How often do you have your septic tank pumped?

[citytransplant]

the sewage plant operator at a state park ... with 20 some restrooms/bathouses ... the tanks never got pumped before he came onto the job ... someone could stand on the sludge without sinking!

1. How much time elapsed between the time the system/tank(s) were installed and "he came onto the job?" That is, how long did the tanks go unpumped?
2. The septic guy claimed someone could stand on the sludge. I can think of a few people who I'd like to see try.

 

[citytransplant]

Just had to install a new aerobic system. The county requires a permit, licensed installer and planner, and then a county inspection. They just about won't allow a leach field system any more.

I worked for the County 12 years ago when I bought my house. I was in the elevator with the Health Dept. inspector responsible for septic permits. We knew one another. I went to his house years prior to examine a knife collection he was selling. We couldn't agree on price so the deal was never consummated.

While in the elevator, I mentioned that the previous homeowner had used a 55 gallon drum as a septic tank then ran one 10' perforated 4" PVC pipe out from that drum to another 55 gallon drum that itself was perforated (looked like they shot the drum with buckshot). I asked him if this 55 gallon drum, in series, design was common 50 years ago.

He said "I'd like to come out and look at it"

Lesson: if you are ever in an elevator with the county septic inspector, code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector, etc. talk baseball, politics, or just shut up. Especially if there is the slightest chance that there may be even one drop of bad blood between you.

 

[JRobyn]

About every 4 years, give or take a couple. Not sure how necessary it is, but provides great peace of mind for a nominal cost.

We had my daughter/SIL/grand staying with us for a year, so that increased load (a LOT) and will mean maybe 3 years this time. We also occasionally use the dam*ed "flushable wipes". So that means a bit more frequent too. I refuse to believe that the wipes are so horrible. I could fit maybe 2,000 full, completely un-biodegraded packages of them in my tank before they even came close to filling it. And they pump out just fine.

 

[Doofy]

Other than a few small kids toys, flushable wipes were the only other non-effluent items in my septic tank at the first and only pumping since installed in 1978. Flushable wipes are not biodegradable and appear to last forever.

One should also consider a "Lint Filter" for the washing machine.

 

[wagne223]

After I neglected my system for 15 years and had to replace the drain field, I have it pumped every 3 years.

Pumping not only removes stuff from the tank, it also gives your drainfield a break for a few days while you fill the tank back up!

 

[Doofy]

Also, if you live in a cold climate have your tank pumped in the summer so it has a chance for the bacteria to get back up to speed and begin their break-down process before the ground freezes. A properly operating septic tank generates its own heat.

 

[dmccarty]

I read a couple of Irish newspapers. Long story why...

Anywho, on one of the papers they had a story about 30ish% of the septic tanks failing inspection. The did not mention how often, how much or what comprises the inspection but they did mention that the septic tanks were not desludged often enough. I like the word desludged. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

They had a photo of an Irish septic tank being installed which was interesting. First, the soil looked AWESOME! Not clay at all, loamy and dark it looked. The soil was the same from the top of the whole to the bottom. Could not believe how nice the soil looked.

The tank was a cylinder, I am guessing it was about 6 feet tall by 3-4 feet in diameter. Not a box like we would have. It had what looked like two access ports so I assume the tank had two chambers. What was interesting/odd is that there looked to be a air vent and an electrical box on the tank as well which leads me to guess that maybe they are aerating the contents of the tank.

Later,
Dan

 

[Firemanbuck82]

Power was out for about four hours night before last. Just enough to give the generator a little exercise. Wind did rattle things around a bit. I did have to run about 150' of extension cord up to the greenhouse to keep it inflated, wind was really shaking it until the walls and roof reinflated.

Nary a blip of our power during Tuesday's winds in NE Thurston Co.

 

[BleedingOrange]

And in how many different languages did you have those instructions in ? LOL

They are called condo dwellers, when I rented my chalets I had to give them a serious lecture as to septic tank usage but even then I had occasional problems usually due to their guests (or so they'd claim).
I eventually (partially) solved that problem by having a framed set of septic rules mounted on the washroom wall.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Never...
House was built in 1953...