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ROTO-ROOTER SEWER-DRAIN SERVICE
An independent family owned franchise since 1948
Serving Dane & Rock County Wisconsin
Roto-Rooter
®
Septic Tank Treatment
How a Septic System Works
In a typical septic system, household wastes – including discarded food scraps, laundry
water, cooking oils and grease – flow to a watertight septic tank, where they are
decomposed by bacteria. In the tank, the complex food and waste particles are broken
down by natural bacterial processes so they can percolate into the subsoil surrounding a
drainage field.
Inside the tank, the majority of the waste decomposes into sewage water, while heavier
solids settle to the bottom and accumulate as sludge. Other lighter particles – including
grease and oil – rise to the surface and form a scum. The decomposed sewage water then
flows from the tank, through a distribution box and into a drainage field – a series of perforated pipes laid below ground in a bed of
gravel. The liquid leaches out through the gravel and is further purified as it percolates through the soil. The more complete the
decomposition of household waste, the more efficiently and trouble free a septic system functions.
However, when a septic system is overloaded or not properly maintained, the bacterial decomposition can slow or stop, causing
untreated liquid and solid wastes to overflow into the soil. Excessive use of bleaches, disinfectants and caustic or acid drain cleaners also
deters the bacterial action of the system, and greases and solids can build up until they choke the system and block the flow of the liquid
into the soil. When this happens, the drainage field may have to be dug up and replaced – a costly undertaking.
How to Prevent Problems in Your Septic System
•
Have your septic system checked – and the accumulated
sludge pumped – by local Roto-Rooter not more than every
three years.
•
Add Roto-Rooter® Septic Treatment to your septic system
to maintain a healthy, free-flowing system. For normal
system maintenance, pour 32 ounces (one quart) of the
liquid product directly into a toilet bowl and flush. To
ensure peak system performance, repeat this procedure
every four to six months, as well as each time your tank is
pumped. If you are using the powder product for normal system maintenance, place one pouch monthly into a toilet bowl and
flush. For best results, do not add disinfectants, laundry bleaches, or caustic or acid drain cleaners to the system for several days
following treatment.
•
If problems persist, contact your local Roto-Rooter company to check the condition of your septic system. Severely clogged or
damaged drainage fields may have to be removed (dug up) and replaced.
•
Find great info here on the care and feeding of your Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) system... WHAT... yes,
that's your septic system!
Download SDS Sheet - Liquid (PDF)
Download SDS Sheet - Powder (PDF)
Download SDS Sheet - Spanish (PDF)