OK to drive over septic system ???

dieselsmoke1 · Nov 24, 2003

A contraption required when the health dept won't permit you to locate your septic system adjacent to the house. Consists of a multi stage tank with inlet one end, pump the other. Pumps waste to a manifold at drainage field 500' away, up vertically 10'.

In other words, one more thing to aggravate you one day when it breaks /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

NIXON · Nov 25, 2003

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

( ) 
It's something you don't want be be replacing a clean out cap on when the pump that you forgot to shut off kicks in !!!!
Any guesses how I came to this conclusion ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif John

Trouser Bark · Nov 25, 2003

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

Some systems have a pump that floods the leech field when the liquid level in the tank reaches a preset point. Others have pumps that similarly flood sand filters, etc. Normally these systems are in areas with known drainage problems but sometimes seen in areas where site conditions require that the holding tank, leech field, etc can't be located together.

dieselsmoke1 · Nov 25, 2003

( ( dbut sometimes seen in areas where site conditions require that the holding tank, leech field, etc can't be located together. )

That's my situation. The house sits beside a drinking water reservoir, strict enforcement of local policy regarding drainage field setback.

Currmudgeon · Nov 25, 2003

( He says my pressurized remote drainage field makes maitenance pumpout unnessessary in my case. )

I don't see why that would be. The purpose of a septic tank is to separate the liquid from the solids by anaerobic biological action. The scum floats, the sludge sinks, and the exceedingly nasty liquid goes out to the drain field (or leach field as it's often called) If the scum blanket gets too thick, it can block the inlet line or go out the outlet line. If the sludge gets too deep, it can carry over and go out the outlet line.

If you get enough solids into your drain field, you build a new drain field. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

All this is true, whether you have a conventional septic tank, or a pumped system. You must pump it out before the solids wreck your drain field. How long depends on your household practices and a certain amount of luck.

You can measure the scum and sludge levels by sticking a towel wrapped stick down the manholes. If you're not gonna pump, you should at least stick your tank every year or so. Eventually, you'll know how quickly the crud builds up.

dieselsmoke1 · Nov 25, 2003

Just when i was feeling better about this.........

Can't dispute your logic, Currmudgeon.

Mr. Tank said I should be fine for the life of the pump. I've heard that's around 10 years under normal conditions.

He puts em in, doesn't pump em out. Maybe I called the wrong guy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Junkman · Nov 25, 2003

I have a friend that does the engineering for septic systems.... he said that if people would take care of them by having them pumped on a regular basis, that he wouldn't have half the work that he does.... When a system fails, the replacement has to have an engineers seal on the application and drawings..... this adds to the cost of the new system and the new system many times has to be an engineered system because the original system failed, so just replacing it won't pass the state inspectors.

Soundguy · Nov 26, 2003

I did my engineering thesis paper on wastewater treatment, and water purification.. etc. You would be surprised how little maintenance people do for their septic system.. heck.. you would think it is a tractor.

The septic 'booster packs' of live cultures, etc make a big difference, especially for the people dumping lots of grease / cooking oil in the system. Drainage from laundry is also hard on the system.. especially the bleach..

Soundguy

Currmudgeon · Nov 26, 2003

( I have a friend that does the engineering for septic systems.... he said that if people would take care of them by having them pumped on a regular basis, that he wouldn't have half the work that he does. )

We won't spread that around. Wouldn't wannna put him outta business. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

( ... When a system fails, the replacement has to have an engineers seal on the application and drawings. )

That depends on the jurisdiction. In some areas, a licensed designer or sanitarian can do it. But it still ain't cheap. It also depends on why the ststem failed, and again the local codes. In some areas (e.g. Washington State) you arte required to design in a 100% reserve area for the drain field, with perc tests and all. That is acknowledging that the drain field is likely to fail, and preserving a place to put the replacement one.

In any event, having your drain field fail (The septic tank itself almost never fails - it's just a tank) is Not A Good Thing (tm). It rates up there with other Not a Good Things like having your shed burn down.
It's particularly irritating to have it happen because of your own mismanagement.

tc35dforme · Nov 26, 2003

The septic 'booster packs' of live cultures, etc make a big difference 

That makes me feel better. I'd hate to think that $ 1.75 a month for half a can of sawdust was going to waste .... Haa get it .... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif... going to waste /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. It's been a long short week so far !!