Living in the boonies OldCarGuy's retirement complex has both a well and septic system.. Despite the substantial initial investment and modest ongoing upkeep, it's has realized significant cost savings overall. There's no government oversight other than at time of installation. It's always been the property owner's responsibility to keep everything in shape. The septic system can safely be pumped every 5 to 7 years. Based on its' size number in household. Though I have it preformed every other year.
The two tank covers are below the ground that need to be dug out. Then repairing the lawn damage. Saving those steps, I decided to install two risers at my cost $350.00. Dig out the tank covers, apply sealant on top of tank and between the riser sections. Back-fill, add some topsoil and plant grass.. easy-peasy...
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Let the Green Grass grow around.
My parents haven't had theirs pumped in 30 years....
Quote from: Muddy on May 26, 2026, 02:47 PMMy parents haven't had theirs pumped in 30 years....
When I lived in Michigan, we didn't get ours pumped the first eight years we were there. Then what started happening was every time someone would take a shower or we'd do the laundry, afterwards it would smell like a giant fart. Got it pumped pretty quickly after!
I wonder if your parent's tank is deteriorated and everything is settling around it?
Quote from: 1965 Comet Caliente on May 26, 2026, 05:59 PMQuote from: Muddy on May 26, 2026, 02:47 PMMy parents haven't had theirs pumped in 30 years....
When I lived in Michigan, we didn't get ours pumped the first eight years we were there. Then what started happening was every time someone would take a shower or we'd do the laundry, afterwards it would smell like a giant fart. Got it pumped pretty quickly after!
I wonder if your parent's tank is deteriorated and everything is settling around it?
The house was originally a one room shack. It was "renovated" and a second story added in in the early 70s. Mostly by a flipper/hack
If the work inside the house is any indication. I'd assume your right and the tank is long gone and it's just seeping
When we built 26 years ago, our plumbing contractor installed a 1000 gallon poly tank in our septic system. Family of four at the time and we were pumping every four years.
In 2015, the poly tank collapsed and we were forced to replace it. New septic contractor installed a 1500 gallon concrete tank and with only 2 of us in the house, we went 11 years and just had it pumped this past spring.
Our poly tank had risers with exposed lids. Wife always hated them so we are back with buried lids. At least I don't have to dig them up too often and I made a map with detailed measurements to find each lid.
OCG, you lids and risers are much more attractive than the fugly black ones we had!
Quote from: Mr_Breeze on Jul 03, 2026, 11:46 AMWhen we built 26 years ago, our plumbing contractor installed a 1000 gallon poly tank in our septic system. Family of four at the time and we were pumping every four years.
In 2015, the poly tank collapsed and we were forced to replace it. New septic contractor installed a 1500 gallon concrete tank and with only 2 of us in the house, we went 11 years and just had it pumped this past spring.
Our poly tank had risers with exposed lids. Wife always hated them so we are back with buried lids. At least I don't have to dig them up too often and I made a map with detailed measurements to find each lid.
OCG, you lids and risers are much more attractive than the fugly black ones we had!
Years ago there were no regulations on pumping the septic tanks. Five years ago our County insists pumping very two years with a total inspection each time. My system has two 1,500 gallon tanks that's more then ample size for our family size of two. In theory a dozen years between pumping would suffice. However neglecting to regularly pump your septic tank will absolutely lead to leach field problems.. For sure you don't want to replace the leach fields...
I'm not worried about appearance. And the green domed lids are more pleasing to the eyes. Adding risers eliminates the need to dig them up for pumping. Then touch up the grass.
Quote from: OldCarGuy on Jul 03, 2026, 05:47 PMYears ago there were no regulations on pumping the septic tanks. Five years ago our County insists pumping very two years with a total inspection each time.
That's absolutely ridiculous. Someone on the Board of Commissioners or something knows someone in the business and that's how that happened!