used to capture all the water and waste used by a household where there is no access to a council drainage network.

The system comprises three main components: the septic tank, the grease trap, and the septic tank irrigation. These are discussed in more depth below.

 

Our services

We have a long history of working with residences and the good old septic system. Our experience ranges from replacing old septic trench lines to installing full systems capable of servicing 60-man camps.

The latter stands out for me as it was engineered to have primary holding tanks which then pumped to an aeration chamber. It then pumped out to approximately 500 meters of irrigation land with over 70 sprinkler heads. It was a great project and it was still going strong when I visited recently 4 years later.

A failing septic tank system doesn’t mean that you must start again. This is where we come in; we like to offer you our professional opinion for free, to give you ideas and options. Your septic tank may just need to be refreshed and tweaked to make it work. We have up front maintenance prices, which include emptying tanks and cleaning them.

For completely new systems, our service can be comprehensive and include;

  • All materials
  • All labour and machinery
  • Engineered design if required.
  • All plumbing and electrical installations
  • Council inspection fees

 

Common septic tank problems

If you abide by a scheduled maintenance programme, then you should have minimal problems with the lifespan of your septic tank.

We do live in a busy world and we do neglect things from time to time, so this is when the common septic problems are likely to arise.

I have listed the most common problems below:

  • Ground movement
  • Tree root damage
  • Collapsed baffles
  • Vehicle damage
  • Damage to inspection and service pipes
  • Incorrect installation or faulty workmanship
  • Tank popping from ground
  • Age of the septic tank
  • Lack of maintenance
  • A change in ground conditions

 

Septic tank installation design

Each septic tank installation and design will be different from the next because of the determining factors uniquely associated with each installation.

The following factors are key to determining your system design. With these pieces of information, your plumber should be able to give you an accurate price and design for a whole new septic system.

  • Soil type
  • Household size and demographic
  • Land size
  • Site access
  • Geographical location
  • Water usage high or low
  • The height of the water table
  • Location of streams, rivers
  • Number and type of household fixtures and appliances (high flow vs low flow)
  • Property floor plan

 

Septic tank installation cost areas

A new installation can be broken down into 9 different costing areas; these are:

  • Septic tank purchase
  • Grease trap purchase
  • Greywater tank purchase
  • Excavation and installation of the tanks (Inc Excavator)
  • Excavation and installation of the drainage to the tanks (Inc Excavator)
  • Excavation and installation of the septic trenches (Inc Excavator)
  • Installation and setup irrigation system
  • Testing of the system
  • Council inspections

All quotes will need to be done after a site inspection and after all information is provided. I would emphasise that you need to make sure your plumber asks you questions which relate to your installation and doesn’t just go and install a standard 3000L/5000L installation.

 

Septic tank maintenance

If your septic system is designed correctly, activated at the start of its life, and nothing disrupts this process, then your septic system will require little maintenance.

The problem you will have is that an unforeseen factor will somehow affect your septic system without you knowing and the problems will start to happen.

This may happen in the form of tree roots or even antibiotics; both will in their own way stop your system from working.

The best way to be on top of a problem occurring is to arrange a maintenance schedule with a local service provider. Each local service provider will have their own checklist and processes, but this quarterly or half yearly check will extend your septic tank’s life by decades and limit your problems through the whole journey.

It may cost $200 just for a check, but this check may extend the period between emptying your tanks, thus saving you money there.

 

Septic tank handy hints

  • Get your grease trap cleaned out. If you do not, grease may enter the septic tank and seepage drainage and clog it up.
  • Add an activation ingredient in your septic tank to ensure it is performing at its best and the bacteria are doing their job.
  • Do not let the sludge build up too much in your septic tank; this will eventually lead to drainage issues. Empty it out periodically.
  • Try not to use antibacterial cleaning products; use green friendly products.
  • If antibiotic medicine is used in your home, then you may need to reactivate your septic tank.

 

Future Works

As a previous client, you can now enjoy the benefits of being a Yates Plumbing and Gas VIP Member.

To view member benefits, go to our home page.

 

CURRENT PLUMBING SPECIALS

  • Every new septic tank installation will receive a free septic tank clean out after 12 months (Value $600).
  • All new grease trap installations will receive a free clean out after 12 months (Value $500)