Farmall450
Well-known member
Yeah, when people say it wasn't full, I hope they're talking solids. The water should always be "full" in the sense that any added water goes out to the field.
3-5 years here. Never seems to be a problem.
Septic tank pumping interval?
- Thread starter MushCreek
- Start date
3-5 years here. Never seems to be a problem.
finn
Well-known member
Right. It’s always full of water. What’s important is the depth of the sludge on the bottom and the thickness of the cake floating on top.. I think the sludge depth is primary, althoughtoomuch cake can affect the pipes leading to the drain field.
PopcornSutton
Well-known member
100%! Powdered detergents never fully desolve and collects to a hard mass.
I convinced my wife that a disposal was bad for septic systems, and the septic guy agreed. One LESS thing to repair! We compost all plant matter, and meat byproducts go out in the trash.
It's interesting that so many cities, counties, and states have required pumping intervals. That's new to me.
It's interesting that so many cities, counties, and states have required pumping intervals. That's new to me.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I pump the house septic tank every fall as I have a vacuum honey wagon on the farm and it’s easy to do. I pump the chicken barn and shop holding tanks every fall and whenever needed when it’s warm. Both easily make 6 months.
When we built the new house I installed a daylight drain for the utility room and wash machine room. The boiler condensate, wash machine discharge and slop sink all drain outside. All grease and fatty stuff gets walked to the fenceline and pitched into the weeds. The leech field is approaching 50yrs old and we inspect it every fall as there is a trench at the end of it that you can lift up a cover and shine a light into the tunnels. It’s the goofiest thing ever but it passed inspections when we purchased the place 12yrs ago and keeps working. The old house had a daylight drain for the utility room as well. No idea where the daylight opening was but it didn’t go into the septic tank and it didn’t run onto the basement floor lol
When we built the new house I installed a daylight drain for the utility room and wash machine room. The boiler condensate, wash machine discharge and slop sink all drain outside. All grease and fatty stuff gets walked to the fenceline and pitched into the weeds. The leech field is approaching 50yrs old and we inspect it every fall as there is a trench at the end of it that you can lift up a cover and shine a light into the tunnels. It’s the goofiest thing ever but it passed inspections when we purchased the place 12yrs ago and keeps working. The old house had a daylight drain for the utility room as well. No idea where the daylight opening was but it didn’t go into the septic tank and it didn’t run onto the basement floor lol
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I had to have a tank replaced on another property recently because someone obviously drove over it and caved it in. The liquid level was three inches below the outlet pipe in the tank. The septic tank guy said this is due to tanks cracking over time or from the seams of the tank joint, so a replacement was due anyway.
That reminded me, so a week later I had my home tank pumped and the guy brought a long shaft stirring device out similar to a large weed whacker with a collapsable bladed prop on the end. That was used through the access holes to break up the solids and turn everything into a slurry, which seemed to work quite well. In the process, the distribution box was dug around and it was discovered that the effluent acids had eaten it alive, so that got replaced. My system had no indications of problems, so I am glad I had it dealt with before it did and I got any older and poorer, or unable to deal with it.
I suggest checking your septic system for unknowns.
That reminded me, so a week later I had my home tank pumped and the guy brought a long shaft stirring device out similar to a large weed whacker with a collapsable bladed prop on the end. That was used through the access holes to break up the solids and turn everything into a slurry, which seemed to work quite well. In the process, the distribution box was dug around and it was discovered that the effluent acids had eaten it alive, so that got replaced. My system had no indications of problems, so I am glad I had it dealt with before it did and I got any older and poorer, or unable to deal with it.
I suggest checking your septic system for unknowns.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
A surprise to me was that for my septic distribution box replacement there was no permit required. That seems to defy all logic as a permit usually seems to be required to even scratch your own ***.
purplezr2
Well-known member
Curious to how many have been there when they have pumped it. My house was 30 years only and the person I bought it from had owned it the whole time, and said they had never pumped it. I had it pumped two years after I moved in and there was maybe a foot of material in the bottom. That was 8 years ago, I had the water pumped out last summer for a drain field replacement due to roots, there was almost nothing in the bottom, house is two adults with no kids.
Mike65
Well-known member
We had our septic system checked before we bought our current house. We have been living here for just over 4 years & have not had it pumped out yet. I am going to check with the septic company who did the inspection to see when they recommend it to be pumped.
There's no mandate around here or atleast it's not enforced. We should probably get our small old tank pumped soon. I was thinking about doing this a couple of weeks ago.
My parents had their house built in'79. I was there until I graduated in '87 and it's been just the two of them since. To the best of my knowledge, they have never had the tank pumped but did have the diverter box changed out at one time.
My parents had their house built in'79. I was there until I graduated in '87 and it's been just the two of them since. To the best of my knowledge, they have never had the tank pumped but did have the diverter box changed out at one time.
racecougar
Well-known member
I have a Norweco 500 gpd setup that was installed when the house was built in '93. When I purchased the property in 2018, the seller disclosure listed the most recent servicing as 2006. I had it pumped and inspected as part of the closing agreement, and all was good. I had the same septic guy back out three years later (2021) to pump it again, mainly to get a baseline and play it safe. Per him, there wasn't much in the tank, so I'm moving to a five year interval now (2026). It's been $350 to pump and inspect each time, with no digging required as the risers are completely accessible.
Design is similar to below. It has the aerator, but not the bio-kinetic system.
Design is similar to below. It has the aerator, but not the bio-kinetic system.
reader2580
Well-known member
I believe it is required to have a septic inspection here when selling a house. If not required, buyers generally expect the seller to have an inspection done. One house I looked at they said the tank needed replacement as the water level was low so it was assumed to be cracked. I suspect the water level may have just been low due to the house being unoccupied for a few years.
niget2002
Well-known member
Our county requires our tank be inspected quarterly. Our tank inspector has not told me it's time for a pump out yet. I'm assuming it'll be this or next year based on how long we've lived here. The tank was pumped prior to us moving in as a part of the purchase.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Quarterly? Wow.
niget2002
Well-known member
"quarterly" apparently means "3 times a year" here... "Every 4 months". That was hard to wrap my head around as I always understood quarterly to mean 4 times a year or once a quarter. It's not that bad. I think it's $130/year to pay the septic company to do this. They check all the wires and run all the equipment and pop open all the tanks to make sure everything is working correctly.
finn
Well-known member
From what I understand, our neighbors in Wisconsin have mandatory pumping intervals.
I personally think that from a public health standpoint that’s a good idea, even though it would add cost to me.
What is especially bothersome is that I have neighbors two places down the lakeshore that still have only a couple of fifty five gallon drums buried for their sewage. It’s been like that since the house was constructed in about 1969 or 1970.
A friend had, until recently, a pipe buried under the gravel county road leading to an open ditch that lead to a creek.
To say that the Health Department wasn’t pleased when he applied for a septic permit would be an understatement. They thought stuff like that was resolved decades ago.
Ten or twelve years ago the septic haulers were still dumping the sludge on county owned land near / on the lake shore on what is called stamp sands, made up from the rock that contained native copper. In the late 1800s through the 1960s the mining companies would crush rock from mines, some over a mile deep, into fine sand as part of the copper extraction process, then dump the residual sand in the lakes. Basically environmental terrorism. Those tailings eventually became Superfund sites.
Now the sludge haulers have to process the sludge through municipal wastewater treatment plants.
You sir are getting a royal screwing. Every 4 months is just a cash grab.
niget2002
Well-known member
Yes. Yes it is.
Mainiac Mat
Well-known member
I do every 3 years
Mainiac Mat
Well-known member
One problem is that the anti-bacterial soap everyone uses these days reduces the bacteria in your tank that chew the poo. So the solids accumulate faster.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
There are a lot of variables, soil characteristics, size of the system, number of people actually using it vs what the system was designed for etc.
I'm on sewer now and I swear I have more sewer issues than when I was on a septic.
Many of the fire stations (forestry) I worked at were on septic and they rarely needed serving because they were built pre-1950s for 20+ firefighters plus some families living on site year round. These days staffing is more like 5-10 people just during the day, and the station shuts down in the winter. The cabins and trailer pads for families went away long ago.
However the year we set up a fire camp for 150 people at the station, we had to get a service out there ASAP as 150 extra butts for 2 weeks was too much for the system. They did bring in blue huts but who is going to use one of those vs a flushing toilet when one is available.
I'm on sewer now and I swear I have more sewer issues than when I was on a septic.
Many of the fire stations (forestry) I worked at were on septic and they rarely needed serving because they were built pre-1950s for 20+ firefighters plus some families living on site year round. These days staffing is more like 5-10 people just during the day, and the station shuts down in the winter. The cabins and trailer pads for families went away long ago.
However the year we set up a fire camp for 150 people at the station, we had to get a service out there ASAP as 150 extra butts for 2 weeks was too much for the system. They did bring in blue huts but who is going to use one of those vs a flushing toilet when one is available.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Glad that's worked for you. But I'm also glad that I went with a traditional gravity system. I had to dig a bunch of holes to find it and had the space for 1500+ gallons, so I get why those type are necessary.... But dang, I'm not wanting to maintain that!
aggie113
Well-known member
I will say my clothes washer dumps directly into my yard through it's own pipe. Thankfully this was done before the rules for such things changed in my city... glad to not have that going into the septic. I do have a septic no-no, a disposal in the kitchen sink. I try not to put too much fatty stuff down the sink.
racecougar
Well-known member
Again, this isn't exactly what I have, as I do not have the Bio-metric system, just an aerator. Otherwise it's just a normal gravity setup. Maintenance is nil. The total tank capacity is 1300 gal.
Glad that's worked for you. But I'm also glad that I went with a traditional gravity system. I had to dig a bunch of holes to find it and had the space for 1500+ gallons, so I get why those type are necessary.... But dang, I'm not wanting to maintain that!
finn
Well-known member
We have a disposal, but it gets maybe 5% of the use the one in our previous city house did.
Still handy though.
logical
Well-known member
Because I built a 3 bedroom house 17 years ago, I had to put in a large tank...1500 or 2000 gal., I forget. There are just two of us and I am gone all day most days. I dug up the 2 access hatches after maybe 12 years, put in nice plastic risers and lids and had it pumped. It was nowhere near needing it. I spent more on the risers than the pumping.
I'd propose if you take the size of the tank in gallons ÷ # people ÷ 51.6354...you can go that many years.
I'd propose if you take the size of the tank in gallons ÷ # people ÷ 51.6354...you can go that many years.
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I'm on 31 years. But 2 people for 20 years, 1 person for the last 11, three bedroom house with two baths on the main tank. I can't speak for my ex, but I'm guessing that 5/7=70% of my pooping was at work. I have two tanks and I'm 99% sure the washer and rarely used basement bathroom go to tank #2. I have no idea what size they are. I know exactly where the main tank is, I can see the rectangular outline of it during a drought. so I just need to dig that area- it's not deep. I have no idea if I need to dig the entire thing up or what, but there are no lids.
And yes, I have pumping it on my list of "things to do"; I know I'm overdue. Oh, and I don't use antibacterial soap or powdered detergent; and I don't have a garbage disposal.
And yes, I have pumping it on my list of "things to do"; I know I'm overdue. Oh, and I don't use antibacterial soap or powdered detergent; and I don't have a garbage disposal.
MooreGarage
Active member
We had the same thing happen with our 60 year old house a few years ago. While they were replacing the line, we had them add manhole access covers like what most modern septic systems have, so that we'd never have to dig up the tank again. We get ours pumped out about every 3 years, and so far the system is still going strong.
danfromsyr
Well-known member
All soap is antibacterial
PWC Repair
Well-known member
Been on septic systems my whole life. When I was a kid there was mom and dad and us 5 kids. Septic was pumped once in 10 years. I had mine pumped 1 or 2 years after I bought this house because of roots and I had to install a whole new drain field.........that was 20 years ago. Flush one packet of live yeast down the toilet every other month.
strength_and_power
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2015
- Messages
- 1,392
My county requires testing and reporting every 4 months. I can take an eight hour class and do the testing/reporting myself but for $175/year, a septic company will do that for me and do an inspection of the system and sludge measurement. It’s cheap peace of mind in my book. With just my dad and me in a 3 bath house and me traveling 100+ nights a year, we should be good for awhile. Aerobic system with a garbage disposal but plates get scraped into trash prior to rinsing so disposal use is minimal.
PopcornSutton
Well-known member
I have heard of this before. Any particular type of yeast?
Ak Jim
Well-known member
So if you can’t repair it what are you supposed to do when it craps out?
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
When I got ready to install a toilet and sink in my shop I used a transit to check the fall to my home septic tank 100 feet away and found that it was not quite at requirements, so I started investigating sewer grinder pump systems. I got lucky that same day and found a little used Liberty 40 gallon unit on Craigslist that had been used short term for a hand wash sink in a basement research lab while a larger building was being built. It had sat on the floor beside the sink and was almost new and smelled of soap. For $125 it sure as hell went home with me. It also had the optional trouble alarm for the pump activity. I just had to dig a hole the size of a barrel for it and a relatively shallow trench to my septic tank, lay a 2” pvc pipe and tie it in and plug the unit power cord in. The unit has an easily removable float and switch maintenance tree that is a real plus if service is needed. I highly suggest the use of one if you have tricky placement issues. In action a light hum can be heard through the drain piping when it runs after several flushes.
A link to my unit. Amazon has them cheaper prices.
www.sumppumpsdirect.com
A link to my unit. Amazon has them cheaper prices.
Wastewater Pumps at FergusonHome.com
From sump pumps, to sewage pumps, grinder pumps, and more. Find what you need to move that dirty water at FergusonHome.com. For both residential and commercial / industrial projects.
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Junkman
Well-known member
When I had the cast-iron line replaced last year, they installed a rise at the inlet. They were also going to install a plastic tee into the tank and break out the baffle; however, I asked them to leave the baffle in place since it was in good condition. They removed the cover to the baffel, and the riser goes over where it was.
I didn't have them install a filter at the outlet because I was unaware of the filters, and they didn't mention it. I am wondering if I should have them come back and install a filter on the outlet, along with a riser? The cost of replacing the pipe was $ 3,000, and it took them 2.5 days with a crew of 4, including the excavator operator. One of the crew was the owner, who supervised the job. I would estimate that it will cost around $ 1,000 to have the filter added. What are your thoughts on the exit filter?
I didn't have them install a filter at the outlet because I was unaware of the filters, and they didn't mention it. I am wondering if I should have them come back and install a filter on the outlet, along with a riser? The cost of replacing the pipe was $ 3,000, and it took them 2.5 days with a crew of 4, including the excavator operator. One of the crew was the owner, who supervised the job. I would estimate that it will cost around $ 1,000 to have the filter added. What are your thoughts on the exit filter?
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I have a standard septic tank with two lids. A previous quote to install an outlet filter was $125-150. It simply attaches into the outlet pipe from inside the tank.
link below.
Effluent Filters - Wholesale Septic Supply
Effluent Filters Overview Effluent filters serve a crucial role in septic systems. They are used to separate large particles from the outflowing effluent. That prevents those particles from clogging drain fields, pumps, and sprinklers. It can be very tedious to periodically clean the effluent...
www.wholesalesepticsupply.com
Junkman
Well-known member
The reason I estimate $1000 is that a large excavator is needed to dig up the tank for installation, as the tank top is 9 feet below the surface. I have yet to landscape the backyard since the other work last year, so it will not cause me any issues now. However, once I have the loam put down in the backyard, it will be a major hassle to do it later.
Is there one filter that is better than the others?
Is there one filter that is better than the others?
PWC Repair
Well-known member
We use Fleischmanns original, active dry yeast.
logical
Well-known member
I'd do some research on that. The concensus seems to be that a little bit may help but shouldn't really be necessary, and too much can cause real problems.
had it checked when i was in the process of buying the home. told me i didnt need it to be pumped and had no issues. a year later i kept getting water not draining properly from the shower it seemed, which culminated in a full on blockage. called a local multi conglomerate company (hvac, electric, plumbing, etc b/c my cousin worked for them and i got a small discount) and they snaked it, doing a poor job. they scoped it and found the piping was blocked by roots. I had a local septic guy pump it all out anyways at this point, and i wish i hadnt gone with guys who scoped it, but they were the only company that offered financing and even better 0% on a 5k job. Turns out the piping was drain not full on pvc pipe and someone at some point had done a poor job. They fixed it, but it wound up costing 6k all said and done.
I had a number of blockages afterwards and and the company who did the pipe come out again and again to snake it-never doing a good job. Finally had enough when it backed up and called another emergency company and he snaked it and did a way better job. That guy told me to make sure no one flushed anything but scotts TP down there and that there is a rough edge left over where the piping is that its catching on. turns out the GF was FLUSHING the **** wipes...
I had a number of blockages afterwards and and the company who did the pipe come out again and again to snake it-never doing a good job. Finally had enough when it backed up and called another emergency company and he snaked it and did a way better job. That guy told me to make sure no one flushed anything but scotts TP down there and that there is a rough edge left over where the piping is that its catching on. turns out the GF was FLUSHING the **** wipes...