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General FAQ
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Does Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing offer complimentary appointments?Brownie’s charges for a service call. If you elect to use us to fix the problem, the service call fee will be applied against the bill. Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
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What does it mean if the alarm goes off on the lift?Typically, it is related to a full lift station and/or could be a bad pump.
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Do you sell faucet tops that are inside the bathtub?Yes, we are a full-service plumbing company.
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Can I do a hook-to-sewer? How much would it cost?That would be depending on local ordinance. Calling a specialist could determine if your home site is approved for the hook-to-sewer connection options.
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How do I know if I am sewer or septic?We would recommend calling your local water company. If you live in Central Florida, Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing should be able to tell you if you are on septic.
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What are the signs that I need to replace my drain field?Dirty water backing up into the house, dirty water standing in the yard, and/or a bad odor.
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How long does a drain field last before I need to replace it?If your drain field is properly maintained, (i.e., pump outs every three years, add bio-boost on a monthly basis, etc.) it could last 15-20 years.
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How much is a drain field?Depending on the size of your home, it can range from $3500.00 and up.
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How many tanks does my septic system have?This depends on the size of your home. Typically smaller homes have one, while the average larger home has two tanks.
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Does my septic tank have a filter?Typically homes built after 1998 do require a filter.
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How do I know if my house needs re-piping?Brown or yellow water coming up through the house, as well as the color change of water or water marks and/or leaks.
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Why won’t my garbage disposal turn on?This could be the result of many things, including food, oil, or any hard item jamming the disposal. Clearing the drain and resetting the garbage disposal would be recommended.
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Why is my hot water heater leaking?Depending on the age of the heater, it could be rust wear and/or valve wear. Replacement based on age would be recommended.
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Why are my drains backed up?This could be the result of many things, such as hair, paper towels, or food items. If a liquid drain cleaner does not work, we would recommend snaking it and/or calling a plumber.
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Why is fecal matter coming up through my showers?This is usually a result of your drain field not operating correctly. This would require a drain field specialist to come out and diagnose the problem.
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Why does my toilet run all the time?Possibly, the flapper is not plugging the drain valve, preventing the water tank from filling up. Additionally, the chain could be caught around something inside the tank.
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Why is my water bill higher than normal?This can be caused by many things—water usage exceeding your normal rate of usage, leaky pipes, sprinkler system leaks, ongoing running water within toilets, etc. If not addressed immediately, the extra water will make its way to your drain field and eventually compromise your septic system.
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What if I need a septic design?We are licensed installers and maintainers; we do not design, however, we are able to show you many of the standard systems that are approved by the county for installation in Florida.
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Can I plant trees near my septic system?It is not recommended. The roots tend to want to find water and could eventually invade the lateral lines (blocking the flow of water) or other components of your system, including the drain field itself.
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What is a sewer camera?This is a video camera put into the pipe to inspect the problem so we can look at it on a television monitor/videotape.
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What is an “as-built?”A drawing of the septic system as it relates to your property.
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How do you locate tanks?Probing the ground with a bar or using an electronic locating device.
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What do you do when the main line is plugged?We clean the blockage in the line with a cable or jetter.
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What is a jetter?A high-pressure water jetter is used to clean drain lines and drain field laterals.
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Where is my tank?It could be anywhere around your house. Contact us with questions regarding your specific site.
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What lids need to be uncovered?The large garbage can (18”-28” diameter) size lids to the septic tank and to the pump chamber.
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What are risers?Plastic or concrete extensions to bring tank lids to ground level.
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What is a clean out?It’s a white PVC pipe in your yard that grants physical access to the line for cleaning.
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Why is my pump alarm is going off?The liquid level in the pump chamber is either too high or too low, or an electrical problem exists in your system. You might try checking the circuit breakers.
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What is Brownie’s Bio-Boost?
Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing offers a natural bacterial packaged in biodegradable packs that can be flushed down your toilet each month to help each the beneficial bacteria that keeps your septic tank operating correctly. The bacteria is necessary to restore a healthy balance of biological activity.
Use of household chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that populate in your septic tank. It is known, that waste degradation in nature is made by microorganisms. If the bacteria population in a septic system is low, the sewage can build up more quickly, resulting in septic backup and odor.
Brownie’s Bio-Boost releases billions of natural bacteria into the drain line and septic tank. This way you increase the beneficial bacteria population and restore the balance in your septic system. The bacteria produce enzymes that effectively break down waste, restoring a healthy balance of biological activity. Brownie’s Bio-Boost uses the same process found in nature to break down wastes and organics.
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What can we do to improve drain field performance?Be careful what you put into your septic tank. Also, make sure not to put anything that could harm your system, such as cooking oil and grease, cleaning chemicals, bleaches, detergents, and anything that will kill the live bacteria in your tank. You may also contact us at (407) 890-0116 regarding your specific system. Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing offers a live bacteria that should be added to your septic system monthly for less than $5 a month. It comes in easy to use, biodegradable packs that you simply flush down your toilet once a month.
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How often should a septic tank be pumped out?The state of Florida recommends every three years. The more you pump your tank, the longer your drain field will last. This is called preventative maintenance.
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What can make a pump-out cost more than the base price Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing normally charges?
- If there is more than one tank on-site (i.e., another septic, or dosing tank)
- If the tank is larger than 1,050 gallons
- If the tank has excessive heavy solids due to not being pumped over the recommended 3 years
- If the tank has a filter that needs cleaning (which is a separate cost)
Additionally, if your geographic location is far from Brownie’s Septic & Plumbing and the waste facilities there could be an extra charge.
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How much does septic tank pumping cost?It depends. Not every septic tank or system is the same, so there is a great deal of variability. Generally, it will depend on the size of your tank(s). Where your system is located, and how accessible it is. Call us at (407) 890-0116 for a free quote over the phone. Some questions that we will ask to determine the costs are: How big is your home (how many square feet)? Do you know where your tank is located or have an as-built of the system? Is it accessible (i.e., located and uncovered)? How many tanks are there? Has the system been remodeled?
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When you pump my tank, will you make a mess of my yard?No. Our trucks are equipped with a couple hundred feet of hose so that we can pump your tank from the driveway or side of the road. When we dig up the cover to your tank, we will put the grass off to the side, then we’ll put the dirt in a separate pile. When done, we will carefully replace the dirt with the sod back on top.
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How often do I need to pump my septic tank?The short answer is, you should pump your tank whenever it needs it. (i.e., the sludge and scum levels reach about 30% of the tank’s capacity). Pumping frequency depends on many different factors, including the size of the septic tank, household practices, and water consumption. It also depends on what you put down your drains, such as cleaning products, bleaches, detergents, and cooking oil, which can kill the good bacteria in your tank. Since there is so much variability in these factors, regular inspection is recommended to determine the condition of your septic system. Contact us today to determine when pumping is needed for your system. We can help you personalize your maintenance program.
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