Anyone own a septic Tank?

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

Moving to a 'middle of nowhere' lovely house that has a septic tank. It needs replacing in the next few years. Anyone any experience as to what this may cost?

Also I understand you can't flush anything that isn't totally b iodegradable down e.g. No tampax plastic applicators etc. But can you flush toddler wipes / moist toilet tissue or is that too 'robust' too?


Thanks for any advice.

[henryhsmum]

Can't flush moist toilet tissue, wipes or kitchen roll and you need to be careful about what bleach you use as it can interfere with the way bacteria digests the waste. A dishwasher is also a good idea as it breaks down fat before the waste enters the septic system.

Not sure how much replacement cost is

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

Thanks henryh. I'll have to break the news to my 3yr old that she has to use 'scratchy' loo roll and not toddler wipes from now on - wish me luck.

[emblon]

I used to own a house with an ancient brick built septic tank. It was adequate for our needs but not great. Had a problem with it when toilet training my eldest due to the use of 'toilet wipes' - they did not break down and floated.

Looked into replacing it and got a number of quotes for various systems. This was back in 2003 though.

1. replace soakaway only - two quotes around £2200 + VAT
   
2. replace system with a new modern septic tank (onion shaped type I think) + new soakaway - £5000 + VAT
   
3. replace system with a Klargester treatment plant + soakaway - £8000 + VAT
   

Costs for percolation tests and environmental permits were additional.

According to the tanker driver that emptied our tank, Klargester systems are the Rolls Royce of sewage systems! He didn't know of anyone who had had a problem with them. However, maintenance costs quoted were high - apparently requiring two services a year otherwise the guarantee was void. We would have needed a soakaway, but if you have a stream nearby I believe you are allowed to discharge treatment plants directly.

We chose not to replace it. Emptying our existing tank cost £85 a time.

I am sure that there are some other specialist forums that would be worth contacting for more up to date and accurate information.

[Yankeecandlequeen]

Why would you flush tampons down a loo anyway???

[stealthsquiggle]

Definitely no toddler wipes or anything similar - you will see them again as you unblock the pipes. Which reminds me. I need to make DH tackle them yet again before he goes away - not that we flush anything at all dodgy, but they block up anyway with residue from washing powder and the like.

If you use bleach at all you will need to buy the tank the equivalent of yakult to get it going again, and it will need pumping out periodically anyway.

You will probably have to own a set of drain rods.

Who says it will need replacing? The surveyor? If so, I would partially write that off as a standard ass-covering statement and instead get the opinion of whoever pumps it out (ask current owners for contacts).

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

Thanks for the replies everyone, lots of very useful practical advice. Will check with owners when it was last pumped. [Flowers] for all.

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

D'oh! for all.

[Abzs]

We had our (1950s brick) tank dug out last year. It hadn't been done for around 10 years (two owners ago according to our neighbour).

Rules re tanks vary in the home nations, so depends were you are.

Check if the discharge (i.e. the soakaway) is registered. In Scotland it's supposed to be, but it's not compulsory AFAIK for existing tanks. Your solicitor should have picked this up in the searches. Have the vendor do it if it's not.

If it's working fine, I'd leave it alone. You'll know if it isn't. It'll smell, back up or both.

Don't use a lot of bleach products, don't flush anything other than human waste and standard loo roll, use a hair trap on the shower. This should be standard practice IMO, no matter what your drainage system. The things that washed out of the Mersey on to the beach near where I grew up...

[stealthsquiggle]

"If it's working fine, I'd leave it alone. You'll know if it isn't. It'll smell, back up or both."

I would echo that. The septic tank will tell you very quickly if/when it wants attention

[suebfg]

About £12K - £15k to replace a septic tank plus have to obtain consent now to discharge plus you have to go through planning and building regs. It's not something to go into without your eyes being very open.

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

Thanks Sue we know it will be a nightmare. We have done some pre-planning enquiries for the house as it will need extra scrutiny from the council. Wish us luck.

[Buntingbunny]

We throw bleach and limescale remove down ours it's fine. Costs around £100 once a year to empty, but you get cheaper water rates. No idea how old it is we've been here 13 years.

DH has had to climb down there and fix it's ancient lift pump, the soak away is up the garden, but the tank it's self is no problem.

Had to pay over £2000 for a new oil tank which are another thing you have to check on rural houses.