Still another septic question

[claytonpiano]

We are considering purchasing a house in the Piedmont of NC. They currently have a septic field for a 3 bedroom house, but we are adding on for my parents. My parents will have a kitchen, laundry and two bedrooms. The county inspector says that he will approve another septic and drain field, but if we ever have issues, there will not be another place for a drain field because the rest of the property does not perk.

So... our thoughts.....mom and dad will probably only live another 10 years, if that. They need help now. We wanted them to move without a kitchen due to dementia issues, but that won't happen. They are refusing. I've talked and talked, but they won't budge and are so confused when I try to explain things to them.

So.....we will put the extra system in and be extremely careful with ours. We are calling today to see if we can put in a system of some sort for gray water for ourselves. They won't do that and will not be careful of the septic, hence the reason they get their own field. When they no longer can use the kitchen, we will remove it and turn that area into an office or something. Then, when something happens to them, we will use both systems by switching back and forth to give both fields a rest for a year at a time.

What do you think? Do you have other ideas? What about pumping? Should we be diligent to pump them every year?

[Ken Scharabok]

I don't see anything wrong with your approach. However, check with a realtor on which would sell better, a house with a separate apartment or a five-bedroom house. If the latter, you might check into adding on a separate entry and perhaps a method to seal off the apartment from the house eventually.

Added: Oops, didn't notice their unit will not have a separate bathroom.

[Cabin Fever]

If the septic tank is sized properly, and there isn't a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink, I see no reason to have the tank pumped every year. Every three to five years should be sufficient.

Or, are you talking about just one septic tank for both drainfields?

[claytonpiano]

Wasn't clear! They will have two bathrooms. Why they need two I just don't know. We'd love to keep them to one, but again....they refuse.

No two septic tanks. I guess we'll have to figure out how to place them so that the switching will work.

[tamsam]

I hope this all works out for you. I am not being negative but you might be in for a rough ride. I am glad that you love your parents enough to want to do this for them. You mention that they are beginning dementia now. My aunt and uncle moved into a place in Stanley NC that they really loved and more or less had their freedom to do as they pleased. They had nurses that made sure they got their meds and ate like they should. They had their own little apartment and could have company any time they wanted. I have known so many that did simalar to what you are thinking and ended up no being able to care for loved ones. Again good luck with whatever you decide to do. Sam