Septic tank, what is normal?

Bird · May 22, 2002

Danny, it's Rid-X and you can buy it at every supermarket I know of around here.

Bayrat · May 22, 2002

I pump mine every three years, $80 if I do the digging. The original owner (that took the light bulbs out of the lamps and the partitioning wall in the garage along with him when he moved) never pumped it in the 15 years he was here. The honey sucker man told we JUST got to it in time. The grease was about to go into the lines under the baffle. The distribution box was deteriated to the point I had to replace it. Just a bit curious, how are the state inspectors /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif going to check to make sure you actually pump every three years /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif? Suppose they will be installing sewar cams /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Slamfire · May 22, 2002

The one at my brother's place is in its 47th year of not being pumped. Add a little of the bacteria/enzyme from time to time and forget about it. I'll bet I was 16 years old before anybody in our neighborhood even saw a septic pump truck.

RobS · May 22, 2002

Ugghhhh... septic problems.

Our current neighborhood is part of a high population density suburb with all well and septic. Our house is 12 years old and we've had the septic pumped every couple of years. More than half the homes in our neighborhood have had the field systems replaced lately.

We just got the results of the inspections our home buyer ordered and the septic comes up "stressed". Technically not failed per Indiana state guidelines but on it's way. Failure is defined as liquid coming up through the yard, tank lid or backing up into the house. We've got none of that but the liquid level in the tank is above the outlet pipe to the field. We've had three opinions on it now and all the same. Solution is replace the field.

Apparently, there are multiple causes including inadequately sized field and high water use. The bacteria and such in the effluent liquid eventually seal the soil creating what they call a "biomat". It's dense and virtually impenetrable by the liquid. Once the liquid level in the tank rises, some of the solids that Danny saw in his tank will head out the pipe and further plug up the field system. It's no fun!

Sludge and such in the tank is normal, but make sure the liquid level is below the baffles and outlet pipe. Of course by the time you notice this it's too late so no real help there. Newer codes in this area require much larger systems. Our new house will have a bigger system and I'll eventually put in a drywell for the laundry and water softener water (backhoe justification /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif ). Oddly enough, when my mom sold our family home after 19 years, the septic was just fine. Had been pumped once in that whole time and the guy back then said it didn't need it. Maybe it is the more modern soaps (anti-bacterial) and generally higher water useage these days.

Whatever the case, it's causing us some heartburn as we get ready to close the deal on this house /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 22, 2002

If you have a laundry dumping into the septic tank, and or a garbage disposal, you will need to pump more frequently. Both bleach and grease are tough on a tank's digestive processes.
The layer of crud at the bottom is basicly an accumulation of dead and used up bacteria, along with their digestive waste.
Washing machines discharge fibers into the tank,along with toilet paper, and bacteria really don't break down either of these items. Kitchen sinks discharge grease, which suffocates tank bacteria.
Things like sanitary napkins and tampons will remain in a tank, unchanged forever.
Soaps from handwashing along with showers also kill off bacteria, and when combined with grease, accomplish their task sooner.
While replenishing bacteria with things like Rid-X seems like a good idea, but the same thing can be accomplished, for a lot less cost, using ordinary household yeast.
Boosting bacteria can have serious consequences, creating excess gasses. It will also build a false sense of tank performence.

Leach fields wear out by contamination. The liquid leaving the septic tank is not clear water, it carrys microbes and what they are munching on. If you've ever dug into a leach line, the aroma alone will convince you. without bothering to sample the tank. Over time, the stone surrounding the leach line will coat with sludge, and fail to function. Over 20 years or longer, sufficient sludge and slime will accumulate on the stone to render the leach line a closed tube, rather than the conductor it was intended to be. Sand bed systems plug up faster than conventional leach fields.
How often you need to pump is based on how the system is used, and what is put into it. A tank that is functioning properly will have a scummy looking coating on top, with obvious bubbles.
Pumping is one he!! of a lot cheaper than replacing!

DocHeb · May 23, 2002

Instead of a drywell, could you use a filter to separate out the laundry fibers and lint? See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic1.html>The Septic Protector</A>. You might also consider using one of the newer front-load washers instead of the older top-loaders. The front-loaders use 66% less water, and will put less of a demand on the leach field.

I've been following all the septic field threads intently - we're building a new house, and we must have a "three-tank system with ejector forcemain pump to a remote deep-excavated engineered sand field" due to our soil conditions and county requirements. Let's see ... from my cyphering ... that's five adjectives in the description of the system .... at $8,000 an adjective ... yup - that's a $40,000 septic system we've got there /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif. You can be sure I'm gonna have that puppy pumped prematurely to make it last forever!

Mosey · May 23, 2002

Well, it's pumped. There was more sludge at the bottom than I thought - I should have used something with a bigger diameter to feel it better (I guess I'll use a broom stick next time and then sell at a garage sale!). It was really thick at the very bottom and the guy hosed it down while he was pumping to loosen it up some so it would pump easier. One thing is for sure, I won't have to worry about it over Memorial Day weekend since it will take a while to fill up the tank again.

By the way, anybody need a CB antenna? I’m done with it now!

MossRoad · May 23, 2002

What are you going to change your CB handle to now? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

8NTX · May 23, 2002

Hmmm....seems to be quite a few experts on this board in the field of human waste management. Since we are on the subject, I have a question: We bought our place about 15 months ago...had an old septic system on it that hadn't been used for about 10 years. Had it checked out and it was pretty much empty. We have been using it all this time on weekends...but, after we bleached our dug well 15 months ago, we inadverdently let most of the bleach (4 gallons) go through the household drains. I know....dumb./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif But so far, no real problems, however a few weeks ago we seem to be getting some "burping" in the toilet, air vibrations in water lines and/or drains after flushing, etc./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Put some rid-x in, but no changes. Any advice here? Thanks for your help.