Pumped the Septic Tank

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Having the septic tank pumped out this week.

That ought to make sure it continues to function well, well into the next century.

Just in case you hadn't already thought of it.

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), October 25, 1999

Answers

I had seriously thought about it, but found out that the people that we bought our farm from (lived on the farm for 50 yrs) had NEVER pumped the septic and knowing how old it is, I am afraid that we may end up replacing it and I can not afford that right now. We are wondering if the septic is nothing more than a 55 gallon drum in the ground or something similar. We are putting septic treatment down the drain to see if that will help it last longer.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), October 25, 1999.

beckie: your septic tank probably is not a steel barrel, as metal tends to rust out in about 20 years in the ground. And 50 years is a long time for 55 gals. It really should be maintained because this could be the winter it stops working. As far as the treatment don't waste your time or money. It only runs 80 to 125 $ for a pumpout where I'm from. Then you know for sure what you have and one less thing to worry about.

-- George (septicpumper.@sucker.com), October 25, 1999.

George,

The problem we have is that in our county you have to put in a sand pit that needs replaced every 5 years instead of a leaching field (poor perc tests) and I really do not have the $5,000 to put in a new septic if there is anything wrong with ours (which I am sure there is). Since we have lived in this county only 5 years we are newbies and they will go after us to fix the septic.

Yes there are days when we put too much water through it and it goes straight out. The septic was grandfathered in with an open outflow. I want to pull the "grey water" off of the system, but unfortunately that is not allowed here (at this time!).

If the world holds together, maybe next year I can do something about the septic - otherwise, outhouses work well.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), October 26, 1999.


Becky--who will see where the grey water goes? We have our washer running into the pasture and garden. The more water you put down your septic and into your leach fields, the worse off you will be. When we had a drought, the officials turned their heads in the when people ran their washers onto their lawns for watering. Another thing we got use to was "if it's yellow let it mellow, when it's brown flush it down." Also, don't put anything but human waste down your septic, that includes garbage disposal and TP. Let your leach fields "rest" and you may be able to extend it out longer before repair.

-- been there (beenthere@beentheree.xcom), October 26, 1999.

Becky--

One thing you need to be very cognizant about in regards to a sand filteration system. It is very sensitive to oils. Things such as frying oils, salad oils, vegetable oils, etc will clog the sand system in as little as six months to two years. Ethnic groups such as Asians, and Latinos incur expensive replacement of filtering agents in a short time.

Also the replacement of the aggregates and waste products is very expensive, as it requires complete removal, disposal, and replacement by a licensed contractor. In many states the waste products must be handled in the same manner as Hazmat materials, and all the costs that go with that.

Just thought I'd pass it along. Hope it helps.

-- mikey (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 28, 1999.



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