Septic Systems
For those of you who have a private waste system (aka -a septic system) in the poconos, lehigh valley and new jersey , you should be thinking about a few things this week which will make your life much easier and your wallet or pocketbook much heavier! Do not wait until the thaw and spring rains play havoc with your system, you'll regret it. I will list the actions that you should undertake below.
1. Locate it.
First, if you are a homeowner or seller and do not know the whereabouts of the components of your septic system, try to find them now! This will generally mean finding your treatment tank (and dosing tank, if you have an elevated sand mound in your yard). Components such as pumps, drainfields , distribution boxes and piping are better left to professionals who have means of locating them. A word concerning drainfields. The drainfield is the heart of your waste system and its general whereabouts should be known, so as to not do anything that may damage or in anyway compromise it, such as building a shed over it, drive heavy equipment over it or planting a tree on it!
2. Consider adding a riser.
If you discover that the tank (or tanks) are below grade, consider adding a riser to it (or them) to bring the cover or top above grade ( a riser is just a concrete or plastic ring which is added on top of the treatment or dosing tank). This will save you the time, money and effort (perhaps your back will thank you, and possibly your wallet) of not having to dig it up everytime you have it serviced. Although a tank which is 12" or less below grade is deemed acceptable in some circles, the fact of the matter is that when the tank cover is below grade at all, this situation lends itself to all kinds of water infiltration problems, and if the tank cover is plastic or fiberglass (or even it is concrete or metal, but in poor condition), this could become a safety and collapsing concern! All risers need to be properly sealed after installation. They almost never are!
3. Pump it out.
Whether owner or seller, pump your tank(s), especially if you have not done so in the recently. Although there are numerous factors which determine the frequency of pumping, every three years is a good goal to shoot for. You'll need to pump more often if your system is heavily used or less often if your house is a vacation home or seldomly used. Ask the pumping company to inspect the interior of the tank and its components after they're finished. This is a perfect time to perform any necessary repairs!
For homebuyers:
If you do not own a home but rather are looking to purchase one, you should pay close attention to the system at the properties you're interested in. Ask questions! Septic systems tend to be neglected by even the most vigilant homeowners (out of sight, out of mind!) and when neglected, can wind up costing hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to properly repair.
If you have any questions about this article or need further clarification, please call us at 610 681 4012 or send us an email at [email protected]
For expert advice on numerous inspection topics ,please visit the website- InspectAPedia
1. Locate it.
First, if you are a homeowner or seller and do not know the whereabouts of the components of your septic system, try to find them now! This will generally mean finding your treatment tank (and dosing tank, if you have an elevated sand mound in your yard). Components such as pumps, drainfields , distribution boxes and piping are better left to professionals who have means of locating them. A word concerning drainfields. The drainfield is the heart of your waste system and its general whereabouts should be known, so as to not do anything that may damage or in anyway compromise it, such as building a shed over it, drive heavy equipment over it or planting a tree on it!
2. Consider adding a riser.
If you discover that the tank (or tanks) are below grade, consider adding a riser to it (or them) to bring the cover or top above grade ( a riser is just a concrete or plastic ring which is added on top of the treatment or dosing tank). This will save you the time, money and effort (perhaps your back will thank you, and possibly your wallet) of not having to dig it up everytime you have it serviced. Although a tank which is 12" or less below grade is deemed acceptable in some circles, the fact of the matter is that when the tank cover is below grade at all, this situation lends itself to all kinds of water infiltration problems, and if the tank cover is plastic or fiberglass (or even it is concrete or metal, but in poor condition), this could become a safety and collapsing concern! All risers need to be properly sealed after installation. They almost never are!
3. Pump it out.
Whether owner or seller, pump your tank(s), especially if you have not done so in the recently. Although there are numerous factors which determine the frequency of pumping, every three years is a good goal to shoot for. You'll need to pump more often if your system is heavily used or less often if your house is a vacation home or seldomly used. Ask the pumping company to inspect the interior of the tank and its components after they're finished. This is a perfect time to perform any necessary repairs!
For homebuyers:
If you do not own a home but rather are looking to purchase one, you should pay close attention to the system at the properties you're interested in. Ask questions! Septic systems tend to be neglected by even the most vigilant homeowners (out of sight, out of mind!) and when neglected, can wind up costing hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars to properly repair.
If you have any questions about this article or need further clarification, please call us at 610 681 4012 or send us an email at [email protected]
For expert advice on numerous inspection topics ,please visit the website- InspectAPedia
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