Septic System Problem

[csteele]

Hello All,

I have a question regarding a septic system.

If a home owner is repeatedly using excessive amounts of Javex in the washing machine is it possible that the Javex could "stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system?" Seems possible.

If javex can cause this, what problems can this cause to the system?

What are the health concerns of the occupants of a home where the waste water back flows into the house causing excessive odors?

CS

[Rob A. Parker]

Chistoper I think your right about the use of large amounts of bleach or javex,and for the waist water back it should not be happening and if it's the same property the tank is full and should be pumped out and the leaching bed maybe pluged and not working.In any case a septic contracter should be called in to check it out.

[Greg Bell]

That is why most septic tank owners discharge the washing machine into the yard.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by gbell

That is why most septic tank owners discharge the washing machine into the yard.

I have been told the products sold also to help septic tanks are not a good idea.
I have also been told water softner back flush is harmfull .
( This was disputed by a later post ).
I do believe a lot of Javex could cause difficulty.
Roy Cooke
Added how old is the home how often has the tank been pumped .
Yes it needs to be cleaned and evaluated by a qualified person immediatly
Yes the back up could be loaded with Bacteria health concerns ,I think yes ???????

[csteele]

water back flows into the house causing excessive odors?

I lot people seemed to say it is a health and safety concern but not many people seem to know why that is!?

[Vern Mitchinson, CMI]

Excessive chlorine bleach kills the bacteria that digests the sewage. IE. breaks it down into a liquid. Nondigestable solids settle to the bottom of the tank and need to be pumped out at least once a year.
If the solids are not broken down they fill the tank and will plug the field pipes. If not corrected the sewage may back up into the house fixtures.
E.coli a bacteria found in the human digestive track will make you sick and can kill you if you ingest enough of it.

[phinsperger]

Vern, Do you guys really pump every year? In this area that would be very excessive. If a tank needs pumping every year there is some problem with the system. For example
- bleach or other bacteria killing agent entering the system
- fats or other hard to break-down material entering the system
- prolonged low temperature in the tank (ya, maybe you guys qualify)
- system or portions of the system improperly sized.
- major leak in the tank

[csteele]

Originally Posted by vmitchinson

If not corrected the sewage may back up into the house fixtures.
E.coli a bacteria found in the human digestive track will make you sick and can kill you if you ingest enough of it.

I agree with everything your saying. But I'm curious to know if the odors are harmful or not and if so, why are they harmful?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by csteele

I agree with everything your saying. But I'm curious to know if the odors are harmful or not and if so, why are they harmful?

Same as where there is smoke there is fire .
If you have odors then obviously they are comming from a place that is exposed to our living area.
Not for me to figure out where ,I would just write it up as needing immediate repair by qualified person.
The odor is telling us some thing to ignore could be a hazzard to our health.
Me I would not stay around.
Move on to next area of inspection.
Roy Cooke

[Rob A. Parker]

What you are smelling is methane gas and could build up the house and could explode.All it would take is a spark.Tha problem needs to be repaired write it up.

[csteele]

Thanks guys this is everything that I heard before but thought I would ask anway because I was curious to hear what other inspectors would say.

By the way this is not a home I inspected it is my girl friends parents place. I believe I all ready know what is wrong with their system. I tried to tell them the problem and the health concerns but they're really not concerned. Oh well, they've been warned.
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[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by csteele

Thanks guys this is everything that I heard before but thought I would ask anway because I was curious to hear what other inspectors would say.

By the way this is not a home I inspected it is my girl friends parents place. I believe I all ready know what is wrong with their system. I tried to tell them the problem and the health concerns but they're really not concerned. Oh well, they've been warned.
</IMG>

Print this whole section of and give to them and say I was not sure so I went to the experstand this is their openions.
Good Luck walk softly they could be your relations for a long time
Roy Cooke

[csteele]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Print this whole section of and give to them and say I was not sure so I went to the experstand this is their openions.
Good Luck walk softly they could be your relations for a long time
Roy Cooke

Won't be for long if they blow up,... I just don't want to be around if or when it happens. For this to happen it seems like a long shot but in the event that it can happen I will advise my GF to make sure the will is up to date!!

[Barry Adair]

Added note:


Sewer gas is a mixture of gases formed during the decomposition of household or industrial wastes. These include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and methane(which are highly toxic), as well as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.


Exposure to sewer gas can happen at home if it seeps in via a floor drain or a leaking or blocked plumbing vent on the roof or even through cracks in a building’s foundation. Sewer gas tends to accumulate in basements, but can mix with all the air in a house. Individuals who work in or reside near sanitation industries or on farms might be exposed on the job if they clean or maintain municipal sewers, manure storage tanks or home septic tanks.


Sewer gas often has a “rotten eggs” smell, which comes from the hydrogen sulfide it contains. Exposure to low levels of this toxic chemical can irritate the eyes, cause a cough or sore throat, shortness of breath and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Prolonged low-level exposure may cause fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory and dizziness. High concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can interfere with the sense of smell so you don’t sense the “rotten eggs” smell that warns of its presence. At very high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness and death.


The other toxic component of sewer gas is methane, which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and can cause suffocation and death when you inhale high concentrations. Exposure to low levels causes headache, nausea and drowsiness.

If you suspect that sewer gas is leaking into your home, contact your local public health department.
Try to get an inspection. Alternatively, you can call in a plumber to find and repair a leak. Because sewer gas is highly flammable, don’t take any chances. If the smell is strong, call the fire department, avoid striking matches or using appliances that produce flames, and get your family out of the building.


Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.

If you have a gas leak detector or CO detector sample the air in the home just for grins before Sunday supper.

[csteele]

Hi Barry,

That is excellent information and what I was really looking for.

Thanks,
CS