Aerobic Septic Systems Maintenance Tips

Aerobic Septic System Maintenance Do's...

  •    CHECK & ADD CHLORINE EVERY 2 TO 4 WEEKS IN THE PROPER CONTAINER. SOME SYSTEMS REQUIRE LIQUID BLEACH & OTHERS REQUIRE SEPTIC CHLORINATING TABLETS.
  • LIQUID RESERVOIR SYSTEMS USUALLY HOLD 3 GALLONS, DEPENDING ON MONTHLY WASTE WATER USAGE.
  • WE RECOMMEND THE USE OF SEPTIC CHLORINATING TABLETS (WHICH IS WHAT IS REQUIRED) OVER THE USE OF SWIMMING POOL CHLORINATING TABLETS. WE RECOMMEND NO MORE THAN 4 (FOUR) TABLETS AT A TIME.  **PLEASE NOTE: NOT TO MIX THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF TABLETS SINCE THIS MAY/CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO EITHER YOUR SYSTEM OR BODILY INJURY.**
  • KEEP THE VEGETATION AROUND YOUR COMPRESSOR SHORT & FREE OF TALL GRASS, BRUSH AND SHRUBS. THIS WILL HELP THE COMPRESSOR GET AIR.
  • KEEP THE VEGETATION AROUND THE SPRAY HEADS SHORT SO THAT THEY WILL ROTATE PROPERLY (RECOMMENDATION OF AT LEAST A 10 FOOT RADIUS).
  • KEEP THE VEGETATION AROUND THE TANK LID SHORT, AS WELL AS, FREE OF BRUSH & SHRUBS.
  • CHECK YOUR SYSTEM ON A MONTHLY BASIS FOR FIRE ANTS. THESE LITTLE GUYS CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR AEROBIC SYSTEM.  IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TREAT THEM WITH SOME KIND OF ANT BAIT, SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE COMPRESSOR & TANK AREA.
  • DO SPACE OUT YOUR LAUNDRY WASH LOADS OVER A FEW DAYS RATHER THAN OVERLOAD YOUR SYSTEM ON ONE DAY.
  • USE NATURAL CLEANERS: BAKING SODA, VINEGAR OR BORAX
  • PUMP OUT YOUR SYSTEM EVERY 4 (FOUR) TO 6 (SIX) YEARS OR AS NEEDED.
  • WE DO RECOMMEND USING A PRO-PUMP HOME SAVER KIT, THIS HELPS WITH THE GOOD BACTERIA IN YOUR SYSTEM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO START THIS YEARLY REGIME, PLEASE CALL J BAR C SEPTIC SERVICES LLC AT    (830) 998 -2582 AND WE CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED.

Aerobic Septic System Maintenance Do Not's...

WE RECOMMEND NOT FLUSHING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DOWN YOUR SYSTEM, EVEN IF IT IS NOTED AS SEPTIC SAFE.

 

  • WET WIPES
  • BABY WET WIPES
  • MAKE UP REMOVER WIPES
  • CONDOMS
  • COTTON BALLS
  • CIGARETTE BUTTS
  • TAMPONS/SANITARY NAPKINS
  • DIAPERS
  • PLASTIC/ LATEX GLOVES
  • USE OF A GARBAGE DISPOSAL AT ALL BUT IF YOU USE IT DO SO SPARINGLY, SINCE THIS WILL MAKE YOUR AEROBIC SYSTEM NEED TO BE PUMPED OUT MORE FREQUENTLY.

THE USE OF THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS CAN BE HARSH ON YOUR SYSTEM.

  • QUATERNARY AMMONIA
  • ANTIBACTERIAL SOAPS
  • TOILET BOWL CLEANERS
  • DRAIN CLEANERS
  • BLEACH (OVERUSE)

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AND ARE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE CLEANERS,

VISIT ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP WEBSITE  THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

FOR AEROBIC SYSTEMS ONLY:  IF YOU HAVE A WATER SOFTENER

(DEMAND-INITIATED REGENERATION)  IT CAN ONLY DRAIN IN TO THE PUMP TANK AND THAT IS IT.

aerobic septic systems maintenance j bar c septic services

Troubleshooting Your Aerobic System

J Bar C Septic Services has compiled a list of instructions about what to do if you see or hear an alarm going off.  Most aerobic systems have two alarms: a Red Alarm (High Water Alarm) and an Amber Alarm (Compressor Alarm)

Red Alarm (HWA)
  1. Locate the HWA switch (it should be located on the side of the panel) and toggle.  To mute, place in middle position.
  2. Are the spray heads spraying? If they are, [roceed to #3.  If they are not spraying, proceed to #4.
  3. Stop using water and check to make sure that there is no running faucets/toilets.  This will allow the water level in the tank to drop below the alarm level.  Once the red light turns off, ou then need to switch the toggle back up to the RUN position.
  4. Reset the circuit breaker in the control panel.  It is the one labeled PUMP/20AMP.  Go check to see if the spray heads are spraying. If  they are, proceed to #5.  If they are not spraying, proceed to #6.
  5. Allow water level in the tank to drop below the alarm level.  Once the red light turns off, you will need to switch the toggle back up to the RUN position.
  6. If after following these steps and the alarm persists, conserve water usage and please call J Bar C Septic Services at (830) 998-2582.
Amber Alarm (COMP)
  1. Locate the COMP switch.  It should be located on the front of the control panel.  Once located, toggle it to the MIDDLE position to mute.
  2. Check to see if the compressor is running.  Most compressors are covered with a concrete “dog house”.  Remove the concrete dog house so that you can see the compressor.  Once located, if you place your hand on top of the compressor, you should feel for vibration. If YES, proceed to #3.  If NO, proceed to #4.
  3. Check to make sure that there aren’t any leaks or detachments within the air tubing.  Start at the bottom side of the compressor and follow up to the bottom rear of the control panel.  If detached, reattach the air tubing.  If a leak is detected, tape it up and call J Bar C Septic Services at (830) 998-2582.  Once the amber light turns off, you will need to switch the COMP toggle back to the UP/RUN position.
  4. Reset the circuit breaker.  This is the middle breaker located inside the control panel.  Now go back to the compressor and place your hand on it to feel for vibration.  If YES, proceed to #5.  If NO, proceed to #6.
  5. Once the amber light goes off, switch the COMP toggle back to the UP/RUN position.
  6. If after following these steps and the alarm persists, pleaase contact J Bar C Septic Services at (830) 998-2582.