Septic System

So --- just leave the roots now in the leaching field to rot away on their own????

I can do nothing!

I also pump my dishwasher and washing washing into an area where ivy is growing. I don't want any harsh chemicals or bleach killing the little beasties in my septic tank who are working hard for me day in and day out. Obviously you cna't keep all grease and chemicals out of your tank unless you're Felix Unger. As maintenace I have a cesspool guy open the tank and then aerate the bottom and walls. My friend was always having problems with his cesspool but they had 5 kids and their grandparents living with them and the washing machine was running constantly. They eventually put in a drywell and that helped dramatically. I also was told that you should never pump out your pool because there is always a chance that it will collapse.

Thanks to all. I have the fellow coming today to pump out the tank. Seems he has pumped our property before. That's good I got a lot of questions.

Again, thanks for all your input.

Al

chemung wrote:Thanks to all. I have the fellow coming today to pump out the tank. Seems he has pumped our property before. That's good I got a lot of questions.

Again, thanks for all your input.

Al

Hey Al...how'd the pumping go?

BugsyR wrote:
Hey Al...how'd the pumping go?

The fellow came late yesterday afternoon. He spent two hours here. Pumped the septic and dowsing tanks. I had many questions answered. Also opened the caps on the mound to let the water clear. He explained the entire system and advised how to care for it. A real learning experience. There was quite a bit of sludge in the main tank. The dowsing tank had a few inches of sludge in it. After pumping he flushed each tank and pumped again. I asked about the additives. He told me that the Government tested Rid-X and found that it does not dissolve in water. He recommended bakers yeast or nothing if I have it pumped regularly. As far as laundry detergents he said that today's detergents are low phosphate and would not hurt. But his recommendations all revolve around regular pumping. That's his business but he didn't tell me anything different about regular pumping than what I have already read on Gov. web sites. My wife and I decided a two year pumping schedule would be in order. The cost was $345.00 which included a shock treatment to get the bacteria going.

Oh, about the pipes that stick out of the top of the sand mound. He told me to open two, one on each side and leave the caps off a couple days. It should be done in twos until all have been completed. He said to do that twice a year once in the spring and again in the fall. It helps clean out the plumbing in the mound.

Again thanks to all for your comments.

Al

Thanks for the info Al.

I'm always comparing notes on the most expensive household appliance. I have been told about the mound caps also. Thanks for the reminder...now if I could only stop procrastinating...

I suggest every 3-5 yrs for the pumping.I would use bakers yeast once a yr.Everything you use today is anti bacterica.Years ago and older gentleman told me he would drive around and pick decaying road kill up and through in his tank. When having your tankd pumped maike sure they just don't come and stick the hose in and suck the water out.Make sure the stir it up and make it soupy and pump the solids out.I have seen some guys do that.

I just have to laugh when I hear stories like "my neighbor hasn't had his pumped since 1963."

I wouldn't know that to be a fact, except that I lived in my neighbour's house from 63 to 77 and know that it is fact.

I guess I'll throw my two cents in here..

My father and I built a house in 1969, with a septic tank,, my dad and I installed the tank and field. When the house was bulldozed for a subdivision in 2005, the septic tank had never been opened or pumped..

We did not run water softener salt into the septic.. but we did run laundry water into it..

I was told and my belief is that if a septic system has an active and healthy bacteria concentration then it will disolve solids into liquids and the liquids will go out to the leach-field and the system is continously working..

The problems come from flushing 'things' down into the tank that will never decompose. Like feminine Hygene products, Q-tips and other objects.

A septic system will work for a long time if it is fed only human waste and water, and not too much else.

Greg L.

Thanks Greg

A little late to the party but I figured I would post the reverse side of my permit I was issued to replace my old tank a few years ago. I don't know if it comes from the state, county, or township. You may follow or ignore these suggestions at your own risk.

gaw wrote:A little late to the party but I figured I would post the reverse side of my permit I was issued to replace my old tank a few years ago. I don't know if it comes from the state, county, or township. You may follow or ignore these suggestions at your own risk.

Thanks gaw some good advise there.

Al

I like the tip that says, "Never enter a septic tank." Darn I was hoping to hang out inside for awhile!

I'm sure there is some poor bastard that has ventured into his septic tank with a brush and a clothespin.

A septic tank is nothing more then a red necks swimming pool.