•8:28 AM
Our beloved Septic System
With summer just around the corner, many of us are preparing the exterior of our homes for the great days ahead. But not everything that needs tending to is in plain sight. For many homeowners it lurks beneath your feet...Our beloved Septic System.
All of us are very aware of what they do for us, but not what we can do for it.
With the recent sale of her home, a seller decided to have her septic system cleaned and evaluated to make sure all was well. To many of us, the report that is received after the procedure can be overwhelming – or worse, not read! The seller’s report stated that her septic tank was in good condition. As for the weeping field, it showed a high water level. What does this all mean to the homeowner?
The septic system consists of two major components: the septic tank and the weeping field. Septic tanks must have structural integrity and be watertight. Its purpose is to separate the liquids from the solids and to provide some breakdown of organic matter in the wastewater. The most commonly used construction material for septic tanks is concrete, which is pre-cast for easy installation in the field. Other materials include fibreglass and polyethylene. The weeping field (or leaching field) consists of a network of perforated plastic pipes laid in gravel trenches over a layer of soil. This is in brief!!
Many organisms live in and on the weeping field of your septic system and clogging of the weeping field occur gradually.
Overloading can cause saturation/clogging of the weeping field. The wastewater will then either seep to the surface of the ground or into a lake close by or into the ground water or back up into your house – all being hazardous to the environment and to the family’s health – representing an expensive repair bill...
To be sure that this isn't happening to you and your property, you –the homeowner - can and should request a thorough cleaning and inspection be done every two years. And do the necessary repairs/maintenance as required.
To prevent any mishaps and to prolong the life span of your septic system, be sure to flush only toilet paper and its 'friends' down, nothing else! No paper tissues or paper towels, no diapers, no harsh chemicals, paints, solvents, no food, no grease, no coffee grounds. Nothing should be built over the weeping field: no above-ground swimming pools, patios, storage sheds, gardens, trees, etc.
The condition of you septic system plays a big role in your day to day life and in the next owner’s as well. If it isn't maintained over the years, it can impact in the sale of your house: not just the final sale price, but with legal matters resulting if past problems were not resolved or worst still, camouflaged –
Andree
Photo credit: www.funnychix.com
1 comments:
Very interesting post Andree! Very useful too!