The hidden septic tank

[Otto]

I have never used Rid-X in the 25+ years I've had septics.  But I am pretty religious about pumping it out every other year, and especially before a extra large family event like a graduation party or something like that.  The above tips are good ones too.

[Doc]

15 hours ago, t_barb said:

I am surprised that you have not pumped t out since the house was built and you have never had a problem until now..   We get ours pumped out every 3 years and they say it is just about the right amount of time.

43 years without pumping. That won't happen again. I learned my lesson. And the real good news is that I know where the damned thing is ..... lol.

[wolc123]

If you have girls, make sure they use the garbage can for certain feminine items that otherwise might be flushed.  

[TACC]

I check mine every 5 years haven't had a problem yet.
All Of The SUGGESTIONS For Preventing PLUGGED SYTEMS Are Spot on

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[Five Seasons]

On ‎4‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 5:38 AM, Doc said:

Thanks for all the ideas. But we found it yesterday. I had a guy come out with a special probe thingy that was about 3' long, 1/2" in diameter, pointed on the end, and had a wooden tee-handle. He started pushing this thing into the ground and found the tank in about 15 minutes. Today they are coming in to pump it out (first time since the installation 43 years ago). That is no guarantee that all will be fixed, and life will go back to normal .... lol. That still does not mean that we have found the problem, but the tank had to be found and pumped anyway. Now we  will see where we go from there to locate the blockage. The tank was not full, so I suspect there is a blockage some where toward the house.

I have no idea why they don't cast a big steel ring in the lid for the tank cleanout. I would have easily found it with my metal detector, and a ring in the lid would assist with pulling the lid.

Back in '74, we had a pretty crude zoning set-up, and things were fairly slip-shod in terms of records-keeping. So there was no records of the tank location. The builder has been long out of business, so no help there.

But anyway, we've got it found now, and thanks  to everyone for the advice.

I've had 2 houses with septics and never lived in them long enough to need a pump, but had to find the hatches on both anyhow because of the request to pump before sale. That said, 43 years seems like a long time.

I do remember both companies want quite a bit more to dig the hole up themselves so I went probing haha.

[Five Seasons]

17 hours ago, Moho81 said:

I'm new to the whole septic system thing. I always had public sewer up until the house i'm in now. Is something like Rid-X highly recommended by everyone or one of those things some people believe in and some people don't? not trying to start any septic tank wars here i'm just generally curious? And how do i know the tank needs to be pumped out? just do it every 3-4 years no matter what or is there a some sort of indicator i should be looking for? 

I always used it. doesn't cost a ton and even if it's bs it was a nice feel good lol.