Let’s talk Crap!

Let’s talk about a subject that most people don’t even think about… well, unless you live in a rural area where there is not a municipal sewer system. 

This topic of this post could be “Where does the crap go?” or one of a number of references to what is referred to as a Septic System. 

In a nutshell a septic system is an underground wastewater treatment facility that you have in your very own back yard. It uses a combination of nature and technology to treat wastewater from the plumbing in your house. It is where all the water from your sinks, laundry, kitchen and even your toilets go. 

A septic system is a tank and a system of field lines (drain field) and /or a soil absorption field. It digests organic matter and separates floatable matter like oils and grease and solids from the wastewater. Soil based systems discharge the liquid from the septic tank into a system of perforated pipes in a leach field and then into the soil. 

It is not my intention to specifically tell you how a septic system works; the EPA has some wonderful information on their site as does Wikipedia (where I stole/borrowed one of the pics for this article). 

What I want to talk about is how to maintain your septic system.  

1. Toilets are not trash cans! While it is perfectly ok to flush toilet paper, it is certainly not advisable to flush paper towels, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, pharmaceuticals, diapers, Q-tips, facial cleaning pads… Just toilet paper and poop and perhaps an occasional vomit.
2. Watch what you put down your sink! Oil and grease and even some soaps can congeal and form a nasty mass of floating ‘stuff’ that will rise to the top of the septic tank. In this photo it is called scum. I think that pretty well describes it.
3. Every few months or so it is nice to flush some Rid-X down the toilet. My mom used to flush yeast. Just like those little packets used to make bread. This will keep the bacteria working in the tank that actually eats the solid stuff that falls to the bottom.
4. Watch what you use to clean your toilets. A lot of bleach and similar products can kill the bacteria that are alive and working in your septic system.
5. Every few years, it is necessary to have the septic system pumped by a professional.

 As a Realtor, I’ve had more than a few run-ins with septic systems.

Once a family contacted me to tell me they were having issues with their toilets backing up and laundry water standing in the yard. I asked them if they had the septic inspected before purchasing the house. Well they had NOT had it inspected, so I suggested they have it pumped and ask the fellah to do a quick inspection. They called me in a few days to let me know that their septic tank had collapsed and they were looking at about $7000 to have a new one installed with new field lines. Expensive! Because they had not had the system inspected, there was no liability to the original seller.

Just the other day I was at a client’s house having the septic tank inspected and pumped. I worked with the seller and advised him at the onset that he was probably going to be asked to pump the septic system. Although he thought it was unusual, after my story about the collapsed septic system, he understood why and was expecting the expense.  

Luckily the septic tank is in good shape and ready for a new family! 

So there I sat behind the poop truck… I still get a giggle out of the view…