Online Now 2350

MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The largest and most active MSU Spartans board on the web

On this Board 2167
Record: 12118 (3/18/2012)

Online now 2810
Record: 10351 (3/11/2012)

Boards ▾

MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The largest and most active MSU Spartans board on the web

The Press Box

The place to ask questions to SpartanTailgate's recruiting experts

Duffy Daugherty Forum

"The Duff" is dedicated to Michigan State football recruiting discussion

Jack Breslin Forum

"The Bres" is dedicated to Michigan State basketball recruiting discussion

Wells Hall Off Topic Board

This is your pulpit to preach to the masses about everything from politics to religion

Marketplace & Ticket Exchange

The place to buy, trade or sell Michigan State tickets

Fantasy Sports Forum

For fantasy football and other fantasy sports discussion

Test/Feedback Forum

Reply

Anyone know about drainfields?

  • Right before we bought our house the city inspection turned up a major problem with the drainfield and we were told it would have to be replaced within 5 years. We still wanted the house so we just negotiated a few grand off the cost of the house and figured we'd deal with it eventually. Well, it's been 5 years now and I haven't had any problems yet. I had the septic pumped a year ago and he told me it wasn't even half full. Do I have to repair it now or can I wait? How will I know when it's time to get it done? TIA

    btw congrats on making the Sweet Sixteen.

    y2kMgrad

  • Well, what was the major problem?

    Martin Spartan

  • If it's not broken don't fix it.

    OldOneEye

  • Martin Spartan said...

    Well, what was the major problem?

    To be honest with you I don't even know. We were basically just told it had to be repaired and it would cost about 6 or 7 grand, so we asked the sellers to take half of that off the house and they agreed.shrug

    y2kMgrad

  • Sounds like you are sittin' pretty. I would just leave it alone. The inspectors probably told you there was a problem in hopes of throwing a couple of fines at the owner.

    Unless it smells really bad or you notice something wrong, dont do anything

    signature image

    Born2Kill

  • Nothing can really "break" in a septic system, it can fill up, the bacteria can die and other stuff but really all a septic system is a tank where the shit gets broken down by bacteria then the "water" leaves the tank and enters the Groundwater. Eventually it fills up because the bacteria doesn't get rid of all the bi-products and you have to get it emptied.

    What exactly did they the problem was? If it is a cracked pipe or tank then yeah something needs to be fixed. Or did they tell you the soil around it was "wrong"? Look at the inspection and let me know.

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • DMBSparty said...

    Nothing can really "break" in a septic system, it can fill up, the bacteria can die and other stuff but really all a septic system is a tank where the shit gets broken down by bacteria then the "water" leaves the tank and enters the Groundwater. Eventually it fills up because the bacteria doesn't get rid of all the bi-products and you have to get it emptied.

    What exactly did they the problem was? If it is a cracked pipe or tank then yeah something needs to be fixed. Or did they tell you the soil around it was "wrong"? Look at the inspection and let me know.

    Damn bro, do you have a masters in shitternomics?

    ColonelAngus

  • I would contact Rick Majerus I hear he has a lot of experience with fecal matters.

    Isatoner

  • ColonelAngus said...

    Damn bro, do you have a masters in shitternomics?

    No I am a Groundwater Scientist that can't seem to find work in anything related to actual groundwater, except Major Oil companies helping them skirt the legal lines when they release gas.

    I worked for the Macomb County Surface Water Improvement Team when I was younger. We were the ones that would shut down the beaches when it rained and they would dump chlourine in the shit water and put it in the rivers. So we would also check septics. And Septics are actually better for the environment when working properly.

    And Y2K 6-7K for repairs is nuts. You could get a new one dug for that.

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • DMBSparty said...

    No I am a Groundwater Scientist that can't seem to find work in anything related to actual groundwater, except Major Oil companies helping them skirt the legal lines when they release gas.

    I worked for the Macomb County Surface Water Improvement Team when I was younger. We were the ones that would shut down the beaches when it rained and they would dump chlourine in the shit water and put it in the rivers. So we would also check septics. And Septics are actually better for the environment when working properly.

    And Y2K 6-7K for repairs is nuts. You could get a new one dug for that.

    I see....Well in that case I may have a use for you. I think the gas that I pass may cause me some legal issues in the near future after all the green beer I drank yesterday. You will be the first one I contact.

    ColonelAngus

  • DMBSparty said...

    And Y2K 6-7K for repairs is nuts. You could get a new one dug for that.

    Really? That's great news. How much should I expect to spend then?

    btw I think the problem had something to do with the soil.

    This post was edited by y2kMgrad on 3/18/2012 at 6:22 PM

    y2kMgrad

  • Don't listen to DMB!!!! You can absolutely fuck up a septic system. If your drainfield is damaged or clogged up for some reason or not leaching properly, your septic can back-up into your house. I'd write more, but I'm kinda buzzed.

    Motown Spartan ●

  • if you have a septic system, you may also have a well on the property. if you do, you want to make sure the system is working properly so you don't contaminate groundwater. if your soil won't pass a perc test, you would have to install an engineered field, which is more expensive.

    use rid-ex on the recommended schedule, and try to avoid anti-bacterial soaps and the like. getting it pumped every couple years is a good idea to get rid of grease and such. try to avoid using a garbage disposal. adding copper sulfate can help with tree roots.

    i've had a septic system before, they do require maintenance. so glad i'm connected to a sewer now.

    where's turd herder when you need him lol

    Turf

  • Motown Spartan said...

    Don't listen to DMB!!!! You can absolutely fuck up a septic system. If your drainfield is damaged or clogged up for some reason or not leaching properly, your septic can back-up into your house. I'd write more, but I'm kinda buzzed.

    That is what I was implying with the "Soil"

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • y2kMgrad said...

    Really? That's great news. How much should I expect to spend then?

    btw I think the problem had something to do with the soil.

    If it is soil you can just have it dug out around it and have the soil replaced. Shouldn't cost that much just have to find someone with a backhoe.

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • DMBSparty said...

    That is what I was implying with the "Soil"

    It's not just the soil. Tree roots can rip a drain field to shreds. Also, the size of the drain field is calculated based on the number of plumbing fixtures in the house with the assumption the soils perk properly. If any part of the field is unusable, the water leaving the tank will drain slower than designed. That is the first step to septic system failure.

    Motown Spartan ●

  • Turf said...

    if you have a septic system, you may also have a well on the property. if you do, you want to make sure the system is working properly so you don't contaminate groundwater. if your soil won't pass a perc test, you would have to install an engineered field, which is more expensive.

    use rid-ex on the recommended schedule, and try to avoid anti-bacterial soaps and the like. getting it pumped every couple years is a good idea to get rid of grease and such. try to avoid using a garbage disposal. adding copper sulfate can help with tree roots.

    i've had a septic system before, they do require maintenance. so glad i'm connected to a sewer now.

    where's turd herder when you need him lol

    Exactly. Also no colored Toilet Paper (I know they don't even make it anymore), Bleach in the washing machine, anything that you can use as an Anti-Bacterial cleaning agent.

    The Perc test is what should tell you if the soil is bad and even an engineered field really shouldn't be much. All they really have to do is excavate the soil and add better soil.

    ( I know I am not using the technical terms)

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • Motown Spartan said...

    It's not just the soil. Tree roots can rip a drain field to shreds. Also, the size of the drain field is calculated based on the number of plumbing fixtures in the house with the assumption the soils perk properly. If any part of the field is unusable, the water leaving the tank will drain slower than designed. That is the first step to septic system failure.

    Yes I know, and a lot of Septics are old and houses have been added on too. That is why I asked what it was. If it is a soil perc problem then you need to figure out why. I just don't think he should jump into a new system or drop 6-7k without knowing the reason. A little education can save him some $$ from an a-hole trying to rip him off because he doesn't know the issue.

    Edit: Also most septics aren't built around trees for that reason. Also Y2K is the grass greener/longer on top of the system? If so that shows a problem.

    This post was edited by DMBSparty on 3/18/2012 at 6:39 PM

    signature image signature image

    DMBSparty ●

  • Motown Spartan said...

    . Also, the size of the drain field is calculated based on the number of plumbing fixtures in the house with the assumption the soils perk properly.

    Uh, no. You don't know what you are talking about.
    no

    System size is based on the number of bedrooms in the house.

    Vince of 231

  • Poopwar.

    ColonelAngus

  • You will know your drain field is failing if you get ground water appearing even when it is dry. If this isn't happening, then don't worry about it.

    SpartyOn82

  • Hi!

    attachment

    Join Date: 06-12-2001 RCMB vBull #32 # Total Posts: 35,866

    Floyd Robertson ●

  • Vince of 231 said...

    Uh, no. You don't know what you are talking about.
    no

    System size is based on the number of bedrooms in the house.

    You're right. But either way, the system is designed for a specific capacity and losing any of that capacity could be catastrophic.

    Motown Spartan ●

  • This thread stinks.

    Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx

    tGreenWay

  • Same thing happened to me 17 years ago. County said the drainfield was failing. I've never had a problem. Go figure!

    Golf Czar

Michigan State
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports