How often do you pump your septic tank?

[DuckLady]

Our Oregon house has septic. We had it pumped after 5 years because we did use a garbage disposal and we had a float go bad so we had to dig the hole anyway.
It was about $500 for a 1500 gallon tank.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Quote:
That is right. That is why people shouldn't use garbage disposals when they have a septic tank. Also you should be sure what it is your are rinsing down the sink. Chemical decloggers and many cleansers kill the good bacteria and cause the septic system's ecological balance to die and then the problems begin. Any honest septic service will also tell you to use 1 ply paper and use it modestly. Charmin and other big name paper companies with big comfy 2 ply extra thick sheets and aloe and lotions is the worst for a septic tank.

My husband was a plumber for 25 years, and this is exactly right. You have to maintain bacteria in your tank. If your lateral lines are working properly, then you should not have any problems as long as their is the bacteria needed. The chemicals that you use in your home, do kill the bacteria needed for the system to break down the solids.

This is really gross, but if your system isn't breaking down solids correctly, and you can't afford to put anything in it, you can throw some sort of dead carcass in it (like a squirrel, nothing big), and the bacteria will start growing and start breaking down the solids.

You can also put yeast in it also.

To bad raccoons are to big. We had one or more (don't know how many) tear up the chicken wire on the run this weekend. We would LOVE to flush one or more of those puppies down the drain. For right now guess I'll add some yeast! I will tell my husband next time he gets gopher to put into sinking depths of the septic tank.

Sandee

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
My husband was a plumber for 25 years, and this is exactly right. You have to maintain bacteria in your tank. If your lateral lines are working properly, then you should not have any problems as long as their is the bacteria needed. The chemicals that you use in your home, do kill the bacteria needed for the system to break down the solids.

This is really gross, but if your system isn't breaking down solids correctly, and you can't afford to put anything in it, you can throw some sort of dead carcass in it (like a squirrel, nothing big), and the bacteria will start growing and start breaking down the solids.

You can also put yeast in it also.

To bad raccoons are to big. We had one or more (don't know how many) tear up the chicken wire on the run this weekend. We would LOVE to flush one or more of those puppies down the drain. For right now guess I'll add some yeast! I will tell my husband next time he gets gopher to put into sinking depths of the septic tank.

Sandee

Mwaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

[toletiquesbysam]

I used to use Rid-x but found at Dollar General a "generic" product that is 1/2 the cost of rid-x! I follow the once a month schedule as well. This is our 1st year in this house and it's 10yrs old, the original owners never pumped it, they had 6 people in their household. The 2nd family never pumped it until they put it for sale and they had 8 people in their family.
I use Scott's toliet paper-1ply. We do not have a garbage disposal. I also only use liquid laundry soap because I heard powdered is not as good for septics. Soo hoping all that will keeping us from having to pump it Ever!!

 

[MissPrissy]

I made a change to my laundry - all my wash water is grey water used to water plants with - it doesn't go into the septic tank. Using environmental friendly washing products and vinegar your water is safe for your shrubs and ground cover plants.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
My husband was a plumber for 25 years, and this is exactly right. You have to maintain bacteria in your tank. If your lateral lines are working properly, then you should not have any problems as long as their is the bacteria needed. The chemicals that you use in your home, do kill the bacteria needed for the system to break down the solids.

This is really gross, but if your system isn't breaking down solids correctly, and you can't afford to put anything in it, you can throw some sort of dead carcass in it (like a squirrel, nothing big), and the bacteria will start growing and start breaking down the solids.

You can also put yeast in it also.

To bad raccoons are to big. We had one or more (don't know how many) tear up the chicken wire on the run this weekend. We would LOVE to flush one or more of those puppies down the drain. For right now guess I'll add some yeast! I will tell my husband next time he gets gopher to put into sinking depths of the septic tank.

Sandee

Racoon would be fine too.

Had to call my husband on this one. He said anything dead really. Dog, Cat, Racoon, Squirrel as long as it isn't too awful large. Of course there is no way I could put a dog or cat into a septic tank. I wouldn't try to stuff a cow or anything in it.

Now ladies, don't go trying to put your husband's in the septic tank.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
To bad raccoons are to big. We had one or more (don't know how many) tear up the chicken wire on the run this weekend. We would LOVE to flush one or more of those puppies down the drain. For right now guess I'll add some yeast! I will tell my husband next time he gets gopher to put into sinking depths of the septic tank.

Sandee

Racoon would be fine too.

Had to call my husband on this one. He said anything dead really. Dog, Cat, Racoon, Squirrel as long as it isn't too awful large. Of course there is no way I could put a dog or cat into a septic tank. I wouldn't try to stuff a cow or anything in it.

Now ladies, don't go trying to put your husband's in the septic tank.

Now thats a thought I never ever thought of.......but however husbands wont be too willing or it would be a curse on us if ladies ever put their hubbies in the septic tanks! Its too gruesome to bury someone in it!

 

[twentynine]

My advice-- eat only cream style corn.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
Racoon would be fine too.

Had to call my husband on this one. He said anything dead really. Dog, Cat, Racoon, Squirrel as long as it isn't too awful large. Of course there is no way I could put a dog or cat into a septic tank. I wouldn't try to stuff a cow or anything in it.

Now ladies, don't go trying to put your husband's in the septic tank.

Now thats a thought I never ever thought of.......but however husbands wont be too willing or it would be a curse on us if ladies ever put their hubbies in the septic tanks! Its too gruesome to bury someone in it!

It is pretty rough to have to pull the lids

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:
It is illegal to do that where we lived or we would have done just that! That is a great way to get good use from your water.