Buying House with Septic System

[sandman2234]

The only things that go into my septic tank are the three toilets. I've never even had mine pumped out.

I had mine pumped in order to do some work on the inlet pipe. There was very little sludge in the tank after 19 years.(less than a foot) The guy pumping said I didn't need it pumper, till I explained why I was doing it. Mine was pumped b4 closing when I purchased the house. No issues with septic tanks, if you realize how they work. Check to see if bleach is ever used, as a little will kill a septic system. Best to put bleach cleaners in a separate tank.
David from jax

 

[California]

When Covid came, everybody bought antibacterial hand wash. At the ranch I put a note in each bathroom "The sewage system relies on bacteria to decompose the sewage. Please be kind to our little friends. NO anti-bacterlal soap down any drain!"

I allow bleach (rarely) in the barn washing machine that drains to its own leach field. Never in the house.

 

[ejnichol]

Lot of nuance to the issue Peter, like salts effect on aerobic bacteria vs anaerobic bacteria predominant in most septic systems. Observed concrete damage alone steers many to avoid salt introduction.