OK to drive over septic system ???

BillyP · Nov 23, 2003

Roy,

We lived in our previous house for 25 years and never had the septic tank pumped. It was a 1,000 gallon tank with 300' of lateral line, serving 2 adults and 3 kids. They're very few people, in this area, that have to have it done.

They're three main reasons a septic septic tank will have to be pumped.

#1 and the main reason is if tree roots get into the lateral lines.

#2 the system wasn't put in right. For example, not enough lateral line.

#3 some people throw anything and everything in the toilet and fills up the septic tank. As a matter of fact, we only flush human waste. The toilet paper is hauled off.

I'm talking about my area. I know plenty of people who have never had a moments problem and never had the tank pumped.

tc35dforme · Nov 24, 2003

This topic can get really weird...people have all sorts of thoughts. There are many MANY factors that affect the septic system...its a system not just a tank. Oxygen levels in the soil, bacteria counts, temperature, materials disposed, water chemistry, yadda yadda...

There is really no bottom line.

By the sounds of it, I and several others error on the side of caution and pump regularly. Every time I pump, the 'KaKa Sucka' driver says I have a healthy system. He can tell that the bacteria are happy and digesting as much of the solids as possible.

Here's a link that may be informative... Septic

I add septic enzymes also on a regular basis to keep the concentration of bacteria up. Sometimes a heavy load of laundry with bleach can really mess up the society of $*it-eaters !! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

BubbaJr · Nov 24, 2003

When we built our house I got conflicting advice on whether it was safe to drive over the tank. So I came up with a simple solution. I hauled some clean topsoil in the FEL, dumped it over the tank, and smoothed it out with a rake leaving the lids visable. Then I went in the house and announced to my wife that I had just created a new flower garden for her. The brownie points I made that day lasted over two months, and even now when she works in our "poop garden", she does it with a smile on her face. So I made the wife happy, there is less lawn to mow, and I can find the lids should a problem or pumping needs arise. A win-win situation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

CTyler · Nov 24, 2003

How deep is your leech field?

Currmudgeon · Nov 24, 2003

( now it is 15'. )

At 15 feet deep, the weight of the soil on top of the tank is more significant than any live load you're likely to apply to the tank. The live load spreads out with depth.

For a pipe, the load from a highway truck (H-20) pretty much disappears. Now, your tank is bigger than a pipe, but still, at 15 feet you can damnear park a locomotive on it.

Soundguy · Nov 24, 2003

My NH 1920 ( 3300# + 450# mower ) and my an 2800# or NAA 3???# drive over my newer HD tank weekly... I think that loader backhoe thing is starting to get heavy.. as in on the 4xxx# side. Liek the others said.. depends on depth.. design stats for the tank, and the backfill material, compaction, and condition.. etc.

Good luck

Soundguy

zuiko · Nov 24, 2003

I would be more concerned with the leech field than the tank. The leech field can be compacted if driven on, esp when the ground is frozen. To be safe I would never drive on it in winter, though I think in summer there is enough give in the soil that it is OK for a machine that size.

crown · Nov 24, 2003

I'd say the tank will be fine. I drive my B-7500 over it all the time, in fact when I bought the place the septic system was already installed and I marked it clearly not clearly enough for the lumber company delivery truck which drop a whole house full of lumber on the tank, I had the company pay for an inspection of the tank no damage at all.

dieselsmoke1 · Nov 24, 2003

I took your advice and called the guy that put my system in 3 yrs. ago. He said the bi-annual pumpout was "good advice that was seldom taken."

For whatever reason, seems not to be an issue here, as today I talked to several folks that like myself had NEVER had there tank pumped.

Maybe it's design, porousity, temperature, culture, or simply the fact we have more dogs waiting outside for the pork chop grease. I don't have a clue.

Anyway I got my answer. He says my pressurized remote drainage field makes maitenance pumpout unnessessary in my case.

Thanks for the input, guys.

Junkman · Nov 24, 2003

( Anyway I got my answer. He says my pressurized remote drainage field makes maitenance pumpout unnessessary in my case.

Thanks for the input, guys. )

What is a "pressurized remote drainage field"?????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif