Septic Emergencies and How to Handle Them

An occasional clogged drain is bound to happen, especially if you have kids that aren't careful about what they pour down the sink or put in the toilet. When you start having frequent clogs, it's time to take a look at how you care for your septic system so you can figure out what keeps causing the problem. Proper maintenance and regular tank cleaning go a long way toward preventing emergency calls for clogged drains and backed-up sewage. Here are a few tips for maintaining your septic system, so the drains flow freely. Put Only Toilet Paper in the Toilet Toilet paper dissolves much faster than other paper products. Some brands of paper towels are so tough, they are almost like fabric. They take a long time to dissolve, and during that time, the paper keeps piling up until a clog forms. If you routinely flush paper towels or wet wipes, your sewer drain is at a higher risk of clogging, especially if there are some roots in the line to trap the paper. Also, the paper that makes its way into the septic tank and doesn't dissolve will accumulate on the bottom of the tank. This build-up forces you to pump out the tank sooner than when you throw facial tissues, wet wipes and paper towels in the trash rather than the toilet. Keep Grease out of the Sink Drain Grease is bad for your drains, and it is bad for your septic tank. Grease may look like liquid when it's warm, but as soon as it goes into your drain and cools off, it gets sticky and hard. It clings to the sides of your drain and catches other debris that floats by until a clog forms. Hot water from the tap usually isn't hot enough to melt and damage a grease clog. You can try boiling some water on the stove and pouring that in your drain to see if it dissolves the clog, but the best way to get rid of grease buildup on drains is to hire a plumber to blast it off with a powerful jet of water that scrubs the sides of the drain clean. It's even more important to keep grease out of your drain when you have a septic tank. Grease floats in the tank, and when too much grease accumulates, it can spill into the drain field and cause clogging and damage that could be expensive to repair. Call for Help When Your Drains Become Slow The first indication of a clog in the sewer line or a full tank is when the drains in your home are slow to empty. Rather than wait for more serious problems to develop, call for drain cleaning or tank pumping when you notice the slow drains. If only a kitchen sink is slow, it might be due to a clog in the sink drain. When all the drains and the toilet are slow, it's a sign of a sewer clog that needs prompt attention. Tree roots are often the cause of sewer line clogs. If you have a problem with roots, you'll want to have the drain snaked out every time they grow back, or the roots could bust the pipe. Since you can't tell if the problem is due to roots, a paper clog or a full tank, calling a plumber is the best way to figure out what is going on. A plumber can measure the level of sludge to see if the tank needs to be pumped. Or they can run a camera through the sewer line to locate the clog and identify what is causing it. Tree roots can usually be removed with a sewer snake, but sometimes a powerful hydro-jet is needed to clear the line. If you're having problems with a drain clog, slow drains or a full septic tank, call Gurney J. Bush for expert analysis of the situation and prompt service that gets your drains working again.

If you have a garbage disposal in your Indianapolis, Indiana, area home, you know that it’s an exceptional machine that makes household duties less demanding. But if not used or maintained appropriately, a garbage disposal can easily break down, and cause a costly plumbing and drain problems. Here are some do’s and don’ts of garbage disposal care: Garbage disposals can handle a selection of food items, but there are a few things that shouldn't be placed into a disposal: Large bones: Small, soft bones may acceptable, but large, heavy bones will jam the blades or completely break your disposal. Fruit pits: Much the same as large bones, fruit pits are too hard and heavy to be broken up by a residential garbage disposal. Fibrous vegetables and fruits: These foods include celery, corn husks, banana peels, and asparagus, and the tough, stringy strands will tangle the blades and render them inoperable. Uncooked rice and pasta: Uncooked rice and pasta expand when exposed to water and could form a solid, immovable plug of starches inside the disposal's drain. Never put non-food items into your garbage disposal. For example, paper, glass, plastic or wooden items can jam the disposal blades, damage the motor, or clog the drain. In addition, keep other substances out of the garbage disposal, such as bleach, lye, acids, and household chemicals. These substances could damage the seals that prevent leaks or do damage to other internal components. While we may not think about a garbage disposal often, this convenient appliance should be treated with care like any other appliance in our homes. If your garbage disposal is jammed, clogged, or leaking, contact the professionals at Gurney J. Bush, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana, for same-day service.

On average, septic systems should be checked and pumped every three years, but it doesn’t always happen. Septic systems also rely on bacteria to organically break down waste material. Adding chemicals or non-organic material to the tank can kill the necessary bacteria for a healthy system. The result can lead to many homeowners’ worst nightmare. How to Know Your Septic System is Backing Up You can usually follow your nose if you suspect something has run afoul, but just in case you need further evidence, look for the following issues: Toilets, showers and sinks draining noticeably slower than usual Unpleasant black liquid in your toilets Wastewater puddling on the ground in your yard, especially by your septic mound Unusually green grass around your septic mound What to Do in a Septic Emergency There are really only two options when your septic system backs up. The first, simply never use your plumbing in any way, ever again. The second (and only realistic solution), call a septic system specialist immediately! Most septic services offer 24-hour emergency service . If you notice any of the signs above, do not put it off until the morning. Make the call right away. Taking Preventative Measures The best way to handle a septic back up is to prevent it in the first place. Septic systems are green, environmentally friendly waste management systems, but that means that anything you put in your pipes goes straight into your septic system. Things to avoid putting into your septic system: Household cleaners (especially chemical drain cleaner) Large quantities of solids (use garbage disposals sparingly) No paint thinners or other hazardous materials like gasoline Grease, bacon fat, etc. For more information about how to prevent a backup, or what to do in the case of a septic emergency, contact Gurney J. Busch, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana, today.

Septic tanks are a great option for homes outside the municipal sewer areas, or for those families who are interested in durable, economical wastewater solution. Regular pumping is required to keep these systems running properly. Look for these three indicators and be sure to call a septic professional when your tank needs maintenance. Bad Smells A healthy septic system should be odorless. If you notice foul smells coming from indoor drains, outdoor components, or the yard where the drain field is located, it could mean your receptacle has reached capacity. Pools of Water When waste water leaves the home, it enters the tank, where solid matter settles to the bottom and liquid drains off for absorption by the surrounding soil. If you notice pools of water on the surface of your landscaping, it could mean your tank is full or overloaded and needs to be serviced as soon as possible. Sluggish Drains One of the signs of reaching full capacity is slow drainage in the interior of your home. If you have a sink, toilet or tub that is moving slower than normal, it may mean the tank has little room left to process new runoff. A routine maintenance schedule should include regular pumping. Call Gurney J. Bush, Inc. in Indianapolis at 317-634-4844 for more information about the health of your septic system.

If you own a restaurant or work in one, you know that lot of fat, oil and grease ends up going down the building's drains. For this reason, every restaurant has a grease trap in its sewage system that has the specific job of catching these elements to prevent clogs. However, regularly cleaning grease interceptors is very important and offers several benefits. It Prevents Buildup If too much fat, oil and grease—known as FOG in the industry—builds up in the grease trap, the system could become clogged, leading to a reduction in functionality. Regular cleaning ensures your restaurant remains clean and safe. Helps the Environment Without proper cleaning, the FOG in a grease trap can seep into water lines and travel to the local water supply. Grease in the water supply is not only gross, but is also a health hazard. Ensures You Stay Open for Business Backups are one of the most common problems associated with buildup of FOG in the grease interceptor. As the interceptor becomes too full, the fat and oil will begin to travel back up the drain, leading to messes that are expensive to clean up and require you to close your doors while you do so. How often your property needs to clean the grease trap depends on how large your building is, the type of food you serve, how much business you do and how much the trap can hold. To have yours cleaned today, call Gurney J. Bush, Inc. in Indianapolis at 317-634-4844 .