How much does a Sludgehammer system cost?

Most Sludgehammer installations cost less than $5,000.

Do you have to dig up my yard to install the Sludgehammer?

No, only a very narrow trench is needed from the electrical outlet to the

inlet riser of the septic tank. The trench is needed to run the 1/2 inch PVC

air line from the air pump to the Sludgehammer unit. The trench is only 4 inches

wide and can be dug so as to minimize the disturbance to your

landscaping.

How long will it take to restore my failed leach field?

Results will vary depending on your situation. Some systems begin to be

restored within hours while others take several weeks to a few months.

We guarantee that you will see improvement within the first 120 days

after installation.

What is the difference between a seepage pit and a leach field?

A seepage pit is a hole in the ground lined with special brick or concrete

rings and varies between 10 feet to as much as 100 feet in depth. A leach

field is an array of pipes with holes in them layed out in a horizontal

pattern 6 to 18 inches underground. Both a seepage pit and a leach field

have the same function which is to allow the partially treated effluent from

the septic tank to percolate into the soil. The main difference between the

two is that the seepage pit is a tall, vertical structure that goes deeper

underground while a leach field is a wide, horizontal structure that is at a

relatively shallow depth.

Does the guarantee cover seepage pits installations?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how long it will take to restore proper

function of a seepage pit. Because the ratio of air/water interface to

depth of a seepage pit is so small (4:1 or 5:1 vs. 30:1 or 40:1 for a leach

field), recovery can take several years. We do have other means of

helping your system handle the excess effluent while the Sludgehammer is

remediating your seepage pit.

How long does it take to install a Sludgehammer?

Most installations take less than four hours.

What do I need before a Sludgehammer can be installed?

You need: 1) a 110-120 volt GFCI AC outlet with a rainproof cover within

50 feet of your inlet chamber and 2) an inlet chamber riser with a

minimum inside diameter of 18 inches.

What if I don't have a GFCI outlet or an 18 inch riser?

The GFCI can be installed by an electrician. We can install the riser for

you as part of the Sludgehammer installation.

What is a GFCI?

A GFCI is a Ground Fault Circuit Interupter and is a safety device

designed to prevent electrocution from electrical outlets that may be near

water or wet areas.

Is the Sludgehammer certified for installation in septic systems?

Yes. The Sludgehammer system is listed by IAPMO for remediation of failed

leachfields under IAPMO standard number IGC 180 entitled "Aerobic

Bacteria Generators".

I was told I need a system that will "de-nitrify" the effluent in my

septic tank. Can the Sludgehammer system do this?

Yes, the Sludgehammer system can be set up to perform de-nitrification inside the

septic tank. While the Sludgehammer bacteria themselves ignore nitrogen

compounds, they do aggresively seek available sources of oxygen as

they consume the carbon containing compounds in the tank. During the

initial start-up of the Sludgehammer, a colony of the bacteria that partially oxidizes

ammonia can be cultured on the surfaces of the Sludgehammer unit. Once this

colony is established the Sludgehammer bacteria can be introduced. The Sludgehammer bacteria strip the oxygen from the partially oxidized ammonia. This

releases the nitrogen into the atmosphere as gaseous nitrogen and

bypasses the formation of nitrates in the septic tank.

I was told that I can't aerate my tank because it will produce

nitrates. Will the Sludgehammer system produce nitrates in my septic tank?

No, the Sludgehammer system will not produce nitrates in your septic tank. The

Sludgehammer bacteria are selective and only act on the carbon containng

compounds in the septic tank. They ignore the nitrogen containing

compounds.