Buying House with Septic System

[WinterDeere]

Around here, most of the better realtors usually have the seller get a septic inspection before even listing the house. Knowing this is the most common point of contention in a home sale, as one of the few things caught late on inspections that can have very serious financial impact, it seems to be a good practice.

I have heard of a few paying as high as $80k for septic system replacements, around here, but more typical seems to be $25k - $40k. The guy behind me had a rather expensive system installed, and botched, and had to have much of it torn out and re-done by another company, after years of what seemed like weekly visits from various competing septic companies. I suspect he might be in over $60k on his system, after the second install, and probably more with the cost of all the service calls.

 

[not2old]

Yeah, thats what I typed, and I didnt know it changed Mound to Mount.

Computers with spell check are stupid and drive me nuts.

 

[Runner]

My rule of thumb is "Nothing goes into our aeration system that hasn't, or couldn't, go through you first (except for toilet paper)". That has served us well for 20 years. Only been pumped once, just for good measure, and didn't actually need it then.

 

[mjonesnh]

Rid-X is one easily available additive. When we sold our previous property eight years ago, the man whom owned the truck/company claimed that baker's yeast once a month would do the same job. He also said that older people do not have as much bacteria in their systems as younger people making it more important to add something.

I did not have the tank pumped when we bought our current home. When I ran water and power to our barn, I misjudged the tank location based on where the pipe exited the foundation and got close enough with the backhoe to see the side. So, I dug up the inspection ports and added plastic risers. When the home is eventually sold, it will simplify inspection.

Mound systems have been referred to as "turkey mounds", lol. I have seen some in the front yard due to I suppose lot size?

Was told the same thing about yeast several years ago. 1st day of every month we pour 1 pack down sink drain and run water a few minutes. Can't say if it makes a difference or not but we don't have any problems with septic.

 

[grsthegreat]

Those are simple septic systems……how about this nightmare
I wire in some hideously nasty systems near the lake.

 

[WinterDeere]

My rule of thumb is "Nothing goes into our aeration system that hasn't, or couldn't, go through you first (except for toilet paper)". That has served us well for 20 years. Only been pumped once, just for good measure, and didn't actually need it then.

There are people who eat toilet paper!

Pica (disorder) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[California]

... and I've seen septic issues that aren't noted in this thread:

As the pump-out finished, driver's girlfriend (?) who had come along phoned in my credit card then after some apparent confusion, called back in and repeated it. Days later MasterCard called to verify I had paid for a year's supply of propane in Bulgaria. No!

A prior time (6 year intervals) the driver said this was his first week (maybe his first call, I had to show him how to lift the lids). Then 2 days later the local newspaper showed a photo of that pumper truck overturned, where traffic simply merged. I doubt if that guy lasted beyond his first paycheck.

 

[JTKub]

I couldn't imagine having to have one of those computerized, electronic septic systems. You loose power for a day, week, then what? I do realize many have that issue with their well pump too. You have to rely on backup power.

I've been on septic systems most of my life. My current home has a ~53/yr old system with a 1000gal concrete tank no outflow filter and a gravity feed absorption field of unknown construction. With my family of 6, I dig up the lid and have it pumped every 2yrs.

I know people don't like it, but single ply Scott's toilet paper is your friend with septic systems. Soft, fluffy, multi ply toilet paper adds 2-3x the paper pulp load into your system. Paper pulp is not digestible and just turns into a giant ball of paper mush. Flushing tampons is terrible. Totally gross, but the strings remain behind, forming a giant spaghetti ball.

I know people who claim to never have pumped their system. This will work until it doesn't. Every day non-digestible matter goes into your tank. Fats, oils, waxes, hair, seed hulls, paper pulp.. These things all eventually will form a thick, floating layer of scum that slowly works it way towards the bottom of the tank, where water is supposed to be. Eventually the solid floating layer will plug the inflow and outflow chambers of the tank, causing a backup.

 

[WinterDeere]

I've been on septic systems most of my life. My current home has a ~53/yr old system with a 1000gal concrete tank no outflow filter and a gravity feed absorption field of unknown construction. With my family of 6, I dig up the lid and have it pumped every 2yrs.

Same setup and pumping schedule here, but I think my system is even older. Original drain field was asbestos, redone in the 1980's in PVC, but I believe tank is still from prior system.

Our house is about 6500 sq.ft. with 14 sinks and 4 bathrooms, and we have only one 1000 gallon tank. Every new septic company spends awhile insisting we "must have another tank hiding somewhere", before eventually accepting it was installed a long time ago when standards were very different.

 

[JTKub]

Same setup and pumping schedule here, but I think my system is even older. Original drain field was asbestos, redone in the 1980's in PVC, but I believe tank is still from prior system.

Our house is about 6500 sq.ft. with 14 sinks and 4 bathrooms, and we have only one 1000 gallon tank. Every new septic company spends awhile insisting we "must have another tank hiding somewhere", before eventually accepting it was installed a long time ago when standards were very different.

6500sqft!!! That's more than double my 4bdrm, 3 bathroom palace of doom.

I'm undersized by 1000gal per today's 500gal per bedroom standard. My tank isn't right either, as it's only one big concrete box. It has a small 12"x12" square access lid at either end, but no wall/baffle in between. Just the inlet under one lid and the outlet under the other. Inlet being slightly higher than the outlet is all.

My retired brother who lives just a few miles from me just had his entire system replaced a few weeks ago. All you can install in my area of the PR of NY these days are sand filter systems. Can't do gravel "leach fields" anymore. It was a 1500 gal system for my brother. All in he was at $25K. Have to get the county involved in new systems, permits, inspections, etc. I tried to talk him into just getting repairs done, as you can do any/all repairs you want on an existing system, contractors or not, without permits, inspections, etc. He just wanted all new and had the cash to do so.