Joined the 20th Century today!

[slowrev]

Thanks for the concern, but I don't think I will get into that mess unless I have to. There was about 10 feet of fill put in sometime after the septic system was put in /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif If I have problems I will just put in a new one.
Just keep the Ridex going down the drain and my fingers crossed.
Ben

 

[Argee]

I'm pretty sure a properly working septic tank should never need pumping. As long as the bacteria is gobbling up the solids and turning them into effluent all is well.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I'm a reader of Mother Earth News. A while back they had an article on septic systems. Here is a brief out take:

"Some people will tell you mat they've never pumped out their systems," Joe says. "In warmer climates and back when we didn't use so much water, toxics and non-biodegradable products, this might have worked. But these days, going long periods without pump-outs is asking for trouble."

If you want to read the full article, follow this link Mother Earth News article, Septic Systems, 2002

Now guys, I don't know much about this stuff, so I am just passing on the information and not looking to enter a debate about poop and the benefits of pumping it out. But I have my system pumped out every now and again, it works for me.

 

[MMM]

I've had a Cajun Air plant that hasn't been pumped since installation 7yrs ago. The contract includes bi-annual inspection for sludge. It is aan reated model with 6 lawn sprinklers. I only drain toilet and bath into it. Washer and kitchen sink go to pasture. That might have something to do with lack of sludge.

 

[notamustang]

"Some people will tell you mat they've never pumped out their systems," Joe says. "In warmer climates and back when we didn't use so much water, toxics and <font color="red"> non-biodegradable </font> products, this might have worked. But these days, going long periods without pump-outs is asking for trouble."

So NON biodegradable products are better for a septic ??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[slowrev]

Bob,
I agree with what your post says. However my sink wash and bathtub, goes into a seperate drain field. I also have a whole house charcoal filter that filters most of the bacteria killing chlorine out of the flush water. Might last more than my lifetime.

In any case I am not going to dig 10 feet down to pump it outas a precaution. I am not even real sure where it is. All I am sure of is that about 15 years ago about 8-9 feet of fill dirt was added over where it is. And the fact that is is still working and the other systems I have had have not needed pumping. When I sold my house in NC, after 5 years of occupancy, the inspector said I only had 2-3 inches of sludge in the bottom.

However with all that said, considering dishwashers, washers, etc with all the grem killing chlorine, etc that goes down the drain...Yes Have it checked/pumped peroidically.

Ben

 

[ByronBob]

Not knowing your situation in full is none of my business to begin with and I only offer my suggestion in the event that if it does fail due to solids that by the time it fails it would require a new tank, d-box and leach field.
The solids would need to fill the box up, fill the d-box up and fill the leach lines to the point where water couldn't leach anymore. If that happens then you need to start over again.
9 feet of fill is a lot. Hindsight as it is, it would have been good to have a column open to get at the tank lid but thats why life is a learning lesson for all of us right?

 

[slowrev]

Yep life is a learning lesson for us, but the person that filled in over the septic tank/drain field is dead, so no more learning for him....
Ben