Thank you, Jeff!

Thank you for the update and congratulations on the savings!

You could be watching something much less informative!

Love it! Had me laughing. 😂

Sometimes that’s when you really realize what’s important. Provided you’re not a mean drunk that is. When I get drunk, which is not often, I feel love and appreciation so much more, no anger or jealousy which is great. I’ll never understand mean drunks and I’m glad that no one in my family is that way. Count my blessings.

Not sure why but I also am watching this at 2am after several drinks. Cheers!

We all need God More God 😉😍🍻

That's a pain! No need to pump a tank that doesn't need to be pumped!

It certainly is . And they keep track of it !!! I tried ignoring it and the town kept sending me reminders saying that I was violating a town ordinance !!!

@@donaldperrotta8514 If they are going to require your tank be pumped, it should only be when the tank needs it. I know of a county here in Indiana that requires tanks be pumped as needed but they CHECK THE TANK to be sure it needs to be pumped.

That makes perfect sense … but not in this small shoreline town that’s been under control by swamp Yankees for over 100 years ! I’m regarded as “seasonal” resident … although I pay taxes year round ! and to add insult to injury .. I don’t have a dishwasher or washing machine ! only 1 full bathroom and 2 bedrooms … can’t fight city hall !!!!

Thank you!

I was going to leave a very similar comment But after reading yours, I don't have to.

This is pretty good idea. However, it is possible your tank needs to be pumped sooner that every four years OR you can go longer, perhaps every six years. The core sampler is the best way to check and see when it actually needs to be pumped.

Depends on how many people in the house. With two people I'd check 1st. I've seen couples go beyond 5 years.

The community makes us get ours checked every 3 years in the Summer. It's a fine if we don't get it pumped or a certificate that the sludge layer is less than 33% (I think there's only like a 30 day grace period too). Ours is always at about the right time to get pumped every 3 years too, though I suspect we could go 4.

@@dupeaccount1647 This is a good policy for your community system!

yard farmer - this is a perfect way to remember to pump - especially because of the similarities between politicians and septic tanks both being full of shit!!

Thank you, Dan! I very much appreciate the kind words.

Thank you, Henry. It was a bit of a long and tedious process making the stop animation but was well worth it. Thanks again.

Riddex is crap you might as well be put in oatmeal down your your septic tank you shouldn't have a wash machine pouring chlorine bleach and ear your septic tank and drainfield that's the cause of them failing I seen him last 60 years ice put septic tanks in in the 70s and the 80s I was one of the first ones to get certified and I got all these fancy tools now I can't believe what it cost to put in a drain system

Thank you.

is it necessary to pump both sides of the tank? i/p and o/p?

Vane Vane They won’t have it. I see this more for the home owner to gauge how often it really needs to be done so as to avoid unnecessary expense and problems.

I'm glad you found it helpful.

Thank you Dennis!

Jim, thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you found the video helpful.

I'm so glad you found it helpful!

Lenovovo, What makes you think you can write-off the cost of having your septic system maintained? In the US?

Two compartment tanks work just like two tank in series. Each tank, or compartment, separates out the solids, scum and effluent into the three layers. The second compartment, or second tank, just recieves the effluent from the first tank (or first compartment). The retention time in that second tank or compartment allows that effluent to further separate out suspended particles and nutrients, effectively lowering the strength of the wastewater even more so, which is beneficial to your septic system.

Thank you!

For goodness sakes go outside! Germany is a beautiful country.

Great to hear!

Thank you!

Stan the man every 3 years it said

Thank you. It was a bit of work but worth it!

Thank you so much. I'm planning more videos when I find time!

Thank you for your support Dottie! I'll put out a new video sometime soon.

Thank you so much. I'll be uploading a new video today about Land suitability for septic systems. Please subscribe and stay tuned.

You are very welcome! Be sure to take good care of your system.

Thank you!

Our pleasure!

Thank you for watching!

Thanks for watching!

What do you mean "filling into a soak pit?"

Well You dont know the size of my tank and that we have 14 children 😉 The tank was put in 60 years ago and I am on my third wife. Lots of children and dozens of grandchildren.

Gosh Justin You do have very bad Cabin fever 😉😁😎

@@soillife1 Yup, I do mine every two years, better safe than sorry.

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

It's possible that some of those tanks, the ones further downstream, still don't need to be pumped. The first one or two most certainly do, even under a very light load.

Generally speaking, your system does not need of any additives (biological or chemical). Pumping your tank as needed and reducing the strength and amount of wastewater is the best thing you can do for your system.

Thank you!

General recommendations may not work for your family. You may need your tank pumped more often (or less often). If you only need your tank pumped every 6 years, you are wasting money having it pumped more often.

Stuart Meade I’ve run into numerous customers that get it done every year no matter what, I guess some people get peace of mind by doing it that often. On the other end of the spectrum I’ve had people brag that they’ve never had it pumped (usually 10 years right up to 25-30 years) then wonder why all of a sudden they’re system starts backing up every time the tank fills back up. It truly amazes me that some folks willingly destroy one of, if not THE most expensive part of your home/property all because they think maintenance is a waste of money or it’s too expensive. Well you reap what you sow I guess.......

Your options depends on where you live and what regulations allow.

That is very often. Pumping your tank before it needs it is not helpful. That's because tanks often take a few weeks or month to "settle-in", separating into the various layers. During this period, the effuent leaving the tank (from the effluent layer) layer is not as clean as it will be after the settle-in period is complete. Therefor pumping before your tank needs it, perhaps yearly, means your tank is spending more time in this settling-in period, sending higher strength water to your absorption field. Make sense?

It totally makes sence. I prefer longer time too. But what do you do, it is the regulations.

Some cities even keeps a list so they can supervice that all houseowners has emptied the tank by the regulations. And remind if not.

That's a good idea. Perhaps I can get that done once things warm up a bit. I simply place the open end over the septic tank opening and let hose water flow through the tube from the other end. I turn the tube as water flows through it.

In a separate area, a rinse with a 10% Javex to water solution would be a good idea.

Thank you!

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you!

It’s mandatory in my state it be pumped every 2 to 3 years...we have a double...so 3 years.

Aren't both sides pumped anyway when having the tank pumped?

@@davidhouston5783 Yes, both sides will be pumped but the second compartment won't need to be pumped nearly as often as the first compartment. But yes, with one tank, you would have both compartments pumped. If you had three large tanks in series you would want to only pump the tanks that need it (according to my video). This would save you money.

I have had my septic tank pumped but they have only opened one side. Do all tanks have two sides that are supposed to be pumped? I am thinking to have my septic pumped this summer it has been over three years. Any suggestions for it too flow better besides the monthly bacteria maintenance. Thanks

I’m not finding this info to be accurate based on other sources. The ones I found state the measurement should be based on the outlet side of the tank, not both sides.

An effluent filter is always a good idea. That said, the problem with filters is they are not regularly cleaned. Lack of maintenance means that filters get plugged, resulting water getting backed up inside the tank (and the home's plumbing). Removing the filter during high-water in the tank will result in water rushing out of the tank into the field system. This would include much of the scum layer (fats, oils and greases). Tip, if you find your filter is plugged and your water level is high in the tank, try jiggling the filter every few minutes before removing it. This can crack a path for water to slowly flow through the filter, lowering the water level in the tank without creating a rush of the high water level out of the tank. Once the water level has lowered to normal levels, you can then remove the filter to clean it. Check and clean your filter every few months to avoid this situation.

You only need a large "T" as shown in the sketch to keep sludge out of the weeping bed.

The filter will only prevent partials that are too big to pass the filter, the finer stuff still makes it out there no matter what.

@@Indiana_Sepitc_Tank_Systems I'm sure you're aware of this by now but there's a device available to prevent any flow when you remove the filter. Search for Sim/Tech STF-130 Maintenance Sleeve

@@geecrawdad Yes, many effluent filters have a ball or other device that will plug the outlet of the tank when the filter is removed.

Grass should be fine. Happy putting!

@@stuartmeade267 how about artificial turf?

A good use of your time!

Timothy, When finished, you can rinse it off with a garden hose over the septic tank lid opening. Then simply store it in the pvc case it came in.

Meade Septic Design Inc. thanks! Brilliant design!

Thank you!

John, It is not uncommon for people to neglect to pump their tanks, resulting in a completely full tank with a channel through the top of the sludge for their waste to travel from inlet to outlet without any settling. As you mentioned, full tanks can also create backups that will require you to hire someone to pump it down. Do you know if the municipality is fine with you sending them solids?

If you're already on sewer why not run schedule 40 all the way? You can expose the inlet line, tank and outlet lines cut them off a few feet out then crush and remove the tank then connect the plumbing directly. Or you can sever those lines and stub the pipe thru the tank all the same and leave the tank abandoned but have it pumped and fill it with stone. Where I live and work those repairs don't require local municipal input or the health department, they're only involved with the soil which you're not leeching into. Your connection is yours until about 10' from the road. Anything beyond that point is theirs. It wouldn't hurt to call a local septic company that offers repairs and installation - they'll know exactly what to do.

John, It is possible that solids build up in your tank and block the flow to the municipal sewer. Also, keep in mind that your sewer after the tank was made to carry effluent only. It is possible, depending on where you connect to your existing piping that solids get hung up in that pipe (especially in the elbows/turns) and cause a backup.

Tom, I guess it was bad luck on my part that I opened up a septic tank without a notable scum layer. Not much F.O.G. (fats, oils and greases) produced by this family.

Thank you for the kind words!

Lance, you see the top of the scum layer which is normal. The scum layer on top and the sludge layer on the bottom may be thin or may be very think. If combined they make up 1/4 to 1/3 of the volume of the tank, it is time to have the tank pumped.

First, remember that septic systems have a life span. Some last 15-20 years and some last much longer (or shorter). If you're looking to buy a house with a septic system find out everything you can about when it was installed and how often the tank has been pumped. Also ask about how many people have lived in the house. Two older people will be MUCH easier on a septic system than a family of four. Often old systems will function for the older folks but will quickly go into failure once the family moves in. The number one thing to check during an inspection is evidence of high water in the tank. If the water level in the tank has been above the outlet, that is evidence that the system was backed up in the past (water was moving into the tank faster than the absorption field could take water). This is, at the very least, evidence the system is in early stages of failure, so beware! You can also as the local health department if they have records of the systems installation. Also be aware that a failed septic system that is not used for a long time due to a house sitting empty (e.g. forclosure), will work for some period of time before it goes again into failure. That might be one year or one month. It would also be a good idea to ask people in the area what they paid to recently have a new system installed. Don't get burned by having wishful thinking about the septic system or well.

Thank you for your response, their are 3 single family houses on the property. They all have electricity from the city, but it has it's own well and septic tank system. One of the houses (the largest house) has been vacant for a few years. The owner said it had two septic tanks, but now that septic tanks have two compartments, so I need to make sure to ask if it is two tanks or two compartments. I am in the process of getting a loan and just wanted to see the property. I was able to talk to the owner and we did not really go into the specifics of the property, because I am not ready to negotiate. The main house was boarded, for security. The other two houses are occupied. I would look at that as being a good thing, but I once saw a property I wanted to rehab that had a tenant. I thought the property just needed to be fixed, but after paying $400 for an engineer to look at it I found that it had to be torn down. So, I have learned to do my home work. Your videos are very educational and gives people a tool to know what to look for and how to not being taking advantage of by businesses in the industry. Thank you.

Two systems for one house is a red flag. At the very least it means the systems are very old. These tanks are bound to be very small and possibly corroded. Ask when the tanks were pumped last and wait for the blank stare. Budget for a new septic system. I know you don't want to hear that but its reality.

Funny... it actually has three houses on it. The original that was built in 1940 and I don't know when the other two were added. I have 6 children and I would like to have the two smaller for my four adult children. So, I was wondering if each house should have it's own tank. I thought maybe having two was a good thing. I am not planning to spend all my rehab budget on a septic system. I will have an inspection and if it doesn't look promising then I will have to move on. But you advise has been invaluable.

Good luck!