Living in a place a little further away can mean that your home is equipped with a septic tank. That's all you need to know about how your septic system works "Gas Engineer Bristol ".

1. What is a septic tank used for?
Houses that are not connected to a municipal sewer system have a septic tank, a personal wastewater treatment plant in their yard.

Rather than being directed into the public sewer system, the wastewater ends up in the septic tank. It is then necessary to have the pit emptied through a company specializing in this type of service.
2. Different types of pits
Dry septic tank

The wastewater goes into a septic tank, where the microbes break down into solid sludge and liquid effluents.
The effluent flows from the septic tank into a distribution box. From there, it is routed through a series of perforated or clay pipes that run through the drainage field.
The sludge settles to the bottom of the tank and must be emptied every two or three years.
Water septic system

In areas where water scarcity is a concern, systems are available to recycle gray water, leftover water from showers, tubs, sinks, dishwashers and sometimes laundry facilities (provided they do not include diapers or other items containing unhealthy substances).
This recycled water is often very good for watering lawns and gardens.
3. Signals indicating a blockage
With just a few annual checks, your septic tank should run smoothly.

If you hear a gurgling sound when the water flows from the tub or washing machine, or if the water flows slowly when you flush the toilet, act immediately.
These are indications that the suction hose of the reservoirs may be blocked.
4. Check the sludge level
Once a year, use a long pole to measure the sludge line.

The level of semi-solid sludge contained in the bottom of the tank must not reach half of the tank compared to the liquid on the surface.
Drain the septic tank if the sludge build-up reaches almost halfway through the tank.
5. Pump the water
The only maintenance required for a properly installed septic tank is periodic pumping performed by a professional service.

Typically, a 3,600L tank for a four-person house will need to be pumped out every three years or so.
6. Do not delay pumping
Emptying the septic tank can be expensive, but waiting to get it pumped could cost even more.

You can save money in the short term, but you can also damage the system, which will be very expensive to repair.
Living in the countryside means having an active role in basic services. Understanding the basics of how your septic tank works with these simple tips can make rural life much more relaxing.
A practical guide to identifying and treating hard water
It qualifies hard water water that has a high mineral content. The tips we offer will help you determine if the water you use at home is hard and how to treat it, if so.

Problems caused by hard water
Hard water can bring several problems to your kitchen or bathroom. Here are four:

Soap hardly foams and leaves a sticky film in the water. It can also leave gray deposits in your washing machine which will irritate sensitive skin;
Hard water also facilitates the production of corrosive lime in the pipes;
Water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines perform less well and wear out more quickly;
In addition, hard water often has an unpleasant taste.
A test to find out if your water is hard
Fill a jar with tap water, adding a small amount of dish soap. Screw the jar cap tightly and shake.

If your water is hard, its high mineral content will prevent the formation of soapy foam. The bubbles will dissolve quickly.
Get a water softener
If your water is hard, get a water softener, a water treatment device that you will hook up to the water supply pipe. You can buy or rent a water softener.

The softener captures excess minerals in a column of plastic resin beads. The beads are then bathed in a brine which eliminates and evacuates the minerals.
With automatic softeners, the resin is rinsed with salt at regular intervals.
In homes where food salt is limited, the water softener can only be connected to hot water. This way, the drinking water will not be salty.
Different problems, different solutions
A water softener will significantly reduce calcium, iron, and minerals.

However, other water-related problems may require other types of treatment.
Depending on the nature and extent of your hard water problem, you may need to get a device that treats all the water that comes into the house, or one that only treats drinking water from the sink. from the kitchen.
Caring for the water softener
The salt in the water softener should be replaced periodically to effectively remove minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

You can buy water softener salt at grocery and hardware stores or from the company that installed your softener.
Pour the salt into the container of the softener provided for this purpose by the manufacturer.
Unclog the water softener
If the water does not soften well and the salt reservoir is full and the engine is running, the softener may be clogged:

Most blockages occur in the brine line or in the injector. If the water contains a large amount of silt, you may need to clean the brine inlet;
Remove the injector from the brine tank, and clean it with a toothbrush and running water;
Empty the brine tank and rinse it with a hose before refilling it with salt.
By solving the hard water problem, you will be able to avoid other problems related to its use and consumption.