All About Septic Systems – Part 3 of 6

What Are Common Issues Discovered in Septic Inspections?

Most of the time, a well-installed and properly maintained septic system provides years of great service without the homeowner even thinking much about it. Systems are designed to be long lasting and when they are maintained, provide few problems.

However, when systems are poorly installed, or improperly used, it can be a real mess. Here are some things to be aware of –

Installation Issues:

Like any project, a good installation requires the right person for the job, using the right tools and equipment, using the right know-how. This starts with a system that is installed by a company who is licensed by the state, under a properly obtained permit.

When systems are done by companies with poor workmanship or lack of knowledge, installation issues can pop up even in brand new homes, so an age of a system is not necessarily a good indicator of health or potential longevity. Here are some possible problems –

a) System is not installed according to the permit: The state of Virginia requires that a permit be obtained, locating the specific area, according to soil conditions, where a system should be located. Moving the septic to another area on a property simply because it is more convenient for building purposes, or for example, in order to avoid needing a pump, can create problems later.

b) Careless homeowners sometimes plants gardens, trees, install decks, driveways and even home additions right over tanks and other parts of a septic system. Companies who install sprinkler systems, run cables for satellites, wiring for outdoor lights, etc. will install these right over existing components.

c) Poor Materials Used: Like any project, there are good materials for a job that are well-made and time-tested, and there are cheaper version that are poorly made and perhaps new to the market without a long track record.

d) Tanks Not Level: Systems that include a holding tank need to be installed completely level in order to allow for the solids to sink to the bottom and the liquids to rise to the top and exit.

e) Inlet and Outlet Pipes: Some older septic system have very old cast-iron pipes that degrade over time. These can be replaced with long-lasting PVC pipe if they are getting too old.

f) Distribution Boxes: Like holding tanks, these need to installed perfectly level to allow fluids to enter and then get even distributed to outgoing lines to a leach field. If they tilt over time, they can cause fluid to not drain properly, or overload some outgoing lines, while leaving others empty. In a gravity-fed system, these also need to be downhill from the holding tanks.

g) Outgoing Lines: In newer systems, these are long PVC pipes with small perforations on the underside to allow liquids to seep into the ground below. If these are clogged, they can back up. In older systems, these lines are often made of a material called Orangeberg, which is basically compressed paper and tar, which can degrade over time. Read about Orangeberg pipes here. These may be in great shape, or could be at the end of their life, but only digging up the distribution box can provide insight.

Maintenance Issues:

Sometimes a home seller does not know they have private sewage systems on their land and assumes they are connected to municipal sewers. For the folks that do know, they often don’t get good instruction about how to properly use and maintain their system, so years of abuse or neglect, whether through ignorance or intention can yield a lot of problems. Here are some things that sellers often do, or don’t do, and the problems that can arise –

a) Never having the tank pumped: Holding tanks should be pumped about 3-5 years depending on use. Some sellers have never, ever had their tanks pumps, and use their lack of problems as a sign that all’s well. Pumping the tank regularly allows for inspection of the tank and entire system and can spot early warning signs of looming, future troubles.

b) Using a Garbage Disposal: Most good septic companies will tell you that garbage disposals are bad for septic systems. In part because people put things in there that can’t be broken down enough to avoid clogging, and because they tend to act as garbage cans for things that can’t be broken down at all. If you’re buying a property with a septic system and a garbage disposal, consider removing this after you move in.

c) Non-biodegradable Items: For a septic system to function well, it needs to convert everything it encounters to solids that can be broken down, or fluids. Things like baby wipes, toys, condoms, wrappers, feminine hygiene products, etc., never break down and can easily clog pipes.

d) Using non septic-safe toilet paper: In general, the thinnest toilet paper you can manage is best. The thick, cushy toilet paper is more difficult to break down, and can slow the breakdown of solids that need air and bacteria to their job.

e) Not Managing Guests: Friends, family or renters who visit often don’t understand what living on a septic system means. A few minutes of quick education with your visitors can keep the good work you are doing to maintain your system.

Read all the posts in this series –
1. What is a Septic System?
2. Getting a Septic System Inspected
3. Common Septic Issues and Problems
4. What Happens if a Problem is Found at the Septic Inspection?
5. The Difference between a Buyer’s Septic Inspection and a Seller’s Septic Inspection
6. Maintaining a Septic System

You can also download the EPA Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems for more general information, including helpful illustrations of septic systems.