Septic Systems

Interesting - hadn't seen that chart before.

So with a 1000 gallon tank (our size), a family of 5 is 2 years & family of 2 is 6 years.

Given how long we went (ya, it was way too long), I'd likely not be too awful worried about going 10 years if we were 2 people.

Well if you wait too long and you have a problem you will regret it, peace of mind is priceless.

oldspark said:

Well if you wait too long and you have a problem you will regret it, peace of mind is priceless.

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Samething i tell all my customers. For a 235.00 pump every few years is it really worth possibly ruining your drain field over it?? Plus if you have a pump tank the sludge may get into the pump tank then after awhile your pump will fail over it.

It's worth it to pull the cover and see what's going on in there.

Stuff happens.

In Quebec provincial regulations recommend you empty the tank every 2 years. Some towns include the pumping service in your property tax (not here). Unfortunately there is only ONE company that empties tanks around here: $460 a hit.

I have a standard system, 750 gallon tank and emptied it after 3 years. it could have waited but I would rather be safe than sorry: chit backing up in a house mid january when it is -25C outside would not be on my "top 10 favorite memories" list.

On another note, a standard install around here costs about $6K.

Andrew

PS: anyone else have a filter on the exit of the tank that requires to be cleaned every 6 months? It prevents blockage of the septic field.

460? Eeesh. You should buy a pumper & take a course - sounds like an opportunity there.

My folks got theirs pumped when we did (same driveway). Cost us around $350 for both at same time.

I thought about a filter, but I would have had to break out some of a divider to get one in, and build a riser & manhole - so instead I just settled for building up a riser to get to the main cleanout to make it easier to pump to help take the procrastination out of next time. The effluent filter is mandatory here now on new tank installs.

After reading of the prices here I think I have it pretty good . . . I called around and I think I paid a little less than $125 for a pumping this Summer.

My pump out cost $89 three years ago. And thanks to Mackman's link, I should only have to pump out over twelve years! But I will do it every 5, just for peace of mind.
My washing machine water goes out separately as grey water along with the utility tub water. The previous residents had to have a new septic tank and field installed (about 20 years ago), and they put 6 inch pvc pipe out to the back yard about 100 feet away. You can see the exit, but it doesn't get too soggy, so it might be perforated at some point. Anyway, it, along with the softener regen water, doesn't go in the septic tank. There may be an issue if I ever sell the place, but I will worry about it when the time comes. Right now I see no problems.

Septic pumping prices range big time from one state to the next. I was talking to a guy last year in AK who was charging 600 for 1,000 gallons. But he also had a 500 mile round trip to the treatment plant where he dumped. So you have to charge prices like that just to stay in business. Then again where i live im never further away then about 25 miles from the treatment plant whee i dump.

I pay 1.8 cents a gallon to dump. But i have seen other plants charge upwards of 25 cents a gallon to dump.

Here's the odd thing: Company not one mile from me wanted $295. The company that cost $89 is two counties and nearly 80 miles away. The local landfill, where guy #1 would dump, is less than 4 miles from here.
But Carroll County charges $$ for everything. I have to contract my own trash pick-up, even though we pay the most taxes for our state; I have started taking my own trash to the dump, which costs $6 per car load. Luckily, I only have to go once every month or two, and that's only because of non-compostable fats that get rancid and stinky.

it just cost me $299 for a 1250 gallon tank and inspection of the baffles. He suggests I pump every three years (2 adults here) if only for baffle inspection.

Sweet Jebus. I love getting ripped off. But it's the only company around here. The best part: he is grandfathered to previous environmental regulations: he doesn't have to bring it anywhere to dump: he pours it into a big seepage system that has existed for 30 years. His competition is the same price but drives 600 miles return every 2 weeks to empty and pays for a disposal fee.

firebroad said:

that's only because of non-compostable fats that get rancid and stinky.

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Those burn pretty good.

Its just me and my wife with a 1500 gal tank, we went three years without pumping from a new system install and the guy said we could have gone five. I will stick with 3, its only $220. I also clean the effluent filter in the spring and fall. it takes me about 15 minutes from start to finish and is great peace of mind knowing there is nothing clogging the outlet and no leaks in the tank.

You can add an effluent filter to the outlet of your tank outside of the tank, they are also sold as a separate device so you don't have to jack around with your tanks internal baffling. I have one and the dang things needs attention frequently, like monthly, even after a pumping. It plugs up with black gooey stuff that looks more like lint and probably is. A plugging effluent filter is a good thing, beats the heck out of that same schmagma plugging my drainfield.

Highbeam said:

You can add an effluent filter to the outlet of your tank outside of the tank, they are also sold as a separate device so you don't have to jack around with your tanks internal baffling. I have one and the dang things needs attention frequently, like monthly, even after a pumping. It plugs up with black gooey stuff that looks more like lint and probably is. A plugging effluent filter is a good thing, beats the heck out of that same schmagma plugging my drainfield.

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Any recommendations on types, brands, installation?
I'm planning to install one outside the tank as you suggest.

can you post a picture or the name of the filter. I been doing this for around 10 years and never heard or seen a eff. filter outside the tank. But then again i come across stuff i never knew about on a weekly basis it seems lol

Mackman said:

can you post a picture or the name of the filter. I been doing this for around 10 years and never heard or seen a eff. filter outside the tank. But then again i come across stuff i never knew about on a weekly basis it seems lol

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https://www.thenaturalhome.com/septicfilter.htm

The first one I found with a google search. Simply a small basin outside of the main tank in which the typical in-tank effluent filter is installed. You can imagine how easy this would be to fabircate on site out of readily available materials. I have seen other more advanced inline filters but the principle is always the same.

I'm not a septic expert, but for me having the filter inside the tank keeps any possible clogs, well, inside the tank. Just my opinion though.

That filter sounds like a good idea, I might look into it, even though my laundry discharge doesn't go into the tank.
Bet it would be good for those flushable wipes,

EJL923 said:

I'm not a septic expert, but for me having the filter inside the tank keeps any possible clogs, well, inside the tank. Just my opinion though.

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You're right, in tank is ideal. These things don't usually plug up with pine cones or anything "solid". It's the very fine stuff that is too light to sink and too heavy to float like lint, hair, and sorry to be so gross but seeds. People eat lots of seeds and those things don't digest and don't settle out very well. Like any filter they also accumulate schmoock.

The external filter sumps will accumulate stuff on the bottom but again, this is stuff that would otherwise have gone to the drainfield so you're better off to collect it any way you can.

firebroad said:

That filter sounds like a good idea, I might look into it, even though my laundry discharge doesn't go into the tank.
Bet it would be good for those flushable wipes,

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Don't try it. We used em for a bit and when I checked the in-tank filer, I had lots that had been filtered. To the point that when I cleaned the filter and put it back in (with the filter out the tank doesn't let liquids into the field) the level dropped 6 inches.

Swedishchef said:

Don't try it. We used em for a bit and when I checked the in-tank filer, I had lots that had been filtered. To the point that when I cleaned the filter and put it back in (with the filter out the tank doesn't let liquids into the field) the level dropped 6 inches.

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I don't even use "good" toilet tissue; The cheaper the better it dissolves.

Swedishchef said:

Don't try it. We used em for a bit and when I checked the in-tank filer, I had lots that had been filtered. To the point that when I cleaned the filter and put it back in (with the filter out the tank doesn't let liquids into the field) the level dropped 6 inches.

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That's because your filter was plugged. The same gunk that plugged the filter will otherwise plug your drainfield and cause a backup the same way. Which do you think is easier to fix? Clean the filter and reinstall or replace your drainfield?

Highbeam said:

That's because your filter was plugged. The same gunk that plugged the filter will otherwise plug your drainfield and cause a backup the same way. Which do you think is easier to fix? Clean the filter and reinstall or replace your drainfield?

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Oh I agree 100%! I simply meant for him not to use flushable wipes: they do not decompose and they can easily float to the exit side of the tank and really clog the filter.....

trust me, I am sold on the tanks with pre-filters. I clean mine off twice a year. Clogged drain field replaced = $2000 around here + cost of cleaning house when you realize the tank is blocked and your liquids overflow.