Septic tank

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Septic tank; How to determine if work is needed
Topic Started: Mar 22 2014, 05:25 AM (210 Views)
blizzard	Mar 22 2014, 05:25 AM Post #1
Gold Star Member Posts: 4,152 Group: Member Member #1,012 Joined: July 8, 2013	I thought this should not go in the Coffee Lounge. As the process towards finalizing the sale of the house there are, of course. some conditions that must be removed. One is to have the septic tank inspected. To our surprise we were told the tank had to be cleaned despite it having been done in July 2013 for a rather hefty bill. We are expected to pay for the cleaning - again. A time was booked for what I assumed was the cleaning and inspection. For 1:00PM today. Not 8:27AM! I have no idea why the individual who interrupted my relaxed morning did not knock on the door before he started to make a dreadful racket. Nor do I understand why paying nearly $400.00 is warranted for barely 4 minutes of work. alright 9 if it includes removing the hose from the hold, letting it drip down the grassy field (can we say YUCK!) then unwinding and winding up hoses. For some unfathomable reason he also moved my spooled garden hose - where to I have no idea as it was out of my line of sight. I was too busy taking photos - missed that one as I was so surprised. I will search for it soon and hide it in the event they return. My D thought perhaps the cleaning was pre-inspection. Well, they can damned well use their hoses! Waiting to hear back from my realtor to find out what is happening so as to get on with my day. I feel we are being held hostage. People wonder why I have never wanted to own my own home! It just seems so complicated to get anything done not to mention extremely expensive.



angora	Mar 22 2014, 05:29 AM Post #2
WWS Book Club Coordinator Posts: 14,494 Group: Member Member #717 Joined: March 31, 2010	Who told you that the tank had to be cleaned again, since it was done so recently. Was it the realtor, the building inspection guy, someone from the township. What authority did they give for this order?



Dialtone	Mar 22 2014, 06:33 AM Post #3
Gold Star Member Posts: 7,190 Group: Member Member #721 Joined: April 1, 2010	We used to have our septic tank pumped out every 2 years, it cost us $150 each time. The cost is for the pump truck, they are expensive to buy and operate, and then there is a cost to dump the waste. IMO the $150 was cheap insurance for a working septic system, you don't want solids in your drain field or you will be looking at $10K or so to replace it.



blizzard	Mar 22 2014, 07:12 AM Post #4
Gold Star Member Posts: 4,152 Group: Member Member #1,012 Joined: July 8, 2013	It was the company that does the pumping and inspecting! The buyers' realtor either informed them or vice versa - not quite sure - then our realtor told us. It took a few phone calls, explanations and more confusion before someone, I believe the septic company, to say that even an inch of fluid in the tank would have to be cleaned out. At no time today were we told to not use the toilet - so go figure! I do understand the importance of having the work done, so it was July 2013 and May 2010 and I believe 2 years prior to that. It is having it done less than a year after and the company just showing up. I have since found out that it does indeed take two visits, most likely by the same person! At least we do not have to pay for the inspection. I suppose the frustration will be worth it once everything is signed, sealed and keys handed over.



angora	Mar 22 2014, 09:31 AM Post #5
WWS Book Club Coordinator Posts: 14,494 Group: Member Member #717 Joined: March 31, 2010	Gosh, the septic tank guys in my neck of the woods say that a clean every 4 years is plenty as long as you have a good working septic system. So, that's what they do. I guess now I'll have to talk to them if we put the house on the market this year.



Dialtone	Mar 22 2014, 09:54 AM Post #6
Gold Star Member Posts: 7,190 Group: Member Member #721 Joined: April 1, 2010	The problem with a lot of septic systems these days is the amount of bleaches and anti-bacterial products dumped into them. The solids never break down since all the bacteria gets killed, so you have raw sewage sitting there for years looking fresh. People new to acreages are the worst since most have come from the city and treat the septic like city systems. Our neighbours system was plugged soon after they moved in due to misuse and not realizing how things worked. They dumped grease, paint, drywall mud solution, and just about anything else liquid down the drains, and their kids took long showers and baths, overloading the field with too much water. One year their house looked like it had a glacier beside it where the septic field overflowed and froze solid. Too much water is as bad as too little, but it's difficult to find the happy medium.



friendshipgal	Mar 22 2014, 10:51 AM Post #7
Guess everyone wants their own Trudashians Posts: 12,815 Group: Member Member #241 Joined: February 12, 2006	It's standard practice to have the septic pumped out before selling the house. I know in our subdivision it is always done, but not sure if it's a legislated requirement. A buyer of a house on a septic would be wise to request it and definitely testing a well. If you are buying a house on a well, make sure that you ask if the well was shocked prior to testing as many sellers will do that but do not disclose it. The well can test fine, but a month after moving in, you have bad water. We try to be careful with ours, no grease and limited bleach. One thing I won't pour down the drain is water used when painting with acrylics. The paint in the water can ball up and clog the drains. Edited by friendshipgal, Mar 22 2014, 10:53 AM.



Trotsky	Mar 22 2014, 12:29 PM Post #8
Big City Boy Posts: 38,319 Group: Member Member #79 Joined: September 8, 2005	blizzard, Your pocket was picked and your realtor should have raised a red flag about it, presuming it was not HE who called the septic company (and pocketed $100.) Realtors are not paid just for pretty faces. NJ has among the tightest regulations and here's the standard they use: Quote: Should I pump my septic tank before I put my house up for sale? Routine pumping of a septic tank should occur every 2 - 3 years. If you have followed this schedule, saved the maintenance receipts, and your next regular pumpout will occur during the time your house is on the market there is no problem in having your septic tank pumped. However, if you have not followed a regular maintenance schedule and decide to pump your tank just before the sale of your home it may raise a red flag. If you are concerned about the condition of your septic system it might make sense to have the system inspected by a reputable company before you put the house on the market. Minor repairs, if necessary, can then be performed in accordance with a permit issued by the Health Department. The recent repairs and the appropriate documentation may then become a selling feature for your property Clearly your evidence that it was pumped in 2013 should have sufficed. Edited by Trotsky, Mar 22 2014, 12:36 PM.



wildie	Mar 22 2014, 02:33 PM Post #9
Veteran Member Posts: 12,173 Group: Member Member #442 Joined: October 11, 2006	If I were buying a property with a septic system, I would make a condition of sale that it would be pumped out, so as to allow an inspection. IF SEPTICS are allowed to fill with solids the weeping tile will clog and then have to be replaced.



blizzard	Mar 22 2014, 06:50 PM Post #10
Gold Star Member Posts: 4,152 Group: Member Member #1,012 Joined: July 8, 2013	Well it is done now, no idea what the result was. Some holes in the ground and some little flags. Those did trouble me. The main thing will be to hear the purchase is going through. God forbid there was anything to worry about! Some holes in the ground and some little flags. Fortunately my parents were quite familiar with how to deal with septic tanks and were careful which is why we have all the receipts. I have managed to stay pretty careful also, rarely use bleach or anything else bad for the system. I had worried about having a dishwasher put in when the renovations were done in 2011.



wildie	Mar 23 2014, 09:27 AM Post #11
Veteran Member Posts: 12,173 Group: Member Member #442 Joined: October 11, 2006	blizzard Mar 22 2014, 06:50 PM Well it is done now, no idea what the result was. Some holes in the ground and some little flags. Those did trouble me. The main thing will be to hear the purchase is going through. God forbid there was anything to worry about! Some holes in the ground and some little flags. Fortunately my parents were quite familiar with how to deal with septic tanks and were careful which is why we have all the receipts. I have managed to stay pretty careful also, rarely use bleach or anything else bad for the system. I had worried about having a dishwasher put in when the renovations were done in 2011. I worried about both the DW and the CW affecting the process, but have not noted any problems. Detergants may, perhaps, feed the bacteria!



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