Septic stink
- Thread starter woodlot
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Heheh... I can't argue with you there. This house is my new house... it is 20 years old. My old house was new (7 years old)... and this houses drains are definitely lethargic compared to the other house which by the way, WE SELL IT TOMORROW WOOHOO. It sat on the market for over a year. I'm so glad to be getting rid of the old new house and finally get to enjoy my new old house. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Highbeam
Super Member
"I know I will spend the 50 bucks every three years to avoid throwing solids into the drain field"
Add a zero to that number for pumping out a tank here in the NW. Can't imagine why it is so cheap in your area, heck, the operator will spend an hour's labor just getting the pumping done which is worth at least 50$.
Add a zero to that number for pumping out a tank here in the NW. Can't imagine why it is so cheap in your area, heck, the operator will spend an hour's labor just getting the pumping done which is worth at least 50$.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
Solids accummulate in the bottom of your septic tank. Some of it is eaten by bacteria however not all of it does. A typical tank can go 3-5 years before being pumped.
20, 32 or whatever is way too long. I remember talking to Dargo about this in a thread once. Begged him to consider pumping the tank. He told me the guy was there a long time getting the solids out from his 15 or 20 year non-pumping.
Once the solids make it to the leach lines after they've filled the tank, d-box and the lines it's too late. You'll end up getting a new septic system.
Please consider looking into this more for your own sake. You don't need to listen to me or anyone else but just look into what I'm saying before you dismiss it.
20, 32 or whatever is way too long. I remember talking to Dargo about this in a thread once. Begged him to consider pumping the tank. He told me the guy was there a long time getting the solids out from his 15 or 20 year non-pumping.
Once the solids make it to the leach lines after they've filled the tank, d-box and the lines it's too late. You'll end up getting a new septic system.
Please consider looking into this more for your own sake. You don't need to listen to me or anyone else but just look into what I'm saying before you dismiss it.
Highbeam
Super Member
A neat trick, if you can call it that, to resolve this issue is to put a filter on the outlet from the tank. This filter plugs with sludge when you have waited too long and prevents the sludge from overflowing into the drainfield. The filter does indeed cause a backup into the house but it does not allow the grit to ruin your drainfiled. This system is great for rentals on septic or even for the general public who typically don't fix it if it aint broke. I have a filter and my little trick is to loosen the cleanout cap upstream of the septic tank so that any backup will just pour out onto the ground.
Hair doesn't decompose. The tank will fill with sludge eventually.
Hair doesn't decompose. The tank will fill with sludge eventually.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
I doubt it's the burritos. It must be you. : )</font>
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Yep at least he can't say his S*** dont stink.
I doubt it's the burritos. It must be you. : )</font>
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Yep at least he can't say his S*** dont stink.
I still think this must be "area of the country" specific. I don't know of ANYONE in this area, the Piedmont of NC, that pumps their septic systems unless there is a problem. Only one household of my family or neighbors or anyone that I am aware of has ever had problems. The one that did have problems had standing water due to a faulty install for a mobile home. It failed just about from the very beginning.
TBN is a pretty big base of users. I'm curious if any other NC TBN'ers pump as preventative medicine. As I said, I know my parents place was built in 1971 and has never once had a septic system problem and has never been pumped. My grandfathers place was built in 1957 and has never been pumped or had a problem. We just sold it last year. We also take NO special precautions around here. We don't particularly pay attention to chemicals that go down the drain. All toilets and washing machines and dish washers go to the septic system, so they are thoroughly worked. It must just be down to soil differences in different parts of the country. In NC all grey water, by law, must be handled just like black water.
As a side note, I saw in other threads here a while back of something called a shallow well. TBN is the first I had ever heard of such a thing. I had always thought that wells must be hundreds of feet deep to give good filtration and clean water.
TBN is a pretty big base of users. I'm curious if any other NC TBN'ers pump as preventative medicine. As I said, I know my parents place was built in 1971 and has never once had a septic system problem and has never been pumped. My grandfathers place was built in 1957 and has never been pumped or had a problem. We just sold it last year. We also take NO special precautions around here. We don't particularly pay attention to chemicals that go down the drain. All toilets and washing machines and dish washers go to the septic system, so they are thoroughly worked. It must just be down to soil differences in different parts of the country. In NC all grey water, by law, must be handled just like black water.
As a side note, I saw in other threads here a while back of something called a shallow well. TBN is the first I had ever heard of such a thing. I had always thought that wells must be hundreds of feet deep to give good filtration and clean water.
mwechtal
Silver Member
getut,
Here in upstate NY, we pump our septic tank every 2 years based on how much sludge we've seen year to year. We were told that with 2 people we could get by with a 500 gal tank, but they recommended a 750 gal model. We went with 1000 gallons cause neither of us really wanted to deal with a clogged septic system.
Our toilet, all the drains, and the dishwasher and clothes washer all empty into the same system.
I've seen septic systems last for 20 years around here without pumping, but that's usually the limit, and then the whole system has to be replaced because the leach field is clogged.
Mike
Here in upstate NY, we pump our septic tank every 2 years based on how much sludge we've seen year to year. We were told that with 2 people we could get by with a 500 gal tank, but they recommended a 750 gal model. We went with 1000 gallons cause neither of us really wanted to deal with a clogged septic system.
Our toilet, all the drains, and the dishwasher and clothes washer all empty into the same system.
I've seen septic systems last for 20 years around here without pumping, but that's usually the limit, and then the whole system has to be replaced because the leach field is clogged.
Mike
guyrj33
Silver Member
My town in Massachusetts recommends yearly pumping. I don't think it's needed. We do pump every 3-5 years, even that is probably more than needed.
We try to limit the amount of bacteria killing chemicals that go into our system bleach, cleaner etc.
I think there are really only 2 reasons for pumping a working system, grit on bottom is filling up the tank or fat scum on the top is so thick that it's in danger of clogging the leaching field. Both situations are unlikely if you pay just a little attention to your septic system.
We try to limit the amount of bacteria killing chemicals that go into our system bleach, cleaner etc.
I think there are really only 2 reasons for pumping a working system, grit on bottom is filling up the tank or fat scum on the top is so thick that it's in danger of clogging the leaching field. Both situations are unlikely if you pay just a little attention to your septic system.
Highbeam
Super Member
You septic tank takes in sewage and allows it to seperate like that multicolored neopolitan ice cream. Scum on top, sludge on the bottom, and the clear zone in the middle. The clear zone is really big when the tank is pumped frequently. The clear zone is where the outlet takes effluent to the drainfield. Over time the scum layer and especially the sludge layer build up, usually the sludge layer is the first one to make contact with the outlet pipe and begin to contaiminate the drainfield. The drainfield takes the sludge/effluent milkshake for quite a while and slowly becomes less capable of absorbing the effluent. Eventually it can't dispose of as much effluent as you are putting into the tank and the system backs up and/or the effluent surfaces and stinks.
This is the first time you notice a problem. It is too late. You can't clean out the drainfield.
It is certainly possible to check the tank for sludge to gauge how soon you need to have it pumped. There are certain sewage components that will not decompose and rot away and these will build up over time. The sludge layer is pretty dense in comparison with the clear zone so get a rake and feel for it. Better to feel for it near the outlet of the tank, and best to feel for it in each chamber. Hose the rake off and don't tell the wife.
This is the first time you notice a problem. It is too late. You can't clean out the drainfield.
It is certainly possible to check the tank for sludge to gauge how soon you need to have it pumped. There are certain sewage components that will not decompose and rot away and these will build up over time. The sludge layer is pretty dense in comparison with the clear zone so get a rake and feel for it. Better to feel for it near the outlet of the tank, and best to feel for it in each chamber. Hose the rake off and don't tell the wife.
Trust me.. I'm eager to learn.. so don't confuse this with arguing.
I have always been taught that the bacterias job is to break down the solids and sludge into the effluent. So in effect, the solids and sludge ARE the effluent before they have been broken down to the required degree. Now around here common belief is that if a septic system is properly sized, you NEVER have to pump it. The bacteria are able to keep up and the solids never build up enough to cause problems. If the main tank were undersized, then I could see where solids would build up over time and cause problems. Based on what I see with my place (20 years), with my parents (32 years) and grandparents (almost 50 years), I tend to believe that. Besides, the tank lid is almost 4ft deep at my parents place. I don't think the installers intended on having it dug up every 5 years. We found out how deep it was one time because we thought a garbage truck crushed the thing.
Also, I can look at it this way also, if the bacteria WEREN'T turning the solids into the effluent, then the thing would clog with solids within only a few weeks. EVERYTHING that goes in there breaks down to effluent, some of it just slower than others.
I have always been taught that the bacterias job is to break down the solids and sludge into the effluent. So in effect, the solids and sludge ARE the effluent before they have been broken down to the required degree. Now around here common belief is that if a septic system is properly sized, you NEVER have to pump it. The bacteria are able to keep up and the solids never build up enough to cause problems. If the main tank were undersized, then I could see where solids would build up over time and cause problems. Based on what I see with my place (20 years), with my parents (32 years) and grandparents (almost 50 years), I tend to believe that. Besides, the tank lid is almost 4ft deep at my parents place. I don't think the installers intended on having it dug up every 5 years. We found out how deep it was one time because we thought a garbage truck crushed the thing.
Also, I can look at it this way also, if the bacteria WEREN'T turning the solids into the effluent, then the thing would clog with solids within only a few weeks. EVERYTHING that goes in there breaks down to effluent, some of it just slower than others.
ByronBob
Veteran Member
ByronBob
Veteran Member
All I did was google the term septic systems. They all tell you to pump it at some time line. 2,5,10 years whatever. Not at all isn't a choice.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Not everything will be broken down by the bacteria!
Egon
Egon
Highbeam
Super Member
Lots of stuff is digestable, some is not. At the older sewage treatment plants we empty the extra sludge out of the bottom of the reactor. There are always solids that need to be taken away from all sewage treatment plants, they wouldn't do that if the sludge would go away by itself. The sludge is thick and pretty gooey before being dried so we spread it out in sludge drying beds, newer plants use machines. The water evaporates and the sludge turns into dirt, sort of. When you look close you see lots of hair. But before you look close you have to get through the tomato bushes. Seems the tomato seeds are quite capable of making it through the bacteria. It is pretty amazing.
The incoming sewage influent stream contains about 0.5% solids or 99.5% water. The effluent, after the septic tank, should be way more than 99.5% water and the rest gets left behind for further digestion or accumulation as sludge or scum.
Bacteria won't digest everything. You figure, a turd made it through your stomach with all the acids and bacteria in your gut. Inside the tank some things take a long time to digest and some never digest.
The incoming sewage influent stream contains about 0.5% solids or 99.5% water. The effluent, after the septic tank, should be way more than 99.5% water and the rest gets left behind for further digestion or accumulation as sludge or scum.
Bacteria won't digest everything. You figure, a turd made it through your stomach with all the acids and bacteria in your gut. Inside the tank some things take a long time to digest and some never digest.
hobbyfarm
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But before you look close you have to get through the tomato bushes. Seems the tomato seeds are quite capable of making it through the bacteria. )</font>
Wow, Free maters! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Hmmm...wonder if them maters are edible? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
On second thought, consider the source /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...forget it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wow, Free maters! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Hmmm...wonder if them maters are edible? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
On second thought, consider the source /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...forget it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
GaryM
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wow, Free maters! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Hmmm...wonder if them maters are edible? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
On second thought, consider the source /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...forget it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
Many areas of the world use human waste as plant food. I'll bet they are edible, and tasty too.
Hmmm...wonder if them maters are edible? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
On second thought, consider the source /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...forget it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
Many areas of the world use human waste as plant food. I'll bet they are edible, and tasty too.
Highbeam
Super Member
They sure grew well. The sludge is almost black after drying and as the water dries out there are some pretty ideal conditions. I never saw the fruit as I was only there to add a caustic soda injection system to the city water supply for pH control.
The City of Tacoma actually gets their sludge clean enough through extra processes that they mix it with sand and sawdust to produce a topsoil type stuff that they load into resident's vehicles for free. They call it Tagro and it is like a fertilizer more than a topsoil. It is so hot that you only add a layer of it on top of grass or mix it in to dilute it.
Most places, inlcuding the tomato place, just scoop it up and spread it out over the ground somewhere. Over time the heavy metals in the sludge build up and they have to go somewhere else.
The City of Tacoma actually gets their sludge clean enough through extra processes that they mix it with sand and sawdust to produce a topsoil type stuff that they load into resident's vehicles for free. They call it Tagro and it is like a fertilizer more than a topsoil. It is so hot that you only add a layer of it on top of grass or mix it in to dilute it.
Most places, inlcuding the tomato place, just scoop it up and spread it out over the ground somewhere. Over time the heavy metals in the sludge build up and they have to go somewhere else.
