Septic Aerators

Before purchasing any real estate, a prospective homeowner should ask the real estate agent whether the house is on the city sewer system. If it isn't, or if it's unimproved land outside city limits, the buyer will be dealing with a septic tank and its attendant maintenance. If there is no septic system in place, obtaining a permit to install one and getting that done correctly will be high on the list of required steps.

Regulations regarding septic systems are strict and inspections are mandatory. A particular agency may require test pits to be dug to check drainage characteristics before a permit is issued. Once operational, a septic tank can be maintained by not putting more waste and water into it than is absolutely necessary. It should be pumped out completely every three to five years, depending on homeowner precautions, tank capacity, and warning signs of failure. The local licensed pumper can provide guidelines.

Repairs to failed septic tanks are extremely expensive but are becoming more common every year. If a septic system is close to failure, it's almost impossible to bring it back. However, septic aerators may help greatly in that attempt, if there is sufficient time for them to work. In the meantime, a new permit for a new installation will be required, usually issued by the local Environmental Health Office.

Septic Tanks Require Bacteria

Septic tanks require bacteria to break down household waste. Some bacteria work (slowly) in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen; these are called anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria, on the other hand, require oxygen and work at least 20 times more efficiently than their anaerobic relatives. For this reason, introducing oxygen into a septic system makes a great deal of sense.

Septic aerators, however, usually work off electricity and run constantly, so they could be expensive. In addition, the pumps may clog, if foreign objects or washing machine lint is sent into the septic tank. If the pump is too powerful for the size of the tank, it might flush solids outside. These will create additional problems by fouling the drainfield. So, homeowner alertness will help your septic aerator to do its very best job.