What should I consider when designing and installing a septic system?
When designing and installing a septic system, we consider factors including the size of your property, needs of your family, and environmental considerations. Using precise calculations, we design a septic system that fits each company’s and family’s individual specifications. When installing a septic system, it is further important for each customer to understand proper septic system maintenance. We can help you here too.
How do I know if my septic system is working properly?
Routine septic system maintenance is necessary to ensure long-term optimal function of your septic system. If your system is malfunctioning, there will likely be some signs, such as toilets that will not drain properly, gurgling noises from your pipes, particularly lush areas of greenery in your yard, or, of course, awful smell and effluent leaking into your yard.
How do I properly maintain my septic system?
The regular lifespan of a septic system, if properly maintained, is 25 years. Having your tank inspected yearly and pumping every 2-5 years is recommended by the Ministry of the Environment. If you have not been completing proper upkeep, or have purchased a property with a septic system that hasn’t been maintained, we also offer rejuvenation services.
Help! My septic system is leaking into my yard. What do I do?
This is a sign of septic system failure. Contact us immediately: 705-206-5582.
What are some different types of septic systems?
Gravity Septic Systems
A conventional gravity system is the simplest form of an onsite wastewater system and requires deep usable soil depths (>30 inches). A conventional gravity system consists of a septic tank and drainfield.
Pump Septic Systems
These systems utilize a separate pump tank and pump to properly distribute wastewater to the drain lines and are most often used when the drainfield is located uphill of the home. The drainfield can utilize almost any type of gravel or gravel-less drainline.
Pressure Manifold System
Pressure distribution systems are designed to create better distribution of wastewater over the extent of the drainfield. These systems are typically used when soil conditions are less than optimal coupled with steep slopes or limited available space
Low-Pressure Pipe Systems
Drip disposal systems are generally utilized for sites with usable soil depths of 18 to 24 inches. The system consists of a septic tank, pump tank, hydraulic unit, and drip tubing drainfield.
Drip Disposal System
These drip disposal systems are similar to the anaerobic systems except that they have an aerobic pretreatment unit that further treats the wastewater. These systems are utilized on the most marginal soils with usable soil depths of 13 to 18 inches.
How to plan a new or replacement septic tank installation
Here is a quick reference guide of the items you should consider and discuss with a wastewater treatment professional when planning the purchase of a septic installation:
Land layout
It is important to properly visualize the space that the septic installation will occupy on your land.
- Do you want to set a space aside for a future pool, spa, shed or other landscaping item?
Verify with the wastewater treatment professional if the septic installation will be higher than the land elevation. - Do you know where the house's drainage system is located?
Also verify if the access to your land will be restricted after the installation. - Do you want to set a space aside for a future pool, spa, shed or other landscaping item?
- Verify with the wastewater treatment professional if the septic installation will be higher than the land elevation.
- Do you know where the house's drainage system is located?
- Also verify if the access to your land will be restricted after the installation.
Electrical work
Certain electrical hook-ups and work may be required.
- It is recommended to contact a certified electrician before installing a septic system to verify whether modifications will be needed to the house's power panel.
- Make sure the connection to your house's power panel is appropriate for the planned septic installation.
- If the septic installation requires a pump or alarm, determine where it will be installed and connected.
Annual fees
A regulatory requirement in most areas stipulates that all advanced secondary systems must be backed by an annual maintenance contract with the system manufacturer, its representative or a qualified third party.
- Ask for the system's annual maintenance fees.
- Verify if certain parts and components will need to be cleaned or replaced in the future.
- If your septic installation requires a tertiary disinfection treatment unit (FDi or Self-Cleaning DiUV lamp), verify how often effluent samples must be taken to comply with the regulation.
Use of the property
Discuss property use with the treatment professional.
- Principal residence
- Secondary residence
- Home office
- Daycare centre
- Hair/beauty salon, spa
- Multiple dwelling
How many bedrooms does the residence have?
- 1,2,3,4,5,6
Is it possible that the number of bedrooms in the residence may be increased?
- Yes
- No
- How many?
In the case of a secondary residence, how often do the occupants use it?
- Weekends only
- A few months per year
- Other
Regulations
Do specific regulations apply to the land?
- Local conservation authority regulation
- Floodplain zoning regulation
- Agricultural zoning regulation
- Slope stability zoning regulation
- Protected wetland
Was the residence built in a zone covered by?
- A resource protection plan
- A more extensive treatment may be required
What is involved in industrial cleaning services?
Industrial cleaning requires expertise, as well as the right tools. We use a dry ice blaster to reach all areas of your facilities, and clean every machine according to specifications. We further clean surfaces including floors and walls, to ensure your space is clean and your equipment is functioning at its best.