? on Septic Tanks

[rossc]

The tank isn't the problem, it's usually the leach field that gets clogged up. If the tank is not pumped when it's supposed to be, solids can make their way out into the leach field. The leach field is like a big filter. Liquids go out into the leach field and are filtered through the sand and stone in the leach field. If solids make their way to the leach field, it can get clogged, just like a filter can get clogged. If the leach field gets clogged, then liquids have no place to go and the whole system backs up. Proper maintenance will prevent any problems and the cost to maintain it is minimal. I think I paid $150 every two years to have the tank pumped.

The sewer inspection will reveal any problems, but better than 50% of the time, the system fails inspection. Every house I've ever bought that had a septic tank failed the inspection and the seller had to replace the system.

[barger]

Originally Posted by rossc

The tank isn't the problem, it's usually the leach field that gets clogged up. If the tank is not pumped when it's supposed to be, solids can make their way out into the leach field. The leach field is like a big filter. Liquids go out into the leach field and are filtered through the sand and stone in the leach field. If solids make their way to the leach field, it can get clogged, just like a filter can get clogged. If the leach field gets clogged, then liquids have no place to go and the whole system backs up. Proper maintenance will prevent any problems and the cost to maintain it is minimal. I think I paid $150 every two years to have the tank pumped.

The sewer inspection will reveal any problems, but better than 50% of the time, the system fails inspection. Every house I've ever bought that had a septic tank failed the inspection and the seller had to replace the system.

You are correct when you say the solids making their way into the leech field (field line) are the problem. The tanks can sometimes be the problem and is often the most neglected part of the system.

I am in your camp, have your tank pumped. An average family of four on a 1,000 gallon tank should never go more than 3 years between pumpings. Get those solids out of there.

If the tank is not watertight, it can cause the tank to become hydraulically overloaded. The water enters the tank in the first compartment, stirs up the the solids in to suspension, and then they are channeled out into the leech line (field line). The tank can and cannot be the problem. Published Article about I&I into septic tanks Look on Page 22 for the start of the article.

[newb2tenn]

Originally Posted by MarkDaugherty

Sellers in Tennesse are required to provide a disclosure to prospective buyers about their septic system. If this has not been provided to you, proceed with caution.

Explain disclosure. We are prospective buyers of a house that has been empty for about 1 year. The Owner was supposed to provide a "clear and functional" septic system certificate. The septic inspector says that the ground looks good but since the house has been empty, he will not do certain tests and marks them null.

[verlando]

Originally Posted by rossc

The tank isn't the problem, it's usually the leach field that gets clogged up. If the tank is not pumped when it's supposed to be, solids can make their way out into the leach field. The leach field is like a big filter. Liquids go out into the leach field and are filtered through the sand and stone in the leach field. If solids make their way to the leach field, it can get clogged, just like a filter can get clogged. If the leach field gets clogged, then liquids have no place to go and the whole system backs up. Proper maintenance will prevent any problems and the cost to maintain it is minimal. I think I paid $150 every two years to have the tank pumped.

The sewer inspection will reveal any problems, but better than 50% of the time, the system fails inspection. Every house I've ever bought that had a septic tank failed the inspection and the seller had to replace the system.

This is a several year old post but I'm hopeful that ROSSC might still be here and see this. I just had the "septic inspection" on a house we're looking at buying and was a little surprised that the focus seemed to be on the tank, floats and pump. My nightmare has been more around that drain field (leach field). ROSSC mentioned that in each of the three houses he bought, the septic system failed inspection and I'm wondering who did those inspections to help me get a more thorough inspection process done. TIA