Essential Tips for Springdale, AR Residents Regarding Septic Tank Maintenance

Essential Tips for Springdale

Proper septic tank maintenance is essential for residents in Springdale, AR. Ensuring regular maintenance enhances the efficiency and longevity of septic systems and benefits homeowners and the environment.

Regular Inspections and Pumping: 

Regular septic tank inspections and pumping are vital for maintaining a well-functioning system. The recommended frequency of these services helps prevent problems like backups, overflows, and system failures. Typically, inspections should be conducted every 1-3 years and pumping every 3-5 years, depending on usage and tank size.

Use Water Efficiently: 

Using water efficiently in households with septic systems is crucial. Springdale, AR, residents can reduce water usage by fixing leaks, using high-efficiency appliances, and spreading laundry loads throughout the week. Efficient water usage reduces the strain on the septic system and helps prevent potential issues.

Proper Waste Disposal: 

Proper waste disposal is essential for maintaining a healthy septic system. Guidelines for Springdale, AR, residents include avoiding flushing items like grease, chemicals, and non-biodegradable materials down the toilet or drain. Adhering to these guidelines helps prevent clogs and other issues within the system.

Protecting the Drain Field: 

The drain field plays a vital role in septic system function. Springdale, AR, residents can protect it by avoiding parking or driving over the drain field, planting only grass above it, and diverting rainwater runoff away from the area. These measures help ensure the drain field remains functional and efficient.

Be Mindful of Signs of Trouble: 

Common warning signs a septic system may require professional attention include foul odors, slow drains, or standing water near the tank or drain field. Springdale, AR, residents should contact a septic professional promptly if they notice any of these issues.

Springdale, AR: 

A Thriving Community with a Focus on Environmental Health: Springdale, AR, boasts a thriving community with a strong commitment to environmental health. Proper septic tank maintenance contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment for the city’s residents, making it an essential aspect of responsible homeownership.

Choosing a Reputable Septic Professional in Springdale, AR: 

When selecting a reputable septic professional in Springdale, AR, consider factors such as experience, licensing, customer reviews, and the range of services offered. BBB Septic Solutions is a trusted company known for its expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction.

The Benefits of a Well-Maintained Septic System: 

A well-maintained septic system offers several benefits for Springdale, AR homeowners, including cost savings, increased property value, and environmental protection. Regular maintenance ensures the system’s efficiency and longevity, providing peace of mind to homeowners.

Septic tank maintenance is crucial for Springdale, AR residents. By following the provided tips and investing in regular professional services, homeowners can maintain a well-functioning and long-lasting septic system that benefits their households and the environment.

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Avoid Costly Repairs with Expert Northwest Arkansas Septic Services

Avoid Costly Repairs with Expert Northwest Arkansas Septic Services

Understanding the importance of expert septic services in Northwest Arkansas is crucial for homeowners. Investing in professional septic services can help you avoid costly repairs and maintain a well-functioning septic system, ensuring a comfortable and healthy living environment.

The Importance of Regular Septic System Maintenance: 

Regular septic system maintenance prevents costly repairs and ensures the system’s longevity. Professional septic services can help identify and address potential issues before they become major problems, saving you time and money in the long run.

Northwest Arkansas: A Diverse and Rapidly Growing Region: 

Northwest Arkansas is a diverse and rapidly growing region with a unique landscape and increasing demand for reliable septic services. Proper waste management is essential in preserving the region’s natural beauty and maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.

Signs That Your Septic System Needs Attention: 

Persistent odors, slow drainage, and unusually green or wet patches in the yard are common signs that your septic system may need professional septic services. Taking care of these problems right now is crucial to prevent more problems and pricey repairs.

Expert Septic Services in Northwest Arkansas: 

Professionals in Northwest Arkansas offer various septic services, including regular maintenance, inspections, pumping, and repairs. These services help homeowners maintain a well-functioning septic system and prevent costly repairs, ensuring peace of mind.

The Risks of Neglecting Septic System Maintenance: 

Neglecting septic system maintenance can lead to potential hazards and expenses, such as system failures, environmental damage, and noncompliance with local regulations. Regular professional septic services are crucial to avoid these risks and maintain a healthy living environment.

Choosing the Right Septic Service Provider in Northwest Arkansas: 

When selecting a professional septic service provider in Northwest Arkansas, consider factors such as licensing, experience, customer reviews, and services offered. BBB Septic Solutions is a reputable company known for its expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction.

The Long-term Benefits of Expert Septic Services: 

Investing in expert septic services in Northwest Arkansas provides long-term benefits, including reduced risk of costly repairs, enhanced property value, and improved environmental protection. These benefits contribute to a better quality of life for homeowners in the region.

Educating Homeowners on Proper Septic System Care: 

Professional septic service providers are crucial in educating homeowners on proper septic system care and maintenance. These professionals offer guidance on best practices for septic system use and maintenance, ensuring the system remains efficient and functional.

Expert septic services in Northwest Arkansas are essential for preventing costly repairs and maintaining a well-functioning septic system. Invest in professional septic services to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your septic system, and enjoy a comfortable, worry-free living environment.

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Essential Tips for Springdale, AR Residents Regarding Septic Tank Maintenance

Septic Safe Resolutions

septic safe solutions

Every new year, millions of people around the world set their sights towards the future with the intention to spark positive change. Though these resolutions are generally personal and pertain to a person’s well being or professional development, there are actually new year’s resolutions that are good for you and your septic system!

And boy, we’ve got a little something for everyone:

For The Conservationist

How much water your home uses varies depending on any number of things, including how many people live in your household, your daily water usage, and appliance efficiency, but, essentially, the typical single-family home averages nearly 8,000 gallons of water usage each month.

If you’re looking to be more mindful of your water usage in the new year we recommend starting small.

● Use the proper load size settings on your washing machine to avoid wasting water and energy.

● Avoid doing all household laundry in one day. Though it seems like a time saver, it doesn’t allow your septic system to enough time to treat waste.

● Only run your dishwasher when it’s full.

● Collect rain water to use for watering your plants.

For The Eco Friendly

Over 60 million people across the country rely on septic tanks to treat wastewater, and as one of those homeowners, we know you’ve wondered about septic tank additives.

As your resident septic safe experts, we highly recommend Just Flush. It’s an easy-to-use, super concentrated, all natural and non-toxic septic sludge and odor eliminator. This chemical free product works best when used monthly as a sort of booster shot for your system, and is available for purchase on our website or as part of our Septic Maintenance Program.

Another eco + septic system friendly practice? Composting. While your garbage disposal can handle a lot, there are various foods and food waste that require a different method of discard, lest you invite clogging, drainage issues, and unpleasant sink odor. Avoid the mess and stress by feeding your garden instead of your garbage disposal!

For The Prepared

Regular upkeep and maintenance not only protects your property, but your health and your wallet as well! By scheduling regular maintenance for your home or business septic system, you don’t have to worry about your septic system turning into a big, messy – and likely costly – mess.

Regular pumping, cleaning lateral lines when needed, adjusting flow equalization and removing debris are all part of keeping your septic system functioning at top efficiency, and with our Septic Maintenance Program, you get all of this and more!

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BBB Solutions: Halloween Edition

Halloween can be a scary time of year for maintaining septic systems, what with all the candy wrappers,
pumpkin guts, and seasonal decor winding its way through pipes, causing clogs and creating
backups. Save the scares for the trick-or-treaters and check out our list of top three things to not
flush this Halloween season.

Candy Wrappers

As you ready your household for trick or treating, make sure you talk to your kiddos about
proper candy wrapper disposal. Since candy wrappers don’t dissolve or break down easily, they
are better off in the trash than they would be clogging up your drain or polluting your water
treatment center.


Pumpkin Pulp

Garbage disposal making scary sounds? Pumpkin pulp may be your culprit. Slimy, stringy, and
sticky, this gunk might as well be made to clog up pipes and wreak havoc on garbage disposals.
Instead of sending your pumpkin carving leftovers down the drain, try adding it to your compost
or just dispose of it with the rest of your trash.

Costume Pieces / Decorations

That mummy costume is pretty spooky, but don’t go trying to flush all of that TP or you’ll be in for
a worse fright – the dreaded backed up toilet. This goes for abandoned costume pieces and
leftover Halloween decor, too, ghouls and gals.

For septic solutions or to join our maintenance program, contact us here.

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The Down Low On The BBB Septic Maintenance Program

Regular upkeep and maintenance not only protects your property, but your health and your wallet as well! By scheduling regular septic maintenance for your home or business septic system, you don’t have to worry about your septic system turning into a big, messy – and likely costly – mess.

Regular pumping, cleaning lateral lines when needed, adjusting flow equalization and removing debris are all part of keeping your septic system functioning at top efficiency, and with our septic maintenance program, you get all of this and more!

Preferred service member benefits include:

  • Regularly scheduled maintenance checks and services.
  • Emergency service priority with no overtime charges!
  • Hassle free repairs with a 10% discount on any necessary parts and labor charges that aren’t included in our covered repairs.

Ready to join the BBB Septic maintenance program or need more information? Contact us here.

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Extending The Life Of Your Septic System

Replacing a septic system can be quite costly, but with proper care and maintenance your system can last anywhere from fifteen to forty years. Here are a few tips to extend the life of your septic system and save you money in the long run:

1. Regular Maintenance

Once a septic system is installed, it requires regular care and maintenance to keep it working to its best potential. Regular pumping, cleaning lateral lines, and removing debris are all part of keeping your septic system functioning at top efficiency. A poorly maintained septic system will quickly turn into a big, messy, and costly problem.

Learn about our septic maintenance program here. 

2. Conserve Water 

Overuse of water in your home can lead to an overloaded drain field or septic tank. This overuse can occur when running too many appliances at the same time or when you have a lot of visitors and your septic system doesn’t get any rest. For tips on how to better conserve water, check out our blog post on water efficiency. 

3. Know What Not To Flush 

Harsh chemicals, like bleach, can kill the healthy bacteria hard at work in your septic tank, so be sure to use septic-safe cleaners on your toilets and drains. When in doubt – don’t flush it – throw it in the trash or read the label to follow proper disposal procedures. 

Experiencing septic issues or have questions? Give us a call at 479-225-9800 or email us at info@bbbseptic.com

BBB Septic It’s Cold Outside! Protecting Your Outdoor Fixtures & More

Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or staying close to home, you’ll want to make sure your outdoor fixtures are prepared for cold weather and freezing temps to avoid costly repairs. 

In fact, statistics show that cold weather related damage claims are actually pretty common. One in fifteen homes make a winter weather damage claim each year, and one in fifty five report plumbing related water damage from the same cause. 

Water damage from freezing or leaky pipes is not only rather common, it can get quite expensive! Why? Well, these sorts of issues can cause a lot of damage. When cold weather hits, broken pipes can break and freeze, and while you may not notice the damage right away you certainly will when warmer weather hits and your home starts spouting water in unwanted areas. 
As always, the prevention is better than the cure. Here are a few easy steps you can take as a home or business owner to ensure your outdoor fixtures and septic system are well taken care of during the colder months.

Outdoor Spigots 

  1. Close the shut off valve for your faucet. 
  2. Disconnect any attached hoses. 
  3. Open your faucet and let any remaining water drain. 

Hoses 

  1. Disconnect all outdoor hoses from outdoor faucets. 
  2. Disconnect hoses from each other (as applicable). 
  3. Drain all hoses. 
  4. Coil and store in a dry area. Ensure there are no pinches or kinks. 

Pro tip: If you accidentally left your hose outside in freezing temps, bring it to an indoor area such as a garage or shed, and let it thaw a bit before coiling and storing. This will help prevent any breaks or damages to your water hose. 

Septic System 

  1. Add a layer of insulation, such as mulch, over septic pipes, tank, and soil treatment area.
  2. Don’t leave water running to prevent freezing. 
  3. Fix any leaky plumbing to avoid freezing in pipes.

Drainfield Red Flags

can't see drain field issues

Your septic system is rarely thought of, but it plays a vital role in your everyday life! From laundry to dishwashing, your septic system is in play.

An important part of your septic system is the drainfield. The drainfield is largely responsible for hosting and holding water from the septic tank that will eventually be absorbed into the surrounding soil. When you overload your system, or if your system isn’t working properly, the drainfield can become negatively affected. 

As a homeowner, it’s important to know and recognize the signs of drainfield problems and fix the issue.

Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Drainfield Red Flags 

  1. Sewage Odors: Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, sewage odors are a big, smelly, red flag.  
  1. Standing Water or Wet Spots: Keep an eye out for anything slimy, standing water, or recurring wet spots in your yard. 
  1. Slow Flushing Toilets: Annoying AND problematic. Slow flushing toilets are definitely a sign that something isn’t working properly. 
  1. Slow Drainage In Sink or Tubs: This is another red flag that something in your septic system isn’t working properly, whether it be a drainfield issue or a clogged pipe. 

Common Causes and Culprits  

The most common cause of drainfield problems is improper maintenance, but other culprits include soil compaction from parked vehicles, tree roots damaging or breaching your drainfield, and excessive grease in your septic system. 

So, What’s The Big Deal?

Drainfield problems, if not treated in a timely manner, can result in both indoor and outdoor water damage. If any of that toxic sewage enters your home, you’ll also be dealing with potential health hazards, mold, and mildew.  

Get Ahead of Drainfield Problems 

A regularly and properly maintained septic system means you can rest easy! Not sure how to care for your home’s septic system? Contact the pro’s here at BBB!  

Power Outages and Your Septic System: What Homeowners Should Know

Power Outages and Your Septic System: What Homeowners Should Know

Q: What effect does a power outage have on my septic system, STEP system, or sewer system?

A: If you have a completely standard gravity system, it will function normally. However, if your system has a pump and/or alarm system, your sewer system could be heavily affected, depending on how long the power is off. Read more below.

More About Pump + Alarm Systems

In some cases, septic tank outlet water, otherwise known as “effluent”, has to be pushed uphill to the designated absorption area. This “absorption” area, can also be referred to as “lateral lines” or the “lateral field”.  If there exists a pump as a part of the wastewater system and the power goes out, the warning system that exists to alert that there is a problem also functions on electricity and will not work. 

Reasons for having a pump and alarm as a part of the system include: 

  • The absorption area is uphill from the tank location
  • A spider valve or hydro-splitter is used for distribution of the effluent
  • The city sewer hook-up is actually a city STEP system
  • The city sewer hook-up requires a pump (as with the Bella Vista Village Wastewater System)
  • The home has plumbing in a basement below the septic tank inlet and a pump is required to push everything from the lower area up to the tank

In all of these situations, there will be some storage for wastewater available; the storage capacity is generally from 200-250 gallons. Account for 50-75 gallons of water usage per person each day– it doesn’t take long to fill up that storage area! Once that capacity has been reached, the wastewater will begin to back up into the pipes and eventually will end up in the home if water is continually used– a situation neither the homeowner nor septic companies want to deal with. 

The Bottom Line

If you find yourself in the situation, use water sparingly and pay attention to warning signs. Additionally, take these steps to extend the capacity: 

  • Loosen or remove the cap on the main line cleanout, which is usually a 3″-4” white cap located just outside the foundation of the house
  • Loosen the lid to the pump chamber and/or septic tank.
    • They are usually fastened with a series of screws that will require a regular Phillips or Allen head screwdriver, or possibly a hex bolt head, sized 7/16”, 1/2” or even 9/16”
  • NOTE: When loosening the cleanout cap or the lids, the idea is to allow the extra wastewater to relieve itself outside (as opposed to inside the house). This may be a bit messy, but a mess outside is far better than one inside!

At BBB Septic, we hope to provide you with the best information to keep your home’s septic system functioning properly– especially in times of emergency. If you live in the Northwest Arkansas area and have any further questions regarding power outages and your septic system, please reach out via phone or email. 

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A Conversation about STEP Systems

Hey guys,
It’s Amanda Gainey with The Brandon Group. Can you tell me generally how a STEP system works? I have a client I would like to connect with you, but for right now, we are trying to understand the general idea of a STEP system. You guys are always so helpful. Thank you in advance!

Good morning, Amanda.

The term STEP (Septic Tank Effluent Pumping) system refers to the sewer setup you will find in cities like Cave Springs, Bethel Heights, Elm Springs, and subdivisions where there is no city sewer hookup to a standard wastewater treatment plant. In our area, the infrastructure has not kept up with recent growth, so homebuilders are left with a dilemma.

In order for a lot to support its own septic system, it must be very large to accommodate the absorption lateral lines. One method of getting more houses into a smaller area is to incorporate a STEP system. The idea is that every home has its own septic tank, but instead of putting a lateral line system on each lot, the effluent water from all the tanks is sent to a central location where it can be collected, treated, and sent out to the community lateral lines.


In Cave Springs, for example, each house has its own septic tank and pump chamber, and each homeowner is totally responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. The effluent water is pumped from each house to a common pipe that runs to the collection plant behind The Creeks Golf Course. Once they treat the effluent water, it’s distributed throughout the golf course just below the grass and serves as an irrigation system.


Bethel Heights has several fields around town where their effluent water is distributed in the same way, just below grass level. Each house connected to the system has its own septic tank and pump chamber, however, the city takes care of all the upkeep and maintenance out of the sewer fees they collect. The homeowners use the system as if they were hooked up to city sewer.

Hi Jon,

When you say “each house connected to that system has its own septic tank and pump chamber, and each homeowner is totally responsible for its upkeep and maintenance,” what all does that involve? Is there monthly or annual upkeep and maintenance that I will need to factor in? Is there some sort of owner manual that will explain to me the proper way to maintain the tank? And is there an expected lifespan for how long a properly maintained system should last?


Hi Amanda,
Great questions.

  • The city will charge you a monthly sewer bill. There are no reoccurring fees besides that.
  • The septic tank needs to be pumped out every 3–5 years depending on occupancy and use.
  • The only other expenses will be repair costs if you have any malfunctions with the pump or alarm systems. This is not common but can happen. That being said, you don’t ever have to worry about a failure in your absorption lateral field because you won’t have one—the city has to maintain the lines for everyone. 

A septic system can last forever as long as those points are taken care of. There are no manuals about a STEP system’s operations. You can find out everything you need to know about septic systems and best practices for their care and operations on our website, bbbsesptic.com.

Blessings,

Jon J

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