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One of the greatest concerns that a homeowner can have is regarding their septic system. If you aren't on septic, odds are you know someone who is, so you'll want to keep reading.

Septic fears can be so great that some people won't even purchase a home that is on septic, which is a shame because it doesn't need to be that way. The folks over at John the Plumber want to help you get over any concerns or fears you have about septic systems and give you some tips to help extend the life of your system.

"People often express concerns about their tank when really their concerns should be about their leach field or deep pit," says John Nelson, owner of John the Plumber. "A concrete tank is almost indestructible whereas a steel tank will rust and rot and a plastic tank can crack or collapse. There's not much you can do to extend the life of your tank except to not park on it or plant trees over it. More concern and care should be given to keeping solid wastes out of the deep pit or leach field and one way to do that is to install an effluent filter."

To understand how an effluent filter works, you first need to have a basic understanding of a septic system. Simply put, all waste from the home, both liquids and solids flow into a two compartment tank buried in the yard. Naturally present bacteria "eat" the solids that enter the first compartment, turning the solids into liquid waste. That mostly liquid waste then flows into the second compartment where it breaks down even further. From there, the liquid waste leaves the tank where it then flows either into buried, perforated lines in the yard (leach field) or into a deep pit to be absorbed back into the earth. Problems arise when solids make their way into the field or pit. A filter, installed just inside the tank at the mouth of the out-flowing waste line, can catch a lot of those solids before they leave the tank, thus extending the life of your pit or field.

"Effluent filters are worth their weight in gold," John tells us. "The cost of having to replace your deep pit or leach field can be ten to fifteen thousand dollars, sometimes even more. Making a small investment now will pay off in the long run."

The filters are only accessible when the lid to the second compartment is opened, which usually only happens when the septic is pumped. John believes that for best performance the filters should be cleaned more often. "We now offer filters when we install risers. Risers mean you never have to dig up your septic lids again plus it means we can access your filters easily to clean them. It's really the only way to go."

Do you want more information on whether effluent filters are good idea for you? Give the good people over at John the Plumber a call, (661) 823-8031 or (760) 373-7050. They'll be happy to answer your questions.