Category: Uncategorized

Septic Tank Risers: Pros and Cons

June 7, 2016

Because septic tanks are buried underground, locating and accessing tank lids for inspection and pumping can be a potentially difficult, time-consuming, and costly endeavor. Fortunately, the simple addition of a septic tank riser provides an easy, cost-effective solution to this problem that will provide long-term savings. What Is A Septic Tank Riser? A septic tank riser is a concrete or plastic pipe that runs vertically from the pump-out openings or access ports at the top of a septic tank to about ground level. A simple and seemingly common-sense concept, risers are often missing from standard septic tanks, particularly older models....

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Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet

April 26, 2016

In the plumbing world it is good to remember that everything is connected in one way or another. In case you never realized it, the things you flush down your toilet eventually end up in your septic tank. c With knowledge comes power and knowing which items should never be flushed down your toilet and into your septic system can help you prevent plumbing problems later on down the road. At FloHawks, we have seen more than our fair share of plumbing conundrums. Let someone else’s mistake be your lesson learned – here are a few common items that people...

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Common Types of Floor Drain Problems

March 29, 2016

Typically, unnoticed, most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about their floor drains. But floor drains can be a lifesaver if your house floods from a pipe that bursts – a basement floor drain quickly gives the water a way out before it can cause further damage or promote mold growth. But as anyone who has ever had an over-flooded floor drain can tell you, your floor drain can cause problems as well. It’s important to recognize and address any issues quickly so you can prevent serious damage from happening to your home. The floor drain is a...

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Brown Water in Your Pipes: What You Need to Know about Deteriorating Pipes

February 16, 2016

Access to water in the U.S. couldn’t be easier, you wake up, make coffee, jump in the shower, brush your teeth and turn on the dishwater on your way out the door. The EPA estimates that, “The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, and that, “roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors.” So when you’re greeted with brown water coming from your faucets first thing in the morning, it’s a cause for some concern. Sometimes brown water in your home’s water supply can be linked to: Burst water mains in your...

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Washington Septic Tank Failures: What You Need to Know

January 15, 2016

While most homes in the state of Washington are connected to public sewage lines, there are still a large percentage of homes who rely on septic tanks to handle their homes raw sewage. Septic systems are small underground tanks that provide basic treatment at a relatively low cost to areas without sewers. Properly maintained septic systems operate well but when they’re neglected they are a threat that can cause damage to the local public’s health and ecosystem. Most septic systems are installed across rural counties where resources are scarce. Homeowners end up ignoring their septic system and relying on the...

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Hydro jet into the New Year

January 7, 2016

If your pipes seem to take too long to drain or if you’re spending way too much time pouring caustic chemicals down your drains to no avail, hydro jetting your plumbing lines may be the best gift you give yourself this year. What Is Hydro Jetting? Hydro jetting is a blast… for your pipes and plumbing. Traditionally used in commercial services, like restaurants to clear sewage and drainage lines of grease and food buildups, FloHawks and other plumbing and septic companies now suggest hydro jetting for residential drain and sewage line cleaning for homeowners on municipal sewer systems and also...

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Clogged Toilets Fact vs. Fiction: The Best Way to Unclog a Toilet

December 8, 2015

With all the holidays, family and friends may be gathering at your home to enjoy the season together and to feast on way too much food – which can quickly lead to a clogged toilet situation. While a simple clogged toilet doesn’t necessarily require the services of a plumber to solve the problem, some clogs indicating a drainpipe breach or a septic system failure. While FloHawks Plumbing and Septic professionals, will be happy to come out on a holiday, at no extra charge to you, we’d like to let you in on a few tried and true ways you can...

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What Happens in the Drain Field from Waste to Wastewater?

December 2, 2015

Since they are stable and inexpensive, subsurface soil absorption fields (also called drain fields or leach fields) usually are considered to be the best method for treating and dispersing effluent from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. The basic function of a drain field is to deal with the septic tank effluent by allowing it to percolate into the ground. What Is A Drain Field? A drain field is a wastewater disposal system. Well-designed and maintained drain fields are an effective way to remove disease-causing microorganisms from septic tank wastewater (effluent). After passing through the septic tank, settled...

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Upsetting the System? Bacterial Breakdown in Septic Tanks

November 10, 2015

Life inside your septic tank is a carefully maintained of billions of naturally occurring microscopic critters living in a septic system, allowing it to work properly. For bacteria activity to occur, a septic tank should have a temperature above 40 degrees F. Bacteria, which are naturally present in all septic systems, digest the solids that have settled to the bottom of the tank and begin the decomposition process. A septic tank will usually have a pH between 6 and 7.5. How Bacteria Work The trillions of naturally occurring bacteria that thrive inside a septic system play a major part in...

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Are the chemical additives you are pouring in your septic really helping?

June 16, 2015

Numerous septic tank chemical additives products are readily available in the marketplace today. Manufacturers claim that these additives are designed to “rejuvenate” bacterial populations living in a septic system, which can easily be destroyed by household chemicals. Other enzyme type-additives are intended to reduce fats, oils, and grease in a septic tank and supposedly minimize the need for pumping. However this marketing can be very misleading. In fact, additives are not needed to enhance the normal function of a septic system. Don’t be fooled! They have no proven benefit, can contain questionable ingredients, and can be costly. Drain Cleaners Can...

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