If we are coming to your property to collect a lead sample, it is very important that you follow these steps PRIOR to our visit.
If the house is vacant, we suggest running the cold water from the kitchen faucet for one hour the day before the sampling. If the home is occupied, this is not necessary. However, the homeowners should put a towel over their kitchen sink the evening prior to sampling and should not run any water from the kitchen sink until the sampling is taken. We must be the first to run water from the kitchen sink on the day of our sampling.
PLEASE NOTE: If the lead instructions are not followed, an $100 collection fee will be assessed if a return trip is needed to accurately collect the lead sample.
FAQ
How often should I clean/pump my tank?
Frequency of cleaning is determined by the size of the tank and the number of occupants. It is recommended that all tanks be cleaned every one and five years.
Why do you advise not to pump a Septic Tank prior to the evaluation? What is the reason?
A septic pumping is not necessary for a septic evaluation; in fact, it adds no value to the evaluation itself. Pumping a tank prior to a septic evaluation prohibits us from doing a proper septic evaluation. Many clues that would indicate a troublesome or failing septic system are hidden when a tank is pumped. If a tank is over full or partially backing up, a pumping would remove any evidence of this. We also need to run water to the absorption area of the septic system. If the tank has just been pumped, we cannot do this as the water we run into the system will only collect in the septic tank and not overflow to the absorption area of the system. Part of our evaluation is to use a Sludge Judge and convey to you, the buyer, if the tank is currently due for cleaning. We suggest you ask the sellers to pump the tank if we find it is due for cleaning. If it is not due, you would be better off by using the seller’s money for other repairs or maintenance until the tank is in need of maintenance. Either way, we strongly recommend this pumping happen after our evaluation.
How does bacteria get into the well?
We take a look at the well casing and note any breaks, cracks or voids at the time of our sample to determine if there is an obvious source for the bacteria. There is a two-piece well cap with secure electrical conduit with this well, so we have no recommendations for repairs at this time. It’s possible that once the well casing is opened for the chlorination procedure that a void can be seen from inside the well casing, but not likely. Sometimes bacteria can find its way into a well from the ground water as a result of heavy rains. For this reason most health departments suggest to sample your well water every few years.
For the chlorination, the well casing is opened up and chlorine is introduced.
We use a product that is in the form of time-released pellets. Then the water is ran through the home and back into the well for about 30 minutes. At this time all the cold water plumbing taps are ran in the house to get the chlorine in the plumbing lines of the house. After this the well should sit, virtually unused, for a period of at least 16 hours. After this the well is ready to have the chlorine ran out of it, so a second bacteria sample can be collected. We will leave directions for the homeowner if they wish to do their own run-off or bleeding of the well.
Is the low PH an issue or just something to manage?
Sulfur is a result of at least one of these 3 issues. It is either a bad hot water heater, the laundry machine, or the well is collecting either sulfur or iron bacteria.If the sulfur was a result of the well, then we would expect the smell to be at every faucet in the home. If it was caused by the hot water heater, then we would expect the odor to be present every hot water faucet in the house, including the laundry. The last possibility is that the laundry machine is collecting bacteria and the by product would be sulfur dioxide.Try running an empty load with a healthy amount of bleach. The manufacturer may also have cleaning instructions posted online. I know that the new front loading washing machines are notorious for having to be cleaned so often.If this doesn’t work, then I might suggest calling a plumber.
We are getting a strong sulfur smell from the water and I was wondering if you know what that might be from or how to take care of it?
Sulfur is a result of at least one of these 3 issues. It is either a bad hot water heater, the laundry machine, or the well is collecting either sulfur or iron bacteria.
If the sulfur was a result of the well, then we would expect the smell to be at every faucet in the home. If it was caused by the hot water heater, then we would expect the odor to be present every hot water faucet in the house, including the laundry. The last possibility is that the laundry machine is collecting bacteria and the by product would be sulfur dioxide.
Try running an empty load with a healthy amount of bleach. The manufacturer may also have cleaning instructions posted online. I know that the new front loading washing machines are notorious for having to be cleaned so often.
If this doesn’t work, then I might suggest calling a plumber.
I have an odor in my house that smells like it might be the septic?
The answer to odor questions is that they are generally not associated with a septic issue. If the trap underneath a sink dries up from not being used it will allow odors in the home. We suggest running every sink in the house for a few seconds every other week to avoid these odors. In other cases, it may be a bad wax-ring seal around the toilet. If the odor is outside, it is usually coming from the vent pipe coming out of the roof, and normally in weather that has heavy air. The gases get pushed down versus escape up. Some companies offer to put a charcoal filter on the vent pipe to fix this problem.
Click here for a specific breakdown of water quality problem areas in Anne Arundel County
Education
Looking to Add Continuing Education Classes in your Office? Home Land offers the following continuing education electives at NO CHARGE. We teach through accredited schools, offices and associations throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. Our instructors hold certifications from Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the McCrone Research Institute, Maryland Onsite Wastewater Association (MOWPA) and Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA). As active affiliates for Realtor boards through MD and PA, we are proud to provide education in our area of expertise.
Contact Laura Barnaba for course outlines, instructor bios and/or course availability at (443) 995-5385 or [email protected].
We are also available for Lunch & Learn opportunities!