All about Septic Systems 101 - Tips & Top 3 Mistakes

Living with a septic system requires maintenance. Here's some common mistake and things to keep your septic system healthy.
Thanks to Nordic Pumping for all the great information. nordicpumping.com
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[@wanderlustjohn]

Excellent video and well put together. Thank you for doing this for the residents of Steamboat Springs.

[@craigwillson5974]

As a Certified Septic System Evaluator in the State of New Hampshire, which is just a fancy title for a Septic Inspector, I don't believe in pumping Septic Tanks as part of the on-site inspection. In my opinion, it's better to conduct an inspection with the tank full, and in it's natural state. Again, in my opinion, it's a much better and more accurate way to evaluate both the condition and function of an existing system... especially the Leachfield or Drainfield. Keep in mind, Septic Tanks typically don't fail or go bad, unless the tank is fractured or cracked, and leaking. Obviously, if a tank leaks, it's not going to be full, which means the Leaching Area or Drainage Area will be dry! I also don't think a Home Buyer should pay for a Septic Tank to be pumped out before they even own the house. To be clear, in my state, it's usually the perspective buyer who wants and needs the inspection, which means they pay for it. I typically tell my customers, who are usually the buyers, that if I think the tank needs to be serviced, I'll let them know. That way, they can ask the Homeowner, which is usually the seller, to get the tank pumped out, or at least pay for it. However, pumping is not always necessary, especially if the tank was serviced in the past year or two. As a result, I frequently tell my customers they can wait for another year. Suffices to say, with 20 years of experience as a Licensed Inspector, I don't believe in pumping a Septic Tank unless it needs pumping. Why spend another 300 or 400 bucks if it isn't necessary. Lastly, I do recommend pumping out a Septic Tank if it's been more than 4 or 5 years since it was last serviced. I also take into consideration the number of full time occupants living in the house, and the size of the tank. In other words, the size of the Septic Tank in relation to the number of people using the system makes a difference. Obviously, a larger capacity tank can handle a greater volume of waste, and this is really important if it's a 2 Compartment or even a 3 Compartment Tank. In fact, lots of Modern Septic Systems in New Hampshire have Multiple Compartment Tanks or Multiple Septic Tanks, which is a good way to go... I highly recommend it.

[@dally2157]

Hi..I was interested in your comment and I absolutely agree of what you just said.. I'm interested in buying a home sold as is and the property has a cesspool. It's a 1942 home very small 1075sq ft. 2 beds and 1 bathroom. I have a family of 3 The cesspool are no longer permitted so I have to replace it with a new system. What tank will you recommend.. plastic tank or concrete. Some company gave me an estimate from 20 to 30 k. But I'm wondering if there's another system much cheaper. My second question is do I must have a leach field or should I just installed a system with only the air vent? I'm in the state of new jersey , deptford area. Thanks for any suggestions or tips ....

[@craigwillson5974]

@@dally2157 In all honesty, because I live and work in the State of New Hampshire, I'm not up to speed on the rules and regulations in New Jersey. However, I can tell you that a CESSPOOL is NOT a Septic System. In fact, in my state of NewHampshire, I don't even inspect CESSPOOLS, because it's an automatic failure. I tell both Home Buyers and Home Sellers that because a CESSPOOL it's not a State Approved Septic System, consult with a Licensed Septic System Designer or Professional Engineer to determine what type of system will work best in the amount of space available. In other words, the size of the yard matters, but fortunately, these days we have different types of Leaching Fields to fit in different size yards. On the topic of replacing your Septic Tank, I'm old school, and as a result, I still prefer Concrete Tanks. With that in mind, I recommend 2 Compartment Concrete Septic Tanks, because I believe longer retention time enables better settling or separation of the solids from the wastewater, and having a 2nd Compartment ensures only liquid or Effluent flows out to the Leachfield/Drainfield. So, that's what I recommend.

[@simplesepticsecrets]

How can you inspect the baffle when the tank is full? I have pumped a few different tanks with large cracks that were not visible until we emptied the tank. Small cracks are ok. Just noted in the report. These cracked tanks had normal operating levels before pumping. We look at the water level before pumping and mention the run back; if any. Run back can be a sing, the leach field is failing. It's always interesting to me to learn from other people who have also been doing this for a while. Where I live, we give recommendations based on the size of the tank and number of people, so for a 2000 gallon tank with one person, we recommend a pump job around every 20 to 25 years. It makes a big difference on how many people use the system

[@craigwillson5974]

@@simplesepticsecrets Obviously, you didn't read my remarks in full, because I clearly acknowledged the size of the Septic Tank and the number of "full time" occupants is a consideration. To be clear, a proper Septic System Inspection requires opening both the Inlet Cover and Outlet Cover of the tank. That's the only way to see and inspect the BAFFLES, and properly conduct a Flow Test. As a result, I very rarely open the Center Cover of the tank, because that's usually where the tank gets pumped out... not inspected. Although, some of the older tanks don't have 3 covers, in which case, you have to do the best you can depending on what style of Septic Tank is buried in the yard. Again, I'm in New Hampshire, and as a result, I can only speak to what we typically deal with in my state. I understand and appreciate that different states do things differently than here in the Granite State. Nevertheless, I've been doing Septic System Inspections for a very long time, and I know what to expect or anticipate, when it comes to On-site Residential Disposal Systems also referred to as Sub-surface WastewaterTreatment Systems, or Individual Sewage Disposal Systems, because it's all the same thing, which is Private Septic Systems. I usually work for Home Buyers, but also Home Sellers, depending on the situation, and I specialize in evaluating existing on-site systems.

[@Someguyto]

@@craigwillson5974 Is it legal to have a porta john on your property and have the home strictly gray water and then have the porta john pumped out every so often?

[@loubino18]

WELL DONE, THX!

[@joshuagarrard3859]

Really good way to go green

[@madlankan6735]

Is there any anerobical action in septic tank

[@alexciocca4451]

My big question is how these vacuum truck operators or plumbers prevent themselves from getting montezumas revenge ? I cleaned a grease trap by hand and 3 days later I was on the floor hugging the porcelain throne all night I thought life would end that night one time and one time only

[@AA-kf7uf]

What product(s) do you recommend that help to maintain the correct bacteria to breakdwon the solids? HomeDepot has monthly maintenance product. Your recommendation? Thank you!

[@simplesepticsecrets]

I personally recommend Pro pump septic saver I have recommended it long before I started selling it you want to avoid using cheap treatments found at the store. make sure you don't treat your system as a garbage can and pump out your tank on time.

[@gabrielfigueroa2614]

Backing soda white Vinager and hot water every 6 months.

[@michaeleconomides4054]

I'm new to wells and septic, an d I've been watching videos on disinfecting wells with bleach. They often show flushing the beach from inside pipes down the drains (into septic). I'm wondering approximately how much bleach can a septic tolerate? Does a cup per month sound about right? And if the bacteria are killed by the bleach, is there any way to grow them back? If not what is the solution?

[@Steamboatsmyhome]

You want the bacteria in the system. I don't think bleach is good for the septic system. As for the well, look into different filters to help with the water quality if needed.

[@scottwebber652]

What I noticed was the depth of the tank. That beater seemed to sho a deep tank which would make freezing tougher. Around here seems the tank bottom is only 6’ deep n not enough in my view. So I deal with the freezing watcha think for that ??

[@simplesepticsecrets]

I am glad I have never had to dig up a frozen tank or in snow digging in the clay is tuff enough

[@cliffBMRC]

Great video. Why does my septic pumper put liquid back into my tank after they pump. ???? They say it help to start the bacteria process. Is that correct??

[@pumptruck5405]

He does this so he can fit more loads on and make more money and spend less on disposal. Find a real pumper that scrapes it clean

[@cliffBMRC]

@@pumptruck5405 THANK YOU VERY MUCH.....Cliff

[@cliffBMRC]

@@pumptruck5405 Your videos are great. My tank has a separate holding area before flowing in the main tank. The pumper stated that does not needed to be pumped. Is that Correct? I really appreciate you valued opinion. Cliff

[@pumptruck5405]

@@cliffBMRC these are not my videos.. ill say this ..i dont know what kind of system you have but if it is traditional.. (no media or aerators)... i would say there is no reason to put effluent back into the tank, thats just greed. Also if the chamber before the tank is a pump tank or grinder pump..i would say yes there is no need to pump out a pump station. Like i said not my videos but I am a pumper and inspector... to put it simply whatever tanks you have where septic waste settles should be pumped clean.. any pumper that doesnt carry a scraper or gravy ladel as its called in the industry... i would be weary of. Not every tank can have the bottom sludge cleaned out but most can. I know some pump trucks are set up as jugglers intenionally and they take the scum from the top and sludge off the bottom and then drain the middle colum of water back into the tank.. the middle is cleanest however still has a lot of suspended solids... its not the worst thing but it is for increased profits not the well being of your system

[@simplesepticsecrets]

If it's after pumping that he puts high-quality bacteria in the tank-like Pro-Pump that's great as long as the tank was cleaned before the bacteria was added the bacteria found in pro-pump breaks down fat grease and paper while eating sludge in the leach field.

[@pumptruck5405]

Houses that are seasonal need to be pumped as often as full time homes. Give me a break... leachfields that have biomat build up have been found to almost cure themselves over time if left to sit for enough years. Rule of thumb for pumping is the accumulation of 2 to 5 years depending on usage. If you are at the home seasonally you might count the months there rather than years. Also around here no septics last 50 to 60 years unless they are old pipe and stone systems. These new style septics you are lucky to get 25yrs... Agree with most of what you said but a lot of it is marketing bs

[@heatheradam2697]

What about using bamboo or sugar cane toilet paper?

[@timgiles9413]

Do I need to or should I fill my tank with water after I have it pumped out? Comments please

[@Steamboatsmyhome]

No, you should have it filled naturally with just waste water. That's what helps the decomposing.

[@timgiles9413]

@@Steamboatsmyhome Okay thanks. I was wondering because I thought "maybe" it needed to be filled with water before the scum was pushed out of the outlet pipe. I hope that made sense.

[@Keaggan]

That lid sitting in the open like that lol

[@bettyhouk8727]

I am having my septic tank pumped out ! Don’t like sewage burping up into my shower ! 🤧😷😵‍💫

[@simplesepticsecrets]

That's funny I am going to use that Burping up. I hear septic jokes all the time and I like the nasty way that sounds.

[@truthseekerKJV]

When it is EVER an emergency to use a garbage disposal ?

[@simplesepticsecrets]

I was thinking the same thing may be the sink is clogged so you turn it on to clean the drain.

[@jamesebola1250]

Why does the tank in an empty house need pumping? You are full of it... promoting your business.

[@simplesepticsecrets]

I pump septic tank for a living and I was thinking the same thing he must have a lot of vacation homes in his location and not enough full-time residents to keep busy unless I am missing something I agree with you.

[@expert244]

For the love of all things holy please get rid of that background music.

[@alvindechecko541]

keep your mouth shut and never shake a septic guys hands or let him touch your door knobs protips

[@DanCutterGMail]

Please find the person that established that ALL VIDEOS MUST INCLUDE ANNOYING MUSIC and punch them in the face.

[@THEREVOLUTION-0.1]

off course he'd say that. if he says otherwise, hell be unemployed