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Forum Usage Rules

Name:	wehapa -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank Rules
Date:	3/27/2012 9:12:12 PM

Any science to how many years before a septic tank should be serviced for a part timer down here on the lake?? Thanks

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank Rules
Date:	3/27/2012 10:11:46 PM (updated 3/27/2012 10:17:31 PM)

There are way too many variables for "rules". Size of tank? Garbage disposal? definition of "part time"? number of part timers (or full timers) who contribute to the cause? other "habits"?

Typically, properly sized tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years. As an example, a 1500 gallon tank (with 4 people using it) will easily go 5 years if nothing other than human waste is added.....take off about two years if you have a garbage disposal and a "grind-O-maniac" in the house.

If you have a large tank, are part time, don't have a disposal, and don't put crap (other than "real" crap) in the tank, you could easily go 10-15 years between pumping. Also, addition of soaps and chlorine make a difference....If you do a lot of wash with bleach, it will kill natural bacteria that helps break down waste and will result in a more frequent pumping schedule. Allowing any grease (or animal fat) down the drain (ie, rinsing cooked hamburger, sausage, etc) will also cause a far more frequent pumping schedule....that stuff will not break down and it will definitely clog any septic system.

Bottom line: If you treat the system properly, you can go a long time between servicing.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	BTW
Date:	3/27/2012 10:28:28 PM (updated 3/27/2012 10:32:01 PM)

I just noticed that you are the one who was asking about a fishy smell a few weeks ago......be advised, there is a big difference between proper septic service and septic failure. If your system will not perk into the ground (beyond the tank), it doesn't matter what is in the tank. Any failure beyond the tank is a totally different story and goes beyond proper servicing. If your drainage lines have failed, you have a much bigger problem that proper servicing will not rectify.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank talk
Date:	3/27/2012 10:50:56 PM

if you have never had it done, I would have it pumped so you can start with a clean slate. I bought a new house in 08 and it had been vacant for 1.5 years, then was a rental for 2, so it had been a while since an owner lived in it. I pumped it just to start a fresh.

Oddly, septic guys tell me that infrequent (part time) use is worse on a system for tree roots because the roots must infest the lines to find water, whereas a full timer would be putting out water more regularly.

Also oddly enough septic systems are rated by the # of bedrooms, not bathrooms, in a home. I guess they figure that bedrooms are more accurate way to estimate people.

Also see below a post I wrote in 08, ignore my attempts at humor at the bottom, but I did think the test of "flushable" wipes was enlightening, at least to me.

URL: Guerrilla Septic Tank tactics

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank Rules
Date:	3/27/2012 11:33:01 PM

Agree with UEM - too many variables. Before my wife and I started spending more time at the lake, we had no problems - butt, that all changed. When the flow slowed, I thought that there was a blockage, so borrowed my Dad's electric rooter, got an extension cord, a BA adjustable wrench and headed into the crawl space to hit the cleanout. I opened the cleanout that goes directly to the septic tank and got a GOOD flow... There is about a 2' clearance on that side of the house, so I rolled to a high spot and waited. After about 10 minutes, my other half appeared at the crawlspace entrance and proclaimed "what are you doing, it smells horrible out here" - you can imagine my response... It turns out that the septic tank is only 500 gallons, and the field lines were a little bit of clay lines and some gravel - major party foul by today's standards. After getting the tank pumped and an electric pump and new field lines (yes, by # of bedrooms, not bathrooms), we have been good. We also have a septic system at the house - 1,000 gallon tank - made it about 7 years - pumpers said that health department recommends 4 - 5 years.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank talk
Date:	3/27/2012 11:53:21 PM (updated 3/27/2012 11:59:40 PM)

You are correct, John; septic systems are based on # of bedrooms. It's an inaccurate science, but they look at what is likely as to "gallons introduced" into a system based on number of occupants. From there, there is a formula to determine the size of tank and the length of line needed (which also varies as to the type of line). What you've heard about roots is debatable, but is a valid concern depending on what type of vegetation is near the system. Tank servicing and line failure are two different situations.....if there is a perk problem (ability of the soil to absorb water) in the drainage lines beyond the tank, one could have the tank serviced every 3 months and it wouldn't fix anything. That said, extensive neglect of proper service can lead perk problems over time, so proper servicing should not be ignored.

Name:	lakeplumber -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank talk
Date:	3/28/2012 7:09:40 AM

Correct on the bedroom number in sizing the tank.

This is because even if you have a house with six bathrooms and one bedroom, it is likely to have only one user.
On the other hand if you have a house with six bedrooms and only one bathroom, it might have 6 times the normal volume in that one bathroom.

Name:	wehapa -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank Rules
Date:	3/28/2012 9:48:43 PM

Guys, thank you very much for your detailed response. Just a small debate between the other half owner of our lake house on whether or not to go ahead and have ours pumped. It's been 7 years and used seldom in the winter and 10- 12 days a month during the late spring and summer and 8 a month during the fall. I clearly feel its worth the cost and we can wait another 7 years.

Name:	greycove -	Reply
Subject:	Septic Tank Rules
Date:	3/30/2012 2:58:30 PM

Replaced my septic system last summer. We have owned the cabin 18 years. Had not emptied since I bought the cabin, so mine was 18 years between pumping!!!! Sewage backed up, found tank full to the brim.

New rules on fill lines meant that I had to have a two-chamber tank. Was not allowed to use the old fill lines. Now pump the liquid portion across road to a lot I own to new fill lines located there. The solids are collected in the other chamber. Around $8,000, OUCH.

Was told I needed to have pumped every 3-5 years. This is our second home.

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