Septic Tanks

[Audwoman]

Tell me about Septic Tanks. Are they a nightmare?

I am considering a house that has one and I have never had Septic, do not have a clue what trouble this may add to my life.

[boo]

Ugh, that's why we're looking for a small acreage within the city with city water & sewer. We've never had one but our friend does and its been a nightmare for him. I've heard how they have to clean it and when it needs repairs..:-x

[DandyLioness]

"They" say that if a septic system is built properly, it should look after itself. I've had a septic system for 25 years. Since there are only 2 of us in the house, We have it cleaned once every 10 years. We're due for another cleaning in 5 years. I'm on city water, though.

You don't flush bleach or medicine down your toilet.

It's really surprising what people flush down their toilets. Coffee beans, diapers, plastic bags, paper towels, clothing! If you use common sense, you'll be OK.

Google it. There's lots out there.

[Audwoman]

It is amazing I called the Water Co to inquire if I could pay to have it switched over and they laughed they said they tried and everyone on the road all 20 homes denied the opportunity.

Boo, this house is not out in the country it is a small road with houses that have 3 - 6 acres. It is only 2 min from the main busy road. I started looking back at the houses I have considered and all of them if they were acre or more they were septic all city water like Dandy. I never noticed that before.

Dandy I do not know what people are thinking. Even being on public sewage all my life I have never flushed anything other than toilet paper. If you flush anything crazy even on public sewage you can back up your house. :o

[MaryG]

Although I'm on city sewer right now I have had homes on septic and they're fine as long as they're properly put in. Inspecting the septic system would be something you should get an expert (like a home inspector) to do before making an offer on a home. If you get them cleaned out once in awhile they should last a good long time if not a lifetime. With just you and your mom and for now your daughter living in the home the septic system shouldn't be overwhelmed.

When you think they need cleaning just look in the yellow pages and call up the guy we fondly know as "The Sh*tsucker" and he'll come and take care of the problem for you.

[erdine]

:lol:Mary.
Aud, we had a septic tank for many years on our acreage, and had no problems at all.just don't drive over the septic field. if you're on well water, make sure the well is above the septic field, and a long ways away. you don't want sewage draining into the well.

[Pennylee]

We had septic tanks in the early days before we could get sewerage, and
I'd say they are not too bad, although we ended up with several extra
tanks dug in the back garden, If you have the tank pumped out, the
smell is dreadful, but of course it dissipates eventually.
Care certainly needs to be taken to avoid disposal of foreign objects into the
toilet.

Sewerage takes a lot more water and is more expensive altogether. (At
least it proved to be in our situation)

[Audwoman]

Thanks everyone. I feel a little more confident. I guess I really am a city girl. I have not known anyone with Septic or had expereince with a septic. I got this glazed look when I asked everybody.

I think I will knock on some doors and ask the neighbors why they would not let the street go on public sewage. Our sewage bills are only about 100.00 every quarter. I would not think they think they are saving alot of money. :unsure:

[Cazimere]

The initial hookup to city sewer can be costly in some areas.
Around here it can be between 5,000 and 11,000 dollars.

[PRH]

Also it needs to be inspected every 6-8 months,around here anyways and my cousin needed to have his all removed and replaced with new and then pay for another inspection on top of that. ( he said that he never/ever would have another system like that as long as he lives ):o

[PRH]

My septic doesn't need to be inspected every 6-8 mos. We have had no problems in 6 years. I think as long as you have town water I wouldn't think twice about it.


Apparently your 1 of the lucky ones! ( its rather a big headache around here to deal with ) :grin: Good Luck! :p

[Hooked on gardening]

My septic doesn't need to be inspected every 6-8 mos. We have had no problems in 6 years. I think as long as you have town water I wouldn't think twice about it.

[erdine]

i'ts very expensive for the intial hookup here too, I know one couple paid 10,000.00, they were a ways from the main road. I would have stayed with the septic. and being on a well sure makes you conserve water. we would have problems by September, even in this rainy part. but we get very dry summers.

[Gregory]

I have to agree on getting it inspected. Old septic tanks can be trouble and in the old days the systems were not as well thought out as they are now. My septic system is a time-bomb waiting to happen because I have a pump that sends everything up-hill to the drain field. When you have to have an alarm on your septic it is never a good thing. Someday that pump is going to wear out and it is going to be expensive to fix.

Gregory

[Wingdesigner]

You do have to be careful where you locate the leach field, and what you put on top of it. The little bacterial guys that do their thing under there need to "breathe" or "transpire" or something, so no trees or large shrubs. Prairie Nursery makes a special "wildflower septic field mix", just for that purpose. Installing a lawn over it is what most folks do, but lawns require a lot of water, and that's just what you don't want over your field. You may want to do a search through your local state government website, under "septic systems" or "Mound-type septic systems". MI has one and I learned a lot, diagrams and all.

[Audwoman]

I do not know where it is located on the property. I looked for it and did not find it. I am going Saturday with the builders and the realtor and see if we can put together a building plan and inspection.

I still am puzzled why the neighbors fought the burough to stop the water co from making the street public sewer. I live in this borough and our sewage bill is cheap it is a quarterly bill of about 40-50. I am going to knock on some door Saturday and ask some questions. :mad: If you do not see me for a few days you know the neighbors threw me down the septic as bacteria. :lol:

[Kildale]

When the septic field goes, it will cost you 1000's. The best thing that happened here, we had the chance to go onto sewers.

[Wingdesigner]

Oh noooo! :o Naughty neighbours! Don't be throwing our Aud away. But then, I've left instructions for the DH to compost me--at least I'll have contributed something!:lol:

[MaryG]

Whoops, be careful there Aud! I'll be curious to know what they say when you ask them about it.

[Wingdesigner]

Did I mention that my grandpa built the home where I grew up? Because apparently he put in a septic system--it was one of the first houses in the (then) township. Apparently when the (new) City put in the sewer system, they ran the pipe in one side of the tank and out the other. My parents never knew this. Decades later, when tree roots backed up the drain into the house (gray water, thank goodness), the plumber discovered the whole mess. Said in 25 years he'd never seen anything like it. Probably 'cuz it was waaay more than 25 years old! Did I mention this happened about four days before I was hosting a big party of about 15 people (and no potty!) Worked out, though, because it was a Hawaiian theme and they all thought I really dug a pit for the pig roast! Decided it was the better part of valour to NOT say what the pit was really for...:ph34r:

[Audwoman]

Wingdesigner, your Grandpa was good sounds like he was quite a good builder.

I will be sure to come and tell what I find out tomorrow why they did not want the hook-up. I hope it is not because they did not want to spend the pennies.

[Audwoman]

Well I was with the builder for 4 hours. He gave me some good advice and plans of how to expand the house and the price is not bad. I will make the offer Monday to buy the property.

I found out the reason my possible future neighbors did not go public sewage was the price to convert. The township would pay from the street but the cost from their property to the street was 5,000 - 10,000.

The petition for change was circulated because one of the homeowner's septic had failed and he did not have the money to fix his tank he thought public would be cheaper. Because the homeowner was not in a financial position to fix his problem he lost his house. I saw the new owners of his property working on digging it up today.

[Wingdesigner]

Ooooh, ouch. Well, congratulations, I guess, are in order? Big Breath, in, out, several times slooowly--no hyperventilating here, OK? Wow. So your particular system passed inspection? Did they say when the last clean-out was? This may be a dumb question, but: Is there a way to check with the city/township/whoever to see if there were any building or code violations in the last several years? Would give you a hint. Is there a home warranty? I suppose your offer is contingent on the home passing inspections; is there a clause for recourse if something comes up after the sale that wasn't disclosed prior to the sale? One more thing, if you have well water, did that other guy's septic failure contaminate the groundwater? If you have city water then never mind. I apologize if all this sounds condescending or paranoid--in my other life I was an insurance claims adjuster and the job tends to make one pessimistic, to say the least. Sorry. I know you've searched long and hard, so if you're offering on this place it must be pretty good. You're not "settling" are you? Whoops, there I go again! Congrats, and you know we'll all be clamouring for photos...

[Audwoman]

:lol: Slow down I am at the beginning stages here. I first had to find out if I could get a builder to make it the house of my dreams. The land was there for my first part of my dreams. Now comes the offer and haggling and all the inspections.

The sewer system has only had the owner description of condition and previous problems which they said is "none". The builder eye balled it and said he thinks it is in good shape. Built as it should be. I will be getting a through inspection.

Now to answer your other questions, and please anything you think of please do not hesitate to say them. I want all the information anybody has.

Is there a way to check with the city/township/whoever to see if there were any building or code violations in the last several years? In my area the code enforce has to inspect every home before it can be occupied.

Is there a home warranty? NO

disclosure prior to the sale? That is the law in PA. I can sue them if they did not disclose

well water? It is Public Water

You're not "settling" are you? What I have worked myself into is I am not going to get what I want exactly. So I decided to find the land and either build or re-configure the existing house.

Would you believe in my adult life I have brought 4 houses and never had an inspection other than the required terminte inspection and never had one problem. This one I have/and will give it every test I can think of or any suggestions of test, questions anyone suggest.

Please you cannot insult me. I do not and will not know everything. So continue asking me questions and making suggestions. All are appreciated and I know you are only helping me. You can PM, email me anything. When this is over I am going to throw a big party and eveybody is invited.

[Pennylee]

Audwoman, when we built our house a long time ago, septic sewerage was
just about the norm, and before that, except for near city areas, the
system was a primitive removable pan method, so you could say that
the septic system was quite a relief from that ! In other words, we lived with
it as a family for many years, until the general sewerage system became
not only possible but compulsory. From memory, it cost a few thousand
dollars to attach the house, quite a large amount to spend in those days.
Also, I understand the amount of water used rose.

What I am rambling on about is that I know in practical terms both
septic and general sewerage systems, and I don't think, unless you have
distinct problems with your particular site, that you should lose sleep over
the septic system. It needs maintenance like anything else, that's all.

[Wingdesigner]

Whew! Glad my big mouth didn't get me in trouble that time!:rolleyes: You just continue on that path, you're waay ahead of me. :thumbs: And I'll :banana: at your party, whether in person or in spirit! All the best.

[donybee]

I've read with interest all the comments good and bad about Septic systems here. I can tell you going from the outhouse to indoor plumbing was a great change.:lol::lol:In all seriousness I have lived with septic systems for 78 years and had very few problems over the years. There are of course some precautions you should take when using them. What goes in can cause problem in some cases. Tampons and items of that sort should never be flushed down. Also we were never to use Kleenex or colored tissue. ( I can't say either way whether that is true, but I have abided by that rule.) An application of yeast now and then keeps the bacteria working. I use Ridex on mine every now and then. With two families on mine with kids I have had very little problems. The important thing to check is making sure the leach bed is working properly with good drainage. I've had mine pumped out twice in 40 some years, but my big problem is the fact that the laundry water goes in the tank also and the detergents in the laundry can cause problems. I never had a problem with odor. It has got a little more expensive to have pumped out as the sludge has to be dumped in a certain type of disposal area and those costs have risen. My last pump out was three years ago at a cost of 345.00 and they told me then that it really didn't need pumped as the bacteria was working well. With renters using it also with three kids I just didn't want any problems. The old homestead is now on a sewage system that cost me 26 dollars a month. I just wouldn't be overly concerned about it if they say it's working properly.

[MrSeedy]

We had a septic system , when I was a kid, and having seen a number of home and building shows since then, only decades later, I'm amazed on a small lot , that it's even possible to use a septic system, and our water was from a shallow well, not thirty feet from the septic tank, I'd guess. I wouldn't think having one on a small lot is even possible , or at least to work safely and properly without some considerable land for the leach field. Oh well, but we did replace our once though only there for ten years, and the old one was very old, and also had it pumped once as I recall. Luckily we had enough sense with our very poor water from a shallow well, to never use it for cooking or drinking, though we did shower and wash with that water, and even that may have been risky. At any rate , the few comments I've made are as good as my memory from forty plus years ago, and I may have forgotten something important perhaps. Ours also got the wash water, and it was treated water with a water softner , if that also makes a difference. I'd not have one though , considering possible problems , which do happen sometimes, unless a city hookup isn't available of course!