We have well water and a leach bed septic system, I guess you would say. There have been approximately 7 people on average for 9 months & 4 people on average for 4 months time total. I have been told it needs done yearly and I have also been told it needs done every couple of years. I have no idea what is correct and don't want to find out the hard way!
2007-06-28 03:01:57 · 15 answers · asked by amason1226 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Acermill is right, with the larger amount of people using the system, you would want to have it done on a yearly basis. Make sure you keep adding bacteria into the system, to keep it working properly. Rid-x is good, or flush yeast down the toilet. You can't hurt it, so keep adding bacteria on a monthly basis, especially if you use chemical cleaners. These kill the bacteria, and your system won't work. Good luck!
2007-06-29 02:37:46 · answer #1 · answered by poppyman54 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You're asking some good questions! First you should find out exactly what kind of septic system & well you have and where all the parts of each of them are located. Your local health department will have this information.
How often to pump out the tank?
http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0740.html
Do not waste your money with any kind of septic system additives, they do not work and some can damage your system. See http://www.shelterpub.com/_shelter/ssom_additives.html for an excellent, non-biased article.
The septic tank is the protector for whatever is after it (leach field, sand filter, mound, cesspool, etc) and you're much better off pumping it out more often than less often. If you have teenagers, I count them as 1.5 to 2 people, since most of them use significantly more water than the rest of us, meaning pump out the tank more often if you have teenagers.
In theory, if you never use the system, it will never fail - so, the less water you put into it, the longer it will last. Use low flow faucets and toilets, if you're replacing a washer, use a front loader or one of the new high efficiency machines.
Last bit of advice - the only thing that should go into the system is what comes out of you naturally and toilet paper. Again, don't waste your money on additives.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.
2007-07-02 04:21:34 · answer #2 · answered by yspring 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many factors that determine how often you will need to empty your tank. Yearly sounds a bit excessive. Generally 4 years is about the maximum. To say when you really need to have it pumped would require a look in the tank to check the solids level.
Some areas have regulations about the frequency of pumping, so you should check with the authority that regulates septic systems in your area. They may have some better guidance as well as they know your soil conditions a bit better.
In the absence of better information, every two years or so is a nice medium.
2007-06-28 03:19:37 · answer #3 · answered by be_a_lert 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Annually would be the a good idea. There are bio digest er bacteria available thru home depot which should be added to the septic system. Remember not to use bleach in your septic system 'cause it kills the good bacteria. Also feed your septic system with spoiled milk products weekly( don't go overboard on this )
2007-07-05 16:41:04 · answer #4 · answered by Pfuzzy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
With that number of humans using the system, I think yearly is a good thing to do. You're putting quite a fair amount of solids into the tank of that system with that many folks using it.
When the tank fills with solids, guess where it's going to go ? Why, directly INTO your leach bed ! You don't want that to happen unless you want to pay to install a new leach bed.
2007-06-28 03:08:07 · answer #5 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you use Roebic in your tank. You just may not need to have it pumped.They make a few different kinds so look on the can for the one that dissolves toilet paper.
It's a good product for dissolving toilet paper and adds the necessary bacteria to eat up the waste.
Instructions are to use it once a year, but since you feel you may be overloading your system, you can use a little more.
It requires one can of Roebic per 500 gallons of tank. Like I mentioned, you can increase that if you want.
10 bucks a can. Any hardware or plumbing store.
Our local retail plumbing store has it, but the wholesales stores don't.
I suggest waiting to see how your system does before you have it pumped.
2007-06-30 15:28:40 · answer #6 · answered by rangedog 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The neighbor, with two people living in the house, has it done yearly.
We have had it done once in thirty years with two people living in the house. My spouse checks it out every other month or so..we have two places to remove a "cap" and look into it...and he treats it also.
We have never had a problem. We also, are on a well.
2007-06-28 03:14:40 · answer #7 · answered by Boopsie 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
avery 4 years with 7 people in the house .
2007-07-05 12:24:06 · answer #8 · answered by canivieu 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I were you I'd call a company that deals with septic systems and ask them.
2007-07-05 12:12:22 · answer #9 · answered by Rochelle N 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depending on the size of your septic tank it is anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 years.
2007-06-28 03:07:17 · answer #10 · answered by Crowdpleaser 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋