Repairs
We provide system-wide repair and upgrade services beginning with the permitting process.
Routine care and maintenance of your wastewater treatment system is critical; however, issues can arise over time that even regular maintenance cannot prevent. New Jersey Septic Management Group (“NJSMG”) is a full-service provider with the skills and experience to diagnose and correct any issue. Our highly trained and experienced technicians advise and guide homeowners through all stages of septic system installation and repair, not only providing quality and efficient services but also a sustainable product that you can depend on for years to come. Our goal is to prevent any negative impact on our natural resources…specifically, ground water.
At NJSMG, we offer a full suite of maintenance and repair services. All repairs are performed to the highest standards and as required, under permit and officially inspected, including:
Septic Tank Risers & Lids
As 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.
A septic tank RISER is a concrete or poly (high-density polyethylene) cylinder that runs vertically from the opening on top of a buried septic tank to about ground level (envision a chimney). A simple and seemingly commonsense concept, risers are required on all new septic tank installations and can be retrofitted onto existing septic tanks as well for ease of access.
Risers are made from materials that offer durability against weather conditions. The height and width of the riser depends on how far below the ground your septic tank is positioned and the diameter of your access opening. At ground level, a secure lid covers the opening of the riser. Because the riser system extends directly from the surface of the lawn to the septic tank, it seals watertight both at the lid and at the base. Additionally, the soil surface around the cover should ideally slope away from the opening to further ensure that surface runoff does not enter the tank.
Exposed septic tank LIDS allow homeowners to easily locate the tank’s main access for routine servicing and to avoid additional digging charges each time the tank is serviced. The lid attaches to the top of the riser to enclose the system in an air and watertight fashion. This prevents surface water or debris such as grass clippings, mulch, or dirt from entering the tank and prevents gases and odors from escaping the septic system. The New Jersey septic code, NJAC 7:9A, requires all exposed tank lids be “lockable” and thus childproof. NJSMG installs cast iron lids that are bolted shut or high-density polyethylene lids that are fastened with screws, both of which are certified.
Septic Tank & Pump Tank
A septic tank is a buried, watertight tank designed to receive all wastewater from the house via the sewer line. The primary functions of the septic tank are to separate solids from the wastewater flow, break down the solids through a biochemical process involving bacteria and provide storage for the separated solids. Finally, the septic tank allows the clarified wastewater (effluent) to flow out to the drain field for final disposal.
Septic tanks are constructed of many materials (reinforced concrete or polyethylene) and come in various shapes (rectangular or oval). The shape of the tank has little to do with its performance, but tank size is important. The tank size is based on the number of bedrooms in the dwelling NOT the number of bathrooms.
Modern septic tanks may contain one or two compartments as regulated by local septic code. Two-compartment septic tanks are connected by a single opening located in a vertical wall positioned about 2/3 from the tank inlet and help to trap solids more effectively, as well as offer better protection of the drain field.
In addition to the septic tank, some systems also have a pump tank. A pump tank collects and “doses” treated wastewater to the drain field at intervals. Like the septic tank, the pump tank is watertight and constructed of reinforced concrete or polyethylene. It contains a septic pump, control floats, and a high-water alarm. The control floats are set so that a specific volume of sewage is sent to the drain field via the pump. The high-water alarm indicates that the tank has filled past the normal dosing volume. (See “Septic Pump & Float Repair” for additional information.)
Over time, your septic tank or pump tank may begin to break down and deteriorate. This may cause leaks that contaminate the surrounding area with untreated sewage. NJSMG installs and replaces septic and pump tanks, providing you with tank options to fit your needs and to address any accessibility issues.
Inlet & Outlet Baffles
Your wastewater system’s septic tank has two or more baffles. The inlet baffle is connected in the septic tank, permanently mounted on it, at the end of the sewer line. The sewer line is the pipe that runs from your home directly into the septic tank. The inlet baffle is designed to direct solids and liquids entering the tank downward. Without an inlet baffle, these solids and liquids will splash and mix, making it difficult for existing sludge particles to stay settled. The outlet baffle of the septic tank, which is connected to the outlet line and permanently connected to the wall of the tank, is designed to block floating scum and sewage sludge from flowing outward into your outlet pipe and drain field.
The baffles in your septic tank, especially the outlet baffle, are crucial components of your wastewater system and, if malfunctioning, can cause serious issues with your septic system.
Distribution Box
In New Jersey, a modern septic system that relies on gravity to move wastewater from the tank to the absorption area is required to use a Distribution (“D-box”). More specifically, the distribution box located in your septic field is designed to accept treated effluent from your septic tank and distribute it equally throughout your septic field by means of septic laterals. Whether your distribution box is made of concrete or polyethylene, it can become damaged over time. Damage usually results from deterioration, settling, improper installation, or something heavy being driven over top and crushing it. If left unrepaired, a damaged D-box may allow wastewater to leak into the underlying and surrounding soil or, worse, may collapse inward, causing a serious blockage problem.
NJSMG can replace a damaged D-box, reconnecting it to existing lateral pipe sections and setting it to ensure proper distribution of septic effluent.
Sewer Line Replacement
The sewer line is the pipe that carries sewage (both solid and liquid materials) from the house to the septic tank or, if the house is connected to a sewer system, from the house to the street. Over time, your sewer line can become clogged, damaged, or crushed, causing a backup into our home’s internal plumbing system and/or allow sewage to leak into and contaminate the ground.
One of the most common causes of sewer line damage is tree roots. Tree roots are naturally attracted to the liquid waste carried in the pipe. They seek even the tiniest pinhole or crack, intrude the pipe, and expand until the sewer line is completely blocked or cracks further. Additionally, excess weight passing over the sewer line, such as large equipment driving overtop, can cause the pipes to be damaged or crushed. Settlement can also take place along the foundation of the house or at the inlet of the septic tank causing the sewer line to sag or even separate at the joint resulting in a blockage. If you have an older cast iron sewer line, corrosion is another possible cause.
New Jersey Septic Management Group uses technology to help our technicians quickly and effectively locate and diagnose the problem. As the sewer line is located near the house, hardscaping, landscaping, and utility lines make navigating the repair more complicated; however, we have the equipment and experience to resolve any issue relating to the main sewer line.
Delivery Pipe Replacement
The delivery pipe transports effluent from the septic tank to the pump tank, distribution system or soil treatment area. Over time, delivery pipes can become clogged, damaged, or crushed, allowing sewage to leak into the surrounding soil and rise-up causing a foul odor and wet areas in your lawn, or could even cause your septic system to stop working altogether. Common causes of damaged piping include:
- A bend or sag in the pipes resulting from a shift in the soil (i.e., settlement, freeze-thaw cycles, or flooding)
- Loose or disconnected fittings that connect pipes one to the next or to the inlets/outlets of other septic components (i.e., septic tank, distribution box, etc.)
- Tree root intrusion and expansion
- Compression due to heavy vehicles or equipment passing over top
- Pipes incorrectly oriented to allow for proper drainage
New Jersey Septic Management Group uses technology to help our technicians quickly and effectively locate and diagnose the problem. We also have the equipment and experience to resolve any issue relating to your septic system’s delivery piping.
Septic Pump & Float Repair
Float replacement is key to regulating the efficiency and integrity of any septic system with a pump. Septic pumps operate with either a simple float control switch or a double float control switch. With a simple float control switch, when wastewater rises in the septic tank to a pre-set level, the float switch turns the pump on. When the tank level and the float are low enough, the switch turns the pump off.
With a double float system, the control floats are set so that a specific volume of effluent is sent to the drain field. This specific amount is referred to as a “dose.” When sewage in the pump tank reaches the top or high-water alarm float, the pump is activated and pumps effluent out until it reaches the bottom or low-water off float, then the pump is turned off. The benefit of a double float system is the ability to adjust the pumping range to best accommodate your septic design.
If the top float, pump, or electrical connections fail to work, a high-water alarm will activate once sewage reaches the alarm float. Once this alarm is activated, there is some emergency storage space available in the pump tank before the system overflows or backs up into the house. [1]
NJSMG’s technicians can provide a timely inspection to detect and correct issues with your septic pump, its electrical system, and floats to prevent further damage.
[1] Reserve capacity is 500 gallons, 650 gallons or 800 gallons for a 3BR, 4BR or 5BR house, respectively.
Port Caps
A cleanout port is a vertical pipe connected to the underground lateral sewer line. It is typically located near the home if the sewer line connects the house to the septic tank and close to the property line if the sewer line is connected to a public sewer system. A cleanout enables you to keep the lines clear and drain water if a backup occurs. Additionally, your system may have multiple observation or inspection ports located further away from the home over your drain field. Both the cleanout and observation ports have removable caps for ease of maintenance access and troubleshooting. In a modern system, these port caps are typically white PVC. Due to their location, port caps very often become damaged or cut-off by lawn mowers. Should this happen in your yard, have no worries. NJSMG is able replace broken or missing port caps.
Effluent Filters
Within the septic system, the septic tank separates solids from liquids, sending the wastewater out to the drain field for treatment. A septic tank filter is designed to protect this secondary treatment system. More specifically, the filter is installed in the outlet baffle of the septic tank acting as a strainer to prevent hair, grime, and toilet paper,[2] as well as larger sewage particles[3] from leaving the tank and accumulating or potentially blocking septic laterals and soil, causing premature failure.
Installing an Effluent Filter is the most pro-active step a homeowner can take to help prolong the life of their septic system. Effluent filters are required in modern septic tanks and can easily be installed in newer PVC outlet baffles; however, older- or under-sized baffles may need to be replaced to accommodate the proper size filter.
Filters need to be properly maintained and, depending on size and type, should be cleaned 2-4 times per year. A service contract is a valuable tool to assist homeowners with an optimal maintenance schedule.
[2] Collectively referred to as “scum.”
[3] Commonly referred to as “sludge.”
Speed Levelers
Despite the proper installation of a distribution box, weather conditions such as the freezing and thawing of the underlying soil can cause the distribution box to move or settle over time. This tilting of the distribution box causes septic effluent to unevenly flow toward some lateral openings, while others receive little or no wastewater. The result is that one section of the drain field may become more saturated that the rest.
NJSMG offers an easy and economical way to equalize wastewater distribution, through the installation of multiple speed-levelers. Speed levelers regulate the flow of effluent from the distribution box and allow for equal distribution to your drain field. One speed leveler is inserted into the mouth each lateral (exposed inside the distribution box). The Flo-Holes are then rotated to the desired flow rate to equalize the liquid flow. Speed-levelers are watertight, resistant to corrosion and eliminate the need to dig up and relevel your distribution box. Additionally, they can be reset as needed if further settlement occurs.
High Pressure Septic Jetting
Over time, septic system delivery and drainage pipe sections can show a build-up of debris that will partially or totally obstruct wastewater flow. Hydro jetting is a procedure that uses pressurized water at the end of a septic jetting line to achieve a comprehensive cleaning of your septic lines and laterals. It can successfully remove accumulations due to hair, soap residue, grease, sewage sludge and more. Additionally, it can resolve minor tree root infiltration and mineral or scale build up.
Our technician would begin by feeding the jetter into the delivery pipe from the outlet baffle of the septic tank or into the laterals via the distribution box. Using pressurized water, the hydro jet propels through your lines and clogs automatically and it is fully capable of negotiating any turns in the pipes. The jetter is then manually removed from your septic lines, pulling back with it any waste product or material that has clogged the lines.
The ideal time to jet-wash your system is in conjunction with a pump out of your septic tank. This way, the additional solids can be removed. A service contract is a valuable tool to assist homeowners with an optimal maintenance schedule.