3 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Septic Service

The easiest way to save money on your septic services is to ensure your tank is in good condition. Regular service can ensure your tank is working properly, and should our technicians discover a problem you'll be able to address it right away before it gets worse. Fixing any small problems before they have a chance to turn into bigger ones can extend the life of your septic system. Not sure when you're due to be pumped? Contact us today to schedule service. We can assess your system and determine a routine pumping schedule to keep things running smoothly. 

Backups and clogs can lead to unexpected service calls requiring high pressure jetting or drain cleaning. Fortunately, most backups can be prevented with routine service. Another way to prevent a septic issue is to monitor what you flush or rinse down the drain. Wipes, paper towels, tissues, balls of hair and feminine products are obvious no-nos that can cause physical clogs and backups. Other items to avoid include chemicals, grease and cleaning products – products that aren’t the always the “obvious” ones.

The reason for this is because your septic system is designed to break down solids and waste with naturally occurring bacteria. When you suddenly introduce harsh chemicals or grease to that environment, your septic tank’s pH can change dramatically, ruining the balance of “healthy” bacteria that keeps your tank working properly.

If you’re not sure if a product or detergent is septic safe, simply check the label. Many toilet paper products have a “septic safe” label or icon. And at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Septic backups are a huge mess to deal with and repairs can add up. If you do run into a problem, however, we can help. Clean Earth Septic offers septic pumping in the Elmira, Owego, Ithaca, Hector and Watkins areas. Here’s a cheat sheet for you! NEVER flush or rinse the following items down the drain:

• Gasoline, oil and other petroleum products
• Cooking grease and oils
• Paint, paint thinner or solvents
• Antibacterial soaps (in large amounts)
• Products with high levels of phosphorous – often found in laundry detergents, cleaning supplies etc.
• Feminine products, makeup removing wipes or baby wipes
• Even those wipes labeled "flushable" should never be flushed

Another simple way to save money on your septic pumping is to make sure your manhole cover or septic cleanout is exposed and doesn't require digging to open. If your manhole cover or cleanout is buried, it will take our technicians extra time to locate it and dig it out. To make your manhole cover easier to access, we can install a riser or an "extension." 

A septic tank extension is a large diameter concrete or plastic pipe that runs vertically from the pump-out openings or access ports at the top of a septic tank up to ground level. Risers come in various heights to bring any access port to grade. A lid fits securely on the top of the riser and sits flush with the ground, eliminating digging and searching. Because the riser extends from your tank opening to the lawn surface, it makes accessing your septic tank for pumping, maintenance and inspections much easier. Think you're a candidate for septic risers or extensions? Visit our previous post to learn more. 

If you stick to a regular maintenance schedule, monitor what you flush, and invest in septic tank risers to bring your manhole cover to grade, you'll save yourself a bunch of money in the long run on your Twin Tiers septic services! Contact us today to learn more.