Cleaning out septic system?

[DANOCHEESE]

Doc Bob: I have a cabin Sawyer county, Brother has a house. He has tossed the little yellow card for the last few years. It is a DNR pushed item. It would take me 200 years to fill my cabin system. They want it pumped every 6 years. The local guy said he would have to pump it just after deer season, when we have some fluids ( beer) in it. I have tossed the last few cards in a pile. The brother did get his system pumped as it did freeze up the year befor. Took some interesting methods to get the turds rolling again on that one.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Well, my septic was pumped today. Verdict after 2 years, no scum and only 6 inches of sludge (barely).

 

[Doc_Bob]

Doc Bob: I have a cabin Sawyer county, Brother has a house. He has tossed the little yellow card for the last few years. It is a DNR pushed item.

The felllow who pumped my tank (septic system "colonscopy") tells me the little yellow cards only come for tanks built after 1979 (don't know if this is true?). He tells me since my tank built 1973, he suspects there are no records of my system, so no yellow card.

Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Here is the link to a delightful book: "The Septic Systems Owners Manual".

The Septic System Owner's Manual

Lots of good information about the care of a septic system plus other information you don't really need like the history of same. MossRoad is right as to the best way to restart a septic system.

Vernon

Vernon, I got the book at the library last night. Great book! Thanks, Bob

 

[midlf]

The fellow who pumped my tank (septic system "colonscopy") tells me the little yellow cards only come for tanks built after 1979 (don't know if this is true?). He tells me since my tank built 1973, he suspects there are no records of my system, so no yellow card.

Bob

Bob - that is correct for WI. Ours is '72 and no yellow cards. You may be able to find records at the courthouse. We were able to find ours at the Jefferson county court house in the zoning office. They needed the approximate date of installation and the name of the original builder or owner. The more info the better the chance of finding the info. With the year of our construction, the builder, the original owner, and the property description at the time of construction they found ours in about 10 minutes. It did not have a drawing which is what I was really hoping for but it did have a description of the leach bed size.

Well info is available from the state using a form from the DNR.

 

[plowking]

I see your pumper has heated valves on his truck. I have heated valves and heated pump on mine. The antifreeze circulates from the engine to water jackets built above valve to vacuum pump back to coolant system. In winter I plug in block heater and circulator pump at back of truck. It does use up the electricity. plowking

 

[Doc_Bob]

I see your pumper has heated valves on his truck. I have heated valves and heated pump on mine. The antifreeze circulates from the engine to water jackets built above valve to vacuum pump back to coolant system. In winter I plug in block heater and circulator pump at back of truck. It does use up the electricity. plowking

I did not notice, never even thought to look or ask. The fellow who did the pumping was very good and helpful.

He suggested pumping every 2 years. My wife wants it pumped every two years. Me? I want to inspect it every two years, pump as needed and then save some money. I tried to convince my wife that pumping every two years is a waste of money, "like flushing it down the toilet" .
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Bob - that is correct for WI. Ours is '72 and no yellow cards. You may be able to find records at the courthouse. We were able to find ours at the Jefferson county court house in the zoning office.

I am afraid to ask any questions. The less the State knows, the less I have to deal with them. I had my well water tested by the state lab, checks out fine. I figure the State lab does not communicate with anyone, so I am safe. I chlorinate it every 6 months with 3 quarts of Chlorox diluted in a 5 gallon bucket (when I go on vacation) and let it set for a week.

Bob

 

[barticus73]

Ok, heres a question. My farm house is 75 years old and I have no idea how old the septic tank is, I doubt it was an original install with new construction. My guess is it was installed years later. Anyways, I have an idea where the septic tank is cause I can follow the drains in the basement to about where it leaves the house. Is there a way to actually locate the lid to the tank without digging up the entire area? Is there metal on the lids that I could use a metal detector or something?

 

[MrJimi]

Ok, heres a question. My farm house is 75 years old and I have no idea how old the septic tank is, I doubt it was an original install with new construction. My guess is it was installed years later. Anyways, I have an idea where the septic tank is cause I can follow the drains in the basement to about where it leaves the house. Is there a way to actually locate the lid to the tank without digging up the entire area? Is there metal on the lids that I could use a metal detector or something?

My lid is concrete with a small re-bar handle. I found mine with a 3/8 metal rod sharpened, pretty easy
Jim