Septic System Question

[Highbeam]

The stuff I dump into and flush down my toilet has bacteria strains that deal with the following.

Protein digesting
Starch digesting
Cellulose digesting
Fat, grease digesting
Surfactant digesting
Hydrocarbon digesting
Phenol digesting

Total bacteria count 14 million/gram

I dump in about a quart 2-3 times per year. Last time I had my septic tank pumped it didn't even really have a smell to it and the honey dipper truck operator said I didn't really even need it pumped.

You're killing me, I was waiting for the punch line. I dump something like that once a day or so but not sure whether it's a quart and it is completely natural. There are more than enough bacteria, enzymes, bugs, etc. present all around to take care of all the decomposition you'll ever need in a septic tank properly sized for the job. The only exception would be if you had a massive bleach dump which poisoned your tank, and in that special situation even a flourescent green load of "sauce" wouldn't do the job. Additives are a scam but if it makes you feel better then go ahead and do it, it won't hurt anything.

 

[DieselPower]

That's the point, it won't hurt anything and most likely helps. At only $18 a gallon it dosen't cost me much a year.

 

[WayneB]

I believe having your septic tank pumped is important. I plan on having ours pumped about every three years. Seems to work for us and we have never had any problem with the system in over 20 years. My septic company recommends that I have the system checked once a year. I think that is too often and we are on a three year schedule which has worked for us. At that time they actually come and pump out the tank.

This is what they have written on their website:

The primary maintenance point in a septic system is the septic tank. Inspection is accomplished by measuring the scum depth and sludge depth in the tank once a year. The tank should be pumped if the sludge layer has built up to within 18 inches of the tank outlet or if the scum layer thickens to within 3 inches of the bottom of the outlet baffle or sanitary tee.

This site has a septic tank pumping schedule that seems to be pretty good.

Septic Cleaning Guide for Septic System Maintenance - Septic Tank Pumping Schedule: Table Shows When to pump out septic tanks - septic tank cleaning and septic system care guide

This site shows pictures of the pumping process:

Septic Care Guide Details: Septic Tank Pumping Procedure - A Detailed, Step by Step Guide to Pumping and Cleaning Septic Tanks

Not a job I would want to have.

Wayne

 

[thingy]

I don't let any of that antibact stuff go down my drain,,,,[as much as my wife and daughter fight me on it],,don't make sense to me,,you got a tank o poop,,you want to go away,,the way you want it to go away by is a natural method,,don't add stuff to it that stops that,,no brainer as they say,,and yes,they sell plenty of non anti bact stuff,,[matter of fact most of it is],,except dish detergent,,and they sell plenty of that too,,,,,like most things like that,,they probably ain't enough in it to matter anyways,,but,,,thats beside the point,,,,,,ridex,,,we add it every now and than,,,but,,don't think it really helps if you treat your poop right to begin with,,,,,thingy

 

[plowking]

I pump tanks in southern NH. I clean and install filters. Some houses the filter can plug every 6 months. They do catch a lot of washer machine lint, fresh wipes and other things that don't belong in there. I have heard of antibacteria soap slowing bacteria growth in tank, but I have heard professionals in the medical field say we can be more exposed to germs by not letting our immune system do it's job by killling germs with antibacterial products. I do have some systems having problems maintaining bacteria because members of households on medications are affecting the tank. I'm dealing with two frozen septic systems, one is frozen line from pump chamber to distribution box, thawed d-box cover and pump chamber cover with Rosebud torch and pour water in hole and boil. We have to go back tomorrow and thaw line with high pressure, hot water jetter.

 

[moeh1]

There is a product called septic protector made to capture all the lint from washers. They claim it really helps with the leach beds especially. Haven't set up the cabin with the laundry room yet, but I planned to add one- can't hurt anything.

 

[BillyP]

We've been using a septic system for 31 years now and never had any problems at all. Our first house, we lived there for 22 years and never had it pumped out. The house we live in now, we've been here 9 years without a pump out.

I've read where some have them pumped every 1 to 2 years or so. Is this because of location or what?

 

[Highbeam]

Those excessive pumpings are due to fear. Fear caused by aggressive health departments and pump truck companies. There is no reason to pump a properly sized tank every 1-2 years. It also doesn't hurt (just your wallet)to pump the tank every year if that's what you want to do. Health departments and pumpers would love it if everyone pumped every year. As the tank fills with scum and sludge the sewage introduced from the home has less time to spend in the tank seperating into scum and sludge so it is true that a frequently pumped tank is somewhat more efficient. Actual performance requirements such as layer depths are the best thing to hang your hat on, Wayne B wins. Anybody pumping on a schedule is either living in fear or they have actually spent years calculating and measuring how fast their sludge and scum layers accumulate. Time alone is no indication.