Septic Tank

[rwand1]

So Joe what do you do when it needs a pump out? Have you ever had it pumped considering the depth?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rwand1

Roy

The septic is gravity, the line exits the foundation approximately three feet above basement floor. In order to get the slope right they put the tank in deeper with a vault or extension chamber to bring it just under the surface. In my set up you take the first hatch off which accesses the lid to the main tank,24" below.

Mine was 40± older and only had one chamber it also was exactly like Raymonds and it has been pumped every 2 years still works perfectly .
If they are not pumped regullarly then sooner or later new bed cost many times what the regular pump out costs.
Roy Cooke sr

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Grass would be green around the lid because it was getting fertilized. Outflow blocked, tank full of effluent which may soon appear as a fluid on the surface. Time to call a septic inspector.

[rwand1]

What is being flushed down or washed into the tank will dictate long term performance. (i.e. bleach, paints, fats, oils, amount of water, cigarette butts, hair pins, dispondibles, diapers, too much paper.... )

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by bking

Choose the answer that you feel is most correct based on this:


A septic system is present on a house in an area that has had very little rain for months.
It is June and the grass is brown except around the perimeter of the tank. The tank according to the owner is only about two feet deep. Only one person lives in the house.

Because only one person lives in the house... better call for a
Professional Septic System inspection.

What would happen if this system got hit by a busy weekend
with all the relatives over.?

I always flood the system from evey outlet for 20 min. to
see if I can create a problem. It helps to smell the soil too.

50% fail this test.... (have nose, will travel)

[Erby Crofutt]

Septic Systems are specifically excluded from the inspection as I don't possess the necessary equipment (pump truck) to empty the tank and examine it. As a courtesy, I provide an attachment from the Environmental Protection Agency titled "EPA Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems".

http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/h...guide_long.pdf

[gmathias]

There never should be effluent backup at the tank. Therefore, not only is there a problem with the tank, there is almost certainly a problem in the drainage field. My guess is that the outlet baffle is damaged and there is backup causing the tank to overflow. This system probably needs to be repaired completely. First step......expose the tank to view the liquid level and condition of the baffles. Then move on from there................

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

to many variables to make a decesion . It needs to be opened to see what the inside looks like . Is there a tap running in the home a toilet that does not shut of . When was the last time it was pumped and what was the condition reported at that time is there a sump pump putting water into the septic. Has some inproper product put into the system.
Recommend immediate Further evaluation by qualified person .

Roy Cooke sr

[Vern Mitchinson, CMI]

Originally Posted by gbell

What is a septic field?

The components of a private sewer system are;
1 Septic tank. Where the raw sewage is digested by bacteria
2 Effleunt tank. Where the digested water is held untill sufficent amount is accumulated to fill field when discharged.
3 Disposal field. A series of pipes dare I say holly pipe the distributes the water over a large enough area to absorb the water before the next discharge.
The field usually has a main line with branch lines or laterials that distribute the water through holes in the pipe to a washed rock (1/2 to 1") bed under the pipe. The pipe is usually within a foot of the surface.
Fields are not permited on lots smaller then 3 acres.
Lots less then 3 acres or with in a certain distance from a water body, lake or river have to use a holding tank or discharge to a municipal treatment plant.
At least this was typical for Alberta but local conditions dictate and newer methods are being introduced all the time.
Feilds are not permited on lots smaller then 3 acres.