Conventional Septic Systems - What do I need to know?

matt86m

matt86m

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My Prescott, Arizona dream has come true! 

Zonies will want this Cali fam in AZ! I promise I won't that guy!

New home has a septic system, what are the do's and don'ts?

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Size of tank vs. number of people planning to use it is key. I do put Rid-X down mine twice a year. Found mine was a little under sized when the whole family was living here (4). This created a situation that required the tank be pumped to remove solids that build in bottom about every 5 years. 

Now that just my wife and I are in the home the system is balanced and we don't need to have it pumped any longer. In our county they require the tank be inspected and pumped when homes are sold. You at this point can determine what size the tank is. I like it also because we have no sewar fees to pay on water bill.

Don'ts, we don't put eggs shells down drain. Get septic safe tp. Other food products just think about it and if you think they will digest in tank.

 
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How old is the system?

Its it a leach field or leach pit?

Always keep bacteria up buy adding additive

no bleach in laundry, toilets or sinks.  

I have young child that was taking a bath daily, my wife likes baths. Doing laundry "washing everything in her path" dish washer, I shower etc. Long story short our leach pit is 25 years old and we stated to overrun it.

Make the sellers pump it and get it inspected

 
If you're doing a pool or pond.....that's going to determine A LOT! Peace

 
richard h said:
Size of tank vs. number of people planning to use it is key. I do put Rid-X down mine twice a year. Found mine was a little under sized when the whole family was living here (4). This created a situation that required the tank be pumped to remove solids that build in bottom about every 5 years. 

Now that just my wife and I are in the home the system is balanced and we don't need to have it pumped any longer. In our county they require the tank be inspected and pumped when homes are sold. You at this point can determine what size the tank is. I like it also because we have no sewar fees to pay on water bill.
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1000 or 1250 (have to confirm) gallon. Leach field. System is 29 years old. Was pumped and inspected, all good. 2 people in the house on a regular basis.

Dynamicdude said:
How old is the system?

Its it a leach field or leach pit?

Always keep bacteria up buy adding additive

no bleach in laundry, toilets or sinks.  

I have young child that was taking a bath daily, my wife likes baths. Doing laundry "washing everything in her path" dish washer, I shower etc. Long story short our leach pit is 25 years old and we stated to overrun it.

Make the sellers pump it and get it inspected
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1000 or 1250 (have to confirm) gallon. Leach field. System is 29 years old. Was pumped and inspected, all good. 2 people in the house on a regular basis.

 
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You should be good. Ours we thought was 900 gallon but later learned tank was shaped something like a football and turned out to only be 750 gallon. That 150 gallons made a difference.

 
A little bleach to wash your whites weekly doesn't seem to hurt it (family of 4, bleach whites once a week, pumped at 5 years, guy said I could've gone 7).  Lots of bleach all the time, yeah, not good.  There's usually enough trash in the pipes to bond all of the bleach before it hits the tank anyway.  Make sure your TP is septic safe, and we cut waaaaaaaay down on TP usage with bidet toilet seats (bonus: no more itchy ass ever, no matter how much beer you had yesterday :biggrin: )

Otherwise, treat it just like your RV.  Speaking of, no blue Koolaid in the black tank if you're dumping at home, get the green stuff.

Lots of trees everywhere on that property.  Where's your leach field?  Could be an issue later if there are trees in it.

 
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I have a 1,000 gallon and it was fine for two. Still had it pumped every year or two. Just becasue the product or box says sewer safe that does not mean septic safe, certain womens products can clog the leach field as they do not disolve. A 2X on the bleach usage, relay that to any women inhabitants. 

 
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Rockwood said:
A little bleach to wash your whites weekly doesn't seem to hurt it (family of 4, bleach whites once a week, pumped at 5 years, guy said I could've gone 7).  Lots of bleach all the time, yeah, not good.  There's usually enough trash in the pipes to bond all of the bleach before it hits the tank anyway.  Make sure your TP is septic safe, and we cut waaaaaaaay down on TP usage with bidet toilet seats (bonus: no more itchy ass ever, no matter how much beer you had yesterday :biggrin: )

Otherwise, treat it just like your RV.  Speaking of, no blue Koolaid in the black tank if you're dumping at home, get the green stuff.

Lots of trees everywhere on that property.  Where's your leach field?  Could be an issue later if there are trees in it.
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Leach field is behind the detached 3 car garage. Tank is in the dirt area between the house and detached garage.

Good to know on the RV black tank info.

 
Our neighborhood is all septic. My next door neighbors were doing laundry and the kitchen started to fill up with sewage. Thats when they learned the "OHH SHIIT" mode. They didn't know where the tank was. Didn't take long to learn. I suggest you don't learn the hard way. Peace

 
matt86m said:
Leach field is behind the detached 3 car garage. Tank is in the dirt area between the house and detached garage.

Good to know on the RV black tank info.
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Congrats, btw.  Place looks awesome, jealous of the separate shop.  I'll have to ping you in a year to see if you still like it there, CA is bleeding me Effing dry and I no longer need to be in the office all the time.

 
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The system should maintain itself without any additive.  Just like your gut has healthy bacteria, a septic system should also have healthy bacteria that breaks everything down.  Don't put ANY food down the drain and no dog waste either. 

 
realtreeHD said:
The system should maintain itself without any additive.  Just like your gut has healthy bacteria, a septic system should also have healthy bacteria that breaks everything down.  Don't put ANY food down the drain and no dog waste either. 
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Yep. Your gut's bacteria is what the system uses to break sh!t down.

 
All the above - + you can go 10 to 15 years before needing to have it pumped, especially with only 2 people.

 
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