8 Signs of Septic System Failure

Do you regularly maintain your septic system? Are you experiencing signs that your septic system isn’t working properly? How do you know for sure if your septic system is failing? Here are some red flags to be aware of: Water and sewage from toilets, drains, and sinks are backing up into the home. Bathtubs, showers, and sinks drain very slowly. Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system. ...
Read More!How Much Does it Cost to Pump a Septic Tank?

It’s not a glamourous task, but it needs to be done! Septic tank pumping service costs an average of $400 for a one-time pump, but left untreated for decades, septic cleaning can turn into septic system replacement—and cost you $7,500 to over $100,000. Make sure you stick to a maintenance schedule that works for you and saves you money in the long run! LaChance Brothers Excavati...
Read More!5 Signs it’s Time for Septic Tank Cleaning

Do you have a foul smell coming from your septic tank? Are your tubs and sinks draining slowly? Are you having issues flushing your toilet? While some septic systems can hold over one thousand gallons of solid and liquid waste, there will always come a time when the tank is over full and needs to be cleaned. Contact a professional company for septic pumping near you so you have a fresh start! You...
Read More!Septic Tank Resolutions in the New Year

Have you stuck to your New Year’s resolutions? How about the ones you made when it came to your home? Did you make some resolutions related to your septic system? If not, it’s not too late! Here are 6 New Year’s resolutions for your septic tank system for the upcoming year. Check out our suggestions for your resolution list: 1. Review the “Do Not Fl...
Read More!I’ve never pumped my septic tank, is that a problem?

Are you having back up issues? Do you smell something foul in your backyard? Do you regularly use a garbage disposal? You could have an expensive repair on your hands if your septic tank has never been pumped before. According to the EPA , if you haven’t pumped your septic tank in several years, but don’t seem to be having any problems, it may mean: 1. There could be minima...
Read More!What Determines the Septic System for Your Home?

Did you know the number of bedrooms in your home is a deciding factor for your septic system? Have you ever wondered why some homes have a septic tank and others don’t? Did you know there are three types of conventional septic systems? Conventional septic systems vary based on the size of bedrooms and needs of your home. The design and size of a septic system can also vary widely. Wha...
Read More!Properly Maintaining Your Septic Tank Can Extend its Lifespan

Are you careful about what you pour down your drain? Did you know that using a garbage disposal impacts your septic system? Knowing how to maintain your septic tank properly can extend its lifespan. Septic system maintenance isn’t complicated and doesn’t need to be expensive. According to the United States Environmental Protection Plan Agency (EPA), you can do a few things...
Read More!Understanding Water Use in Daily Life

Have you ever thought about how much water you use daily? Are you interested in learning about ways to reduce your water usage? Reducing your water waste is good for the environment and can help you save money. What Your Daily Water Use Looks Like: Flushing: The average family flushes 13,000 gallons of water each year! Flushing the average toilet uses about 1.6 gallons of water! That’...
Read More!Why You Shouldn't Flush Just Anything

“Why am I having back-ups?” “What keeps clogging up my plumbing?” Backups and clogged plumbing can be extremely frustrating. We’ve been there, so we understand. You count on toilets to work and when they don’t, it can be embarrassing, especially if you’re a guest in someone’s home! If you’re not flushing non-flushable things down your drains, ...
Read More!Is My Septic System Failing?

Are your toilets backing up? Is there a foul odor coming from your drains even on a beautiful summer days? A failing septic system is a great way to ruin not only your day but your entire summer. It can be costly to fix and may deplete the rainy day fund that you were saving for that fun family getaway. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are many sig...
Read More!What to Do with Your Septic System After a Flood

Is your drain field flooded? Is your system clogged and struggling to accept more water? You should contact a professional septic system and drain field specialist today! According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , once floodwaters have receded, there are several things homeowners should remember: Don’t drink well water until it’s tested. Contact your local health departm...
Read More!How to Protect Your Septic System During and After a Power Outage

Living in Michigan, we’re used to dealing with the changing seasons. Those changes often bring storms that cause power outages. According to the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), there are certain things you should do during and after a power outage to protect your septic system. During a Power Outage… Your septic system won’t run if you have a pressure di...
Read More!Have a Rental Property? Make Sure Your Septic System Works Properly!

It’s springtime and it’s time to get your septic tank checked if you plan on renting out your home this summer. The last thing you want to worry about is having a septic issue when renters stay. You should also advise your renters what they can and can’t put down the drain. They may be used to a different type of septic system and might not realize they can cause harm by t...
Read More!What to Do if Your Septic Alarm Goes Off

When your septic system is installed, you may have an alarm to warn you when something goes haywire. Once the alarm sounds, you should have 2 to 3 days before things start backing up in your house. You can mute the sound with many systems, but there is often a light that will continue to flash. The danger of an imminent sewage backup is still very real, despite a silenced alarm. There are se...
Read More!What You Need to Know About Servicing Your Septic Tank

After being shut in all winter, what’s on your to-do list? Don’t forget to add servicing your septic tank to the list! At every pump out, your professional septic tank cleaner should: Pump it out Check for cracks or leaks Watch for back flow from the field Make sure the line from tank to house is clear by running water through it Check for a septic baffle: if none is...
Read More!Sewage backing up in your home?

Sewage in the house is just about the worst kind of septic problem you can have. If bacteria-saturated material ends up in your home, what should you do? We recommend having your septic tank pumped immediately by a professional. This will reveal one or more potential problems that are causing sewage to find its way into your house: Once the tank is empty, flush and be sure ...
Read More!Can Septic Systems Be Pumped During the Winter?

Do you need your septic tank pumped? Worried the weather might get in the way? Have you had issues in the past with septic tank pumping in freezing weather? Your septic tank can be pumped all year round, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come without challenges. You need to call a septic tank pumping company that you can count on to get the job done, rain or shine (or snow)! Belo...
Read More!How Garbage Disposals Impact Septic Systems

Do you have a garbage disposal? Are you cautious what you put into it? If you’re on a septic system, you should learn the do’s and don’ts of using your garbage disposal. If you use your disposal often and put a lot of food waste into it, you’ll need to have your septic tank pumped more frequently to keep it running at maximum efficiency. According to the EPA, “food w...
Read More!Benefits of Maintaining Your Septic System

Have you had your septic tank cleaned recently? Do you know how important it is to keep up with septic tank maintenance? Not sure where to start? Your septic systems is an integral part of your home. Depending on the size of your septic tank, you may need to get it pumped every three to five years, and, in some rare cases, every year. Regardless of its size, regular check-ups on your system are r...
Read More!What to Do if Your Septic System Fails

Do you properly maintain your septic system? Do you keep your drain field clear of debris? Do you know how to recognize the signs of a failing septic system? Failure to perform routine maintenance, such as pumping your septic tank generally at least every three to five years, can cause solids in the tank to migrate into the drain field and clog your system. If you notice one or more of thes...
Read More!How to Care for Your Septic System

Do you smell a bad odor around your septic tank or drainfield? Does your plumbing make a gurgling sound? Do your drains take forever to empty? There could be a blockage. Don’t fear water and sewage backing up in your home when you perform regular septic tank pumping to keep your system working. To avoid a future problem, you should call an expert for septic tank pumping for your South Lyon ...
Read More!Do You Need Emergency Septic Service?

Have you noticed your drains slowing down? Does the grass over your drainfield look a bit squishy? Those might be warning signs that a very unpleasant disaster is about to happen. A malfunctioning septic system can be messy, unhealthy, and expensive to repair or replace. Identifying a problem as soon as possible could mean the difference between a problem that can be repaired and one requi...
Read More!Could Supply Shortages Affect Your Septic System Service?

Are you planning to have your septic system repaired this summer? Do you need a septic system installed for a new construction project? Even if you were planning to wait until later in the summer for septic system service, now is the right time to call us. Waiting may push your project back longer than you expected. Here’s why. The distribution of the COVID vaccine is finally e...
Read More!4 Tips to Keep your Septic System Healthy

Do you want to avoid a septic system failure? Don’t want to tear up your yard for costly repairs? Septic system failures are among the most preventable home mishaps. Having your septic tank pumped regularly is the best way to keep your system running like it should. But between pumping appointments, decisions you make every day can help your system healthier. Here are 4 simple steps y...
Read More!Do I Need to Have My Septic Tank Pumped?

Do you have a soggy yard? Have you noticed lush green grass growing over your drain field? Is there a smell of sewage in or outside your house? If so, it sounds like you have a septic system issue and should have your septic tank pumped. And that’s not something you want to put off! An overly full septic tank isn’t going to improve on its own. Delaying can have expensive conseq...
Read More!Percolation Test vs. Soil Test
Many people in the industry use septic system perc test or soil test interchangeably. This is how they differ. Currently county health departments conduct open cut soil test holes to inspect onsite soil conditions. The sanitarian observes the soil, records depths and thickness of layers of soils as they are exposed, this procedure is called a soil test. Decades ago, 4 foot deep holes were d...
Read More!Soil Testing For Septic Systems
What Is Soil Testing For Septic Systems? Soil testing for septic systems is the most universally misunderstood and feared test associated with the process of buying property, building a new home or repairing failing onsite septic systems. It is true that failing a soil test may prevent a sale or the issuance of a building permit or even an extremely costly septic system installation by engin...
Read More!Perk Test (Percolation Test or Perc Test)
What Is A Perk Test? A perk test (percolation test or perc test) is a way to obtain information regarding the soil on a specific parcel of land required by the health department. The percolation test consists of digging a hole on the property 4 feet deep approximately 6 inches in diameter into which a specific amount of water was dumped in. Usually this required about 3 to 5 gallons for the test....
Read More!Septic System Installation Guide
Need to install a new septic system? Not sure where to start? Lachance Brothers Excavating has you covered. We’ve been installing septic systems and drain fields since 1956 and are more than happy to share these steps to ensure that your septic system installation goes as smooth as possible. Step 1 Contact your health department and talk to your local sanitarian. Explain your needs and conc...
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