Cesspool, cess pit or septic tank

D00gie72

We've been at the property for not quite 2 years so far we've had the tank emptied 3 times - but that's only because we're currently having some work done to the house (and tank) so the cesspool needed to be emptied before they could begin work on it. If it wasn't for the work we're currently doing we probably would of only had it done once up to now. With our set up I think once per year is about right. I think 12-18 months is the usual amount of time between empties. We were told that you can tell if the tank needs emptying either because you start to have bad smells in the garden or if the toilets start being slow to empty when you flush.

Hoploz

A septic system shouldn't really need emptying of the liquids, it should drain out itself, but you get it done to ensure the solids/sludge (inc paper remnants etc) don't block the system up.

Cess pit needs emptying as it's literally a storage hole which will get full.

misswoosie

We lived in the USA for 5 years in an area where everyone had septic tanks. We weren't "out in the boonies" just outside the city limits in a subdivision that started off with just small weekend homes when thet damned a river and created a huge artificial lake.Our home was about 25 years old, so old by American standards! There was no mains sewerage in the area. We didn't have a clue about septic tanks, and our real estate agent didn't recommend that we had it checked. Similarly we had our own well as there was no mains water. Great thing was that we had no water bills!
The people who'd lived in the house had obviously been very cautious re cleaning products,especially in the bathrooms! I did use bleach occasionally but my favourite cleaning substance was, and still is, washing soda crystals or vinegar and baking powder which beat most expensive brand cleaners for removing grease and soap scum and are bio degradable. I have no idea when the tank was emptied and in 5 years we never emptied it and had no problems. Excessive water going into the tank isn't good, so recycling grey water would help. We also bought an eco washing machine (not an easy task at the time in the US as most used gallons of water ) and we rarely have baths but prefer showers anyway. I would advise not to put anything except the obvious and toilet paper down the loo (ie no wipes or feminine hygiene products). Also, no fat or oils or coffee grounds down the kitchen sink or waste disposal unit. We used to use a product called Ridex (? riddex) once every 3 months. This is a strange dry matter that comes in a box and claims to "top up the bacteria" that helps to break down the solids. However some say the bacteria that occur naturally in the septic tank are enough to break the solids down. Good Luck!

martindow

The danger with delaying emptying septic tanks, as has been said, is that solids will build up and flow over into the leach field. Sorting that out can be very expensive and definitely needs to be avoided.

There are lots of apocryphal stories about septic tanks that have not been emptied for many years. I suspect that in many cases old septic tanks are leaking and emptying themselves continuously.

aniahill

Thanks again, guys.

If I opened the man hole covers, would I be able to see how full it is? Or is everything enclosed?

If I can't, would I have it emptied in, say 6 months, ask the people emptying it how full it was and use that as a basis?

Davesnave

aniahill wrote: »

Thanks again, guys.

If I opened the man hole covers, would I be able to see how full it is? Or is everything enclosed?

If I can't, would I have it emptied in, say 6 months, ask the people emptying it how full it was and use that as a basis?

It's nearly always full, since water flows out at a high level as soon as more is added. The only time it's not up to working level is just after emptying.

It's the amount of sludge in it that matters. You can judge that to some extent with a long piece of wood, if you feel brave! :eek:

aniahill

I'm trying to eat my lunch!! Ha ha!!

Seems like that's not the way...

Davesnave wrote: »

It's nearly always full, since water flows out at a high level as soon as more is added. The only time it's not up to working level is just after emptying.

It's the amount of sludge in it that matters. You can judge that to some extent with a long piece of wood, if you feel brave! :eek:

Davesnave

aniahill wrote: »

I'm trying to eat my lunch!! Ha ha!!

Seems like that's not the way...

I was typing that while eating mine....

In all seriousness I don't find dealing with the tank too yukky, but maybe that's because I live in a very rural environment, where farmers frequently spray their fields with slurry and manure.

Indeed, all the wastes from the septic tanks here are taken to a facility about 25 miles away, dried out, processed and then sold to farmers as fertilizer.

aniahill

*sniff sniff* "....smells like farmer Giles is spreading one of yours, love."

Nah honestly I'm not that bothered - I think it might be growing up in a rural location.

I starting talking about having a septic tank at work yesterday and couldn't finish the conversation because of the disgusted noises.

I just badly don't want to get it wrong!

Davesnave wrote: »

I was typing that while eating mine....

In all seriousness I don't find dealing with the tank too yukky, but maybe that's because I live in a very rural environment, where farmers frequently spray their fields with slurry and manure.

Indeed, all the wastes from the septic tanks here are taken to a facility about 25 miles away, dried out, processed and then sold to farmers as fertilizer.

marksoton

The biggest issue is the media ( bacteria ). Kill them and trust me you're in trouble.

Too much clean water and you'll kill them, too much concentration of chemicals and they'll also perish.