If you are purchasing a country home with a septic system and you’ve never lived with one, it can be intimidating. We’ll demystify their inner workings and explain why they are low-maintenance.
Living with a Septic System in the Country
When I lived in the suburbs I liked that the wastes going down the drain went elsewhere to be dealt with. The aerobic system that came with our new farmhouse was a mystery. A little pump was humming quietly all the time, it had multiple tanks of who-knows-what, and let’s be honest, I feared bacteria-laden poo water could ooze out of it any minute.
The shocking truth is septic systems are relatively clean.
A septic system is like a waste water treatment plant in your own back yard. It is technically the largest appliance in your home. A traditional septic system and an aerobic system work differently but they both collect wastes, break down the solids and then release filtered liquids back into the ground as gray water.
You don’t smell anything and you only see sprinklers
With a properly functioning septic system there should be no leakage and no smell. The only thing you will see is when the aerobic system (if that is the type your house has) beeps a ten second warning and then the sprinklers come on, distributing gray water over the property somewhere. The grass in this area will be very lush but in most states it is illegal to allow this water to spray onto vegetable gardens or fruit trees because it is not fully treated potable water. Mother earth will tend to the gray water, allowing it to percolate back through the soil and emerge as clean ground water. In the mean time, don’t let your children play in the septic sprinklers! (The gray water has been treated with chlorine but still.)
Can I use my soft toilet paper?
Yes, you can! Some toilet paper brands break down faster than others but go ahead and use the good quality toilet paper you like. It doesn’t make that much of a difference. If you want to switch brands to support your septic system, check the printed packaging for “Septic Safe” wording.
Are there special things I have to know or do for a Septic System?
There are a couple of do’s and don’ts that help keep your septic system running well:
1. Do not dump grease down the kitchen sink. Pour it into a glass jar for disposal instead.
2. Do not flush tampons. They do not biodegrade, they can clog the pipes and will still be in there when your tank is pumped. Wrap them in toilet paper and place in the trash can.
3. Do not flush baby wipes, paper towels, condoms or anything but toilet paper.
4. Do not send lots of food waste through the garbage disposal and into your system. It increases the solids in the tank, eventually resulting in needing to pump the system sooner.
5. At normal usage levels, some bleach and antibacterial soap won’t hurt your septic system. (Normal use is 2-3 bleached loads of laundry per week.)
6. Opt for a name brand, gel formula dishwasher detergent and liquid clothes washing detergent. Cheap, powdery detergents can have fillers that create a clogging goo your system can’t handle.
7. Do not flush clay clumping kitty litter. When the clay re-hydrates, it becomes more solid, which can block pipes and thicken the sludge in the tank, meaning more expense later when it needs to be removed.
Septic Maintenance and Care
There are a few things you need to do to keep your system in top-notch shape:
Septic Maintenance Contract
For under $300 per year, you can contract a septic maintenance company to inspect your septic system every three to four months. They test the chlorine levels and ensure the system is functioning the way it should. I highly recommend this for those buying their first farmhouse because it makes septic ownership a breeze. The maintenance man will detect issues long before sewage begins to back up into your shower drain, if that even happens. The peace of mind was well worth it for us.
Add Specialty Chlorine Tablets
This is a very easy task. Your system comes with a 4 inch opening where you add chlorine tablets. If you are unsure of what to do, you can ask a neighbor (like we did) or have the contracted maintenance service person show you how to add the chlorine tablets. It truly is as simple as unscrewing the lid, placing the tablets in the basket of the tube, and screwing the lid back on. Even better, Amazon will deliver the tabs right to your front door in a 10 pound bucket that will last for a year or more. (Afflink)
Have the Septic System Pumped
Every 4-7 years you will need to have the system pumped. This means the sludge from your septic tank is removed using a vacuum truck. This service is around $450 in our area and your septic maintenance company will check your tank regularly and notify you of when this needs to be done.
Did I mention you no longer have to pay city sewage fees?
Our suburban water bill included a monthly charge of $17 for sewage. You will no longer have a city sewage bill and the regular maintenance of your septic system will only cost a little more than what you were already paying.
I thought septic systems were expensive?
They are expensive when they break. Pay a licensed septic inspector to inspect any residential wastewater treatment system located on the property you intend to buy. After you own the home, don’t let children roughly play around the above ground portions of the system and never mow over it, which can crack the plastic pipes. (Keep the weed eater away from the plastic pipes, too.) A well-maintained system should last for decades.
Is there anything else I should know?
If, while house hunting, you come upon a property that has a patch of very lush, green grass in the shape of a perfect rectangle or a perfect circle somewhere near the above-ground septic equipment, it is very likely that the septic tank is leaking. The grass doesn’t lie. Proceed with caution and get a very good inspector if you decide to purchase that home!
I hope this post helped to reassure you that living with a septic system in the country is pretty straight-forward and not scary, so long as it is in good working order!
Elle Jones says
I appreciate how you pointed out that there shouldn’t be any leaks or odors from a septic system operating correctly. The only thing you will witness is the sprinklers turning on and dispersing gray water throughout the property when the aerobic system if your home has one, beeps for ten seconds. Although the grass here will be extremely lush, the fact that this water is not fully treated potable water makes it illegal in most states to allow it to spray onto fruit trees or vegetable gardens. The recent smell coming from my septic tank has alerted me to the problem, which I want fixed as soon as possible! Thanks for the information on taking care of septic tanks and I hope that I can get a good service for my house soon
Cynthia Sternberg says
My husband and I moved to the country in south central Texas two years ago at ages 76 an66 respectively. My only disappointment is that we waited so long to do it. We now have two barns and a combination of chicken coops for nearly 40 hens (the newest is being built right now).
I love your site! Thank you for all you wonderful information.