Septic problems
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soil
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PostPosted: Wed, Jun 4 2008, 10:32 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

Here are my tips from what our septic and engineer told me.

1) Don't use bleach. The septic people said that bleach and bleach products harm the septic system.

2) Wash off your food before placing dishes in the dishwasher. Food particles and the like can cause damage to the septic.

3) Many people have fish tanks and wash them out in a bathtub or sink. The rocks go down the drain and into the system. That is a no no.

4) Pump it out every 3 years at minimum. However, that should be fine for most people.

5) Never use a garbage disposal.

6) Avoid draino and other chemical plumbers.

7) Don't flush paper towels or other things that are not meant to be flushed. That's a septic and plumbing issue.

Septics have to be treated with kid gloves to keep them operating properly. As long as you keep their primary function to normal waste products and clean it out then you are okay.
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PostPosted: Wed, Jun 4 2008, 11:10 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

Does anyone not rinse off their dishes before putting them in the dishwater, regardless of what kind of system they have? Wow, you learn something new every day. I can't imagine not rinsing dishes first.
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PostPosted: Wed, Jun 4 2008, 11:54 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

I know the previous owner only pumped it every ten years!

I think they recommend yearly pumping, but that may be overkill IMO. Check the size of the tank, keep it in good shape, and then pump it every three years.

Just my 2 cents

op wrote:
Guest wrote:

My field is ~55 years old, never had a problem with it. Had to get a new tank (1000gal) ~6years ago. Old tank was literally falling apart (250gal). Cost me ~2K for the new tank. ...


Did you pump it say once per 3 years? Tips for maintaining a trouble free drain field?

The failure of the drain field is probably my fault, not pumping the tank for almost 7 years.
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East_Brunswick
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PostPosted: Tue, Jul 29 2008, 11:00 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

I replaced my leach field in 2005 using Michael Smith. It costs 16,500 to do and it was done for a 5br home. I have a 1k gallon tank. I also had the problem with the tank overflowing. It turned out to be the leach field, apparently the previous owner planted trees right above the pipes that drain into the leach field.
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op
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PostPosted: Tue, Jul 29 2008, 5:02 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

East_Brunswick wrote:
I replaced my leach field in 2005 using Michael Smith. It costs 16,500 to do and it was done for a 5br home. I have a 1k gallon tank. I also had the problem with the tank overflowing. It turned out to be the leach field, apparently the previous owner planted trees right above the pipes that drain into the leach field.


Thanks for the info.

Do you remember the size of the leach field replaced?

Mine is 18 ft. wide x 34 ft long, with an installation of infiltrator chamber system 6 rows of 8 with 4 ft. of sand.

The size was ok when the house was built in 80's; it's too small for modern 4/5-bedroom homes.
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PostPosted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 6:43 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

Michael Smith (732) 521-2664 or Barry Wham (609) 426-4390 are the best two sources for input about septic systems. Both guys are local and have repaired and/or built a lot of systems in Cranbury. They both know the routine for permits, details, soils, etc. and are very fair about pricing.
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PostPosted: Fri, Aug 29 2008, 11:20 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

My experience with Barry Wham:

Good:

* The price is cheaper.
* The work seems ok.
* His crew is friendly.

Bad:

* The follow-up is bad (see the photo of the sidewalk cracks below).
* The job is probably not as cleanly done as Michael Smith's (but the price is better than Michael Smith's).

My sidewalk cracks caused by the work:


He did mention to replace the damaged area for $500; there was no effort done to patch/repair the cracks (i.e., I am on my own or pay the $500 for repair).

BTW, can the cracks be repaired/patched or should I replace the slabs for $500?
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PostPosted: Fri, Aug 29 2008, 11:54 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

I would go to Home Depot and get some of the conceret caulk. That will seal the cracks and should do the trick.
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PostPosted: Fri, Aug 29 2008, 5:00 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

The contractor probably should have let you know in advance that the sidewalk might have cracked. It seems to be pretty old and probably does not have a compacted gravel base that is more common nowadays. $500 is a pretty good deal for the area shown in the photo. Although it is only about 50 SF, the short load charge for the material delivered is about $300.

Sorry to say, that the crack sealer will not fix the problem. The only way to repair cracked concrete sidewalks is to replace them.

Another way to get this done inexpensively is to make a deal with a contractor building in your neighborhood. If a builder is pouring nearby, the cost of the concrete for this area is worth about $100 when added to a larger order. The cost of removing the damaged sidewaly & replacement work may still cost a fuew hundred, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
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PostPosted: Fri, Aug 29 2008, 8:21 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

I agree. The sealer recommendation I made was more to stop water from getting and expanding the crack or magnifying the problem. The true fix is to replace the sidewalk. Who quoted $500? I have a similar size walk in the back that is pitched wrong and needs to be redone. I'd pay that price gladly.
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$500
Guest





PostPosted: Fri, Aug 29 2008, 8:32 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

The $500 quote is from Barry Wham along with my septic work. Give him a call.
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PostPosted: Fri, Sep 5 2008, 8:37 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

BTW, my replacement drain field uses a new system called "infiltrator chamber system," instead of the traditional "stone and pipe" system. Here is an illustration of each:





See:
http://www.thenaturalhome.com/septic.html
http://www.infiltratorsystems.com/
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PostPosted: Sun, Sep 7 2008, 9:02 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

If you don't mind me asking are prices comparable? I imagine this system will be the way people go in teh future.
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special deal
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PostPosted: Sun, Sep 7 2008, 10:45 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Septic problems Reply with quote

Guest wrote:
If you don't mind me asking are prices comparable? I imagine this system will be the way people go in teh future.


I had a special deal with the contractor (Barry) in order to get the price, which is between $11K and $10K. The deal is that I pay the full amount when the work begins (not ends). So I took some risk.
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