Finding septic tanks

Junkman · Apr 19, 2005

( I have owned my own housing company for 32 year so I guess I don't have any experience with septic systems so it would have to be something I thought up on the spare of the moment right. )

Thanks for the honest answer. I know lots of people like you that have owned things for many years that know nothing about them. Glad to see that we got an honest answer out of you for a change.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Now, about those $5.00 license plates...... when do we get the rest of that story???? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

AndyM · Apr 19, 2005

I would never consider burying the clean out lid
as that's an improper installation. 

Mr. Brown, in post number 581147 in the thread "Septic System" , you said the following...
 The best leach field is no leach field.
Works great at my place. 

I replied with this in post number 581183...
 You just dump it into the creek out back, don't you? 

Then you responded with this in post number 581245...
 Your point being ? 

Is dumping waste into a creek considered a proper installation? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Is that the kind of work to expect from someone who has been in the housing business for 32 years?

LBrown59 · Mar 6, 2006

The piping going to your tank should be metal
 =====
Most are plastic in my area.
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LBrown59 · Mar 6, 2006

( I would never consider burying the clean out lid
as that's an improper installation. 

Mr. Brown, in post number 581147 in the thread "Septic System" , you said the following...
 The best leach field is no leach field.
Works great at my place. 

I replied with this in post number 581183...
 You just dump it into the creek out back, don't you? 

Then you responded with this in post number 581245...
 Your point being ? 

Is dumping waste into a creek considered a proper installation? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Is that the kind of work to expect from someone who has been in the housing business for 32 years? )

My tank has a much higher efficiency than a septic tank with a leach field so what would we be leaching for with a leach bed?
=====
Seems to me that your focusing in the wrong place by questioning my system. if there's anything needing attention it's the septic tank leach bed combination rather than my system.
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OUR FIRST CAR http://www.hubcapcafe.com/ocs/pages01/chev6003.htm
~~~~~~~~~~

DUMBDOG · Mar 6, 2006

So after eleven months can you explain your system in detail why it is better than a system with a leach field. What makes it better?

Your answers that your system is better and not going into any detail why it is better other than the fact that you owned a housing company for thirty two years is not enlightening and no answer at all.

Do expound upon your answers and tell us why it is better, if not, please do not answer old threads with additional words that do not add anything to the thread other than mine is better than yours. Please add an explanation on why it is better.

LBrown59 · Mar 6, 2006

( So after eleven months can you explain your system in detail why it is better than a system with a leach field. What makes it better?

Your answers that your system is better and not going into any detail why it is better other than the fact that you owned a housing company for thirty two years is not enlightening and no answer at all.

Do expound upon your answers and tell us why it is better, if not, please do not answer old threads with additional words that do not add anything to the thread other than mine is better than yours. Please add an explanation on why it is better. )
XxXxXxX
When I moved here in 1966 I put in a septic tank with a leach bed on the right side of this property.
In 1971 I instaled an aireator and a drain line for it on the left side of the land for another home.

Which one of these would you say is best?

DUMBDOG · Mar 6, 2006

I do not know, you have not explained how it works.

thcri · Mar 7, 2006

(
Which one of these would you say is best?
)

Geez Larry, your the one with the experience of them why don't you tell us which one is best??

Wood_Butcher_Dav · Mar 7, 2006

When figuring which one is the best, take into account how much more electricty was used by one over the other.

Dave

LBrown59 · Mar 8, 2006

( I do not know, you have not explained how it works. )
Here are 4 systems I either installed or had installed
1 Septic tank with leach bed. Within 5 years it was discharging raw sewage in the yard.
2 Aerator with drain pipe. 35 years later still going strong with no problems.
3 Aerator with drain pipe. 33 years later still going strong with no problems.
4 Aerator with leach bed. Within 3 years it was discharging raw sewage in the yard.
=====
This shows me leach beds don't work and that they will screw up proper operation of an Aerator.
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LBrown59 · Mar 8, 2006

( When figuring which one is the best, take into account how much more electricty was used by one over the other.

Dave )
*******
For the 10 to 20 thousand bucks it cost to put in a leach field one can pay a lot of electric bills for a long long long time.
Also adding a leach field to an aerator would be an additional expense to the elect cost of operating an aerator.

Wood_Butcher_Dav · Mar 8, 2006

I don't have the exact numbers or quotes any more, but five years ago the cost for installation in my area for either system was a couple hundred dollars apart. My aerator system was around $4200. My buddy is having a single tank with leach fields installed this spring and his quote was less than 5k.

Dave

SnoFalls · Mar 8, 2006

( drain pipe)
explain "drain pipe" ... are you talking drain to the surface ???

that would *not* happen 'round me.

My understanding on the two systems ...

1) "aerobic systems" ... aka "aerator tank"
+ suited for "tight" situations, smaller tank and drain field required
+ output is high nitrate (rather than amonia), less "polluting" of groundwater
- 2-3 times the initial cost, (some offset since system takes less space)
- higher maintenance of the system (electrical costs, "failure" alarms, equipment maintenance, etc)

2) "anerobic systems" ... aka "septic tank"
+ low maintenance
+ low initial cost
+ maintenance is only periodic pumping
- can require large tank and drain field, gotta have the space
- can leach amonia into groundwater, so more space from wells, etc

Both systems *will* fail if ...
chemicals are introduced to kill the bacterial process
non-digestibal solids are introduced (washing machine lint, diapers, etc)
drain fields become compacted or clogged.

Wood_Butcher_Dav · Mar 8, 2006

( explain "drain pipe" ... are you talking drain to the surface ??? )
That’s what is/was allowed around here. The discharge from aerator septic systems can go to the open road ditches. That's what was told to me by both the installer and the county inspector 5 years or so ago. I guess it’s OK as long as your system is getting enough O2 to break everything down. The last chanber has a basic sump pump connected to 2 inch plastic drain pipe.

Dave

tlbuser · Mar 9, 2006

( ( drain pipe)

Both systems *will* fail if ...
chemicals are introduced to kill the bacterial process
non-digestibal solids are introduced (washing machine lint, diapers, etc)
drain fields become compacted or clogged. )

I can't agree with the non-digestible solids part. They would stay in the holding tank(s) and become part of the reason for a periodic pump-out.

LBrown59 · Mar 9, 2006

Both systems *will* fail if .. 
~~~~~~
My post was about 3 systems not 2.
They were as follows.
A- Septic tank with a leach bed
B- Aerator with a leach bed
C- Aerator with a drain pipe.
2 of the 3 systems failed within 5 years .Both of the failures involved leach beds.

LBrown59 · Mar 9, 2006

( I don't have the exact numbers or quotes any more, but five years ago the cost for installation in my area for either system was a couple hundred dollars apart.
Dave )

I don't see anyway how you could add a leach bed for only 200 bucks.

LBrown59 · Mar 9, 2006

( explain "drain pipe" ... are you talking drain to the surface ??? ) 

 *That’s what is / was allowed around here. The discharge from aerator septic systems can go to the open road ditches. 

=====
What they are doing here is screwing them up by requiring the drain pipe go into a leach bed instead which defeats the purpose of them.

They weren't designed to function with a clogged or restricted drain.

LBrown59 · Mar 9, 2006

explain "drain pipe" ... are you talking drain to the surface ???

1* that would *not* happen 'round me.
===== 

1* Why not- What do you mean??

Highbeam · Mar 9, 2006

I suspect he means that it would not be allowed. Surface flows of effluent, no matter how "clean" are not allowed. The "yuk" factor I suppose. The aerator system also requires frequent inspection due to it being categorized as a high risk system. It's just too new in these parts for people to be confident in the dependability of the aerator and in the aerators ability to continuously produce a safe finished product.

The system cost (septic/drainfield vs. aerator)is likely very close because the aerator costs much more than a 600$ septic tank.