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Original poster

Septic tank?

16 replies

SepticSue · 03/12/2016 15:15

Hi there,
We're considering putting in an offer on a house with a septic tank; but we've never had one before and I'm a bit wary.

Any experiences, good or bad?

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 03/12/2016 15:20

As long as it was installed correctly and is still in reasonable condition it should be ok. You would need to have a look at what detergents etc you use as some can inhibit the treatment process and it would need maintenance ( but probably only yearly).

specialsubject · 03/12/2016 20:06

Some need no maintenance - we keep an eye on ours and no emptying needed in five years. All that goes down the toilet is the usual body waste and toilet paper (same as anywhere) and we limit bleach to what is in dishwasher tablets. No sink waste disposal ( eco disaster anyway) and must use washing liquid, not powder.

That's it, really. But be aware that if it does need fixing or moving you are up for some legals.

Original poster
SepticSue · 04/12/2016 00:23

What sort of legal stuff Special?

The garden felt spongy around the site. Is that a sign of anything bad does anyone know, or just one of those things?

Does it smell?

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 04/12/2016 13:58

It shouldn't smell. I would want the spongy ness checked, it might be a soakway area ( where the treated discharge filters through the ground) or it could be a leak...also worth considering if there will be more or less people living in the property, is it just for the one property?

Original poster
SepticSue · 04/12/2016 16:22

Thank you.

It is just for one property but it's been empty and we will be 6 people so, yes, I will definitely get it checked by a specialist.

Assuming it's in good working order they're not a pain then? I've just never had one before so feel a bit spooked but I know I'm probably being silly.

OP posts:
Sobachka · 04/12/2016 16:33

Septic, I thought this was a thread on cockney rhyming slang!

FurryDogMother · 04/12/2016 16:36

I've had one for the past 17 years, we have it emptied every 7 or 8 years, never had a moment's bother with it :)

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 04/12/2016 16:46

We had one in our last house that was shared with the next door house

BUT it was at bottom of our garden and as we had a driveway open land situation at the bottom of our garden the truck used to drive along with huge hoses to empty it about every 2 years arranged by the landlord who owned both houses

So no idea how much it cost

It wasn't a problem at all and the really good thing was we didn't pay anything for water SmileSmileSmileSmile

Either water in or out (although we were on mains water in) the water people didn't charge anything so it was really great for us

SmileSmileSmileSmile

BUT deffo get sponginess sorted out as we had nothing like that around it

Did it have a vent pipe in the garden so the gases could get out?

We surrounded ours with roses to disguise the pipe and any smell (but weirdly there wasn't any smell - I guess cos it was emptied regularly)

Sobachka · 04/12/2016 16:48

Septic, if the ground around the tank is spongy, it's not a good sign. You need to get a septic tank inspection/survey.

Original poster
SepticSue · 04/12/2016 17:08

Ok. Will get onto an inspection before we commit to anything.

Thanks all. Good to know if they're working properly they're no bother.

OP posts:
Sobachka · 04/12/2016 17:18

The usual procedure is to make an offer subject to survey.

Good luck!

Original poster
SepticSue · 04/12/2016 17:56

Yes. We've got a few queries before we offer so we'll ask some questions about age and service history of tank but then get an inspection done along with the survey after that. Just don't want to get caught out and into annoying negotiations over cost of any repairs if we can help it but you can never tell can you. We shall see! Thanks for the luck :)

OP posts:
specialsubject · 05/12/2016 10:35

There are rules about new septic tank installations - I know no more but investigate if something does need doing.

You pay for water , but not for sewerage so your overall bill will be less.

Fireinthegrate · 11/12/2016 16:50

Our house was built in 2004 with a clear water septic tank. It had a pump in it which agitated the waste and then clear water is discharged to the dyke at the bottom of the garden and then the sludge needs to be emptied by getting a company in to suck it out.
We recently had the pump system changed to an air system, so there is now a pump above ground which agitates the waste with air.
We have to have the sludge emptied every 6 mths. That's with 4 of us in the house. It cannot go longer, I tried 9 mths once but it was too much.
Its a really rubbish system but we are stuck with it unfortunately. It costs about £100 to have it emptied. The service for the pump (yearly) is about £100 too.

Definitely get the tank looked at before you buy. I would be very dubious about the spongy ground.

Also, when you register with the water company be sure to let them know you have a septic tank as then you don't pay for water draining from you home (you are not on mains drainage).

My water bill is only for the water we use, not the water we waste.

Never put wipes, sanitary products down the loo, only paper.

specialsubject · 12/12/2016 13:19

Same as anywhere, of course. Nothing is flushable except body waste and bog roll. Claims otherwise on packets are lies!

Lilly85 · 20/08/2017 17:37

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