Home Services – Mawyer Smiles

A septic tank holds all the wastewater from your toilet, kitchen sinks, showers, and washing machine. Solid waste settles at the bottom of the tank, fats float to the top, and liquid wastewater leaves the tank through an outlet pipe in your drain field.

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Despite being buried underground, the septic tank is often an ignored component of the home. That is, until the septic system isn’t doing its job and sewage starts backing up in the home. The tank is a vital part of the septic system, but like any other piece of equipment, it needs to be maintained and inspected regularly.

Wastewater flows from the house into a septic tank, where it separates into three layers: a sludge layer, a wastewater layer and a scum layer. The weight of solid waste causes it to sink to the sludge layer, where bacteria do their best to break it down. The scum layer floats above the sludge and contains oils and grease. Eventually these materials enter the drain field and can cause problems with the soil, waterways and groundwater.

The inlet and outlet pipes are both fitted with baffles to control what enters and exits the septic tank. The inlet pipe baffle prevents solid particles from entering the septic tank, while the outlet pipe baffle reduces the amount of sludge that enters the absorption field. Both of these are important to keep the septic system functioning properly and avoiding costly repair bills.

An inspection hatch is located over both the inlet and outlet devices, which allows for cleaning or determining the amount of sludge left in the tank. It is important to never allow anyone other than a professional to pump the septic tank through the inspection port, as they may damage the baffles and incompletely remove waste from the tank. Instead, the tank should be pumped using industrial vacuums, which can thoroughly clean and remove waste from every crevice of the septic tank.

A septic system vent is also installed at the septic tank and moves air out of the tank and into the leach field. The vent must be placed above the ground level to avoid the infiltration of rain, snow or small animals into the septic system. The vent must also be properly capped to reduce the risk of odors in the home or garden.

Exit Baffles

The inlet and outlet baffle walls are the unsung heroes of your septic system. They play a critical role in processing your wastewater on a daily basis, ensuring that solid waste stays inside the tank and only partially treated water exits.

In older septic tanks, baffles were often made of concrete. However, newer systems are typically constructed of plastic, which is more durable and has a much higher life expectancy than concrete. Regardless of material, your septic tank baffles need to be regularly checked and maintained for proper function.

The inlet baffle, which is located where the wastewater line enters the septic tank from your home, prevents floating solids such as grease and scum from getting above the liquid surface of the tank. This ensures that the septic tank can treat these solids thoroughly before they enter your home’s sewer lines, reducing the risk of costly blockages in those pipes down the line.

Once the solids are treated, they move to the outlet baffle where they’re separated from the more clear wastewater. This allows the more clear wastewater to flow out of the septic tank to your drain field, while keeping the more solid waste behind in the septic tank where it can continue to be digested by helpful bacteria.

As time passes, the inlet and outlet baffles can get damaged, or even become dislodged from the septic tank itself. If this occurs, it’s important that you call a professional right away. Dislodged or damaged baffles can cause wastewater to leak out of the septic tank and into your yard, which can be expensive to fix.

Other warning signs that your baffles may be in need of attention include slow draining and foul odors, which indicate that your wastewater is not being properly processed on a daily basis. Keeping up with regular septic tank pumping and inspections can help you identify issues such as these, as well as catch problems like broken baffle walls before they lead to more serious and expensive repairs.

Distribution Box

The distribution box is a small, round or rectangular container that is used to distribute the septic tank effluent to the pipe networks that disperse wastewater in the drain field. It is usually located underground between the septic tank outlet pipe on one end and a series of pipes leading to the drain field on the other end. The septic tank distribution box is a key part of the septic system that ensures uniform distribution of wastewater throughout the entire drain field.

Like all the other parts of your septic system, the septic tank distribution box needs to be regularly inspected and maintained to avoid problems. Most homeowners are familiar with the need to have their septic tank pumped every two to five years, but there are many other aspects of your septic system that need regular attention.

Septic tank distribution boxes can be made of fiberglass, plastic, or concrete. The longevity of the box depends on how well it is installed, the type of septic tank you have, and the quality of materials. For example, a concrete septic tank distribution box will last longer than a plastic or fiberglass box.

Keeping your distribution box free of debris is essential to its function. A clogged distribution box can lead to the overflow of wastewater into the yard, a blockage of your plumbing, and odors throughout your home. To avoid this, routine septic tank pumping and inspections can help keep your septic tank distribution box clean.

As bacteria in the septic tank break down wastewater contaminants, they release gases. These gasses must be vented to prevent a build-up of pressure that could damage the septic tank or other parts of your septic system. The septic tank vent has a mushroom-shaped cap that allows the gases to escape.

The septic tank distribution box is designed to be at the same elevation as the septic tank, but it’s important that it is not placed too far below ground level. If the box is too low, it can be buried in soil that may not be strong enough to support it. This could lead to cracking and structural issues that require repair.

Absorption Field

Once the liquid effluent leaves your septic tank, it moves into a drain field or absorption field. This is where the wastewater is further treated and absorbed into the soil, and from there into groundwater or surface water sources. The soil is an important part of the system, as it serves to destroy pathogens, degrade organic materials and act as a physical, chemical and biological filter for the wastewater.

Once in the absorption field, the solids that did not float to the top of your septic tank or sink to the bottom form a sludge layer and are further digested by bacteria. The sludge is periodically discharged from the tank into the absorption field. Without the septic tank, solids would pass directly into the absorption field, where they could clog and damage it.

In the absorption field, a network of perforated pipes is set in a series of shallow trenches, with clean soil placed beneath, above and around them. This soil is designed to be able to handle the wastewater volume from your septic tank, and is tested during site selection for suitability.

The absorption field pipes are fitted with baffles or sanitary tees, made of acid-resistant concrete, cast iron or plastic, which ensure that floating scum and sewage cannot plug inlet and outlet pipes. Six-inch diameter inspection pipes extend from these tees to the ground surface to allow for checking on solids levels and potential clogs.

If your septic tank and absorption field are poorly designed or improperly installed, the resulting waste can pollute nearby water resources. To reduce this environmental liability, state legislation sets minimum construction, design and permitting standards for onsite sewage systems. Homeowners should consult with a county health department sanitarian or building regulations department prior to any construction of a new septic system.

Other types of septic system can be used when state-approved septic tanks are not practical, such as in rock or clay soils. Alternatives include a cesspool, drywell, nitrate trap, sand and gravel filter or mound. These systems must meet minimum performance standards, and homeowners should consult with a county sanitarian before selecting an alternative.

Handymen can tackle a wide variety of tasks. One minute, they could be mending a leaky pipe; the next, they could be crafting wood cabinets.

Handyman Lexington KY rely on superior tools to complete their work efficiently and deliver quality results. The right tools demonstrate professionalism and customer reliability, increasing the likelihood of repeat business and referrals.

The circular saw is a cornerstone tool in both professional construction and do-it-yourself home improvement. Its mechanical blade rotation cuts wood and other materials. Depending on how and where you plan to use it, choose a model with appropriate features. These include bevel capacity, cutting depth, and power source (corded or cordless).

The key to using a circular saw is to draw a guideline on your workpiece to help you make an accurate cut. A carpenter’s pencil is good for this, or you can also use regular mechanical pencils. A combination square is helpful, too, since it allows you to both mark the lumber and guide the saw for crosscuts. It can also help you create straight lines for bevel cuts.

Once you’ve marked the line you need to cut, set the saw blade so that it sits no deeper than 1/8 to 1/4 inch below your material. A blade that’s set too deep can cause friction, wear down the teeth and damage the material.

Always follow your saw’s safety instructions for use and operation. For example, you should always wear eye protection and ear protection when operating the saw. It’s important to use a solid, stable base for the saw that can be easily adjusted or clamped to the workpiece, such as a table, a sawhorse or a strong, stable piece of scrap wood. You should also avoid cutting on concrete or other hard surfaces, as this can cause severe nicking and damage the saw’s blade. Also, make sure the saw’s guard is firmly in place and can’t be removed. It can be tempting to skip the guard, especially when making steep bevel cuts, but this is dangerous.

Fish Tape

A fish tape is an electrical tool that helps a handyman run wires in walls and other tight spaces. It has hooks on both ends that can be hooked into existing wires, allowing it to pull them through the wall or conduit without damaging their surroundings. It’s important for a handyman to have this tool in their arsenal as it can save them time and effort in many situations.

There are a number of different types of fish tapes, but the most common are steel and fiberglass. They can be purchased in a range of lengths, from 25 feet to 200 feet or more. Some are also equipped with accessories to help with the pulling process. For instance, a multiwire pulling leader can help prevent wires from twisting during the pulling process and can be attached to the end of the fishing tape using a crimping tool.

Some electric fish tapes are also available that require no manual pressure to operate. These models are generally used by professionals that handle large-scale projects on a regular basis and can reduce wrist strain. They can also be used by home owners that prefer the ease of use and reduced physical strain of these tools.

A handyman may also choose a magnetic fish tape that utilizes a magnet to attract and guide wires through walls. This can be helpful when the wiring is a complex route through a building, and it’s an excellent option for situations where the occupants of a room may not want to be disturbed by the sound of a wire being pulled through their walls. This type of fish tape can be more expensive than a traditional steel or fiberglass fishing tape, but it can also save valuable time and prevent unnecessary damage.

Electrical Tape

As anyone who has ever done a wiring project knows, electrical tape is an indispensable tool. It helps to safely insulate and keep electric currents contained, preventing fire hazards and reducing the risk of injury from shocks. It also allows for quick, temporary repairs to damaged wires.

Unlike standard masking tapes, electrical tape is formulated to be durable and rugged for demanding applications. Its key performance metrics include break strength, dielectric breakdown, abrasion resistance and temperature rating. Some electrical tapes are even rated for use in outdoor environments.

The best quality electrical tapes are able to stick well to themselves, as well as other materials, such as plastics and metals. This is essential when wrapping around curved surfaces or irregular, bumpy objects. Some tapes are also able to adhere well when exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures and UV rays.

Finally, the adhesive used in electrical tape is specially formulated to adhere to itself without damaging the backing material. Typically, this is done by adding a layer of special plasticizers to the vinyl resin used in the tape’s construction. These plasticizers prevent the adhesive from reacting with the vinyl itself, helping to prolong the tape’s life and performance.

In addition to its insulation properties, electrical tape is often formulated in a variety of colors for phasing and color-coding purposes. This makes it easier for contractors and electricians to identify specific wires, ensuring that the correct voltage levels are being fed through a system. In this way, electrical tape helps to avoid costly mistakes and downtime that can result from incorrect splices or connections. It’s no wonder that this handy, multi-purpose tool is considered to be the “duct tape” of the electrical world.

Pliers

Pliers are among the most versatile handheld tools in a Handyman’s kit, offering multiple gripping, bending and cutting options. Designed to clamp, cut and twist materials with ease, they are typically made from stainless or hardened steel for strength, durability and resistance to corrosion. They feature a mouth and jaws, which may be smooth or serrated to ensure a tight grip on the material being held. The pliers head strap, or handles, may be curved or straight and plastic-coated to increase comfort and reduce the amount of force that is needed during operation.

The various types of pliers include locking pliers, which use cross braces to provide superb torque power for tasks like pulling wires or removing nut caps. Long-nose pliers are more delicate and used by electricians to grip, bend, shape and cut wires in confined spaces, while needle-nose pliers are ideal for grasping small objects or thin metal wires. Combination pliers have a pair of cutters located near the fulcrum, and diagonal pliers are designed to cut through tough materials like wire.

Regular inspection and care of pliers ensures that they retain their original form and function and provides the highest level of safety for the user. Regular cleaning, lubrication and storage in protective pouches or toolboxes can help extend their lifespan and enhance their performance. In addition, investing in quality pliers will make it easier for the Handyman to tackle all of their jobs with confidence. Whether they are working on electrical installations au,tomotive repairs, or even crafting endeavors, a high-quality set of pliers will make all the difference for their projects. Our buying & usage guide will assist both beginners and professionals in selecting the right pair of pliers for their needs.

Utility Knife

A utility knife, sometimes known as a box cutter or Stanley knife after the popular brand, is a handheld cutting tool that offers versatility and precision. It features a sharp blade housed in a handle and comes in a variety of lengths and designs for specific tasks, such as trimming drywall or marking cut lines on painter’s tape. You can also find models with replaceable blades to extend their lifespan and save money on replacements.

Whether you’re a professional handyman or a DIY enthusiast, having the right tools is essential to complete your projects successfully and safely. A multipurpose utility knife can help you unleash your creativity and complete various tasks, from crafting a picture frame to repairing electrical wires. However, it’s important to prioritize safety and follow proper usage guidelines to avoid accidents.

Some of the most common uses for a utility knife include cutting cardboard boxes, clamshell packaging, triple-wall corrugated packaging, cartons, twine, foam insulation, vinyl, netting, and rope. It can also be used to cut drywall sheets, trim carpet, and make precise cuts in woodworking and model making. It’s also an excellent tool for household chores, such as opening packages and cleaning debris from surfaces.

Besides using a utility knife for household chores, you can also use it to cut food items like fruit, vegetables, and cheese. Just remember to wash the blade before and after use and keep it in a safe place when not in use. It’s also a good idea to invest in a knife block or sheath for storage to protect the blade from damage and rust. Moreover, be sure to store it in a dry and cool place to prevent moisture buildup.

The Unsung Heroes of Your Septic Tank