Yet another question for Cabin Fever
 

Not to rehash the same old thing but I have a couple questions about septic systems that I dont remember specifically being addressed and I just cant find any information or opinions on it.

1. I keep reading on here about people who dont flush TP into their septic or the whole mellow yellow thing and not flushing and it just doesnt make sense to me if you have a properly functioning system. What is your opinion on this? We have an old poured in place 550 gallon system for just the 2 of us (no dishwasher, sink water goes into separate drain field, high efficiency front loader cloths washer etc.) that works just fine and I am thinking most people have a much bigger tank so why not flush your stuff?

2. The second question concerns winter and septic systems. Do they lose efficiency during the winter and is there anything we should be concerned with this winter? Our tank was pumped out when we bought it last year but its only about $120.00 to get it pumped and I dont know if we should get it pumped before winter just in case or is winter really doesnt affect their functioning all that much. It does get below freezing here sometimes but usually not for long periods of time.

Sorry for tapping your expertise yet again but its hard to really get a straight answer or opinion on some of this.

The basis for the mellow yellow policy is two-fold....none of which has todo with septic tank capacity. One reason is water conservation. Why waste perfectly good drinking quality water to just flush a toliet after just one use? Some families might get 4 or 5 uses of the same volume water if they don't flush after every #1. The other basis for the mellow yellow policy is for septic systems with undersized or partially plugged or saturated drainfields. In these cases, you want to send the least amount of water to the septic system as possible. And, a third reason might be for those that have to use holding tanks. These families are extremely conscious of water use. They have to pay to have every single gallon of water they send to the holding tank hauled away.

Winters can impact septic systems in a couple of ways. First, any anaerobic decomposition that takes place in a septic tank is slowed way down. If the wastewater in a septic tank is below 50ºF the bacteria are simply dormant for all practical purposes. Consequently, solids may accumulate at a faster rate in the tank. The other problems we in the North Country can experience is freezing of septic tanks, sewer lines, and drainfields. Oftentimes, people who take an extended winter vacation can come home to a frozen septic system. The best thing for a septic system in the winter is regular use.

For new septic systems, the insulation of septic tanks and sewer lines is strongly recommended (2" blue poly). On existing systems....especially ones that have experienced freezing in the past....it;s a good idea to insulate tanks, lines and drainfields with straw of leaves.

Unless you have experinced capacity problems in the past, I see little reason to pump tanks annually prior to winter.

'Winter' probably isn't a problem that far south.

Minnesota in my area because of clay soil has gone to all mound systems. This is the drainfield only a fot deep in a pile of sand. When it can freeze 4 feet deep around here, i donno how they can design such a poor thing.....

Nearly every one freezes up around here the first year. Once grass establishes on the mound, and people realize to leave the grass a little longer on the mound to catch snow, they work most of the time. Sorta.

--->Paul

I'm familiar with the septic systems on around a dozen single-family rental properties. Our temps occasionally get in the teens and twenties but not too often. Never have had a weather-related problem with a septic tank system. I'm guessing that if your system is below the frost line, you would not have a problem.

Most of our systems are over 30 years old. Only a few tanks have been pumped out in all this time. If it's delivering "clarified" water to the distribution box/drain field (and the outlet is not in danger from sludge overflow), it's working. If it ain't broken, it does not need to be fixed. Pull the inspection panel on your tank periodically and check it till you get comfortable with the process.

BTW, old timers around here had an interesting "septic system". They would take a 55 gallon steel drum and use an ax to make cuts all over it. The drum would be buried and the sewage pipe would bring the waste into the barrel. It works.

Thanks all, as I said we havent had any issues and we conserve water pretty well but I think I have been letting some of these discussions make me worry. I really appreciate the info from those who know and Cabin Fever, I had never considered the water conservation angle re the leachfield or holding tanks.

Thanks again.

"BTW, old timers around here had an interesting "septic system". They would take a 55 gallon steel drum and use an ax to make cuts all over it. The drum would be buried and the sewage pipe would bring the waste into the barrel. It works.[/QUOTE]"


We did this several times when we lived in our travel trailer. Just two adults and no washing machine, it worked fine. now for the gross part (WE NEVER DID THIS PART) some people said "put a dead cat in there to get it started." Really??? Why would I just happen to have a DEAD CAT???Thats just not right. But anyway, back on topic, this 55 gallon drum system does work in a pinch if only temporarily. (NOTE: DO NOT USE A DEAD CAT!)

If you don't have a 55-gal drum, an old '49 Buick with the windows rolled down works just fine too.

"


We did this several times when we lived in our travel trailer. Just two adults and no washing machine, it worked fine. now for the gross part (WE NEVER DID THIS PART) some people said "put a dead cat in there to get it started." Really??? Why would I just happen to have a DEAD CAT???Thats just not right. But anyway, back on topic, this 55 gallon drum system does work in a pinch if only temporarily. (NOTE: DO NOT USE A DEAD CAT!)[/QUOTE]
Any kind of "dead" road kill will work. This should be repeated on an annual basis. This will keep your system working just as smooth as possum snot.:goodjob:

Hello all, I have spent my time lurking in the shadows ( just reading posts ) but nothing like a good discussion of septic systems to flush me out into the open.
Salmonslayer: When I lived up nearer St. Louis, I had a septic system similar to yours with only black water going into the tank and grey water draining off into the field. I went seven years and never had to pump it out and never had any freezing problems. You shouldn't have any problems.

I have been using a Sun Mar composting toilet at our hunting cabin near Westcliffe Colorado for the last couple years. Since we have to haul in all our water and a septic tank would involve dynamite, the composting toilet is a great alternative. It uses no water, no smells but since its not heated all that accumulates during the winter has to wait till spring to decompose but for intermittent use it fine.

I am now in the process of drilling a well and installing a septic tank on some land that is half in Taney county and half in Ozark. Taney county has great road maintenance while Ozark has cheaper taxes and no building or septic permits to deal with. Guess which side my improvements are going!

Here's a pretty good website that gives a lot of info about septic systems.

http://www.inspectapedia.com/septbook.htm

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My mother used to put bread yeast in warm water and "let it work up". Then she put is down the toilet. It was a rare thing to have the tank emptied and we were a family of four. There are many septic system digester chemicals on the market that boost the digestion rate of the sewage. I can not tell you how well they work since we are on the towns septic system.

A plumber told me years ago to stay away from toilet tissue such as Charmin. He said to use Northern as was already said. We have been in this house for 36 years and never had a blockege and my lines from the house to the curb is about 120 feet long.

Never done the mello yello thing, tends to stink to me and I hate it, but that might just be that I'm a randy old goat anyway. If I want to save water that bad I'll just go outside on the ground.. ;)

Down here the new systems are all going to sprinkler type systems. A couple of plastic tanks, chemicals, and the end product gets sprinkled out with a pump and sprinkler system... You just don;t want to be out on your septic "field" when the sprinklers start up... ;)

It's becoming county law, as well as law to have it inspected annually.

Wow, I have never heard of that kind of system..my old septic system is sounding better and better.

Yeah it's kinda aggravating to some folks, but the law is the law. They seem to be going to this as it's a prepackaged system, works in any soil condition, and is easier for them. One system type, required maintenance contract and it simple for the county.

Unfortunately I am closing on a property next week with an old septic system. Specifically a house that was started but never completed 13 years ago, but with an in ground septic system of some sort that was installed.

So I now have to find it, figure it out, because if I can't and it's not a good enough system I'll be forced to put in the sprinkler system type which I really don't want to do.

Could be a tough search or an easy one, I'm hoping the builder who started the house construction can help me out.

they would not have put lids on septic tanks if not to pump them out occasionally......certaintly this is not a contest on how long you can go without pumping your tank?? if not, be prepared to install a new system sometime!!

Ok but what about the TP issue and the supposedly flushable feminine products?

this is assuming that your doing everything correct with your septic system, such as using the right TP, no grease,etc................it still should be pumped when it is recommended.
Hey!!! I been driving my car for ten years and have never changed the oil or oil filter.........this makes about the same sense.

I've never had problems with mine freezing and it is the first place the snow melts. A properly working system generates heat. I also bury it deep enough to get pipes below frost levels. Water table and drainage have always been the big issues. I have always built mine to code with the help of local DEC for guidance. I take pictures and register it with them in case I should ever want to sell. Our local code code calls for a 1000 gallon tank for a 3 bedroom house and an additional 250 gallons for each additional bedroom. Local Perk tests determine types of drain fields that can be used. I use mine like any other sewage and flush toilet paper and give no more concern than just to make sure things flushed are biodegradable. Womens feminine products can be a nightmare for any sewage system and will snag and swell up in pipes. They should be disposed of with garbage.

don't get caught with your pants down, pump your septic!!

Wisconsin has a standard that says septic systems must be pumped out and inspected every 2 years. Makes complete sense to me as it removes solids before they can work thought the system and clog the drain filed. It also allows inspection of the baffle that keeps the solids seperate from the liquids.

$75 seems an inexpensive way to ensure the ystem is functioning properly.