I built a house with a septic 3 years ago, but never got clear information on how to tell when it needs pumped. I have a manhole size cover and a 6" pvc pipe with a cap. Can I look in either of these for some sort of indication?
New septic tank question
- Thread starter man-a-fre
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Looking isn't enough. You have to measure the scum and solids depth.
It shouldn't cost much to have a pro take a look
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
We have a single tank system that went in in the mid 70's. Rid-X it annually, dump a 3 pack of bakers yeast and warm water down the system every 2-3 months. It seems to do fine - we've had it pumped twice since the initial pump out when we bought the place - the one at 3 years, the pump guy told us to wait and do it every 5 instead. The one at 5, he was amazed how healthy our tank was.
BTW - we are on a wellwater system (no chlorine, no chloramine), so that helps. Also we were told a BIG no-no is Comet - apparently it will whack the microbial life in the tank, whereas Barkeeper's Friend will not. Go easy on the chlorine bleach. Also, the only paper products that go down are Septic Safe TP - no cleenex, no effing wipes, no paper towels.
Our next pumpout is in 2 years, so it will be interesting to see how well the system is running at that point.
BTW - we are on a wellwater system (no chlorine, no chloramine), so that helps. Also we were told a BIG no-no is Comet - apparently it will whack the microbial life in the tank, whereas Barkeeper's Friend will not. Go easy on the chlorine bleach. Also, the only paper products that go down are Septic Safe TP - no cleenex, no effing wipes, no paper towels.
Our next pumpout is in 2 years, so it will be interesting to see how well the system is running at that point.
JRC3
Well-known member
This thread is ******.
ha
Pntyrmvr
Well-known member
My parents had some trouble with a new system. I never pulled out the strainer basket on the output pipe in the tank. After 5 years it scummed up enough to back up the system.
Note to those of us with newer septic systems.
Pull the basket once a year and give it a rinse.
“Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money.”
Note to those of us with newer septic systems.
Pull the basket once a year and give it a rinse.
“Talk is cheap. Whiskey costs money.”
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
#2 stars rating
TRITOON
Well-known member
I'm a big anti-rid ex person. Have one house with aerobic, and another with a drain field.
We use antibacterial soap and bleach...but just not a stupid large amount of it. Antibaterial is kept by kitchen sinks, other places have regular soap. Usually 1-2 loads of bleached clothes a week.
Ive had our main house pumped after 7 years but wont ever do that again. Really didn't even need it and it was a waste of money. As long as you dont dump large amounts of grease down the drain (we wipe out pans with papertowel that goes into trash, then wash normally wash pans) or have someone on Chemo you should never have any concern with your system backing up or bacterial die off.
Early on we bought booster packs from the septic company (read= freeze died poop from someone else). We were overally cautious of chemicals of all sorts. Went a little over the top with being paranoid. Within a week of occupying a house and using it normally you will have a colony of bacteria that you will never have to be worried about. They are happy working 24/7/365. If you really want to flush something down the toilet to make yourself feel better, a couple of bakers yeast packets will do for around 1 dollar.
We use antibacterial soap and bleach...but just not a stupid large amount of it. Antibaterial is kept by kitchen sinks, other places have regular soap. Usually 1-2 loads of bleached clothes a week.
Ive had our main house pumped after 7 years but wont ever do that again. Really didn't even need it and it was a waste of money. As long as you dont dump large amounts of grease down the drain (we wipe out pans with papertowel that goes into trash, then wash normally wash pans) or have someone on Chemo you should never have any concern with your system backing up or bacterial die off.
Early on we bought booster packs from the septic company (read= freeze died poop from someone else). We were overally cautious of chemicals of all sorts. Went a little over the top with being paranoid. Within a week of occupying a house and using it normally you will have a colony of bacteria that you will never have to be worried about. They are happy working 24/7/365. If you really want to flush something down the toilet to make yourself feel better, a couple of bakers yeast packets will do for around 1 dollar.
Lived in my house for 5 years. System brand new when we bought. City required it to get pumped. Guy arrives and removes lids. I made a comment about water levels and he said I bet your filter is dirty.
News to me as I've had septic all my life. Showed us the filter with a float sensor. Apparently after a while, the sensors don't work due to the stuff in the water. Cleaned the filter, tested the sensor, pumped tanks, rinsed, and away we went. We wash it twice a year now!!! Before/After ground freeze. We got lucky!
Jeepster04
Well-known member
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- Jun 25, 2013
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Parents were on septic for 14 years. You could take the lid off and the tank would hardly be half full of water... Had a leak and all of the water would leak out, never had any issues.
Theyre on county sewer now. Ground is all hard clay in that area and everyones leach field just made a swamp in their yard, so the county ran sewer to that area.
Theyre on county sewer now. Ground is all hard clay in that area and everyones leach field just made a swamp in their yard, so the county ran sewer to that area.
Gunfixr
Well-known member
We bought a house on well/septic in early '16. Part of our pre-purchase inspections was having the septic pumped and inspected. I was present, as i'd spent all of my previous 50yrs living on city water/sewer. It was loaded with plastic, and about a 2-3ft ball of grease in the bottom. I asked plenty of questions, but, we mostly already did it right. Not flushing paper other than tp, no grease (it tends to solidify in pipes, and clog them). I did use drain cleaners prior, and would do 6-8 loads of laundry in one day.
It has a pump, the leach field is about 300ft behind the house, the highest ground. It doesn't have a filter, I wasn't sure I was buying, so didn't get them to install one.
Took a year before I could start a 1 1/2yr renovation, so we've lived here just over 2 1/2yrs. It's been fine so far. I limit laundry loads, use bleach only sparingly, no drain cleaners.
I do have a slow drain in the kitchen now, any suggestions on how to clear it?
It has a pump, the leach field is about 300ft behind the house, the highest ground. It doesn't have a filter, I wasn't sure I was buying, so didn't get them to install one.
Took a year before I could start a 1 1/2yr renovation, so we've lived here just over 2 1/2yrs. It's been fine so far. I limit laundry loads, use bleach only sparingly, no drain cleaners.
I do have a slow drain in the kitchen now, any suggestions on how to clear it?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Clearing a drain mechanically (auger, jet, snake) is always better than chemicals, spectic or otherwise