Cesspit hasn't been emptied in 18years

NewLibra

Thank you for all your replies. The owner keeps using the word cesspit and not septic tank. We are going to make an offer but it will be conditional on him draining the cesspit so we can get a proper survey done of it to find out exactly what is going on.

*Robin*

I have a house with two small cesspits, and another with a septic tank.

The only things that get flushed down are, erm "product" and water, out of date yoghurts, and the occasional dead mouse (courtesy of the cat). No toilet-paper, sanitary items, bleach, loo-blu or anything else.
Grey water goes into a soak-away which then feeds trees.

Each cesspit has a volume of approx two cubic metres. The house sometimes has many occupants, sometimes only one or two - on average over the year; four people using the loos. It takes about ten years for each cesspit to fill, at which point the lid is removed from the other one revealing fine, completely non-smelly compost (looks exactly like the higher quality stuff sold at garden centres). It's not an unpleasant job to remove it - grows fantastic veggies! Then the soil pipe is connected to the empty pit and can be forgotten about for the next decade.

The septic tank at the other house has been going for fifteen years so far, with no sign that the three-part tank needs attention.

It's a great system. One has to provide a lidded bin for paper waste of course, and every so often the toilet bowl needs emptying of water [easily done by vigorous use of loo-brush] then scrubbing with lemon juice or vinegar to remove any limescale marks, but those considerations are well repaid in much lower water rates - very MSE!

HappyMJ

*Robin* wrote: »

I have a house with two small cesspits, and another with a septic tank.

The only things that get flushed down are, erm "product" and water, out of date yoghurts, and the occasional dead mouse (courtesy of the cat). No toilet-paper, sanitary items, bleach, loo-blu or anything else.
Grey water goes into a soak-away which then feeds trees.

Each cesspit has a volume of approx two cubic metres. The house sometimes has many occupants, sometimes only one or two - on average over the year; four people using the loos. It takes about ten years for each cesspit to fill, at which point the lid is removed from the other one revealing fine, completely non-smelly compost (looks exactly like the higher quality stuff sold at garden centres). It's not an unpleasant job to remove it - grows fantastic veggies! Then the soil pipe is connected to the empty pit and can be forgotten about for the next decade.

The septic tank at the other house has been going for fifteen years so far, with no sign that the three-part tank needs attention.

It's a great system. One has to provide a lidded bin for paper waste of course, and every so often the toilet bowl needs emptying of water [easily done by vigorous use of loo-brush] then scrubbing with lemon juice or vinegar to remove any limescale marks, but those considerations are well repaid in much lower water rates - very MSE!

There is plenty of septic tank safe toilet paper. I'd be flushing that.

pinkteapot

NewLibra wrote: »

Thank you for all your replies. The owner keeps using the word cesspit and not septic tank. We are going to make an offer but it will be conditional on him draining the cesspit so we can get a proper survey done of it to find out exactly what is going on.

The most important thing for you to get out of a survey is finding out exactly which type of system it is, and therefore what maintenance (and ongoing cost) will be required. That'll be the first thing, before you get to whether it currently needs any repairs. You need to understand what you're buying and it sounds like the current owner may be vague on that...

NewLibra

Thank you for your replies.


I've had an email from the EA who said she has suggested the owner employs a specialist company to advise of the condition of the tank (which I guess will clarify if it is indeed a cesspit, septic tank or something else!!)


We have put an offer in on the property so we are just waiting to hear!