Sewers

what is the difference between septic system and sewer system toilets.? Someone said that you cant flush ANYTHING except toilet paper (and excretion) down a septic system. (I don't know what else you would flush down there anyway?????) so what is the difference between the two

just purchased house, how do you care for septic sewer system?

I have a sewer pump that emits odors in the home. I am on a sewer -not a septic system.how do I fix it? my sewer pump pushes the waste up from my basement to the sanitary sewer.when the wind is blowing from a certain direction, the house smells of sewer waste.what could be causing this problem?

Is it necessary to have a septic tank if a house is going to be connected to a small public lagoon system? On an individual home septic system (drain-field, lagoon) a septic tank is placed inline to intercept the solids. If the house is connected to a public sewer system septic tanks are generally not used.

How do you know if you're on a septic tank or city sewer system? How would you know? No, I don't live in the country or have a well. I live in neighborhood with about 200+ houses all over.

How much would it cost (ballpark) to switch from a septic system to town sewer?

I am switching from a septic to a public sewer system what material i would need? its 400ft away from the tank

How do I hook up to town sewer system.? I have a septic system. And i would like to hook up to town sewer system.I am allready hook to town water

I have a septic system and i am being charged for sewer. Is this right?

How expensive are aerobic sewer systems? Can they be changed to septic? I'm house hunting for my first house. There's one I'm interested in. It has an aerobic sewer system. Will these systems make my electric bill high? Also, how much does it cost per month or year for a maintainance contract? I know nothing about this stuff. Can they be changed back over to septic? If anyone knows the real cost per month to own these let me know. I've researched and found that they are more maintainance and money to operate. Just want to know how much? Want to know if I should disregard this house because of this system. I don't anticipate having a lot of extra money every month to deal unexpected things like this. Thanks in advance for any help!

What does a septic system do to your backyard? If livin in the country and someone has a septic system and no town water or sewer, how does the septic effect your backyard and soil? I have seen sunken lawns already and rather not have that problem. How can you avoid this problem with a septic esp when washing clothes, or having a hose, or even a swimming pool?

Septic system problem. Cost to connect to city sewer? Thank you to all who answered my original question. Our situation is now much clearer and therefore the new question. The septic system is now handling showers, dishwaher, and toilets without backup. Baffle is ok and water is flowing down outlet pipe towards fields. Original owner told me he has had fields redone a few times since original install in 1953. One septic contracter suggested auxillary field installation on the side of my house. 18 inches deep. By the way, the soil is clay. I am asking for quotes on tapping into city sewer. Any ideas on what it should be? Must use xtra heavy 4" iron. Maybe 100 foot run and excavation. Near the street they might have to dig a hole 16 feet deep to reach sewer pipe. It would be 6 feet from my curb under the blacktop.

how much does a new aerobic sewer system cost? I need a new sewer system. We have water (dirty septic water) sitting in the back yard so I think it's time to replace the system. I live on the gulf coast of Texas and just wanting a round-about price. Thanks

which one is the best in sewage system county sewer, cesspool, or septic? which is the best water system county water, catchment water or private water

septic tank or city sewer help!!? Im looking to purchase a home with a septic system and there are only 10 homes in the city with septic systems and all others are city sewer, is this bad? Is this something that sould not want me to purchase tihis home? im lost!!

Can someone indefinitely use broken sewer pipes without backups? There has been leakage from my uphill neighbors' sewer pipes for many years. But where is the sewage (plus roof water going into it) going? Their plumber has not been able to find out where their sewer connects to the sewer system. Could it just be a big septic leaching system in their back yard, with the earth acting a sponge, bring all that diluted fecal coliform water down through my property? Is that where all the water, etc. is going?

can i run a sewer line 200 ft from my house to the septic tank? i have an existing septic system but im moving my house 200 feet away from the existing septic tank is it ok and how much will i need to pitch it

What are the pros and cons of having well water and a septic system? I'm thinking of buying a house with both. I've had city water and city sewer all my life. What can I expect? I live in southern Indiana if that makes a difference.

How do I know if my septic system is under Grandfather Clause? I have a well and the city has just started adding the city sewer down my road before now they wouldn't hook up or let us tie in. I have enough field line under ground to cover the law but also my house was built in the 50's would I be covered under the grandfather clause and not be made to change the setup I already have?

how much should i expect to pay for a new septic system? we're building a new house and sewer is not an option. is fall an ok season to put one in, or should i wait til spring? and how expensive is it from scratch?

How do you find source of septic tank (sewer) gas and how do you get rid of it? We have been having problems with smelling sewer gas in a seldom used bathroom. We just got back home (having been gone for about a week) and the smell is out side AND inside the house. We live in the country and are on a septic system (house built in 1978). Is this dangerous (until we can get this fixed)? My 8 month pregnant daughter is due to come Saturday and stay the week-end. Is this a danger to her or her baby (or other chldren)? I've never had a septic system and am concerned. Thank you.

What cleaners are safe for septic systems? We just recently moved into a home with a septic system. Used have town sewer. So I am not used to it. I Used wash with bleach every time I did whites - and with two boys and a husband - I was bleaching ALOT. Now I find that bleach can mess up the system. What else is a "No no" for septics?

Can sewer gas leak into bathroom pipes? Any plumbers out there who can help explain these bad smells? I have noticed for quite some time that occasionally, my bathroom has a strong vial smell, almost like raw sewage. No, this is not typical "bathroom odors", it is unbearably strong. I figured out it is coming from the toilet. This happens even when the toilet has not been used for several hours. I have a city sewer system, not a septic tank. What could be causing this? Can gases leak up from the sewer system? Any ideas? It seems to be getting worse and worse. Please help!! Thanks guys! It definately seems to be coming from the toilet area. One question however, if it was a problem with the wax ring (I replaced it about 6 months ago due to a leak) wouldn't there be water leaking as well? Re "Skippy's" answer. NO! Roaches?? Can they come up through the sewer pipes? OMG If that's the case, I'm all over replacing that wax ring again!

does anyone know about sewer lagoons? I am building a home in central missouri outside any city limits. I am finding out that all of the people around here have lagoons for there sewer instead of septic tanks. There is no public sewer system out here. My question does anyone know if these are safe and how to build one. My husband and I are building 98% of this house ourselves.

For septic tank owners, how do they work and what issues have you had to deal with? I am considering purchasing a 4 bedroom manufactured home that I think is lovely except for the fact that it uses a septic tank rather than the city sewer system. I would be interested to hear what people with septic tanks have had to deal with and are they a lot of trouble, etc. Thanks!

Size of Septic System ? I bought 1/2 an acre peice of land, and have been waiting patiently for sewer to reach the home, but it does not appear like its going to happen. Is it possible for some type of septic system such as the new pete moss systems or an above ground system that would fit on a 1/2 acre lot? If i'm able to buy a lot or two next to me and increase it to one acre will their be any chances? p.s.-- the lot is in Virginia

Why is there an occasional septic smell coming from my kitchen sink? We do not live on a sewer system. I am hoping it is not septic tank failure.

This may sound like a stupid question, but how do you know if you need a septic inspection? Do you need to have a septic system? And how can you tell? Where is it listed in the MLS sheet? First time homebuyer..MLS lists that the sewer is connected..and the cooling system is an individual unit if that matters.. The disclosure lists the sewer as connected to a public system.

How to do a city sewer connection? I am trying to find out how to do a city sewer tie in, I live in a small town and I only have expierience with septic systems

What could cause a melting spot in my backyard and is this common? I live in a newer suburb and we are connected to sewer system. In backyard there is a spot where the snow melts even after major snowfalls. The spot is about 10 feet from the house. I have lived rural and have seen the same with a septic system. I am under the impression that the sewer system would be connected at the front of the house.

How to clean the toilet drain? I wanted to get a chemical to dump into the toilet because it drains rather slow when flushed. I went to Wal-mart and looked at products like Liquid Plumber and Drano and all of them say NOT to use them in the toilet. 1. Why? 2. What can I buy and dump in the toilet to clean the pipes and possibly help it flush better and faster? We're in the city so it's not connected to a septic system but drains into the public sewer system. Thanks for any help

how do I make a septic tank for kitchen waste ? I Live in a fairly rocky area. I have no connection to a public sewer system. I am looking for a simple DIY solution.

What do I need to know about mobile homes? I am 23 years old and need to move out of my parents house.I considered renting an apartment, but they are expensive and I don't make a ton of money..plus you have nothing to show for in the end...you pretty much throw away your money, and the apartments I can afford don't make me feel safe. I then saw that a mobile home isn't all that expensive...a brand new double wide is going for just under $40,000. I wouldn't want something that big, as it is just me. But it all depends on the loans available. So what sort of loan terms are available? I live in NH and have very good credit. Like how many months/years is typical at what rate? I need to figure out how much I can afford. What about lot fees? How much do they run on average? I live in New England, so rates are probably more than other areas of the country. How is waste eliminated...like what sort of septic sewer system and water systems are there in a park. I know it would vary everywhere...but I am clueless. What else should I know about? I know a mobile home isn't a great investment, they depreciate and all. But still. I am in a research phase...I am not set on buying a mobile home. What are common problems with mobile homes? How much would a newer (like 2003 or newer), single wide home go for? Once again, I know that prices vary all over the country...if you know about New England market, that would be appreciated! Please answer whatever questions you can...I would like to learn anything that I can. And if you are just going to be a jerk, don't bother...thoughtful responses are really appreciated! Thank you.

Septic System Problem? Waste water is backing up into my ground level bathroom tub and toilet when I use the toilet upstairs or the shower upstairs or dishwasher. We had the sewer line snaked so it appears to be a septic tank(concrete 50 years old) or leach field issue. We are in White Plains NY and there was 3 inches of rain last week and maybe the ground saturation is the problem. My septic guy only wanted to pump the tank (a 350,00 cost which we have done as recently as 5 months ago, and usually every 2 years). I asked him is there is a way to diagnore is it is a drain field problem, or a tank problem and he said no, not without alot of expense. Suggestions please! If we attached to the town sewer line it might be cost prohibative if we need a pump($10,000 I was told) to reach the street which is a few feet higher than my septic tank and 75 feet away. I was told by my septic guy it would cost $8,000 to redo the tank and fields, as a ballpark estimate. HELP. How do I proceed? Not sure if I have a pump? Does septic seep work? It's supposed to clear th edrainfield problem. Its 50.00 a gallon and they reccommend 4 gallons.

why does sewer smell come up through my bathtub after a hot shower? This began recently, the house is on a septic system which was recently pumped. Have lived there since Oct. was fine until recently

While house hunting I saw a green tank in the basement that lead to a sewer pipe. (city sewer)What is it? Is it a left over tank from a septic system. Or is this tank a good thing to have? If the power goes out will it stop working?

how much does it cost to fix a broken septic line? we have a sewer system on our property and have a broken line

Plumbing question - After flushing - I sometimes hear a vibrating hum from the pipes below. PVC pipes? Additionally, I have a septic system....not city sewer. What could be causing the vibration in the piping?

Indiana or Clark County laws regarding sewers. Do I have to hook in? Hi, all. I am trying to find out laws in Indiana regarding sewers. They are talking about bringing sewer through our neighborhood. We just built and paid 10K for a septic system. The sewer could run 10-20K per household (plus we'd have to replumb our house or where it exits) and they said the money would be required upfront because they use contractors. This is not something we'd be able to do. We'd have to sell our home or probably lose it. One person is telling me that we would not be required to hook in or pay anything until we did want to hook in. However, I really need to see what the laws and regulations are in writing. I've been surfing for hours and can't seem to locate this information. If you can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! I spoke with the sewer department today and they are saying we will not have to hook in until/if our septic ever fails at which time we would not be issued a permit to have another septic put in (which we wouldn't want to). Apparently each town/area makes their own rules on this. I also find Wile E.'s answer to this question a little less than amusing. If someone has something intelligent to say, I will rate you positively. Just post something other than the "crappy" response he gave. :)

I broke a green sewer line. What is it? I have new land where I am grading. All the homes have septic systems. I was digging a whole for a tree, 4' from the street and sort of in between a power transformer and a street light. About 10-12 inches from the surface was a green sewer line, about 6-8 inch diameter. The line appears to be empty. I broke the line with the back hoe. What do you think this line is? Should I fix it? I dont' think it's someones septic lines because it's on my property, and it's not leach lines. Could it be some kind of drainage for something? What are your thoughts?

What could be making my tap water foamy and foul smelling like rotten eggs? Year old home on private well.? I have to run the water for a little while to make the foam and bad smell go away. Then it seems o.k. We have a septic system instead of city sewer. Please help with ideas of what it might be and how to fix it. Thank you.

Can anyone provide me with a list of products that are safe for septic systems? We are moving to the country this summer and our new house has a septic system rather than public sewers. This is very new to us and since the house also has a dishwasher, I was wondering about a septic safe dishwashing liquid, among other things. I know bleach and tampons are out-I've been doing a little research. I have also heard that rid-X can help. I have also heard the rule of thumb about "If it can't go through you, it shouldn't go through your septic system." If you have a septic and can provide me with some national (U.S.) brands that are OK for most household chores I would appreciate it! Thanks!

Why don't they make toilet paper tubes flushable? They should make them "Safe For Standard Septic And Sewer Systems'! Just think how much room you'll save in your bathrooms wastebasket. Does anyone actually put them in their recycle bin? or do you flush them anyway?

would you buy cat litter thats very high quality and tells when your cat is sick or pregnant? Pet Ecology brands is an emerging new company that is like a biotech company for pets. Their research and development team of scientists is ready to launch 7 new products for pets like fat free treats and a cat litter that is the only one not clay based, meaning its 100% flushable, won't hurt the septic or sewer systems, eliminates 100% of odors and whats cool about it changes color to indicate if your cat is ill, has diabetes or is pregnant. This cat litter is just starting to be distributed nationally and you will start to see commercials on major networks in april and may as well as ads in oprah's magazine this summer. Its very reasonably priced at 14.95 for 2-3 months supply and 3 lbs of this product works like 20 lbs of the competing brands. Question for cat lovers /owners would you be interested in buying this product? Check out petecology.com to read up on their new products. I do not work for this company just learned about the product and wanted to know if others would buy. This company was formed by vets who wanted to develop products that are 100% safe for both the pet and the environment. Its 100% safe. The "chemicals" that you're refering to aren't harmful at all. The litter changes color like a litmus test. When certain acids react you get a color change. May I ask what kind of flea/tick prevention you use? Because of any chemicals you should worry about its in those pesticides that can cause cancer in your pet long term. Pet ecology is working on a garlic based flea prevention for both cats and dogs. Check out the site. Petecology.com. Thanks for your input.

I did have a full home inspection, no septic was mentioned!? We had a home inspection and it stated in there it was public sewer because that is what was on the listing sheet. We were told today at the realtors office that when the seller purchased the home they had aeration listed on their sheet. Why didn't they list it again? I think they knew it was a bad system. I have documentation of everything and we were absolutely lied to. Who do we go after. The sanitation co. told us today, that we have the most expensive sytem made and it is $500 every two years to maintance. I had stated $3,000 at minimum and that is just what he could see. We didn't even get our $500 back today for that out of pocket expense. Yes, there should have been a septic inspection, had it been known. The home inspector we used does not cover septic systems. This whole thing is a mess and I don't know where to start. Thanks for all your responses before!

Underwear flushed down toilet? Facts- 1. We have a city sewer system (not a septic tank). 2. The toilet flushes fine. 3. I tried to snake out the toilet but the snake went through all the way without any undies. 4. The undies are from our 3 year old daughter. Should I be concerned? Or are they probably on their way to the...wherever stuff goes land? Any thoughts? Edit 1- Greeneye ROTFL

If you buy home with septic will it have permit from health dept?o? I want to purchase an old home with existing septic-back 30 or 40 yrs ago did the health dept give permits for these and would I need a new one before I move in ? I want to move in after I buy it and start other renovations (like electric) and I know eventually I will hook up to local water/sewer system( which is now available) but I need 5 months to access all the cash...(in Pa) Does any one know how this works??

sewer gasses? i have a septic tank at home .. have gone over everything .. traps , vents, etc .. still get bad smells on one end of the house by the kids bathroom only ..... i was wondering if over use could cause the smell to back up in the house .. the kids have an awful lot of friends over all day and they are constantly flushing and using the bathroom... is this to much for the septic system to handle???? where would i find the trap under the house... is it the main drain pipie for the whole house??? this problem comes and goes ... it might be days or a couple weeks with no smell then suddenly it is there .. and it only seems to come late in the evening and is real bad early in the morning ... the rest of the day .. say after 10 in the morning there is no smell

What is the best way for neighbors to fight a rezoning application at city hall? Now that sewers are in (we put our wallets where our hearts were at to save the watershed and our lake by reducing the pollution from failing septic systems), it seems the city doesn't care who wants to downgrade the R-1 zoning to R-2 just to jam in as many houses as possible to make money for the developers and destroy the integrity and character of our town--it has always been known for its rural, open, agricultural nature. We are having our property values stepped on and losing our privacy and quality of life. Most disturbingly, the proposed subdivision will interfere with a wildlife connector along a creek between two parks. HELP!

Do I need to contact a lawyer for seller fraud? I just purchased a home 1 week ago. To make a long story short, my listing sheet stated that the home had public water and sewer. A few days in we started to notice that toilets were not flushing. Sat an alarm starts to sound in the laundry room. It was for a septic system. We went for three and a half days with no working toilet, water etc. It was never disclosed that the home was on a septic system. Needless to say, we had to spend $500 today just to get it to function, to use the facilities. It's going to cost in total to fix $3,000. We were lied to. the seller knew it was septic. I have a document he wrote out at day of closing that he made out with all of our utilities . One of the names was for an aeration system. Us being new home owners thought that the word sanitation meant trash service. We went to our realtor and were bascially told that they were sorry. I would have never bought this home if I knew it didn't have public sewer. What do I do?

Any plumber types on this fine morning? Slow draining toilet ( on a town sewer)- I've plunged it to no avail. I guess a snake is next,huh. Why can't I use liquid Plumber type stuff on toilets?It says" safe for all septic systems" and "cuts thru standing water". Why not? If it matters , I rent and my landlord is an absentee (slum) lord so if it wrecks something I can blame on his neglect, fine. If it makes something blow up spectacularly, sweet.If it levels the place, well , that's a bit much. The housewas built in 18-0- something- cloth wires, plaster lath, old plumbing obviously as well, but the line from the house to the sewer was replaced 2 yrs. ago. Whats the deal. Thanks ! Wow-you guys are great ("guys" being a bi-gender term)!OK- The waste line is probably OK as it was done the winter before last, right? The crapper has not actually backed up- just SOOO slow. Negative on feminine products going south either. I don't want to call the pros yet- I might actually learn something today! To the Depot for an Auger goeth I!!! (it's called a stool? Thats funny. If I take a piece of it to HD, is that a "stool sample"? ;)

Is a landlord allowed to charge a fee for rent receipts? Our landlord increased our rent $20.00 in June of 07. Now we where informed today April 2008 that we have to pay him for garbage removal of $12.75 a month. We live in a mobile home park in Pennsylvania. Garbage, water a sewage has always been included with rent until now. Also rent receipts will cost us $5.00 a month. Is this legal? Our sewer system was to be up graded within a year of this new landlord taking over in May of 2007, We are still waiting. The stench at times is unbearable. He just bought a new mobile home court while we live with a bad septic system. The lease is considered month to month for our mobile home park community.

How to fight your local government (Ohio) The general health district in Clermont County Ohio has a program called their Basic System Assessment. This is where they go around to every resident in the county that is NOT hooked up to the public sewer system and "assess" the condition of their on-site sewage system (in my case, a septic tank & leach lines) every 38 months. Well, they have an amazing number of "failing systems", of which they require complete replacement (an average of $25,000 - $35,000 per system all their permitting and re-assessment fees). As for the BSA itself, they charge you $30 to come inspect, then $45/mo. for each month your system goes without the "required" replacement. This year, they chose to do their inspections in May (Southern Ohio got 18" ABOVE the average rainfall for May during this time) - soggy yards everywhere - and EVERY house on my ENTIRE street failed the inspection. I have since paid a professional inspection company to come inspect our system and they said they can't find a single problem. No seepage, no odor, no nothing! The county does not publish the "laws" for this inspection, and there is no appeals process. How does one go about fighting something like this? How can the county force me to spend $25,000 to replace a system that is only 20 years old, and that an independent, licensed company has said there is no problem with? Any ideas?

How to get rid of sewer smell in basement? I live in a ranch home with septic system. Previous owner(s) added a bathroom (toilet and sink) in the basement with no venting system that I can see (drywalled). I think they figured they didn't need one since there is a ejector pit in the basement that is vented. Problem is the smell goes up the 4" waste line and not the 2" vent line? Any way to add a vent with out breking up a bunch of concrete? How about adding some type of flapper valve in the ejector pit that will allow waste to go into the ejector pit but when nothing is flowing, the flapper will close and the smell would go up the vent line?? The smell is coming from my basement, it's tough to figure out from where exactly. but it seems to be coming from the basement toilet. I can fill it and within 24 hours it has lost most of the water in the toilet and then the smell starts to worsen if you don't keep water in the toilet base. I am 99% sure they don't have any vents on the bathroom. Just using the ejector pit vent that is about 5 feet away. The ejector pit is sealed up and nothing smells from there. Also have naother bathroom in the basement that is not finished. Just roughed in for toilet, shower and sink. No vents on any of these.

Can someone help me write a persuasive essay? Its about why people should buy Charmin toilet paper. Here is what my essay needs to include: 1st paragraph - (i forget) 2nd paragraph - reasons 3rd paragraph - emotional appeal, rational appeal, answering the opposition, predicting the consequences 4th paragrah - strong conclusion Here's my notes: Charmin is safe for sewers and septic systems. Charmin is super soft, non irritating to skin, safe for pipes ans septic tanks, strong, absorbant, reasonably priced. Buying Charmin MegaRoll actually helps save the planet. Bigger rolls mean less packaging and waste. I also have to include facts, appeals, statistics and examples. Please, Please help me. I really need to raise my English grade.

What happens if you flush baby wipes that say do not flush? We have a sewer system toilet not a septic tank or anything.....

How often can you run lye through the drain line? Specifically, how often can I put a gallon of Main Line Cleaner, made of sodium hydroxide and pottasium hydroxide - the strong stuff - into my 4" cast iron sewer line? I am in a city with a municipal sewer line - not a septic system. Thanks in advance. I'd like to know if this can be done once a month for a maintenance routine or if that is too often. I don't want to eat through my iron pipes and I just wonder if anyone knows the limitations. I will not be able to tell if I have gone too far, as the line exits through the cinder block foundation and runs through the dirt next to the house for approx. 40 feet before re-entering the basement. There is a 40 foot run that I can not inspect for damage.

Can someone help me write a persuasive essay? Its about why people should buy Charmin toilet paper. Here is what my essay needs to include: 1st paragraph - (i forget) 2nd paragraph - reasons 3rd paragraph - emotional appeal, rational appeal, answering the opposition, predicting the consequences 4th paragrah - strong conclusion Here's my notes: Charmin is safe for sewers and septic systems. Charmin is super soft, non irritating to skin, safe for pipes ans septic tanks, strong, absorbant, reasonably priced. Buying Charmin MegaRoll actually helps save the planet. Bigger rolls mean less packaging and waste. I also have to include facts, appeals, statistics and examples. Please, Please help me. I really need to raise my English grade.

RV maintenance help? The family is renting an RV again this summer and I am trying to figure out how to empty the sewer. Last summer I tried emptying the poop from the vehicle and the hose unloaded all over my mailman who was underneath the RV helping me connect the hose. where can i read how to clean out the septic system from an RV ?

Questions about our drain field.? We have been told our drain field has to be replaced at a tune of about $4000.00. The thing is, within about 1 to 2 years the county I live in will have installed a sewer system which will make the $4000.00 a hugh waste! So we are just going to have the septic pumped every 2-3 months at $225.00 a pop, but it is still cheaper. My question, any suggestions on how to make the 2-3 months stretch any farther? We do the obvious, IE: limit water use, limit flushes, wash large loads, don't put anything down the garbage disposal, etc... I didn't know if there were any other tricks of the trade someone could suggest. Thanks in advance!! The county really is putting in sewers. They have done about 1/2 of the county already. We are projected to be started on in a year, that is why I pushed it to 2 years since I know how things go. Also, $4000.00 was the average bid from 3 different companies.

septic tank refilling from leech bed? My 1000 gal septic tank works great all year except during heavy rain when the water table is the highest. When the water table is high the leech bed flows back into the tank with water. I believe i have some above ground issues with water runoff. I think my problem is coming from water following my sewer line from the house to the front of the tank and leeching under the tank to the leechbed and runoff. Is it possible that there is just to much ground water under any circumstance for any system to work at all.