Additive used to treat blockage in drainfield line

Problem: North Carolina homeowners called J.C. Johnson Plumbing & Septic when they saw water surfacing into the drainfield area. Technician Jim Sparrow ran a camera through the line exiting the tank and quickly determined the line was almost completely full of sludge.

Solution: Sparrow installed a clean-out on the outlet end of the tank and then poured bioForce Maxx from Chempace Corp. into the line. The septic tank was also pumped down to make sure no water would be going into the field for a week. After approximately one month without incident, a camera was put down the clean-out to inspect the line. The first 30 feet had gone from being full of sludge to only about a 1/4 inch on the bottom. The line was treated again with another 5-gallon pail of bioForce Maxx.

Result: To date, there has been no further surfacing water in the drainfield. 800/423-5350; www.chempace.com.

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Vent filter eliminates septic odors

Problem: After installation of a new septic system, a homeowner in Lake Mohawk, New Jersey, complained of odors in his yard. The contractor installed residential vent odor filters on the tank and roof vents. The filters improved but did not eliminate the problem. The contractor reviewed the situation with Simple Solutions Distributing and determined the problem was that tank vent airflow exceeded typical levels. The home is built into the top of a hill, and the holding tank is located at the bottom of the hill. The discharge pipe is approximately 75 feet long and drops approximately 15 feet. The modules are located on the side of the house above the holding tank. Water was running into the tank either from one of the home appliances or from feed lines when the discharge pumps were turned off.

Solution: Simple Solutions Distributing recommended the contractor replace the vent filter on the discharge tank with a larger, solar-powered Super Wolverine vent filter. The Super Wolverine can eliminate odorous airflows up to 10 cfm, and the solar fan actively vents the tank, reducing accumulation of sewer gas.

Result: The odor problem was eliminated, and the customer can enjoy his lake home without nuisance odors. 866/667-8465; www.industrialodorcontrol.com.