Septic System Questions - Missouri

KCFLY · #1 09/26/13, 01:23 PM

We are under contract for a home/barns on about 5 acres. The home has a septic system that is about 18 years old. It consists of a 1200 gallon tank and a lagoon/pond that is about 45' across. There is no leech field.

Now, I am starting from zero on knowledge about this, I have been on city sewer my whole life.

I spoke with the county to get info on the size of the tank and locations of cleanouts and tank, etc.

We are in the process of find a good septic guy to come out and inspect the system.

I went out an looked for and found the location of the tank. I appears to have a cement lid that was about manhole cover sized. In addition, just a couple feet away were two smaller cement pipes coming up that were about 12" inside diameter. One was open and I could see water/liquid in the tank, the second had some sort of plastic cover jammed in.

Soooo... What are two smaller pipes?

Anything in particular I should be asking questions about when I have it inspected? I don't want to get into replacing the system.

THANKS so much.

We are very excited about this place, but don't want or need a money pit! I'll have other posts about other issues we have with the property as we try to get everything fixed within budget.

1shotwade · #2 09/26/13, 04:44 PM

O.K., so one of the 12" pipes is a clean-out to be used by the guy that pumps out your holding tank. I always hold out to the very last trying to not have to pay for this service but they should be pumped out every 5 years.I got by the first time with about 12 years and it's on it's 8th year now.My biggest problem has been with the lift station (which you may not have) seems like every year I'm in it replacing the pump or the float switch.Actually,I just came in from pumping it out to get in and replace the pump again.This will be 4 pumps and 7 float switches I've been through in 21 years.
The person that is inspecting should be able to answer all your questions.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 09/26/13, 07:34 PM

DO NOT DO MODIFICATIONS. If you do, you will have to upgrade, AND have the upgrade done by a certain list of contractors.

I just bought a house in Oregon County, Missouri, with the exact same system. It's ok, but the county warned me about having anything done. Do NOT change it if it's working.

Rectifier · #4 09/26/13, 11:58 PM

I have a lagoon too, and I even have No Tank, Yaaay!

Don't mess with it! Lagoons are the best, they just work. No submersible pumps. No digging up fields. No vac trucks. And if properly designed, won't smell. They are illegal in most areas now, but grandfathered in so once again, don't mess with it.

You do have a tank, so feed it some of that septic starter solution once in awhile. Get it vac'd out if it starts to clog up. Don't flush things that kill bacteria or clog the pipes. And you should be good forever.

rambler · #5 09/27/13, 08:13 AM

Every state has different regulations.

In general, leave well enough alone or you end up needing to meet a lot of new regulations in most states.

Every system and design is a little different, so you may or may not have pump(s), etc. simpler is better, but often hard to make conform to new regulations any more. Complex and often breaking down is the new requirements.

The stuff you can buy to add to the system is generally often snake oil, a septic is like your tummy, it works well with its own bacteria, it doesn't need any supplements. If you have problems, the supplements are at best covering up the problem. That are just a waste of money, but many swear by them

A tank should be pumped before it is full or you will damage the leach lines. Trying to get by one more year can cost you thousands. In your case you have no leach, so you can likely go forever and no problems. But then your raw poop will go out into the pond, and be festering there in the summer sun. Your call, so many people let it fester to save 125 bucks, and so now we have very strict septic laws.......

Paul

KCFLY · #6 09/27/13, 08:23 AM

We will definitely get the tank pumped. Who knows if it has ever been done in the last 20 years. Probably due for a good pump out, plus who wants other peoples poo in their back yard???

The lagoon, seems low, but I would guess that is only temporary as the house has been vacant for at least 6 months if not more and the water has been turned off.

Any possible problems with the lagoon getting too low? It's going to be at least another 4 to 6 months before I can live there.

I'm guessing all three openings into the tank should be covered, correct? If so, that's the first think I can take care of. Any suggestions on a cover?

Thanks to everyone!

Wolf mom · #7 09/27/13, 09:22 AM

I f you are in the "process " of buying the property, have your realtor write up an amendment to the contract stating the sale is contingent upon the septic being pumped and certified by a licensed (or whatever in your state) company. You will get a certification stating everything is OK - or not.

This is really the sellers issue, and needs to be handled by them. You can always negotiate a lower price if there is something wrong and they don't want to fix it before close of escrow. If your contract falls through, this will have to be handled by the seller anyway as it will hold up a future sale.

Your realtor should have known this. Who want's to dump a lot of money into a property for maintenance that should have been taken care of by the seller unless you are buying an "as is" property.

KCFLY · #8 09/27/13, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf mom

Your realtor should have known this. Who want's to dump a lot of money into a property for maintenance that should have been taken care of by the seller unless you are buying an "as is" property.

Thanks for this. A bit more info.

This is an AS-IS sale with a seller who is in foreclosure and the bank has approved a short-sale.

There is no going back and negotiating. We do have inspection contingencies in the contract to protect us.

We just don't know much about septic systems and want to be educated BEFORE the inspection so I can ask meaningful questions and understand what is happening and get a feel for if the inspector really has our interests in mind or is just going to give it a once over say everything is great.

gssmms · #9 09/27/13, 01:31 PM

Perhaps a browse through this would be of benefit?
http://extension.missouri.edu/p/WQ402

You can also download, print and highlight the PDF... and bring to the septic inspection with questions you might have.

Not sure if it's the latest revision, but there should be contact info to find out if it is.
Blessings!

jwal10 · #10 09/27/13, 01:55 PM

IF you do pump the tank and not be moving in for a while, make sure you fill the tank with water so it won't/can't float. An empty tank can IF the water table gets high enough. Full you are good to go....James

haley1 · #11 09/27/13, 02:17 PM

does a sewage lagoon stink? especially if it have to tank to predigest?

KCFLY · #12 09/27/13, 02:37 PM

This one doesn't. It has a slight "musky" smell, I would say. I couldn't really smell it at all until I was within about 20 feet of it.

I have ready they will "turn over" about twice a year and may smell for a bit at that point, but that it isn't really all that bad or like a sewer smell. I guess I'll find out.

Alice In TX/MO · #13 09/27/13, 04:33 PM

No, lagoons don't stink.

libertygirl · #14 09/27/13, 05:18 PM

We have a lagoon too. I love the simplicity of that system. Ours doesn't stink at all. As long as you make sure it has plenty of sunshine and good airflow, mother nature will take care of the rest.

Funbowhunter · #15 09/27/13, 10:59 PM

Do not use rid-x or other remedies. Do not plant silver maple or any of the willow family trees near it.

Alice In TX/MO · #16 09/28/13, 06:38 AM

Rid-X is beneficial. It IS a good product to use.

Q: How does RID-X® work?

A: RID-X® Septic Tank System Treatment contains billions of 100% natural active bacteria and enzymes to break down household waste. By adding RID-X®, you restore the delicate balance of beneficial bacterial and enzymes needed to help keep your system operating at full efficiency. Each box and bottle of RID-X® contains the following ingredients scientifically proven to break down household waste:

Cellulase breaks down toilet paper, vegetable matter and some foods
Lipase breaks down fats, oils and grease
Protease breaks down proteins
Amylase breaks down starches

Funbowhunter · #17 09/28/13, 09:52 PM

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...es/dd7040.html
university of mn recommends not to put additives like rid x. The problem with breaking down those items is thy go into solution and flow past the baffles before they are completely broken down and clog the drain field with undigested matter.

Jim-mi · #18 09/28/13, 10:52 PM

In the first place you should NOT put any oils, grease, fats in to a septic system.....bad .bad.

A septic system is for human waste only.......

A while back someone asked about cleaning paint brushes and letting the stuff go into a septic system . . .NO NO NO...

Very important for folks who have always been on city sewers to learn what too and what not to put into a septic system.

Alice In TX/MO · #19 09/29/13, 06:50 AM

No baffles, etc., in a lagoon. No "drain field" in a lagoon. Rid X is a good thing.

Billie in MO · #20 09/29/13, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

No, lagoons don't stink.

I'm with Alice, our lagoon doesn't stink at all. It has gotten low a few times because of the drought but has never gone dry. The only problem we have is cattails and duck weed. Don't let them get a foot hold, especially the cattails.