Septic Tank Chemistry

[Larry Caldwell]

My system is 18 years old with no p0roblems that I know of. My concern is root infiltration. We are on a small lot (1/4 acre) and there are three trees within a few feet of the tank and drain field. Will copper sulfate kill the roots without killing the trees or the beneficial microbes that do the dirty work?

Just use Boraxo in your laundry. Boraxo will kill tree roots. When the roots in one area die, the tree will just grow roots elsewhere. Plus, your laundry will get cleaner.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I have often wondered about the "rule" that one should not use a kitchen waste disposer with a septic system. How does well-ground food waste going into the tank differ from the same thing going into one's digestive tract and THEN into the tank? Granted, there is not an acidic "treatment" like in the stomach, but doesn't the bacterial breakdown in the tank "digest" ordinary food waste?

You have a much more sophisticated digestive process than anaerobic bacteria. Your liver bile emulsifies and breaks down fats, your pancreatic juices denature proteins into their component amino acids, etc. Septic bugs can't handle that. OTOH, they are better than you are at complex carbohydrates like cellulose, which is why toilet paper doesn't turn every septic tank into a stinking pulpy mess.

 

[Egon]

Maybe folks should note that there are different designs for septic tanks with each working a little different as to the effluent handling.

Also note that effluent filters may be used or included in the local requirements.

The temperature of the tank is also important in the biological activities that occur within the tank.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I've been meaning to ask these stinky questions for some time....

I've never "lived" on a septic system before, nor had my wife, and she has been somewhat paranoid since we moved in about 1 year ago.

We also have a septic at one of our rentals, but we were only there for a few days per year, but now it has been occupied for almost 1.5 years.

1 - How do you know you need to pump?
2 - Is pumping expensive?
3 - All I have to "mark" the septic at my house is some bricks on a muddy spot behoind the house. The rental has a 4" PVC Pipe sticking up with a plug. Do I need to dig this thing up and install some sort of a pipe access?

4 - What am I forgetting to ask because I'm a n00b?

Thanks,
David

 

[PhilNH5]

I recommend this link:

http://www.chesco.org/health/lib/health/sewage/ownersmanual.pdf

It is put out by Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Lots of good info. For the record they say no additives needed but recommend a 3 year pump out cycle.

Phil

 

[rsewill]

We had a septic system for about 17 years. Two adults, two kids. Never pumped once until we got city water and sewer.

 

[Soundguy]

if it's a modern concrete tank it will have a cleanout lift lid..

you can locate most tanks with a poke rod and a bit of walking..

I've been meaning to ask these stinky questions for some time....

I've never "lived" on a septic system before, nor had my wife, and she has been somewhat paranoid since we moved in about 1 year ago.

We also have a septic at one of our rentals, but we were only there for a few days per year, but now it has been occupied for almost 1.5 years.

1 - How do you know you need to pump?
2 - Is pumping expensive?
3 - All I have to "mark" the septic at my house is some bricks on a muddy spot behoind the house. The rental has a 4" PVC Pipe sticking up with a plug. Do I need to dig this thing up and install some sort of a pipe access?

4 - What am I forgetting to ask because I'm a n00b?

Thanks,
David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

if it's a modern concrete tank it will have a cleanout lift lid..

you can locate most tanks with a poke rod and a bit of walking..

Chris,

I got a pretty good idea where it is (I hope) but now I will need to excavate until I find the cleanout lid?

She swore she had pumped it just a few years before she sold it to me...

Dang... I hope it is not deep...

David

 

[Soundguy]

they usually aren't... nor are they big... so once you poke a nd find it.. just keep walking and poking till you have the top outlined. short work with a shovel to hit concrete after that...

 

[EE_Bota]

Chris,

I got a pretty good idea where it is (I hope) but now I will need to excavate until I find the cleanout lid?

She swore she had pumped it just a few years before she sold it to me...

Dang... I hope it is not deep...

David

What Soundguy said. Poke rod to find the extent, and easy dig with a shovel. Excavate could be a correct word for digging with a shovel too, I suppose, but I just wanted to make sure to point out it is SHOVEL work.