Septic tanks

[ebry710]

Re: Septic tanks

Here in SE Va the health department sends me a notice every 5 years reminding me its time to have the tank pumped. In a properly working system you do not need any of those miracle additives. I had to have my field replaced last year. It was about 30 years old which is average for this area.

Your luck. California Region Water Quality Control Board is trying to require inspections and some case will not allow for repairs even if there isn't sewer closed by. But the again, around here city people move to the county and flush chemicals and tampons down their tanks.

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Septic tanks

Does the CRWQCB plan on purchasing properties for full market value they in effect will be condemning by refusing a repair permit?

 

[ebry710]

Re: Septic tanks

That would be funny. Around here the government makes the rules and the public is stuck or gets creative.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Septic tanks

Weve never had any problems with our tank. Its been a good 5 years since we had it pumped last but the usage has really slowed down. Its only the parents living at home now since my bro and I have moved out(Im in college). The only thing in the house that goes to it is 3 toilets. Everything else in the house has its own place to drain too.

We wait till it fills up, get it pumped, then go about our ways.

Although last time we had it pumped we have to get some work down to the distribution box. It had gotten off level and was putting all the water into one pipe out in the yard which was coming to the surface. Got something called speed levelers put in. Kinda cheap and not long term but its been working for 5 years now.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Septic tanks

That is why I like inspection lids on both sections. You can look for roots and solids in second tank.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Septic tanks

del

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Septic tanks

I've lived in homes with septic tanks my entire life ( 48 years). With regular pumping, you get a long life out of your system. Every three years is what works for my wife and I.

As stated earlier, only what comes out of your body plus septic safe toilet paper gets flushed. No garbage disposal, no feminine hygiene items and no cooking grease down the drains.

It would also be a good idea to find out exactly where the pump out access lid is ( mine is covered by 6" of dirt/grass in my lawn ) so you can dig it open yourself. That saves me $75. We also get a better price by having a few of the neighbors get pumped at the same time.

Check with the local plumbing supply stores who is a good company to deal with and who's a crook/village idiot. Check a few if possible.

Jeff

 

[mthieme]

Re: Septic tanks

You local Health department (or other appropriate County agency) can also tell you is reputable.

 

[v1_0]

Re: Septic tanks

If you happen to have a water softener you are probably using Sodium Chloride. This will get flushed out and down into your septic. This salt is not good for plants, if it gets concentrated enough will start to kill things. Potassium Chloride works in the softener to regenerate it, and actually promotes plant growth. Of course, it is way more expensive (like 5x more, nowdays).

On a brighter note, there are ways of dealing with compacted soil in a drainfield. One thing that I've heard is there's a treatment system where they come out and drive a tube into the ground repeatedly, and pump some sort of fibers/foam/I don't know what it is into your drainfield. It uncompacts your field and also provides new material for the water to seep into. (This won't do anything for salt issues).

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Septic tanks

I have a septic system that's 6 years old. It has a tank-sandfilter-leech field setup. I had it pumped last year for the first time (installer reccommended a 5-year pumping schedule). I was happy to find that in 5 years all I had was a 6" build up of sludge. The pump-out guy said I could easily have gone another 5 years.

I attribute this to good management on my part. My washing machine and dishwasher drain to outside (legal in my area). Only shower and toilet water go into the septic tank. I put up signs when we have parties that absolutly NO feminine products get flushed- my wife puts those little sanitary disposal bags in the bathroom for the ladies.

The only thing that was an issue in my tank was a greasy build-up at the water line around the perimeter of the tank. I was corrected by the guy pumping the tank when I said it was cooking grease- he said it was hair conditioner. I live with two ladies, and both have lovely long flowing hair. He told me that conditioner was as bad or worse than kitchen grease at clogging distribution box filters. I will be replumbing my shower this spring to divert the tub to the outside like the washing machine and dishwasher.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Septic tanks

I am in Queensland Australia and this is out variation.
We have 2 systems....

1. a septic tank for the toilets only
it is cleaned every 5 yrs (size of tank pretty much determines that)
has evaporation trenches for the liquid overflow.
This is called 'black' water.

2. a 'grey' water system.
all other water (except washing machine) goes thru a grease trap then into a grey water tank, underground, with a submersible pump,
When 75% full, pump goes off and water is used for irrigating your garden....you have a long 'purple' hose and sprinkler you move about.
You have to use your brains when using it, because it is dirty, but it is the only source of water we have available for gardens.

The grease trap needs frequent cleaning if you put cooking fats, rice etc down the drain....so we use one of those strainers in the sink drain holes....extends the cleaning of our grease trap out to 12mths...probably more if we wanted.

Hair products can be easily detected in the tank when it is cleaned.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[gss036]

Re: Septic tanks

getinmerry
Petty Officer 2nd Class
You say you just pump the shwer, etc outside. I ask, into what? You surley don't pump it out on top of the ground. I have heard of greas pits, but never pumping out on the lawn????????????? A little help here please.
I have been using septic tanks for 60 years and never heard of just pumping outside.

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Septic tanks

We don't just pump straight out. There's a 250 gallon "mini-septic/ settling tank" (for lack of a better term) that was already installed when I moved in and received county approval for it's use before closing. The runoff actually is distributed under about 100' of my gravel driveway. Cool system and it works quite well.

I can't really tell you much about the gray water system because I didn't install it. I can tell you that there are black "foam rubber" peanuts that pack the distribution box. I accidentally dug it up while planting a tree once.

 

[gss036]

Re: Septic tanks

Interesting system with its' on drain field. Thanks for the reply.