Septic tank treatment???

barnyardgal · #1 04/05/12, 06:20 PM

Do you think it is necessary to use septic tank treatments?? A couple days ago i poured a bottle of Roebic treatment down the toilet,i was getting a sewer smell outside & the treatment seemed to help the odor-it is a 500 gallon tank-

Just wondering if you folks use a treatment on a regular basis or at all?? and if you do use something-what is the best stuff to use ??

I know the tanks need pumped out occasionally-mine is draining without any problems~the only thing that goes into the septic tank is toilets/shower/sink drains,washer goes a different route~~

Thanks for any information~~

**Cabin Fever** · #2 04/05/12, 06:35 PM

Septic tank additives are not helpful and IMHO - based on research - are a waste of money.

A 500 gallon tank is too small for any home according to most state codes.

When was the last time the tank was pumped? Hopefully it has not been more than a few years. If it has been a long time, it could be your tank is full and sludge has moved out of the tank and into your drainfield.

My advice is if has been more than 3 or 4 years since your tank has been pumped, get it pumped out now.

haypoint · #3 04/05/12, 06:50 PM

Garbage disposals are hard on a septic system. With a small 500 gal. tank, I'd limit the amount of paper going down the toilet, too.

Pay attention when the tank is pumped out, what you see may help you control what goes into it.

rancher1913 · #4 04/05/12, 06:53 PM

what cabin fever said. I ignored mine and meant to get er done but well it didn't get done and my leach field got plugged from the sludge overflowing into the field. I knew better is the sad thing. luckily I have a backhoe and the know how to install leach fields, even so it cost me a grand in new interceptors.

Joshie · #5 04/05/12, 07:10 PM

The septic additives are really great things..... for their manufacturers. A couple of inspectors have told us that they need to be pumped every three to five years. They will drain well even when they need to be pumped. My concern would be that if you've got a sewer smell it might already be too late.

If it were me I'd have a septic guy out ASAP.

Ardie/WI · #6 04/05/12, 07:15 PM

What Cabin Fever said.

oth47 · #7 04/05/12, 07:17 PM

I have a crew coming to try to fix my field line problems..had I known then what I know now about the plumbing in this place,I wouldn't be here.

ronbre · #8 04/07/12, 08:21 AM

most important DO NOT USE CHARMIN..

it will clog your tank.

take a piece of your TP and put it in a glass of water and stir, it should instantly dissolve, if not, give it away or return it and buy northern or angel soft or some other really good dissolving TP..

or put it in a bag and don't flush it

never put harsh chemicals down your drain..find safe cleaning supplies..

then your septic should work beautifully, but still, get it pumped regularly, and if you have been flushing charmin, get it pumped this summer

Catalpa · #9 04/07/12, 09:16 AM

Don't ever use ANY septic tank additives! They'll kill your field. Basically the additives are advertised to 'break up and dissolve' the solids in the tank, and they can do that. However in the process they create a thick, slimy gel that will flush out into the absorption field and clog it. Then you're in big trouble and need a new field. Only once have I seen anyone manage to control the damage, and in that case he acted quickly and within a week of putting the additive in, he dug up both the header and footer of the field and disconnected each run. Then he used a hot water pressure washer to flush out each line. Made a big mess of his yard, but he got enough of the gelatinous gunk out to save his field.

The tank is supposed to hold the solids, and let only the liquid out into the field. That's it's job. Making that job harder with excessive amounts of antibacterial cleaners, huge shots of bleach, heavy toilet paper that doesn't dissolve, washing paints or other chemicals down the drain, using a garbage disposal, or failing to pump the tank every five to seven years will lead to problems with the drainfield. Additives do nothing but harm. There's enough bacteria going down with each flush that none need to be added.

Another thing that can upset the balance of the tank is if someone in the home is on heavy doses of antibiotics. In that case, special care must be taken not to add an additional load with any bleaches or cleaners.

Normal size tank for a three bedroom house is a minimum 1250 gallons. 500 or 750 gallon tanks used to be quite common and are still found at old houses, but they date from a time without automatic washers, large spa tubs, dishwashers, or multiple daily showers, and are not large enough for modern households.

Your 500 gallon tank is likely overwhelmed with the output from the house, and if you are noticing a sewer smell you probably already have problems. Get the tank pumped immediately; maybe you can minimize the damage done by the additive. Be there when the pumper truck comes and observer as he pumps; if liquid flows back into the tank from the field you'll need to take steps to repair/replace the field. You may even want to look into replacing just the tank at this time, when you have it dug up, to upgrade your system. Make sure your downspouts direct rainwater away from your system, and that nothing goes into the system that shouldn't, like water softener and sump pump discharges.

mrs whodunit · #10 04/07/12, 09:27 AM

My grandmother religiously used septic treatments for her tank. The home started out with 3 users and then dropped to 1 after a decade. No washer or dishwasher.

Forty years after installation the tank collapsed dust to rusting out. The tank had very little build up in it and the leach field was in great shape.

Those additives may not be such a bad idea after all.

Robotron · #11 04/07/12, 09:51 AM

Have been here for ten years. Moved in with 5 people on a 750 gallon tank. Had the tank pumped the first year just because I didn't know the history. Guy on the truck said things looked ok but pump every 3 years. I didn't but did use a product from that point on. 5 years later had the same guy out to pump it. he had checked the records and expected it to be full of mud. Much to his surprise there was on a couple of inches on the bottom. His comment was " what ever your doing keep doing because it's working" ten years later all is good and down to 2 on the system. One thing I do recommend is going to a grey water system. Keep septic for only that. Everything else to the gray water.

DebM · #12 04/10/12, 05:36 PM

I have a question on this topic. I am always vigilant about no chemicals, no bleach, etc. When I was on the farm, I dumped a cup of yeast down the toilet a couple times a year (wasn't all that expensive because of the bulk mennonite store). Two of us on 1500 gal. system. No problems but I wonder if that helped, or if it was an old wives tale?

DebM

barnyardgal · #13 04/10/12, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebM

I have a question on this topic. I am always vigilant about no chemicals, no bleach, etc. When I was on the farm, I dumped a cup of yeast down the toilet a couple times a year (wasn't all that expensive because of the bulk mennonite store). Two of us on 1500 gal. system. No problems but I wonder if that helped, or if it was an old wives tale?

DebM

Its funny you ask this question as i had read before posting this question that you put 1 package of yeast & one box of brown sugar down the toilet every 3-4 months,depending on usage~~and its suppose to keep your septic tank good~~so i do not know the answer,just something i had read~~

Haven · #14 04/10/12, 06:14 PM

How much does is cost to have it pumped out? I need mine done but am afraid it's going to be some outlandish price

I always hear $ horror stories regarding septics.

**Cabin Fever** · #15 04/10/12, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebM

I have a question on this topic. I am always vigilant about no chemicals, no bleach, etc. When I was on the farm, I dumped a cup of yeast down the toilet a couple times a year (wasn't all that expensive because of the bulk mennonite store). Two of us on 1500 gal. system. No problems but I wonder if that helped, or if it was an old wives tale?

DebM

I want you to think about this. First, what is yeast? Yeast is a fungi, not a bacteria. Second, what do yeast do? Yeasts breakdown simple sugars to alcohol and CO2. There really isn't all that much simple sugars in wastewater thatg needs to be decomposed. Third, what temperatures do yeast do their work? Generally, temps in septic tanks are well below the optimum for yeast activity. There, I think you can answer your own question.

**Cabin Fever** · #16 04/10/12, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haven

How much does is cost to have it pumped out? I need mine done but am afraid it's going to be some outlandish price

I always hear $ horror stories regarding septics.

Your concern is kind of like a person thinking, "I'm afraid of having someone change the oil in my new car because of the cost. I think I'll just keep driving my new car with the old oil in it." With this attitude the engine in your new car will die an early death.

Having your septic pumped properly - which means digging up ahnd opening the the manhole, circulating the contents, and then pumping - costs about $150 in our area. Having this done every three years is equivalent to only $50/year.

DebM · #17 04/10/12, 11:00 PM

>I want you to think about this. First, what is yeast? Yeast is a fungi, not a bacteria. Second, what do yeast do? Yeasts breakdown simple sugars to alcohol and CO2. There really isn't all that much simple sugars in wastewater that needs to be decomposed. Third, what temperatures do yeast do their work? Generally, temps in septic tanks are well below the optimum for yeast activity. There, I think you can answer your own question.

Well, I won't be thinking about it any more

Haven · #18 04/11/12, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Your concern is kind of like a person thinking, "I'm afraid of having someone change the oil in my new car because of the cost. I think I'll just keep driving my new car with the old oil in it." With this attitude the engine in your new car will die an early death.

Having your septic pumped properly - which means digging up ahnd opening the the manhole, circulating the contents, and then pumping - costs about $150 in our area. Having this done every three years is equivalent to only $50/year.

I agree, and thanks. I was imagining it to be like 1k. 150. isn't bad.

geo in mi · #19 04/11/12, 07:44 AM

Most people add bacteria to their septic system a couple of times a day.

geo

Nature Man · #20 04/11/12, 08:08 AM

I asked my septic tank installer about using an additive like Ridix and he said it is not necessary and I would be wasting my money to do so. That was 16 years ago and I have only had my tank pumped out three times. I am the only person using it, for most of the time, and do not put any grease, chemicals or none human waste in it. It's a 1500 gallon tank with a leach field that's only walked on.

Bill