Mr Holt,
My Name is Wayne Simmons and I am Carl Bridgmans son in law. He has forwarded this email to me since I reside in his home, as they have been touring the country for a few years. The house was built sometime in the 60s and they have owned it since approximately 1983-84. I will tell you a little about the houses design to set the stage. It is a split level home with the basement floor level approximately 40 below ground level, and the septic line exiting the home another 18 below that. According to Mr Bridgman, the septic tank was pumped several years ago . Approximately 1 year ago we began having trouble with the sewage backflowing up through a floor drain in the basement which is partially below grade. At first we would auger the line and it would go down eventually. After having a plumber run a camera down through the line we discovered that a drain line had collapsed. This was repaired in December 2011. The problem still continued but augering the line would no longer resolve the issue. We had the septic tank pumped again and the gentleman entered the tank to inspect it and informed us that water was backflowing from the discharge pipe indicating that the drain field was saturated. Of course, after a relatively short time when the tank refilled, the problem began again. We had tried 3 times using Ridex which appeared to help for a day or two but that was all. From December 2011 until April 2012 our family would do everything possible to slow the flow of water into the system,to prevent backflowing. Before installing the Aero-Stream myself, my wife and daughter would stagger our showers and laundry throughout the day. During showers I would plug the drain and allow the water to exit very slowly. We shut off the faucet when washing dishes, brushing teeth, etc. We developed good conservation habits. But it was not enough. Almost daily the drain would backflow. There were numerous times when one of us would be taking a shower and have to immediately stop, to prevent water from rising high enough to damage the wooden floors in the finished part of the basement. There were also times when one of us would be late to work or school because we would have to wait for the water level to go down so that we could take a shower. On more than one occasion we actually had solid waste to backflow into the basement floor. We had the septic system pumped twice during this 4-5 month period. After researching the problem on the internet and educating myself on the effect of biomat, I found a webpage comparing the cost/ benefit ratios for the more common aeration systems on the market. I had also spoke with several plumbers and septic cleaning companies to see what information or experience they had on the aeration systems. On each occasion I was told that they really knew nothing of them but they promised that they would not work and the money spent would be wasted. Of course I realize that they have a vested financial interest in the system not working so that they can earn many thousands of dollars to dig up and replace the drain field. I advised Mr Bridgman that the Aerostream unit appeared to offer the best value on a cost to benefit comparison. As a result he purchased the system and we installed it the weekend after it arrived. We had the tank pumped immediately before installation. I am a maintenance contractor and I went to the extra measure of burying the air line in PVC conduit. The hardest part of the installation was removing the dirt to bury the line and uncover the lid to the septic system. After pumping the single chamber septic tank we assembled and installed the diffuser and installed the filter into the discharge tee. The installation was very simple. I will say, though, that the diagrams in the installation manual are a little vague on where to place the discharge line filter, but we eventually figured it out. We left the septic system uncovered for 8 days so that I could visualize when the level rose to the discharge line. The boil was evident and the odor was minimal (No more than it was when we had the tank pumped). We noticed immediately that the problem was remediated. Approximately two weeks after installing the unit we had a puddle about a foot in diameter to backflow into the floor but it was after all three of us took a shower and washed 5 or 6 loads of clothes back to back. I read in the installation manual that it could be a full month before the total benefit was observed and after about 6 weeks of running, I must say that I am totally impressed with the results. There have been no more backflowing occurrences. We have not had to pump the tank anymore. There is no odor and we can shower, clean clothes and wash dishes at our leisure instead of on a specific timed and carefully paced schedule. I have considered finding a way to market the installation of these systems in our area. By my reasoning your system has saved Mr Bridgman at least $10,000-$15,000.00. You definitely have a fan. Thanks so much! If you have any questions feel free to call me at anytime.
Wayne Simmons
5331 Hearthstone Rd
Roanoke, VA 24012-1707
540-314-7778
nwsimmons@systemonecompanies.com
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