Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
Does Septic Seep work directly on the leaching
bed?
Yes. Septic Seep contains calcium polysulphide,
a soil amendment which helps relieve "hardpan"
conditions in the drain field, or leaching bed
resulting from high levels of sodium in wastewater.
It also contains penetrants which disperse solid
clogging greases and scums allowing waste water
to seep through soil pores.
2.
How can I tell if I have clay
soil?
Clay soils are made up of tiny particles that cling
together and subsequently cling well to water. To
help determine how much of your soil is clay you
can simply take a handful of your soil and try to
squeeze it together. Once squeezed, release your
fingers and see if the soil is still in a ball.
The more clay it has, the more solid and less-brittle
it will appear. Although it is not unique to any
one place, you can usually find an abundance of
clay soil in the southeast portions of the U.S.
3.
How does Septic Seep
go into a clogged drain field?
The formulation is designed to be used in clogged
or sodium bound soils. Sodium causes clays to bind
into a waterproof barrier due to cationic reaction
between particles. In simple terms, this results
in surcharge of the flow which rises in the soil
drowning the huge population of air dependent cleanup
organisms present in the soil. As these organisms
die off they form a second barrier to drainage called
ferrous sulfide. This tarlike layer is like crude
oil and smells of sulfur. To compound the problem,
many systems are so neglected that greases, scums
and other materials flow from the tank and into
the soil matrix, filling up air pores in the soil.
The custom formula contains a special non-ionic
surfactant designed specifically to penetrate these
wastes allowing the active ingredient, calcium polysulfide,
to release the cationic bond, thus reopening soil
passages to flow and restoring vital air to the
drainfield soils.
4.
What is the percentage of
calcium polysulfides in Septic Seep?
The percentage of calcium polysulfide is 26%, as
shown on the label. It is the same precise formulation
originated by Chevron Ortho previous to Drayner
Septic Seep.
5.
How does one use Septic Seep
to maintain a field?
For normal working septic systems: Use 1/2 gallon
every 6 months applied through the toilet, sink
drain or convenient drain near the septic tank.
For sluggish septic systems: Use 1 gallon for the
first treatment, then use 2 cupfuls (16oz.) per
week for the next 4 weeks, then use 1 cup (8oz.)
per week.
6.
If your product restores
the soil conditions for septic systems would it
work in a seepage pit or cesspool?
Probably, cesspools and seepage pits: Use 1 gallon
for the first treatment, then 1 cup (8oz.) every
2 weeks per pit.
7.
Do you guarantee the product
will work?
The Septic Seep formula has been successfully
used to treat drain fields for over fifty years.
Because of the wide range of factors that can contribute
to septic system failure, we cannot guarantee that
Septic Seep will work for your situation.
8.
How can we order Septic Seep
without a credit card?
Use the secure
order form on our web site. Select "Check
or Money Order" from the payment options menu.
You can print an order form and mail it with your
check or money order.
9.
Can I run the product through
a dosing tank pump?
Yes.
Immediately after pump has cycled add Septic Seep
to the dosing tank. Add enough fresh water to cause
the pump to recycle. This will deliver a large amount
of product to the field as a shock treatment.
10.
I live in Florida. Will
the product be as effective here as in California?
There should be no difference in how effective Septic
Seep is in Florida versus California. Please note,
Septic Seep cannot treat problems caused by a high
water table in the locale of your drain field. Much
of Florida is situated over a high water table.
11.
When using the product on
a failing drain field, should the system use be
modified for a period of time?
In order to give Septic Seep an opportunity to work,
we recommend pumping out the septic tank prior to
treatment, therefore, giving the system a week or
so of relief and an opportunity for the Septic Seep
to work before water starts going back into the
drainfield.
12.
Can Septic Seep be applied
above ground?
Septic Seep can be applied above ground, but we
have found it to be most effective if it can be
introduced somewhere in the septic system. If you're
using it as a maintenance product, it can be installed
as easily as flushing down the toilet. However,
it is a sulfur based product and whenever
possible, we recommend installing it
through the openings of the septic tank or through
a clean-out in either the main waste line or a clean-out
in the effluent line or even more idealy, directly
into a distribution box in the drainfield itself.
13.
Are there types or brands
of soaps that are better for use with the septic
system?
We find that bio-degradable soaps are best to use
in septic systems. As I'm sure you are aware, soap
is nothing more than lard and lye. Some of the more
effective soaps are only this way because of higher
contents of these two products, neither one of which
is conducive to keeping your drainfield working
well. Many detergents contain sodium or sodium based
ingredients. Low sodium content detergent is preferred
by your septic system's drain field.
14.
I am located in Ontario,Canada.
I believe I have a problem with my septic system
where SEPTIC SEEP may be my answer. I am interested
to know if you know where I could find a supplier
in my area.
There are no suppliers in Canada, but we will ship
to Canada. Go to the order
page to place your order.
15.
We recently had several days
of very wet weather. My drain field now has standing
water on it. Will Septic Seep help the soil absorb
the water?
During periods of very wet weather the soil may
become saturated. Septic Seep cannot make the soil
absorb more water under these circumstances. If
you live in an area with a high water table, you
may have problems that are beyond the scope of soil
failure.
16.
How much Septic Seep should
I order?
- Normal
working systems - 1 gallon. If your septic
system is working normally, 1/2 gallon every
6 months will help maintain your drain field.
- Sluggish
systems - 2 gallons. If your septic system
is sluggish, the will require 1 gallon for the
first dose, the second gallon for weekly treatment.
- Failing
drain fields - 4 gallons. If your septic
system's drain field or leach field has stopped
accepting water, Septic Seep may be able to
rejuvenate the soil. Good results have been
obtained by having the septic tank pumped before
treating the drain field with Septic Seep. Then
apply up to four gallons directly to the drain
field through the distribution box or through
a cleanout. This method should be tried before
replacing any drain field that has failed due
to soil failure.
17.
How do I know soil is failing
in my drain field?
Pumpers often observe water falling back into
the tank from the field as the level is pumped down.
This is an important sign of soil failure. It is
obvious that the problem does not originate in the
tank, but in the drainfield.
It is possible to restore soil structure and drainage
by chemically treating the soil to release the cationic
bond which locks clays and fines together. This
is called "reflocculating" the soils, and the process
is commonly used in agriculture to provide better
absorption of plant foods and water in field application.
It is not always easy to diagnose the cause of backups.
A recent issue of the EPA newsletter Pipeline lists
signs as "slowly draining sinks and toilets, gurgling
sounds in the plumbing, plumbing backups, sewage
odors in the house, or tests showing the presence
of bacteria in well water."
18.
Can I use Septic Seep on soil that has had the Terralift
treatment?
Calcium polysulfide, the primary active ingredient
in Septic Seep is specifically designed to restore
or reflocculate drainfield soils. Numerous Terralift
operators use Septic Seep to reverse clay bonded
soils after a Terra Lift operation to provide both
physical and chemical separation of the drainage
soil by restoring air necessary for cleanup and
ongoing treatment of wastewater. Apply
the product into the distribution box, if there
is one, or there are other options available to
homeowners. These may include applying a stronger
solution through the tank, but this method is more
costly and may increase the tank pH for a short
time (hours to a day).
19.
How long will
it take for me to see results?
It takes about 2 weeks for the full effect of
an application of Septic Seep to take place. If
you have not seen results in this amount of time
either you did not apply a sufficient amount of
the product, or your soil condition is beyond
the scope of what the product can remedy.
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