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News In Focus




April 2013
Septic System Facts

One of the services that Hanover Land Services, Inc. provides for our clients is perc test coordination and septic system design in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Perc testing, or Probe/Perc testing in PA, is required to assure that the site soils are adequate to support a septic system. The perc testing data is also used in the septic system design. Both Doug Barmoy and Reg Baugher are certified Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEOs) in Pennsylvania. SEO certification requires extensive training in soils and septic design. 

  

For anyone who wonders how a septic system actually functions, here's a quick explanation. Sewage from your home (on anything else connected to your septic system) flows to the septic tank where the primary treatment takes place. Septic tanks are usually rectangular and made of concrete. The tank is typically designed to retain the sewage that flows from a home each day for 24-36 hours.

 

In the tank, the heaviest mattseptic systemer settles to the bottom where naturally occurring bacteria work to help these solids decompose and form sludge. The lighter solids, greases and fats, known as scum, float on top. This leaves a center layer of a liquid containing dissolved and suspended sewage material. The middle layer flows from the tank through an outlet pipe to a tile field, deep trench, sandmound, or seepage pit where the liquid seeps into the soil over a large area. This is why perc test are needed to find good permeable soils to support a septic system. The soil provides additional treatment for the effluent.

 

The sludge and scum layers stay in the septic tank and will eventually need to be removed by pumping. When wastewater leaves a septic tank too soon (the tank is either too small or water use is unusually high), solids can be carried with it to the drainfield. These solids can damage the drainfield by clogging the small holes in the drainfield pipes.

 

Tips for Septic System Maintenance:

  -  Do not drive or park vehicles on any part of the septic system. 
  - 
Plant only grass over a septic system drain field. Roots could cause 
damage.
  -  Flush/drain responsibly: Flushing household chemicals like paint, pesticides, oil and antifreeze can destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system (halt the decomposing of solids).
  - 
The only thing that should be flushed in the toilet are wastewater and toilet paper. Anything else could potentially cause clogs.
  - 
Don't use septic tank additives. Under normal operating conditions,these 
products usually do not help and some may be harmful to your system.
  - 
Stagger laundry or other high water use events throughout the week. Try to do no more than two laundry loads per day.
  - 
Pump septic tank at minimum every 3-5 years.

 

Signs of a Failing Septic System:

  -  Toilet running sluggish
septic failure  -  Sewer odors in the house and/ or drinking water
  - 
Illness, often to household 
visitors
  - 
Sponginess around septic 
tank, distribution box or dosing 
tank and absorption area
  - 
Surfacing raw sewage      
  -  Backup of sewage into laundry tubs or other fixtures
  - 
Dosing pump runs constantly or not at all
  -  
Dosing tank alarm light is on

Can you ... NAME THAT SITE? 

Be the first reader to call or e-mail us with the correct location of this site and you can win a lunch with your choice of Doug, Reg, or Kristin to pick up the tab.
site guess april 2013

 HINTS:

 

1.  Many people have been asking what is being built on this site located in  

      south Hanover.     

2.  The contractor is preparing the site for a new building and associated

       parking.  

3.  Does anyone know what is being constructed?  Continue watching the construction progress and let us know what you think the site is going to be.   

     

 

Please contact Hanover Land Service if additional hints are needed.  

 

E-mail your guess to [email protected] or  

call Gail at our Hanover office 717-637-5674.     

 

The correct location of this month's site will be revealed in our next newsletter!

     

 

CONTACT US
We're open

to your comments, questions and suggestions!

 Email Doug Barmoy

 

 Email Kristin Barmoy 

 

 Email Reg Baugher  

 

Email Mark Riddle 

 

 


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HLS works with MBARC with goal to win state and federal projects

The Maryland Business Resource Center (MBARC) was established with a grant from the Maryland State Highway Administration to help profitable established businesses qualified for the Federal Disadvantaged Business program build their capacity to work on state and federal projects in construction related industries.   Hanover Land Services, Inc. was selected as one of ten consultants from a large applicant pool to participate in this yearlong program during 2013.

 

With the development of a Strategic Action Plan and individualized business coaching though MBARC, HLS is working toward partnering as a prime or subcontractor with other Maryland and Pennsylvania based firms to provide a technically superior, dependable source of surveying, engineering, and inspection services for state and federal projects.

 

HLS is currently a subcontractor on both PennDOT and MDOT projects and a prime contractor on a Federal Natural Resource Conservation Service contract in Pennsylvania. 

 

Name that site in the last newsletter was...
Camping World in south Hanover, PA.  The building addition will be used to expand the services of Camping World. 

Hanover Land Services, Inc. performed the construction stakeout the building addition and associated utilities.

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HLS OFFICE HOURS

 

Monday - Thursday

7AM to 4:30 PM

 

Friday 7 AM to 3 PM

Our goal is to serve our clients in the most effective way possible.

If you need to meet with us during non-office hours, call (717)637-5674 to set up an appointment.  We will schedule a time that is convenient for you.