Another septic question

[jwal10]

I am looking at a lot here in town, has water service and a septic tank. Lot is 50'x270'. The single wide mobile burned down 10-15 yrs ago and the septic has set full of water with about 6" of floating waste. Question....Do you think there would be any problems in the leach lines from it setting this long. Should I try to find the divider box and dig it up and check for sedimate? There is a big Douglas fir tree about 70' from the tank in the middle of the lot, I am sure it was there when the septic was installed. TIA....James

[Ken Scharabok]

You can check with your local Health Department. They should be able to find the original paperwork. Rain water shouldn't have been a problem to the septic line. However, you might want to get it pumped and then a camera run down the line to see if the line has tree roots in it. Better to be sure now, rather than having problems later.

[jwal10]

The health department didn't keep good records and didn't even know if there was a tank on the property. I dug it up to see what was there. Not sure the date it was installed or what material was installed for the leach lines. I do know it is a concrete tank. No record of a permit. The town is even worse, didn't know there was a water meter, new never used, installed in 1995, so the mobile burned before then. Prior to 1995 there were no water meters just a $10.00 water bill....James

[Cabin Fever]

Depending on how "up-to-date" your health dept. is today, they may make you install a completely new system if there are no records to show that the existing system complies with the current code.

There really is nothing that should negatively effect your drainlines by just sitting unused for 10 to 15 years. In fact, it is recommended that plugged drainlines be allowed to set for a year or more to "rejuvenate" to their original - or close to the original - infiltrative capacity.

I agree with Ken, that the old tank be pumped out before you start to use the old system.

[jwal10]

Thank you both for your thoughts. I would pump it for sure and check the condition of the in/outlet. I will check at the health department tomorrow, I just called to check when the sign was put up 4 months ago. Trying to make up my mind as it is available for $11,000, the owner is in the Phillipines and lowered the price $4,000, he paid $20,000 for it in 1997, he wants to liquidate in the states. Very nice lot right across a paved street from the river with an abandoned railroad bed between street and the river which will be future public greenway....James

[Ken Scharabok]

On the Health Department there is an old saying to the effect, "If you can't stand the answer, don't ask the question." You might end up having to put in a new system. However, if you are going to need a building permit, they would likely become involved. My farm is a bid odd in that the northern one-third or so isn't in the City of Waverly limits, but within their planning district. Cross Blue Creek onto my back two-thirds and no building permit would be required.

When I bought this place the well had been frozen and the septic had not been used for 15 years. I replaced the well pipe and pump and pressure tank. The septic didn't work for a few years of part time use. The tank would fill up so I used it as a holding tank and had it pumped out when it got full. After a few years the septic system started working. I suspect the drain field was a nesting place for mice and it took a few years for the nests to disintegrate once the pipes became full of "water". Works fine now.