Garbage disposal and septic

[czechsonofagun]

Prokop, vacuum trucks are pretty common. Some folks have even used them to suck Prairie Dogs out of their burrows!

Have you considered putting an extension on the septic tank access hatch so you do not have to dig it out?

Yes, Egon, I saw at my neighbor's, but his tank is much deeper than mine. I figured, once in five years I have no problem doing some digging.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I dug up my access hatch. Then I covered it with a heavy duty plastic bag and then 12 inches of wood chips with another heavy duty plastic bag. Then a small layer of chips. All of it surrounded by a ring of brick. Next time I open it up, the digging up the cover will be very easy.
Bob

 

[Pirate]

I just had mine pumped for the second time. I wish I knew more about septic systems when I bought this place. The tank is 10 feet out from the basement garage, 23 inches below grade. You have to actually drive over the tank to get in/out of the garage. The main drive to the upper garage used to go over the corner of the tank until I routed the traffic out a bit. I wanted to put a riser on my tank but was advised not too. They thought that the riser would direct the pressure down too much. My concrete cover was broken so I bought a 1/2" piece of steel and put over it, then buried it again with dirt and covered with gravel. The pump guy told me those concrete covers are bad as they crack easier than the tanks. He said he once was called to a site where a jeep was all the way into the tank. Apparently, the cover broke and allowed further tank top cracking once the tire or something went into the tank. Lord only knows where my drain field is. I have no yard so I'm not really sure where it is. I'm on top of a ridge so the field must be working. I have not wet spots anywhere nor does the tank ever back up. I have a disposal and used to use it until I saw how bad my tank was. Now I put drain screens in and refrain from using the disposal. I don't want to clog up my "supposed drain field".