Owning a new home with a raised mound is a very special and challenging thing. The raised mound system is known to be a very complicated and expensive type of septic system. It is a raised system that’s supposed to be for a soil type that cannot accommodate a conventional underground septic system because of the very high or very low percolation rate. A raised mound makes sure that the effluent undergoes every layer of wastewater treatment at a normal pace. Since it’s above the ground, it can be a distraction to some people and pets. You may need to conceal it or separated it from the rest of the yard for safety purposes. Why does a raised mound system back up?
Before winter comes, you should see to it that you check the layer of construction fabric under the thin topsoil of the mound. This fabric is the one that keeps the heat inside the system to help it run smoothly. If the construction fabric deteriorates and snow enters the system, then everything will freeze over. Your household will have septic problems all winter and you won’t like to wade in filth that long. One of the problems that you should always be ready for is raised mound backups. As a responsible homeowner, you should know why raised mound systems back up. This way, you will be able to help your septic expert deal with the crisis immediately. The following are some of the causes of why raised mound systems backups:
- When sinks, drains, and toilets are improperly usedIt’s strange when you have a regular trash can in the kitchen or bathroom and yet you and your household members dump so many things into your sinks, drains, and toilets. Harsh chemicals, toys, diapers, tissue, feminine products, and grease are only some of the most common substances that end up in the raised mound tank. Throwing them into the raised mound system doesn’t mean that they will be digested and eliminated. The resident anaerobic bacteria will not be able to degrade most of the solid wastes that you dump simply because they’re non-biodegradable. The strong chemicals will even kill off the bacteria and completely stop the wastewater treatment process. All of these events result to backups and eventual failure of the system.
- High water level.. When the raised mound system experiences a very high water level, the solid waste disperses in to the absorption area and clogs it. This prevents the wastewater from having a normal wastewater treatment. The clogging will cause the backing up of the untreated effluent. If this is not resolved immediately, the system will fail. Just don’t use the dishwasher and the washing machine at the same time. It would be better to have a dry well to help accommodate the grey water from these appliances. The rain gutter should be diverted away from the raised mound system to keep excessive rainfall from entering the mound.
- Tree roots always look for the best source of nutrients and water underground. If they enter the raised mound system, then they hit the jackpot. The roots will completely block the normal flow of the wastewater treatment and result to system backups.
- The damages in the raised mound system may be caused by the invasive tree roots or the heavy weight of the structures and vehicles placed over the system. Any damage should be repaired immediately to prevent worsening.
- Pump out schedules should be kept to maintain your raised mound. This is to make sure that the sludge level in the tank is kept at a very low level. If the sludge goes beyond a foot deep, then it is most likely that the system will overflow and back up.
Learning why raised mound systems back up should already be part of your priority list as a homeowner. Achieving the right knowledge will arm you with the right means to prevent or resolve this and other raised mound problems as well.