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Septic tank question
#8693539
09/22/22 10:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,755
spacejunkie
OP
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OP
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About when to get it cleaned out. Had a plumber over today to snake out a line and he said it might be time. We have been in the house mostly the wife and I since December 2009 if that helps. Are there signs to look for or just a general length of time? Also for those that live in the Seguin area is there anyone you would recommend?
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693549
09/22/22 10:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,098
texasag93
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We moved into house I grew up in 1978. Traditional septic system. 4 of us.
We never had it pumped. Ever. No maintenance all those years.
The septic system worked until my dad connected to the city sewer in 2019 as he was afraid he would pass and we would not be able to sell the house with it not being hooked up to city sewer.
My house has the aerobic system and we have had it pumped 4 times in 16 years. Every time the guy pumps it out he tells me the horror stories of people who send grease down their sinks.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693583
09/22/22 11:43 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,606
603Country
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We have two septic tanks at the main house - one for Gray water and one for Blackwater - and we get the black tank pumped out once a year, just before the entire family descends upon us at the Christmas holidays. We don’t want system overload. The Guest house and barn apartment septics don’t get pumped out but every 3 or 4 years.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693586
09/22/22 11:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,582
68rustbucket
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I get my conventional septic tank pumped every 2-3 years. Been here since ‘91, have had the lid replaced due to collapsing about 5 years ago. I could get it pumped every year, and it would be cheaper than having to replace the conventional system with an aerobic system.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693694
09/23/22 02:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
don k
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A little over 40 years and never pumped. But the washer and the kitchen sink don't run into it.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693758
09/23/22 04:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,109
Ranch Dawg
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THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER AND THE PARTY NEVER ENDS.
F##K YOU JOE BIDEN !!!!!
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: don k]
#8693763
09/23/22 05:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,823
DannyB
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A little over 40 years and never pumped. But the washer and the kitchen sink don't run into it. In that liberal area where you are I would delete the post. Gray water is a big no no to TCEQ. To the OP, I think the general rule of thumb is pump about every 2-3 years, depending on your soil and now deep and well designed your drain field is. On a conventional system if you wait too long to the point of bathtub sewage backups then you for sure waited too long.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693817
09/23/22 12:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,304
Stump_jumper
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It depends on whether you have an aerobic system or conventional. On my aerobic every 5 to 6 years is about right and make sure they pump both solid tanks. With 2 people and being careful about what you put in there you could go longer. If aerobic and the water comes out of your sprinklers is brown then time to pump. A few no no's are feminine products, rubbers, vegetable labels, and wipes. Toilet paper only. I like to pull my pump occasionally and check for debris. I pulled it one time and found a rubber stuck to it.
2017 Tundra 5.7 CM 4x4 2006 Champion 2200 Bay Boat
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693836
09/23/22 12:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,085
J.G.
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Depends on the number of people using it, and how frequently. Family of 4, full time use, I would have it cleaned every 3 years.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693858
09/23/22 12:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5,875
angus1956
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Old place was conventional pumper truck guy said with just the wife and I to pump every 4-5 years. New place is aerobic had it pumped when we moved in in July. Glad I did pump truck guy said it was full of baby wipes.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693863
09/23/22 12:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner
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'Pretty sure I have two conventional ones, not far from each other, here at the ranch. (Crappy metal barn built first, then the house. Clean out traps show main lines go slightly different directions. Weeds are different over where I think #2 is.) I think the inspector missed one in all the weeds when we were buying the place. I've had the one he found pumped, but finding anyone to do it out here is a PITA. I try to apply Rid-X and root killer alternatively. Otherwise, I'm "letting sleeping dogs lie."
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693881
09/23/22 01:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14,098
glens
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I've had septic tanks for years and several different places. Always get mine cleaned/pumped every 5 years.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8693928
09/23/22 02:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,451
Dalroo
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Yeah, we have two at our place...one for original barn and apartment, and now another for new house. Both traditional...new one too new to worry about, and original now about 5 years without pumping or problems, but also not used near to capacity. My plan, unless something happens, is to have them both on same pump schedule so not to double pumper visits. Will probably wait another couple of years, then get them both done at same time. Maybe 8 years for original and 3 for new by the time we get them cleaned.
And FYI - the installer here said stay away from RidX. This was a surprise to me and I have been using it for years, both here and on another house we owned on septic. He said that sludge is healthy for the system, and RX breaks down sludge too much, but not enough to be liquid. As a result, small particles make their way into laterals and will eventually clog. Far better to have the sludge in tank for pumping than to have a clogged field that needs to be dug up.
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: DannyB]
#8694002
09/23/22 04:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
don k
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A little over 40 years and never pumped. But the washer and the kitchen sink don't run into it. In that liberal area where you are I would delete the post. Gray water is a big no no to TCEQ. To the OP, I think the general rule of thumb is pump about every 2-3 years, depending on your soil and now deep and well designed your drain field is. On a conventional system if you wait too long to the point of bathtub sewage backups then you for sure waited too long. You must not know where I live if you think this is a liberal area.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8694788
09/24/22 07:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,256
Dave Davidson
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I just had one installed on my rural property. $10,000.
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8695446
09/25/22 04:43 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,262
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
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About 4 years on my aerobic system.
Another question... for the aerobic guys. How diligent are you on adding chlorine tabs? I drop one or two in a month on the system near my house. I got a separate tank down by my shop/barn. Never bother with tabs in it and wonder if that's OK.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: dkershen]
#8695471
09/25/22 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,304
Stump_jumper
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About 4 years on my aerobic system.
Another question... for the aerobic guys. How diligent are you on adding chlorine tabs? I drop one or two in a month on the system near my house. I got a separate tank down by my shop/barn. Never bother with tabs in it and wonder if that's OK. The way a septic guy explained it to me is the only reason for chlorine tabs is to add a level of disinfectant in case someone gets a face full when the sprinklers come on. They do nothing for odor. If your water smells it is because you have a compressor problem or tank needs to be pumped. I have not used them for about 15 years. When we had inspections I just dropped a couple in before the inspector showed up. I did rig up a little bleach drip.
2017 Tundra 5.7 CM 4x4 2006 Champion 2200 Bay Boat
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Re: Septic tank question
[Re: spacejunkie]
#8695477
09/25/22 05:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,543
NewGulf
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