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!
Public Comments
- I been on a septic tank for 15 year, had it pump out after 12 years at a cost of $125.00. This is cheaper than city sewer. Just try not to put oil or grease down the drain (large amount).
- Like most of the items in our homes, maintenance is the key. The tank needs to be pumped out every five years or so. The waste from the house enters the septic tank, which captures the solids and lets the liquids drain into a leech field. The solids decompose naturally with bacteria. If cleaned out regularly, they are mostly trouble free. Using bleach or other chemicals can disrupt the decomposition process by killing the bacteria.
- As long as you get it pumped regularly (check local ordinances, my old township required it every 5 years), and don't put large amounts of toxic chemicals in it, they're fine. If you're worried about what not to put down there, it's easy: If you wouldn't pour it on the ground, don't pour it down your drain. Motor oil, antifreeze, paint, etc- you shouldn't be pouring that down the drain anywhere anyway. Don't bother with those scam "Flush this down your toilet every month and never need your tank pumped again!" things, the only thing you're flushing is your money. Like the other person said, the money you spend every 5-10 years getting it pumped is WAY cheaper than a public sewage bill.
- Welcome to the country. It's a whole different world here. Septic tanks work same as the city except you get them pumped every 8-10 years. Not expensive. Biggest adjustment is the taste of water.
- Since it's a mobile home I'm wondering if you are referring to a holding tank rather than a tank with a leach field. If it's a holding tank, you just have it pumped out every so often. The key to having a good septic system is treating it right. We had our garbage disposal taken out when we moved to our house with a septic system, because I wasn't going to put food down there. It's far cheaper to throw food out or compost it as appropriate. We stopped using any cleaners that are petroleum-based, have fragrances, etc. We definitely use no bleach, and don't have any in the house. In short, having a septic system has made me a lot more conscious of what I'm pouring onto the earth, and that has to be a good thing. The only thing that still concerns me is where the pumped-out stuff is going when it's taken away, because in many areas they are spraying it onto fields where food crops are grown. I find it hard to believe that's legal, but apparently it is. I wouldn't want to contribute to that.
- I agree partially with the answers that have been given. You have to understand a little bit how a septic tank works to understand a septic tank. What you flush down the drain goes into a tank, usually a 1000 gal tank, the solids normally stay in the tank and the bacteria commences to break them down. All liquids pass into the leach field. The leach field is a set of 3 inch septic pipe with holes in it. It is down in the earth about 6 ft. Under neath the leach field the backhoe digs down until they find the soil that will most drain the septic easily and then that is filled with 3/4 river rock,round rock, that is conducive to drainage. So you see, you have rock, the septic pipe, covered by septic cloth and then covered by soil. As far as septic cleaner, we put reobic or equivalent each time we leave home for an extended stay. Have fun in your new home/
- basically ,a septic tank ,separates liquid wastes from solid wastes, the heavier solids sink to the bottom ,there bacteria breaks down the solids,but not very efficiently because there is little oxygen,so usually the solids build up till the tank gets full,then you call a guy and he pumps it out...the liquids run out into a drain field,and soak into the ground or evaporate..........problems, like i said sometimes pump it out,tree roots clog the pipes in the drain field,excess rainfall might flood the tank and back up your toilet. some soils don't soak-up the liquid as well as others and it rises to the top and smells,especially on hot days........tom
