Just a reminder for those with septic systems

[Zerk]

A septic can go a lifetime with out being pumped or many years. The septic lobby has got the government forcing you to pump them.

How does it effect the life of it, bu pumping often? You can argue it negatively effects because you have to rebuild the balance in it.

 

[Looking4new]

Way back in the 1950s we had a septic system installed at a new house we built, east of Toronto. Two compartment tank and 5 stringers 30' long each. We planted the garden over top of the field. Strawberries and raspberries were big and juicy. The tank got pumped in 1970 and once after that just before we sold the house in 1974. I guess Dad did something right.

 

[scdeerslayer]

We have sales tax that they added, 8.8% here (Washington state)

Dang, I looked it up and Washington State does tax services. Don't think I've seen a state that does that before, but I've probably only looked at the southeast states. Long time ago sales/use tax was a big part of my job.

 

[Looking4new]

Dang, I looked it up and Washington State does tax services. Don't think I've seen a state that does that before, but I've probably only looked at the southeast states. Long time ago sales/use tax was a big part of my job.

And they do in Ontario,Canada as well.

 

[JRobyn]

We have used a garbage disposer successfully with our septic for about 5 years. But it really gets minimal "feedstock". Maybe a coffee can full per month. Vegetable peels, egg shells mostly. Training and cooperation of the cooking (and other) staff is important. Pumpout results a few months ago were "totally normal".

 

[teejk]

And they do in Ontario,Canada as well.

Canada taxes anything they can don't they? I used to fish up there and got introduced to the "GST" which was known as the "grab and squeeze tax". Now realize that Washington state does not have an income tax...they need to make money somehow. In Wisconsin we hit them all! Income, real estate, sales, tobacco and alcohol. What we can't call a tax we disguise as license fees. But we are the birthplace of the "progressive" movement.

 

[fried1765]

Canada taxes anything they can don't they? I used to fish up there and got introduced to the "GST" which was known as the "grab and squeeze tax". Now realize that Washington state does not have an income tax...they need to make money somehow. In Wisconsin we hit them all! Income, real estate, sales, tobacco and alcohol. What we can't call a tax we disguise as license fees. But we are the birthplace of the "progressive" movement.

GST is the 5% Canada national sales tax!
HST is the "harmonized sales tax". The combination of GST, and Provincial tax. In Nova Scotia the Provincial tax it is 10%, so the HST is thus 15% on goods/materials, and ALL LABOR.
Alcohol, and cigarette taxes, in Canada, are also off the top of the scale!
Canada has income tax as well!

 

[teejk]

GST is the 5% Canada national sales tax!
HST is the "harmonized sales tax". The combination of GST, and Provincial tax. In Nova Scotia the Provincial tax it is 10%, so the HST is thus 15% on goods/materials, and ALL LABOR.
Alcohol, and cigarette taxes, in Canada, are also off the top of the scale!
Canada has income tax as well!

Apparently the national rate has dropped...Ontario used to be 7% federal/7% provincial. That's one of the reasons I stopped going there.

 

[PILOON]

A septic can go a lifetime with out being pumped or many years. The septic lobby has got the government forcing you to pump them.

How does it effect the life of it, bu pumping often? You can argue it negatively effects because you have to rebuild the balance in it.

Gotta agree here.
I had a septic that I dug and cemented myself following plans supplied by the gov't at the time.
It was 4' x 8' x 4' with 2 compartments and it went to a 10' absorption pit (approved at the time).
After 22 years of usage I decided to have it pumped as my tenants were complaining of poor operation.

Well the pumper told me it looked like a 3-4 year old system that had never been pumped.
The only problem was feminine products that had clogged the lines. ( he sucked the lines dry with his pumper and displayed the findings)

Back then my total outlay was labor and some $50. for cement plus the blocks for the dry well as well as a truck load of crushed stone .
I would guess the total was not more than $250 'out of pocket'.
Today with all the laws expect to spend more or less $20,000.

Heck, today they want a soil engineer to sign off ($$) and if they like that* then another ($$) permit and say goodby to some $20,00K + .
* if they don't add another round of soil tests.
Shucks, a small hole and a 5 gal bucket of water and I'll confirm as to soil absorption (just like in the good ole days and I don't charge $500/test)

 

[FTG-05]

I bought my house in 2013, it was built in 1994. The original owners are in FL in a nursing home (AFAIK). The owner previous to us died just before closing; even if he knew (doubtful), it's irrelevant now. The owners previous to him are useless, I wouldn't trust him to tell me where the front door is.

I have no clue where the septic tank is located nor the laterals (if that's the correct term). We don't get enough snow here to make a difference and during the last drought (last year) nothing was obvious (i.e. obvious greener grass).

So, any ides on how to find the septic tank that don't involve $$$?

Thanks,