Why Proper Ventilation is Important for Septic Systems

Proper Ventilation for septic system in California

Proper ventilation is vitally important with any septic systems. Unfortunately, almost every homeowner has at some point smelled the “rotten egg” odor associated with the seeping septic gases that result from improper ventilation. Fortunately, NexGen Septics are here with some ventilation advice to help you avoid this discouraging situation.

Septic Tank Overview

Most septic tanks consist of a large concrete, steel, fiberglass, or poly container of around 1,000 gallons in volume. They are traditional buried underground near a house or commercial building. Connected to this tank are the pipes and toilets located in the nearby structure. When someone in the building flushes a toilet, the waste travels through the pipes and into the tank, where it settles at the bottom and decomposes. Meanwhile, the water flows to the local water treatment facility or a drain field.

A Septic Tank’s Vent

When empty, the septic tank is nothing more than a huge underground cavity that’s comprised mostly of air. The tank and its plumbing system are sealed, which means the air inside is trapped. However, as the tank fills with waste and water run-off, the air needs somewhere to go – otherwise, the pressure it creates will halt the flow of waste and back up the toilets, etc. in the adjacent home. This is why proper venting of a septic tank and the system are crucial. All of the gases are to be vented back through the house and out of the vents in the roof. Eliminating the odors that are often associated with a failing system or lack of ventilation.

Ventilation Speed

Since septic tanks function using gravity and nothing else, the frequency and speed with which air is ventilated depends on how fast the tank fills up – or on the flipside, dries out. But as long as the air has somewhere to go, flowage from the structure to the tank will continue like clockwork (absent some other form of blockage).

Odor Control

Since the odor coming from a septic tank is usually not a chronic problem, some people living or working in the vicinity of a tank are content to deal with periodic foul odors, as long as the system works. However, there are just as many people who would rather not indulge the smell, ever. For this group there are a few odor-control options:

Increasing The Vent Pipe’s Height

As mentioned earlier, the ventilation pipe is responsible for ventilating the air and gases from inside the septic tank. Increasing the height of this pipe makes it possible to release the odors at a higher level, one that ideally sees the ventilated air blown over the structure on a windy day.

Pruning Nearby Trees

Homes and buildings located in wooded areas can sometimes see this natural beauty work against them, in the form of the trees blocking dispersal of the ventilated air and gas. The solution to this problem is to prune nearby trees to open up better “ventilation paths” around the septic system.

Charcoal Vent Filter

This inexpensive solution involves attaching charcoal vent filter to the top of the existing ventilation pipe. A charcoal filter allows air and gases to continue passing through but removes the odor that accompanies them. This vent can also be attached to the home/business’s rooftop ventilation pipe, which serves as a secondary septic ventilation system, pulling odors up and out of the home and doing so above the roof line.

Contact NexGen Septics

For all of your septic system needs, contact NexGen Septics in Rocklin, CA. As a provider of some of the industry’s most advanced septic systems, our experienced team provides insight into septic system installation, maintenance, odor removal, and much more.

What Exactly is an “Eco-Friendly” Septic System?

Eco Friendly Commercial Septic System California

Septic systems have existed for millennia, but we’ve reached a point where an eco-friendly septic system is no longer theoretical, but practical and tangible. So what exactly is an eco-friendly septic system? NexGen Septics in Roseville, CA sheds light on the next generation of wastewater treatment

Eco-Friendly Septic System: Overview

Ideally, an eco-friendly septic system is one that is applicable to a variety of residential, commercial, and municipal needs. Using an innovative technology known as passive treatment, an eco-friendly septic system cultivates naturally-occurring bacteria. This bacteria neutralizes harmful contaminants found in wastewater and then returns the treated water to the environment, where it enters the soil and eventually joins the water table.

Components

An effective eco-friendly septic system is typically comprised of the following components:

●A pipe that integrates ridges and skimmers. The ridges increase the central unit’s surface area, facilitate optimum bacterial growth, and improve cooling. The skimmers, which are found at each perforation in the central unit, have two responsibilities: 1) protect geotextiles and green fibers from clogging, and 2) keep grease and suspended solids from leaving the pipe.

●A special bio-accelerator fabric that sits along the bottom edge of the pipe. This fabric offers several advantages: it screens more solids from wastewater, accelerates and enhances water treatment, and offers additional protection for the outer layers surrounding the pipe.

●A green plastic fiber mat that covers the bio-accelerator fabric. With the fiber mat in place, a huge bacterial treatment area is created – one which not only protects the outermost covering (summarized in the next bullet), but also enhances filtration of suspended solids.

●The outermost covering is a black geotextile that offers yet another protected bacterial treatment surface, as well as a secure surrounding for the pipe and fibers.

Benefits

The benefits of an eco-friendly septic system are many. Two of the biggest relate to installation time and ongoing maintenance and fees. A “standard” wastewater treatment solution for a four-bedroom home takes upwards of a week to install. This large upfront cost is then joined by required regular maintenance and fees, representing a sizable overall investment. On the other hand, an eco-friendly septic system can be installed in as little as 8 – 12 hours and requires no ongoing maintenance, no periodic additives, no electrical costs, and no monthly fees.

Along with its ability to remove up to 99% of wastewater contaminants, an eco-friendly septic system is considerably smaller than a standard treatment system. This compact size opens up a wealth of opportunities across numerous applications, especially in areas defined by rugged, difficult terrain. Also, the fact that an eco-friendly septic system operates without the need of any moving, mechanical parts equates to superior longevity and durability.

It goes without saying, but an eco-friendly septic system doesn’t rely on toxic chemicals or additives. This makes the system especially appealing to municipalities in the U.S. and Canada that have strict treatment requirements for their water.

The Advanced Enviro-Septic System solution represents the future of wastewater treatment, and few companies no eco-friendly septic systems like NexGen Septics in Roseville. Contact us today for more information on our novel approach, and a free consultation.

The EnviroFin Septic Solution Officially Coming to Hawaii

septic system in hawaii

First launched in New England, the EnviroFin® Septic System is one of the most robust passive onsite wastewater treatment systems on the market. And as more homeowners and businesses discover the financial, environmental, and maintenance advantages of this patented septic technology, EnviroFin’s popularity has continued to spread nationwide.

And this growing interest isn’t just limited to the continental United States.

A few weeks ago, we wrote an article about how the EnviroFin® Septic System would soon be coming to Hawaii. And after receiving the green light earlier this year, we’re happy to announce that we’ve launched in the Aloha State as of February 2018.

Given all that’s happening in Hawaii at the moment, the timing of this Pacific launch couldn’t be better.

Why Hawaii Needs the EnviroFin® Septic System

Across the country, states are beginning to phase out the use of traditional cesspools and older septic systems. And nowhere is this decommissioning more pronounced than in Hawaii – a relatively small state with surprisingly large waste management challenges.

Outdated cesspools not only continue to threaten drinking water for local residents, but they’ve also started to chip away at the state’s primary source of revenue – i.e. tourism.

And already, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has started doling out hefty fines to those who continue to use antiquated septic and cesspool solutions.

To avoid these penalties, protect their citizens, and safeguard the tourism industry, Hawaii is now engaged in an aggressive push to upgrade its current waste management infrastructure with greener and more sustainable alternatives.

By 2050, in fact, the state hopes to phase out all 90,000 of its cesspools that have been identified.

And this is precisely where the EnviroFin® Septic System comes in.

Using a passive wastewater treatment technology, each EnviroFin® unit is able to transform wastewater into 99.98% contaminate free wastewater – all without relying on toxic chemicals or additives. This treatment process not only benefits area residents and vacationers, but it also protects waterways that might normally become contaminated using traditional septic systems or cesspools.

The ecological benefits of EnviroFin® are very clear.

But does it make financial sense to install this septic technology?

Hawaii Will Help Subsidize Your Septic System Upgrade

By mid-century, every residential, commercial, and municipal property throughout the state will need to replace its current cesspool with a more environmentally friendly alternative.

That’s a pretty large (and potentially expensive) undertaking.

The good news is that EnviroFin® is already more affordable than most traditional septic solutions. This is especially true when you factor in the maintenance and upkeep costs associated with non-passive septic technologies.

But there’s even better news.

The Hawaiian government is now offering generous incentives to help with this statewide transition. Under Act 120, the EnviroFin® qualifies for tax credits that can further drive down the already low cost of this powerful septic technology. Each septic system upgrade or replacement is eligible for up to $10,000 in tax relief, making EnviroFin® one of the most cost-effective secondary wastewater treatment technologies on the market.

To learn more about our upcoming Hawaii launch – or to ask questions about the EnviroFin® Septic System – schedule a free consultation with us today.