septic tank
- Thread starter scotty62
- Start date
garyt27
INAFJ
If you had it pumped 9yrs ago, then yes.
You probably have a 1000 gal vault so depending on use, about every 3 yrs.
Garbage disposal and or lots of girly stuff?
Hank
my war
Definitely should... I do it every 5-6 years..
bcp
In My Opinion
If the house is 10 years old, its at least a 1500 gallon two chamber concrete tank.
NextJen
Raisin cane
For 6 people, it's probably time to have it done. I think the rule of thumb is every 3-4 years for a family of 4, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
I just had mine done and used Lee's Septic. He was a really nice guy. Took the time to go to the County and pull paperwork to find out where exactly my septic was since I wasn't sure.
There are alot of variables and differences of opinion. Depending on when the original plan was drawn up, it may have been designed based on the number of bedrooms x 2 occupants per. Some of the earlier plans were based on, "that's what we've done before and it works ok". And assumptions are made that the plan is installed as designed.
Garbage disposals are not recommended for any type of residential sewage disposal system (septic, mound, aeration).
The purpose of pumping the tank(s) is to remove solids before they accumulate to the point of entering the leach feld, mound, etc. and clogging up the system.
Md. DOE doesn't give alot for homeowner handouts, just taxes and fees. This one from NC is a pretty good guide.
index
Garbage disposals are not recommended for any type of residential sewage disposal system (septic, mound, aeration).
The purpose of pumping the tank(s) is to remove solids before they accumulate to the point of entering the leach feld, mound, etc. and clogging up the system.
Md. DOE doesn't give alot for homeowner handouts, just taxes and fees. This one from NC is a pretty good guide.
index
As others have said, every 5-6 years is a good rule of thumb. It is well worth the expense to get it pumped regularly for a few hundred dollars than risk it overflowing and incurring that $10's of thousands expense.
I am very worried about my next door neighbors since they have never gotten theirs pumped and they have owned the house for at least 8 years. I am half tempted to offer to pay for the pumping since I don't want to have to deal with the smell and sanitation issues when that tank overflows.
I am very worried about my next door neighbors since they have never gotten theirs pumped and they have owned the house for at least 8 years. I am half tempted to offer to pay for the pumping since I don't want to have to deal with the smell and sanitation issues when that tank overflows.
As others have said, every 5-6 years is a good rule of thumb. It is well worth the expense to get it pumped regularly for a few hundred dollars than risk it overflowing and incurring that $10's of thousands expense.
I am very worried about my next door neighbors since they have never gotten theirs pumped and they have owned the house for at least 8 years. I am half tempted to offer to pay for the pumping since I don't want to have to deal with the smell and sanitation issues when that tank overflows.
The only reason a tank would overflow would be if the drain fields clogged.
And pumping the septic tank will not stop that from happening.
fromchaptico
New Member
I would absolutely have it pumped out. I had mine pumped out 2 years ago, and it cost $200. That is NOTHING compared to septic repairs, which run into the thousands, if not tens of thousands for a new system. I used Copsey Septic, and they did a fine job - ie, arrived on time, no mess, etc. They recommended every 2 years to be on the safe side and avoid any possibility of problems.
I respectfully disagree. Pumping a septic system is to remove waste that settles at the bottom of the tank. If this is not pumped regularly, it will build up to the point where what you send down the drain goes back into the house or goes into the drain field. If the tank is pumped regularly, the level never gets to the point where this situation happens.
Septic Systems
"Failure to pump out a septic tank system when indicated will result in solids or greases overflowing into the drain field, which in turn may become clogged and stop functioning. In this event, not only will the tank have to be pumped out, but the drain field may also have to be replaced."
kwillia
n/a
Exactly. On a side note... the recent drought made it reall easy to see my drainfields are still flowing nicely... the bright green pattern among the rest of the crispy brown grass made it easy to spot.
bcp
In My Opinion
Exactly. On a side note... the recent drought made it reall easy to see my drainfields are still flowing nicely... the bright green pattern among the rest of the crispy brown grass made it easy to spot.
actually, if you are seeing defined green patches over the drain field, there is a good chance that the field is failing.
Greener grass could be an indication that the drain field is no longer draining as it should and the liquid is starting to push up.
bcp
In My Opinion
The ground is never wet and we do a 2 tons of laundry weekly and grasses feed off the stuff in detergetns so until I see wetness along the soil I'm not going to freak out.
I wouldnt do anything about it yet either, but consider this.
the drain field is most likely 12 to 13 ft deep, grass roots usually dont go down past 12.
Mine went about 6 years after I noticed this before I had to put a new field in. (10k)
bcp
In My Opinion
or original one crapped out (get it? crapped out?) in 1999, it was put into service in 1931. the last six years is when I saw the greening of the grass right before the pipes went into the woods. after a heavy rain, the area just never dried up again.
It was also old terra cotta pipe that was used when it was installed. I guess, when it was installed it would have been new terra cotta pipe.....
bcp
In My Opinion
doubt the problem was in the house, sounds like it was outside the house though..
and yes, I would suspect a problem with a drain field at that point.