Just had our septic inspection, and Q (to live, recycling)

[jthibodeau]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

jthibodeau, are you talking about the yeast you get at the grocers for making bread? How much of that do you put in and how often?

Yes, exactly maestramommy, it's cheap, easily available and will do absolutely no harm to your system. IMO, applied once a month would be great. How about once a week if you have a big family. I don't have any scientific evidence to back up this theory. I'm certainly no scientist. I'm just someone who has a few years experience in this field. But, after all is said and done, how can one go wrong at less than a buck a month.

You also have to remember that this is help for a healthy system to continue to remain healthy and not a savior for a system that is "in" or close to failure.

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by jthibodeau

Yes, exactly maestramommy, it's cheap, easily available and will do absolutely no harm to your system. IMO, applied once a month would be great. How about once a week if you have a big family. I don't have any scientific evidence to back up this theory. I'm certainly no scientist. I'm just someone who has a few years experience in this field. But, after all is said and done, how can one go wrong at less than a buck a month.

You also have to remember that this is help for a healthy system to continue to remain healthy and not a savior for a system that is "in" or close to failure.

Do you mean a jar's worth? A jar at the regular grocer's is actually rather pricey. At least in CA it was.

[rmcewan]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

Do you mean a jar's worth? A jar at the regular grocer's is actually rather pricey. At least in CA it was.

mm: I suggest you talk to a septic professional about additives.

Seriously - a septic should not need additives. You could cause more damage than good. YOU provide the bacteria necessary. Laundry and dishwasher detergents are far more septic friendly than they were in the past and modern appliances use less water too. If you don't have lo-flow toilets then they'll help too. Do not use per-flush toilet cleaners. Do not utilize a waste disposal. Do not wash cooking oils/fat down the sink.
Pump every couple of years.

Check this site out:Septic System Additives, septic starters, septic treatments, septic cleaners, & Septic Helper Chemicals for Septic Tanks and Drainfields Septic Tank Treatments
A quick quote should get you clicking over:
"Some septic tank or septic drainfield additives such as yeast or harsh chemicals can actually damage the septic system. Yeast can cause frothing and excessive activity in the septic tank, preventing normal settling of solids and coagulation of greases. This agitation forces solid waste into the drainfield and by clogging the soil, shortens its life. Other septic chemicals intended to kill tree roots or unclog clogged leachfield soils can contaminate the environment."

[leggo]

I heard from a septic guy that letting a half gallon of milk spoil and dump down the drain was a good thing to do on occasion. He also said Riddex was a waste of money and you get a lot more good bacteria from the spoiled milk than anything you could buy.

[scone]

Originally Posted by leggo

I heard from a septic guy that letting a half gallon of milk spoil and dump down the drain was a good thing to do on occasion. He also said Riddex was a waste of money and you get a lot more good bacteria from the spoiled milk than anything you could buy.

Did he mean that the bacteria in spoiled milk is the same as the bacteria in yoghurt? And is that the stuff that eats "solid waste?" And if that's true, how come eating yoghurt doesn't affect my personal "system?"

Or did he mean that the nutrients in spoiled milk do the trick, e.g., the sugar and protein?

[jthibodeau]

Originally Posted by maestramommy

Do you mean a jar's worth? A jar at the regular grocer's is actually rather pricey. At least in CA it was.

LOL...Sorry for not mentioning sizes. I was referring to a 1/4 oz. package of "Active Dry" yeast. They usually come in a three pack such as Fleischmann's.

[GregW]

Septic systems are meant to process human waste and detergents from washing machines but not under sink waste grinders. The septic tank is an anaerobic (septic = without air) digester where bacteria and yeasts process the solids into liquids and separate and store the remaining solids from the liquid effluent. The liquid effluent drains to the leach field where it is aerobically (with air) processed before soaking into the soil.
Pump the septic tank periodically to remove the solids that cannot be digested by the bugs in the tank and keep cars, trucks and other heavy equipment of the leach field area to prevent compacting the soil or crushing the pipes. The pumped tank contains enough organisms to continue the process as the tank is refilled by normal use.

[Bminish]

I am potentially buying a home in guilford county and am entering a ten day due diligence period,it is listed as
A 3 bedroom possible 4th bedroom. Supposedly it is pre records for my county as to what the initial septic
Was installed for and me as a Virgin septic owner want to get some answers as to what condition the current
System is in as well as any possible future costs to repair or replace or increase capacity etc........the home was built in 1960 and I don't have a clue to what kind of maintenance has been, any pointers as to getting these things checked by a honest professional as far as septic and or water supply (well water ) I know this can be costly and could effect my decision to purchase if system has possible costly repairs due to neglect from
Prior occupants??? Any helpful feedback

[GregW]

Bminish - Ask the Town Sanitarian or Engineer to check out the system as well as provide a construction history.

[blessedme]

huh.....since I know NOTHING about leachfields and septic tanks - only been in NH for 2 yrs - how long before you have to "get" a new leachfield?? Is that how it works?

Also, any recommendations on septic cleaning places? I am in Windham