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Articles tagged with: Homeowner

KPHD Home Owner's Guide

on Thursday, 26 January 2017.

The Kitsap Public Health District (KPHD) has published a Home Owner's Guide to on-site sewage systems (OSS). This is a helpful and informative tool, which helps to explain the different types of systems, why the care of your system is so important, what to do when your system fails, (because eventually all systems will fail) and has some great illustrations. 
You can find the online version of this guide here. Please note that the KPHD has recently changed their phone number, and can now be reached at 360-728-2235.

Are Septic Additives Beneficial?

on Thursday, 17 March 2016.

The short answer? No. In order for a septic sytem to function properly, bacteria needs to be present in the tanks to break down the effluent. The bacteria is something which is added to your system naturally, as you use the system. Septic additives can kill off the bacteria in the system, causing a bigger problem. Once the bacteria has been removed, there is nothing to help break down the effluent. If the effluent isn't broken down properly, it will result in the need for more frequent pump-outs. Additionally, some septic additives can be very harmful to your system, causing problems in your drain field. There are no known additives that will reduce the build up of solids in your tank, making pumping unnecessary. Reducing the amount of toilet paper that goes into the system can lead to decreased pump outs, as well as making sure that other items, such as paper towels, baby wipes, flushable wipes and any other items don't get flushed down the toilets. With the exception of toilet paper, if it doesn't come out of you, it shouldn't go into your septic system.

Landscaping Your Septic System

on Friday, 22 April 2016.

One of the more frequent questions we are asked is "What can I plant over my drain field?". We do suggest planting grass over your drain field, as it helps with evaporation and providing oxygen to your system. However, it's extremely important to know what else can be planted and what should be avoided. Planting certain types of plants and trees near your drain field can cause it to become root bound and fail prematurely, costing you thousands of dollars. 
 
Non-invasive plants, and those without deep roots are good ideas. Grass is always an excellent choice for planting over a drain field. It's important to avoid planting edible plants such as fruits and vegetables in your drain field area. The consistent, heavy amounts of water required to grow fruits and vegetables could easily flood a drain field. It's not a good idea to plant anything you plan to eat in the soils of your drain field, for obvious reasons. If you'd like to plant something more than grass near your drain field, you can always speak with a gardener, landscaping company or visit a nursery for more information on non-invasive plants. 
 
Typically, shrubs and trees can have some pretty intrusive root systems, which will actively seek water and grow into the legs of your drain field. Invasive roots have been known to break pipes and other important septic components, and grow inside or even break septic tanks. It's important to remember that even though you can't see them, some tree roots can spread out the same height of the tree. It's best to avoid planting trees near your drain field. Certain types of trees, such as alder, cedar, maple, poplar, and willow trees are best avoided, as they can cause the most damage to a drain field. Blackberry bushes, English ivy and ferns are also plants to avoid having near your drain field. 
 
In ground sprinkler systems are not recommended. During warm summer months, watering the lawn is understandable, but limit the amount of water as much as possible. Try to water no more than an inch a week. Remember the more water that goes into your system, the more it will impact your drain field. Keep in mind that septic components can have varying depths, with some being as shallow as 6-12 inches. It's not a good idea to do any heavy digging or rototilling in your drain field, or near the tanks. If you're unsure of where your septic components are, check the Record of Construction, sometimes called an as-built, for your system. If you do not have a copy of this, you can check online here.

Protecting Your OnSite Sewage System

on Tuesday, 01 March 2016.

Protecting your OnSite Sewage System, or OSS, is important as it can help your OSS achieve a longer lifespan. One of the most important ways you can protect your OSS is to watch what goes down the drains and into your system. You'll want to keep grease, hair and food scraps from going down the drain as much as possible. It's important not to flush diapers, flushable wipes, plastics, paper towels, cigarettes, kitty litter, personal hygiene or birth control products down the toilet. These items do not break down once they're in your system, and can cause back ups, the need for frequent pump outs, and worst case scenario, can cause your system to fail prematurely. Automatic toilet bowl cleaners, deodorizers and garbage disposals should be avoided, as these items also do not break down once they're in the system. You'll want to carefully watch the use of strong drain cleaners (such as Draino, etc) and other chemicals. These chemicals have a negative impact on the bacteria needed to break down the organic matter in the septic tanks. Never pour products labeled as "danger" or "poison" down the drain. These items should be safely disposed of at the Moderate Risk Waste Facility. They can be reached at 360-377-5777.

Doing laundry is an important part of everyday life, however, there are some key things to remember in this area as well. Don't overuse detergents, minimize the use of liqiud fabric softeners and use dryer sheets whenever possible. It's also important to note that some powdered detergents have fillers which can clog the pipes of your septic system. Having a day set aside as "Laundry Day" may seem convenient, however, it's better to spread laudry throughout the week, allowing your drainfield to recover in between loads. Try to do no more than two loads a day. You'll also want to keep an eye on leaky fixtures and toilets and get them fixed. Conserving water whenever possible is another great way to protect your OSS. 

It's important to know where your OSS is located on your property. This helps ensure the drain field is not being driven over or parked on. Digging in both your drainfield and your reserve area should be avoided. It's best to only plant grass in the drain field areas, as roots from trees and shrubs can clog and damage a drain field. 

For more information on caring for your septic system, click here.

To see what a septic design looks like on paper, or to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of systems, click here.