septic systems
I lived in the country and had a septic tank 20-something years ago. The conventional wisdom back then was that treatments and additives are a waste of money. As I recall, we had it inspected every few years to make sure it was draining properly, and that's all it needed.
Depends. If it's easy to access and you'd only be stuck paying $300 to have it pumped, the enzyme stuff is a waste. If it's on the side of a mountain and they need to bring the poops out by ATV for 11 grand...maybe dump the enzymes in there even if they don't work.
I have been told by home inspectors that the additives are a total waste of money. Basically, we were told that the less you put into the septic tank (in terms of solids) the better. So, no food down the drain, no garbage disposal in the kitchen sink, no oils down the drain, no wipes in the toilet (even if they say they are flushable), and so on. In addition, our home inspectors told us to try not to put too great a strain on the system by putting too much water through it at one time. For example, don't run the dishwasher or washing machine while you are showering, and don't run the DW and washing machine at the same time.
Of course, everything the home inspectors said could be bogus, too. I don't think the enzymes can hurt, at any rate. But do they help? Who knows?
take a 12 ft tall block of ice. Pour a dixie cup full of hot water on it. How much ice melts? Theres your answer
What does that even mean? That the enzymes produce about the same amount of results in terms of combating the gunk in your pipes and septic tank? I guess that would make sense.
PeggyC said:
What does that even mean? That the enzymes produce about the same amount of results in terms of combating the gunk in your pipes and septic tank? I guess that would make sense.
Your septic tank is a giant under ground tank full of gunk. An envelope full of sea monkeys flushed down the toilet isn't going to do *****.
Tom , mostly a wast of money in my opinion. Maybe to start off a tank it might help but everything needed for your system is already in place. Like was said, try to limit solid waste into the tank and chemicals. Don't use bleach, or drain cleaners as they will kill the bacteria in your tank. The bacteria breaks down the waste. I was told it was good to have the tank under a well planted area, think flowers ,grass, as they will help filter the waste water once it passes through the tank. As I see the logic in that , I see plenty of tanks that work fine without it.
Freeway said:
PeggyC said:Your septic tank is a giant under ground tank full of gunk. An envelope full of sea monkeys flushed down the toilet isn't going to do *****.
What does that even mean? That the enzymes produce about the same amount of results in terms of combating the gunk in your pipes and septic tank? I guess that would make sense.
Thanks, folks. It's not a lot of money, but I guess it's money worth saving rather than spending. Other good advice here, so thank you. I knew some of it.
That is true... it's not a lot of money. So if it makes you feel like you are doing something that actively helps, however little, what the heck? As long as you are doing the other things that prevent it from getting mucked up, it's all good.
I grew up with a septic system, Tom, on Long Island, and I remained totally oblivious to its workings. When I began living in apartments in various cities, I always had town sewage systems attached to my homes. The same thing was true when we bought our first houses in NJ. Then, in CT, we had to adjust to septic systems on our own property. It's quite an education!
Also, I'm guessing that your tank was sized for a family and now there are just two of you living there now, not even year-round, so there's no reason to believe your tank couldn't keep up with usage. If you were pushing capacity, I could see using preventive measures.
Wouldn't all tanks be sized based on the assumption that a family would be living there, not just a couple? Although I see your point that it's really unlikely Tom and his wife are pushing the limits of their current system, any more than my husband and I are.
As I recall, the size is based on the number of bedrooms, so they do vary.
I lived with a septic system for 9 years and had no problems and no pumping. otoh, we also had 2 people, no garbage disposal and no laundry, and the landlady said pls no coffee grounds down the drain.
Otoh, the next-door neighbors were a family of painters who laundered 3 or 4 sets of overalls and some tarps pretty much every day, and the pumper was at their house fairly often.
kthnry said:
As I recall, the size is based on the number of bedrooms, so they do vary.
Ah, OK. That makes sense. Although when I was a child, our house had three bedrooms and was lived in by a family of four. I wonder whether the assumptions have changed since then regarding how many people will live in a house and therefore how big the septic tank will be? Interesting thought.
Tom, my 2 Cents. From back in the days when I lived on a farm, we did not have to do much to the system it just took care of its self. Worked that way most of my life. Then the parents passed, my brother took the place over and problems started.
What he and I learned is that over the years, soaps changed along with style of use. Clearly the Garbage Disposal was a problem, but the Soaps were the bigger problem. Bleaches, ant-bacteria soaps and agents seem to show up in all types of products. things flushed changed as well, think lady products.
Terry had to start putting in the additives you speak of to re-start or boost the natural growth of the bacterias that make a septic tank work. It became the norm, with a 8 year cycle of pump out now and again.
So, if you use it light and are aware of Bleach, drain products, paints and what not you will be ok. Use it heavy then plan on a pump and save your $200.
Later,
Da
George
I'm living in Long Valley over 30 years and have never used additives. No problems. No garbage disposal, no flushable wipes, no sanitary products, no powdered laundry products. Used to be 5 in the house, now two, though I had an Irish wake with over 130 people, no problems. And, I've used bleach on occasion! Bad me, still no problems. And the house is 1780's, new part 1820's, though the septic is not That old!
Ha-we live in Long Valley also^
We had a new septic installed when we moved in and we told not to use additives and be careful what goes down. Had it pumped for the first time last year after 4 years- there are 3 of us including a little guy. Friday morning the alarm for it went off and it turns out the float became detached in the pump tank. Waiting for the guy to come and go in and reattach it...
When they did pump it last year they said there were a lot of paper towels in it. Not from us! My guy isn't a "flusher" of stuff. We think the installers-who were chosen by the seller and we would never recommend- had something to do with that.
The house was purchased from a couple of old men who grew up in the Depression and were extremely frugal. They skimped too much with much of the renovations and upkeep. Our plumber tells us that our septic system is undersized for the house and is allowed through grandfathering. We are planning to rent out part of the space and are adding a toilet. So we will be pushing our luck. Thanks for all the information. On the one hand, there is the reasonable argument that Freeway gives that the additive is tiny compared with the entire system. On the other hand, jgberkeley says it seems to work for a rational reason, and again, even if we're throwing money away, it's not much.
My father has been in the industry for 40 years, although not as a tradesman. He's seen many snake oil type products but again more from behind a desk and not from the field. His take (asked him today) is that there are many products on the market that don't deliver. The very nature of the industry is to develop a chemical product for a purpose then step it down a few notches and call it "Industrial strength". Pull a Thomas Edison, Essentially find the filament that will never burn out and make a lightbulb with the filament that came in 3rd place. Like you said though Tom $200 isn't a ton of money.
Proper tank size, careful usage (not flushing wipes or paper towels, no garbage disposal many of the thing people mentioned up top), and a service schedule to address issues before they happen are key.
Or go to the extreme and take a page from my fathers playbook
"No oil tanks, no septic tanks, no sump pumps" when looking at houses.
What's the normal lifespan of a septic tank? Is there some amount of time after which they should be replaced?
Most important thing to do is pump out the tank every 2 to 3 years. If you wait too long, the solids will build up too high, exit the outlet and clog the leach field.
Interesting conversation that's got me thinking. We've had a vacation home for 40 years and I don't think we've ever done anything to the septic tank. Is that bad? House is really only used three or four months out of the year. No feminineproducts have ever been allowed to be flushed, hardly, if ever, use bleach, no garbage disposal, no additives and no trouble with the system. Should I have it looked at
Two to three years is much more frequent than anyone has ever told us. We've had several guys come to pump systems or even make repairs for us, and they all say every five years is good. But maybe that's because it's just the two of us in the house. I can see that a family with kids would be putting a much bigger strain on the system.
meandtheboys said:
Interesting conversation that's got me thinking. We've had a vacation home for 40 years and I don't think we've ever done anything to the septic tank. Is that bad? House is really only used three or four months out of the year. No feminineproducts have ever been allowed to be flushed, hardly, if ever, use bleach, no garbage disposal, no additives and no trouble with the system. Should I have it looked at
Yes, it's time. You use it infrequently enough that it is probably just fine, but I think you should have it pumped and checked out to be on the safe side.
MATB, what does your plumber say? Have you ever inquired? I've been meaning to ask mine. I also have a small vacation home which fortunately had a brand new septic tank installed about 8 yrs. ago but I wonder whether I should have this done. Saw my neighbor having his pumped and thought to myself, hmmm. The home is only used about 2 weekends/month and is closed up for the winter. When the old septic tank was there, I don't remember my parents ever having it pumped out for at least 20+ yrs. But then again, it's not like we live there year round as full time residents. The house was built in the 50's and the old one was the original tank. Not sure if it had been serviced prior to that (friend of the family had the house built for her). I've recently put several treatments of the 'bacteria enzyme' in it...
Pumping interval depends on number of people and usage. When it is pumped, the septic hauler can tell if it was overdue or not. Also depends on the size of the tank. If a tank is replaced, the cost is relatively lower. If the leach field is shot, that's big bucks to replace. Pumping a 1000 gallon tank costs less than $200. Every three years it is cheap insurance
When we moved into our current home here in SC, we found out the week of our closing that our house has a septic tank, instead of being connected to the sewer lines. It's a weird neighborhood, built in dribs and drabs so some houses have septic tanks and some don't. The dingbat who sold us the house had lived here for 5 yrs and had no idea she had a septic tank!
So we lickety split had it inspected and pumped and all was fine.
Our plumber advised that we use the garbage disposal as little as possible, and don't use too much bleach. We do pour rid x down the drain monthly and hope for the best!
I'm just catching up with this thread. Thank you for all your comments. Freeway, a house with no septic tank is not an option in this area. There is no municipal water supply and no sewer. Each property has a well and a septic system. I gather that's how it is in many rural areas. This is probably why property size is 4 acres as a minimum. Ours is 2.2 acres and grandfathered into that rule.
The funny thing about that is that it is the original house of an area that has become many properties. The house was built in 1863. My wife likes old houses.
We have a septic tank and field in our upstate house. We've been putting a treatment in the toilet once or twice a month. It's supposed to prevent the need for an overhaul. Cost is less than $200/year. The product is a mixture of enzymes and bacteria which are activated with water. It doesn't seem like a lot even if it's a ripoff. Does anyone know?
The vendor is in Cliffside Park, NJ. They also install septic systems.