North Port well and septic (how much, neighborhood, cabinet)

[bspkayaker]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the area and have a well and septic in which I know nothing about. It would be greatly appreciatted if anyone could help me on explaining to me on what I am to do with my filtration, softener, etc.

I was mentioned to me by a gentleman that you need to place salt in the cabinet, but when and how much?

Is there filters that need to be changed, also when and how often?

What about the septic tank do I need someone to come here and vacuum it out periodicly?

Do I need to include any additives to the septic tank?

Thanks for your time and help in this matter

Brian

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by bspkayaker

Hello everyone,

I am new to the area and have a well and septic in which I know nothing about. It would be greatly appreciatted if anyone could help me on explaining to me on what I am to do with my filtration, softener, etc.

I was mentioned to me by a gentleman that you need to place salt in the cabinet, but when and how much?

Is there filters that need to be changed, also when and how often?

What about the septic tank do I need someone to come here and vacuum it out periodicly?

Do I need to include any additives to the septic tank?

Thanks for your time and help in this matter

Brian

Hi Brian,

I live in North Port as well. Welcome to the neighborhood.

I have Dave from Quality Water come out and service my well. He comes out once a month and puts salt in the tank. That costs around $35. My husband could do this easily but I got tired of nagging him and it was just easier for me to hire someone to do it.

Then he comes out once every six months and scrubs the tank out and changes the filters out for the R/O system. This costs $100. Again, my husband could do this as well.

Now for the septic, we have it pumped out once every 5 years or so. There are five of us in the home. I think it runs around $300 if I remember right. We don't put anything special in the drains or tank so I'm not sure about that.

Hope this helps!

[bspkayaker]

Soflgal,

Thanks so much for the info

[mikey2]

I had septic for over 25 years so I'll share some of the "Commandments" that I eventually learned (the hard way).

1. Don't be lulled into thinking your septic is "fine"...they work until the leach fields clog up and then there is a big, very expensive problem.

2. Never thrown anything down a drain that you wouldn't enjoy seeing again! Because it your septic backs up or clogs...you just may.

3. Never use a garbage disposal with septic.

4. Always use those little drain traps that you can get at Walmart to trap hair, etc. Hair mixed with soap can eventually work into leach fields and clog them (you can picture that).

5. Always be very careful with what goes down your kitchen sink! No grease. I also had a metal drain strainer to catch food that washed off plates, etc.

6. Scrape dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher.

7. Don't waste your money on "additives" that won't work anyway. There are two tanks that can be pumped out every few years, which will take out most of the heavy stuff that collects there to prevent it from getting into the leach fields.

I know this all sounds like a lot, but believe me, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars if you simply follow it.

I've been know to amuse many people at parties with my "septic disaster" stories.

Mikey