Septic Systems for Dummies?

Get a copy of the service report from the seller or have your own inspection done just to be sure it's in good shape. Does it have an alarm on it? They're pretty simple systems. Don't flush anything except TP and have it pumped every 3-5 years depending on household size. Also, if you have a drain field, don't run over it. Ask me how I know

Make sure you pump it every 3-5 years because it will back up into your home. My parents found that out this weekend

Get a reputable company and have it inspected have them do everything that’s been mentioned if it’s not in good shape you can start burning through cash quickly

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On the Rid-X, is this something added to the tank every once in a while?

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Yeah, just pour it in one of your toilets and flush. It supposedly keeps the bacteria in the tank at a healthy level so the solids break down and fall to the bottom of the tank. The fluids will leach out into your yard via field lines.

As far getting the sept tank pumped out.... With just 2 adults and putting very little in the disposal you should get 8+ years. 2 adults and 2 children, 4 to 6 years.

Something not talked about is don't dump cleaning chemicals down the drain. This can kill the bacteria in the sept tank.

To check the air pump..... There should be a short section or rubber hose next to the air pump. Disconnect the hose and see if air is blowing. Also, there is an air filter on the air pump. This filter should be cleaned every year or two using a water hose and maybe scrubbed with some soap if it is very dirty. Dry it off before reinstalling it.

If your city does home compliance checks. A sept tank must be pumped out if it is over 50 % full of solids. This cost about $500-700.

Older systems will gravity feed out to your field lines Newer systems have a submerged pump that feeds your discharge line. Some systems it feeds sprinkler heads. So long as your aerator pump is rolling your tank the system should be self sufficient. Like others mentioned, you may need to get it pumped out every 5 to 10 years.

For those that have sprinkler heads, does the spray area stay too wet? I’m asking because I will have one in the new house, and I’ll also have a sprinkler system.

Would I be better off having irrigation in the entire yard and have the septic sprinkler spray into my 20’ of buffer zone (pine trees and brush I’m leaving to separate my lot from the one behind me), or would you use the septic sprinklers in the rear of the usable yard and not have the irrigation sprinklers hit that area?

I’m sure I could eventually. Foundation just got poured.

ZEP makes a product the same as Rid-X for a few nickles less.

I don't notice water pooling or ground saturation. If it's been raining a lot, everything is comparably wet for the most part. If it's dry, it evaporates pretty quick. The grass around your sprayers stays greener for sure. And it is good for watering bushes and trees.

Locally, they don't allow leach fields anymore, and I would say leach fields are less optimal than aerobic systems (sprayers). Leach fields require the soil to be well draining. If the leach fields are get saturated from rain, it won't drain the lines meaning the water backs up into the house. Sprayers spray that shite water regardless if it's saturated or not.