The Tennessee Septic Tank / Too Many Bedrooms Gotcha (to buy, new construction)

[Tinman313]

I use Rid-X religiously every month a dose per instructions.... Never had any problems over 5 homes and 38 years. And "YES" too grease and other items that do not break down easily in your septic system. Quote: (BTW, I know of folks who have not had their septic systems pumped for 20 or 30 years with no problems! I agree ! Going on 15+ years with current home. I have a inspection port too monitor the tank.....

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Going on 15+ years with current home. I have a inspection port too monitor the tank.....

Now there is a man who knows how to take care of his sludge!!

[Tinman313]

I read some where??? The over use of Bleach, it's kills off the little boogers that eat..(BLANK) you know. And if you kill them then your tank is dead. You need a good bacteria growth then you have a healthy tank...

[galena]

Aha! There's another good reason my front-loading washer was a good buy. It only allows one to put 1/3 cup bleach in the washer gizmo. Those of you who use one know that a front-loader uses way less water, too.

[jimj]

About 3 years ago they mandated pressurized septics here which require you to remove a filter from the tank every year or so and clean it. Well, we pulled ours after 18 months (just in time, almost plugged) and we had a tank inspection at the same time. The septic guy noticed we had a slight backup and we found out it's because we don't use ENOUGH water. We have the normal low flow toilets and one of those new front loading washers, energy star dishwasher etc and none use much water anymore. We were told to fill up both bath tubs once a week and let 'em loose just to clear the pipes and really flush the system.
As long as you take the least bit of care with your system you should never have problems. the biggest killer of systems from what I hear is female products being flushed and plugging the drain field. BTW, our septic guy advertises on his trucks "satisfaction guarenteed or double your poop back"!

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by jimmy

About 3 years ago they mandated pressurized septics here which require you to remove a filter from the tank every year or so and clean it. Well, we pulled ours after 18 months (just in time, almost plugged) and we had a tank inspection at the same time. The septic guy noticed we had a slight backup and we found out it's because we don't use ENOUGH water. We have the normal low flow toilets and one of those new front loading washers, energy star dishwasher etc and none use much water anymore. We were told to fill up both bath tubs once a week and let 'em loose just to clear the pipes and really flush the system.
As long as you take the least bit of care with your system you should never have problems. the biggest killer of systems from what I hear is female products being flushed and plugging the drain field. BTW, our septic guy advertises on his trucks "satisfaction guaranteed or double your poop back"!

Very curious how they keep pressure in the tank? I realize it's just a positive pressure.But with both ends open I don't understand, and what type of filter?

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Very curious how they keep pressure in the tank? I realize it's just a positive pressure.But with both ends open I don't understand, and what type of filter?

The tank has 2 chambers and in the effluent chamber is a pump that pressurizes the drain field and forces the effluent the full lenth of the field instead of just letting gravity feed it out which generally only goes about half way or less. The filter is pre-pump inlet and is about 5 feet long and is about 3 inches in diameter.

[Tinman313]

Originally Posted by jimmy

The tank has 2 chambers and in the effluent chamber is a pump that pressurizes the drain field and forces the effluent the full length of the field instead of just letting gravity feed it out which generally only goes about half way or less. The filter is pre-pump inlet and is about 5 feet long and is about 3 inches in diameter.

Very Interesting....Must be a new system

[Bones]

Originally Posted by Tinman313

Very Interesting....Must be a new system

Been around for years.

Septic Mound Systems as Components of Alternative Septic Systems

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Bones

Been around for years.

Septic Mound Systems as Components of Alternative Septic Systems

True, but not used on non-mounded systems until recently from what we've been told. I've yet to talk to anyone (except here) that has had (by regulation) to install these pumps on a standard in-ground septic system.
At first I thought it was insane, the gravity system has worked forever so why the need to change? Then, after talking with our water quality people and learning that most gravity systems only use half or less of the drain field it made sense to force spread and use the whole thing. The only down side is a little more cost and upkeep labor.