The Septic system is an on-site sewage treatment and disposal system buried in the ground. A septic system consists of a septic tank and a soil absorption area.

The purpose of a septic tank is to receive household wastes (laundry, bath water, discarded food scraps, body wastes, etc.) Solids settle to the bottom and grease rises to the top. The liquid passes into a leaching system. Bacterial action decomposes part of the solids and grease. Inorganic and hard-to-decompose material remains and gradually fills the tank until the solids pass into and plug the leaching system.

Solid material overflowing into the soil absorption area should be avoided at all costs. When solids overflow, they clog the soil pores and cause septic systems to fail. Two main factors cause solid material to build up and to overflow:

• Bacterial Deficiency
• Lack of Sludge Removal by Septic Tank Cleaning

Bacterial must be present in the septic tank to digest the organic solids. Normally bacterial is present from household waste unless harm is done to the bacteria from certain home care products that destroy them. There is only one additive that we know of, that when added just once a month, can help keep your septic system healthy for years. We call it KB-X-TENDR, and it is medicine for your entire septic system. It contains millions and millions of good bacteria which are necessary for a septic system's health.

An over abundance of commonly used home care products that will kill bacteria necessary for proper septic tank operation are toilet cleaners, detergents, and bleach. NEVER dispose of acids, polishes, caustic drain cleaners, oil, paint, etc., in your septic system. KB-X-TENDR puts back the bacteria that are killed by home care products.

The Leaching System

The liquid from the septic tank system goes into the leaching field where it seeps away into the soil. Impurities are removed by filtering through the soil and by bacterial action. If solids and grease are allowed to pass through the septic tank, they will plug the pores and no longer permit the liquid to seep away. They clog the pipe perforations and cause drainage to slow and eventually stop. The liquid then backs up into the house or overflows onto the ground causing a mess and a terrible problem.

Septic System Failure Symptoms

These are the warning signs of a failing or failed septic system:

• Mushy ground or greener lawn in the area of the septic system.
• Sluggish drains in your home.
• Plumbing backups.
• Outdoor "sewage" odor.
• Gurgling sound in pipes or drains.

If you have any one or all of the above symptoms - Don't Panic. There is a possibility that you may need a relatively inexpensive repair or a Terralift treatment. Terralift is an above-ground, no-dig, septic rejuvenation system. It takes one day or less, costs much less than a new septic system, lasts for years, and has an amazing 100% success rate from Kaiser-Battistone.

Maintaining Your Septic Tank

A normal septic tank should be cleaned every two years with ordinary use. If you have a garbage disposal, your septic tank should be cleaned once a year. Septic system maintenance means that sludge that accumulates at the bottom of the tank must be cleaned out periodically. There is no additive that you can put in the tank that will deal with the sludge. It must be pumped. If it is not cleaned, it will clog the system, which will then need replacement. A new septic system is an enormous expense, not to mention the inconvenience and time lost. Additives may be used for extending the life of leach fields, but the septic tank should be cleaned for the removal of sludge and solids.

Kaiser-Battistone stands ready to solve your septic maintenance and repair problems. We clean your tank on a planned schedule and send out reminders when needed. Or we can schedule an appointment whenever you call us.  We service Fairfield County, New Haven County and Westchester county area in Southern Connecticut.

We will also help you prepare a sketch of your system (if it isn't already in our files,) and advise you on the proper maintenance of your entire septic system.