Besides the obvious "it smells bad" when do you know? It seems like water is getting backed up in our pipes and draining slowly, this happens with every drain (shower, bathroom sink, toilet, dishwasher)
Its almost like they are clogged... should we get the septic tank drained?
(I dont know when it was done last, we are renters...)
2006-12-12 05:03:56 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It would help to know when it was drained last. Either way, it is either plugged or needs to be pumped. Contact your landlord and let them know right away.
2006-12-12 05:08:01 · answer #1 · answered by mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it needs drained. Depending on the number of people in the household, I would say every couple of years. When I had a family of 6 that is about when we had ours done. Here is a link to a chart about that subject.
http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/tankpump.htm
You may consider dumping a septic tank treatment like rid x down there, after you get it pumped. Just follow the directions on the bottle. Any hardware or ranch supply store should carry that type of product. Good luck.
And some more info for you.
Possible Signs of Trouble
The septic tank has not been pumped out in the past five years. Even if the system appears to be working well, sludge may have built up to the point where waste water is released without sufficient time in the tank for treatment and settling of particles. This situation may result in pollution of groundwater or cause eventual clogging of the drainfield.
A wet area or standing water occurs above the drainfield. This situation can develop when sludge particles clog the drainfield, when tree roots or broken pipes keep the waste water from dispersing through the entire drainfield, or when water use in the house regularly exceeds the design capacity of the system. When these conditions occur, waste water does not move through the soil as it should, and instead rises to the surface creating a serious health risk and odor problems.
Toilets run slowly or backup: in the worst cases, the basement is flooded with sewage. This can be the result of plugged sewer lines to the tank, a plugged inlet or outlet pipe, a full septic tank, or a failed drainfield.
Septic odors occur in the house, above the tank and drainfield, or escape from the vent pipe. If the system is operating properly, there should be no odors. If there are odors, it can be an early warning sign that the system is failing.
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/wye/personel/Miller/septic.html
2006-12-12 05:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The septic tank should be pumped when it is one third full of solids on the bottom. How do you know? You don't. Usually it should be pumped every 2 or 3 years, some do it every year. This is usually mandated by the county or jurisdiction you live in, or the state. Take the lid off the tank and see if the effluent level is over the outlet. If it is then your system is plugged, if not you may have a plug between the house and the tank. This can be resolved without pumping the tank. FYI make sure the pumper does not pump the tank dry cause it is harmful for the backteria.
2006-12-12 06:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by HEART ATTACK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the sound of the flush is followed by "omg" it's coming into the tub!
Get some Rid X. Flush the contents of the box down the toilet. It adds bacteria to your tank to help break down solids and adds life in between empties.
I had one for years, only called the honey wagon once.
2006-12-12 07:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately contact the landlord. If it is affecting all of the drains then it probably is the septic. You don't want it backing up into your house, and it will.
2006-12-12 05:08:09 · answer #5 · answered by hllyrch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably needs to be drained..
You would have to open the top and probe it to determine
as to whether it needed to be drained...
Not really a job you want to do , especially as a renter..
2006-12-12 05:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have described the symptoms of a tank that needs to be cleaned out. Contact the landlord.
2006-12-12 05:06:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it is time to call your landlord on this problem.. It is up to them, since you are only renters. I would think they would be very co-operative as it could cost them some big bucks if not taken care of.
2006-12-12 06:00:38 · answer #8 · answered by Kitty Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Kim...good luck.
Now, as far as your question. If you flush, and it doesn't go down all the way, get it pumped.
Sounds like my old house on Barnes Rd. in Santa Rosa CA.
2006-12-12 05:13:09 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it spews gunk all over your lawn.
Talk to your landlord.
2006-12-12 05:06:06 · answer #10 · answered by aanstalokaniskiodov_nikolai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋