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Shared Septic Tank
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Just to add a little more, now I've read the whole thread.
Tanks don't need emptying much, but how often is down to the number of folks using one and what they put into it. Eventually, there comes a point where stuff goes over the weir at the end and blocks the drainage pipes/field. Jetting won't always overcome this either.
Not all land is good for percolation purposes. Our land all looks uniform enough at the surface, but there are areas of underground clay, where building a drainage field would lead to problems.
Also, watch out for changes in the regs. Someone whose tank also drains into our land is going to face upgrading to a full treatment plant when their tank run-out needs renewal. At present, it's emptying within 7 metres of a stream, but no reputable contractor will replace it in that position nowadays.....and it can't go uphill!0 -
downshifter wrote: »Think you're picking on this issue unfairly. You say the house is a compromise, perhaps you'd be better thinking a bit more about the reasons behind that statement. There are other downsides to rural living, lots of them, no shops, no buses, nightmare broadband and mobile phone signals, difficult communities to break into etc etc. Huge petrol bills, too much snow, I could go on for ever. (But I love it though you wouldn't believe it from that!)
The septic tank is a non-issue as I said, I'd think about those other things which might rankle after you've lived there for a bit, you can compromise on lots of things but you don't sound 100% smitten on this property.
I'm not picking on the issue as such, just worrying of the drawbacks.
The property is a compromise as it's not as big as I'd have liked, it's at the top of my budget and has a North facing garden.
It's nearer work, has FTTC, a petrol station only 2p per ltr more expensive than the town and is in the delivery area for ASDA
The fact that the mobile signal is terrible is, frankly, a bonus as it will stop the GF constantly texting / facebooking whilst we're watching a film when she's staying over :j
I'm just genuinely un-decided about the whole thing so all the posts are really helpful, thank you.
I need some perspective on this issue and that's what this thread is giving me.0 -
Just to add a little more, now I've read the whole thread.
Tanks don't need emptying much, but how often is down to the number of folks using one and what they put into it. Eventually, there comes a point where stuff goes over the weir at the end and blocks the drainage pipes/field. Jetting won't always overcome this either.
Not all land is good for percolation purposes. Our land all looks uniform enough at the surface, but there are areas of underground clay, where building a drainage field would lead to problems.
Also, watch out for changes in the regs. Someone whose tank also drains into our land is going to face upgrading to a full treatment plant when their tank run-out needs renewal. At present, it's emptying within 7 metres of a stream, but no reputable contractor will replace it in that position nowadays.....and it can't go uphill!
Thanks Dave. I had read that the regs do change and it can be a concern regarding existing tanks.0 -
I would be very wary of sharing a septic tank with a neighbour - one can't guarantee that they don't abuse it!
The only substances put into mine are "product", flushing water, out-of-date yoghurts and an occasional dead mouse presented by the household dog. The septic tank hasn't needed emptying in sixteen years and probably never will.
Some folk don't like the idea of putting "used" paper into the black rubbish bin rather than down the loo, but for me that's much easier than trying to get a sludge-gulper within reach of the tank. More MSE too of course - no bill for disposal of sewage.
Vinegar is possibly more efficient at removing stains and lime-scale in the pan than bleach would be.0 -
Thanks guys
It's the shared aspect that's concerning me most, and if the tank is towards the end of it's life - replacement costs etc.
We don't share our tank and we aren't especially rural but we are lower than mains sewers. We did look at a more remote house which had a shared tank, and that was a concern for reasons you've suggested.
Re emptying- because of our location next to the river and the fact we've had to enter into an agreement with Canal and Rivers for surface water drainage into said river, we are committed to emptying once a year. And that will happen just as soon as I get the pile of bricks shifted off it.
Finally, if you do proceed, just be careful what cleaning products you use- the bugs which deal with the waste are not keen on bleach or biological washing powder for example.0 -
Just to add a little more, now I've read the whole thread.
Tanks don't need emptying much, but how often is down to the number of folks using one and what they put into it. Eventually, there comes a point where stuff goes over the weir at the end and blocks the drainage pipes/field. Jetting won't always overcome this either.
Not all land is good for percolation purposes. Our land all looks uniform enough at the surface, but there are areas of underground clay, where building a drainage field would lead to problems.
Also, watch out for changes in the regs. Someone whose tank also drains into our land is going to face upgrading to a full treatment plant when their tank run-out needs renewal. At present, it's emptying within 7 metres of a stream, but no reputable contractor will replace it in that position nowadays.....and it can't go uphill!
Yeah we're going to have an issue if our 1912 tank and drainage field need replacement as we are right next to a fairly large river. Given we're about to renew the garage that's over the tanks, I might have to figure out our options sooner rather than later0 -
I share a tank with my neighbour. It's in his garden.
When I first moved in, he used to get it pumped out once a year, put the invoice from the company through my door with a polite letter, and I would write a cheque for half the amount.
Since the pump out was already cheaper than the water company fees for sewarage, plus we split it 50/50, it was a great saving.
After a few years, I read up on septic tanks, discussed with neighbour (yes - over tea and cake!), and now he gets it pumped out every few years, not annually. Even cheaper and all works fine.
Of course in my case everything has been amicable and easy. And this is the norm. But I guess you might get disagreements about how often it should be emptied.
And if it is old/leaking/blocked there might be costs of repair/replacement just as with any other part of a property that needs maintenance.
So things to consider:
* do the deeds specify the shared rights properly?
* who's garden is it in (ie if yours, you'll have the key responsibility)
* what condition is it in? (no different to asking about the condition of the roof etc)
* have you met the neighbours? If not, why not?!0 -
Thanks again everyone.
@ G_M : In the property Information questionnaire the Vendor has stated that some of his drainage pipes cross to another property but no-one elses cross to his. I'm guessing that may well mean the tank is inside next doors boundary.
I'm driving over to see the Vendor tomorrow so I'll find out more, and hopefully see if I can meet the neighbours.
My solicitor has already picked up on the Septic tank and has requested a response as to the condition, maintenance and so on.0 -
Good luck tomorrow.
You'll probobly learn more from the neighbour if they're home, than from the seller.
If they are unhelpful, that in itself tells you something!
As to the condition, again, the neighbour is more likely to give a meaningful answer than the seller, though only a professional inspection can guarantee full knowledge.
As you say, it sounds like the tank is on your neighbour's property. While there, take a note of the lie of he land - is it flat? Is your property/garden higher or lower than neighbour's? Or to put it another way, if the tank overflowed or backed up, which property would suffer the consequences first?!0 -
If it is your "ideal" home, but the idea of the shared septic tank isn't, get some quotes for installing a tank on your property, and see if you can negoiate a reduction in the price from the seller.0
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