What Type Septic Tank In House Built 1968? (Solved)

When was the last time a septic tank was installed?

• One manufacturer quickly became the dominant supplier in our county. The tanks installed from 1960 through the mid- to late 1970s held up pretty well. Tanks installed after that decayed rapidly. In 1995, code changed to allow an open tee for an inlet, as opposed to a 90-degree elbow or plugged tee.

What were septic tanks made of in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, precast concrete tanks became more prevalent as the standard of practice improved. Most tanks were still single compartment 750, 1,000 or 1,200-gallon tanks, usually depending on the size of the house.

What are the 3 types of septic systems?

Types of Septic Systems

• Septic Tank.
• Conventional System.
• Chamber System.
• Drip Distribution System.
• Aerobic Treatment Unit.
• Mound Systems.
• Recirculating Sand Filter System.
• Evapotranspiration System.

What are old septic systems called?

The original pit remained as the part of the system that returned “clarified” wastewater to the ground. It now became known as a drywell. Sometimes due to heavy use, poor soil conditions, age of the system or a combination of these factors, the drywell still plugged up.

How does an old style septic tank work?

Septic tanks work by allowing waste to separate into three layers: solids, effluent and scum (see illustration above). The solids settle to the bottom, where microorganisms decompose them. The scum, composed of waste that’s lighter than water, floats on top.

What are older septic tanks made of?

Also earlier septic tanks and distribution boxes were often steel or concrete, which can rust and crack. Pipes were usually made of ceramics or tar paper composite, which last 20 to 30 years with proper use. Newer systems use precast concrete and fiberglass/plastic materials.

When did they start using fiberglass septic tanks?

By the 1940s, septic systems were common from coast to coast, and by the 1960s, when these systems began failing, significant improvements to the overall design were developed. Today, most modern septic systems feature more advanced materials, including fiberglass, precast concrete, polyurethane, and other plastics.

How big of a septic tank do I need?

The larger your home, the larger the septic tank you’re going to need. For instance, a house smaller than 1,500 square feet usually requires a 750 to 1,000-gallon tank. On the other hand, a bigger home of approximately 2,500 square feet will need a bigger tank, more than the 1,000-gallon range.

Can you have a septic tank without a leach field?

The waste from most septic tanks flows to a soakaway system or a drainage field. If your septic tank doesn’t have a drainage field or soakaway system, the waste water will instead flow through a sealed pipe and empty straight into a ditch or a local water course.

How long do septic tanks last?

A septic system’s lifespan should be anywhere from 15 to 40 years. How long the system lasts depends on a number of factors, including construction material, soil acidity, water table, maintenance practices, and several others.

Do old septic tanks need to be registered?

Many homes are not connected to mains drainage, instead having sewage treatment systems or septic tanks or occasionally cesspools. If your sewage treatment system or septic tank discharges to a river or stream it must be registered immediately.

How do I tell how old my septic tank is?

If you cannot find the septic system and know nothing about it or its history, start by checking the age of the building and its plumbing system with the premise that for most sites the septic tank and fields won’t be older than those.

How do you find a septic tank in an old house?

Look for the 4-inch sewer that exits the crawl space or basement, and locate the same spot outside the home. Septic tanks are usually located between ten to 25 feet away from the home. Insert a thin metal probe into the ground every few feet, until you strike polyethylene, fiberglass or flat concrete.

What are the different types of septic tanks?

Septic Tank Types

• Concrete. Concrete septic tanks. These durable tanks will usually last for several decades.
• Steel. Steel septic tanks.
• Fiberglass. Fiberglass septic tanks.
• Plastic. Plastic septic tanks.
• Aerobic. Aerobic septic tanks.

What are the signs that your septic tank is full?

Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:

• Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
• Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
• Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
• You Hear Gurgling Water.
• You Have A Sewage Backup.
• How often should you empty your septic tank?

Does shower water go into septic tank?

From your house to the tank: Most, but not all, septic systems operate via gravity to the septic tank. Each time a toilet is flushed, water is turned on or you take a shower, the water and waste flows via gravity through the plumbing system in your house and ends up in the septic tank.

Evolution Of The Septic System

In the beginning, when man desired some solitude and shelter from the weather while performing his “chores,” he dug a hole in the ground, lined it with stone, brick, wood, or any other available material, and erected a “outhouse” on top of it. Gravity was responsible for transporting the garbage to its final resting spot. Eventually, if the hole became too large, the outhouse was relocated to a new place. With the creation of the flush toilet by Thomas Crapper, man was finally able to do his household responsibilities in the comfort of his own home.

He connected the pipe to the pit that supplied the outhouse and covered the hole to keep the odor under control and to prevent the neighbor’s dogs and children from falling into the pit and drowning.

It soon became apparent that thecesspoolcouldn’t always manage the additional strain caused by the wastewater in addition to the garbage.

The term “septic tank” was used to describe this treatment chamber.

1. Because it was the component of the system that returned “clarified” wastewater to the earth, the old pit remained in place.
2. Because of extensive use, bad soil conditions, the age of the system, or any combination of the foregoing, the drywell may get blocked from time to time.
3. It is common practice to build a second (or third, or fourth) drywell following a first drywell in order to expand the soil absorption area.
4. In later years, as mankind grew more concerned with safeguarding the environment, it was discovered that many septic systems were installed too deeply into the earth.
5. According to New Hampshire laws, any leaching element of a septic system (the part that returns water to the earth) must be at least four feet above the seasonal high-water table in order to function properly.
6. Around the same time, the majority of installers made the changeover from the old-fashioned steel septic tanks to the newer, presumably more durable concrete septic tanks (shown here).
7. To bring wastewater up to thesemound systems, it is now necessary to build pumps in many situations.
8. The likelihood is that you have a blueprint accessible that shows you the sort of system you have and its location if you have a reasonably new system that incorporates one of these current advancements.

Using the Troubleshooting Guide that comes with the system should assist you in determining what sort of system you have and also what is wrong with it if you are experiencing a problem. Good luck, and go to work on troubleshooting.

Caring for Septic Systems

However, while it may appear that maintaining a septic system is more difficult than maintaining a sewer system, it is just a little amount of effort to avoid big repair or replacement expenditures in the future. Photograph courtesy of Josh Reynolds Is it possible for you to explain what happens when you flush the toilet? In a metropolis, people seldom give the question much attention because their wastes are normally channeled via a central sewage system and then to a wastewater treatment facility.

• Because a breakdown in their system might have serious consequences for their property and possibly contaminate their drinking water, they must pay close attention to what is happening.
• As a result, it is completely up to you to ensure that your system is properly cared for and maintained.
• Cesspools are enormous vaults made of brick, stone, or concrete in which solids can collect and settle.
• A privy is a simple structure built over a hole in the ground that may be relocated once it has been filled.
• Anaerobic bacteria break down organic waste in septic tanks, which function as reservoirs for the bacteria.
• Plastic is being used in the manufacture of newer tanks (as illustrated above).
• Wastes are transported from the toilet, sink, shower, or washer to the septic tank through the indoor plumbing system.
• The tank is located underground.
• Solid wastes disintegrate over time as a result of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that can survive in the absence of oxygen).
• If any liquid leaks out of a tank, it is distributed to the ground via disposal beds, which are perforated or open-jointed pipes buried in shallow, gravel-filled ditches.

Although the liquid has reached this condition, it still includes a huge amount of hazardous bacteria and organic materials. In order for the liquid to reach underground water supplies, it must first pass through the soil and be absorbed.

Why Do Septic Systems Fail?

It is inevitable that solids will accumulate in the septic tank due to the fact that the pace of decomposition is far slower than the rate at which the system is adding new sewage. Some substances, on the other hand, will never disintegrate at all. Furthermore, the fats and oils that build in the scum layer accumulate at a higher pace than the rate of breakdown, resulting in a scum layer. The scum layer is held in place by baffles in the tank. Scum can get into the disposal pipes through broken baffles, blocking them and making the disposal system malfunction.

1. All of these items will not degrade, and they may have the effect of killing the “good bacteria” or just clogging the tank’s drainage system.
2. The main issues with older systems are the degradation of components (especially tank baffles) and the clogging of laterals (pipes in the leach field).
3. These, which are made of ceramic pipes or concrete blocks, are susceptible to cracking or deterioration over time.
4. In the past, pipes were often composed of ceramics or tar paper composites, which had a lifespan of 20 to 30 years if used properly.

Maintaining Your Septic System

The disposal field (also known as the leaching bed) is set out in the shape of a pitchfork on level ground. The leaching bed may zig-zag downwards in areas where the home is situated on a rise. Many homeowners, particularly those who live in older homes, are unsure about the exact location of their tank and field in relation to their home. It is critical that you identify the location of the tank since it will ultimately require service. First, locate the pumpout and observation openings on the equipment.

1. To gently probe the soil for the tank and distribution box, you can also use a slender steel rod with a 1/8-inch diameter to gently probe the earth.
2. Once you’ve located the tank, look for the dumping field, which is normally accessible by a distribution box fanning from it.
3. Please be aware that identifying the laterals can be difficult—in fact, in some situations even septic professionals have problems locating all of the components of the system.
4. The most important thing to remember is to empty your tank on a regular basis.
5. Depending on the size of the tank and the number of people that it serves, the frequency will vary.
6. A septic tank requires cleaning on average every three to five years if it is used and cared for correctly (more if you use a sink-mounted garbage disposal unit).
7. Expect to spend around $200 for each pumpout, depending on the size of the tank and your geographic location.

In addition, while the tank is open, the technician can inject some water into the distribution box to obtain an idea of how effectively the leach field is performing.

Additionally, even just glancing into the tank, you should use caution.

Depending on the tree, roots can grow up to 30′ to 40′ from the base of the tree and burst or dislodge the distribution box, connecting pipes, and laterals.

Don’t even think of driving cars or heavy equipment over the dumping area.

Because of this, solids will ascend to the top of the tank and block the laterals, overloading the tank.

Installing water-saving toilets and showerheads is one technique to limit the quantity of water that enters the system.

Don’t attach sump pumps to your septic system until you’ve fixed any leaky toilets and faucets.

After being clogged with sediments or having their integrity compromised by tree roots or automobiles, laterals begin to collapse.

Cooking oils, fats, and grease should not be poured down the kitchen sink drain.

Please do not flush non-biodegradable things such as disposable diapers, clumps of cat litter, filtered cigarettes, feminine hygiene products or plastic tampon applicators, paper towels, condoms, or other similar materials.

These chemicals have the potential to harm beneficial microorganisms in the tank and the soil, as well as pollute groundwater supplies.

None of these goods has been shown to be of considerable benefit in terms of enhancing performance or preventing failures.

Many over-the-counter septic system cleaning products include chemicals that are potentially harmful and are not biodegradable, as is the case with many household products.

Experts advise against using cleansers that contain sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or hydrogen peroxide.

Use of any product containing toxic chemicals in excess of one percent by weight is prohibited, including trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, methylene chloride, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, napthalene, trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, acrolein, acrylonitrile, and benzidine.

How To Tell If Your System Is Failing

While there are no 100-percent accurate ways for spotting a malfunctioning septic system, you should be on the lookout for the following signs of a potential problem: In the event of a toilet backup into the house: To begin, rule out the possibility of a clogged soil line or other interior plumbing issues. Drainage system failure due to sewage or effluent leaking into the structure or basement: The water resulting from this condition will have a distinct odor. In the vicinity of the disposal field, there is a puddle of effluent on the soil surface.

It is not recommended that the grass above the septic field be too green in a healthy system.

It is important to remember that wastewater on the ground is a major health danger and should be addressed as soon as is practical.

What To Do If The System Fails

If you have any reason to believe that your system is failing, contact your local health department. In addition, you should seek the services of a skilled septic system installer. Then collaborate with both of these parties to build a strategy for moving forward. It is not unusual to find a septic system that is either underdesigned for the current level of use required by the residents, incorrectly placed, or at a position that will no longer sustain the sort of system that is already installed in an older home.

While a new septic system installation can be expensive (usually between $4,000 and $10,000), a properly operating septic system is critical to the running of your home as well as the health and safety of you and your loved ones.

As with so many other aspects of an old property, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to septic systems.

How Your Septic System Works

Underground wastewater treatment facilities, known as septic systems, are often employed in rural regions where there are no centralized sewage lines. They clean wastewater from residential plumbing, such as that produced by bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry, by combining natural processes with well-established technology. A conventional septic system is comprised of two components: a septic tank and a drainfield, often known as a soil absorption field. It is the septic tank’s job to decompose organic matter and to remove floatable stuff (such as oils and grease) and solids from wastewater.

Alternate treatment systems rely on pumps or gravity to assist septic tank effluent in trickling through a variety of media such as sand, organic matter (e.g., peat and sawdust), constructed wetlands, or other media to remove or neutralize pollutants such as pathogens that cause disease, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants.

Prior to discharging wastewater into the environment, several alternative systems are designed to evaporate or disinfect the effluent.

Specifically, this is how a typical conventional septic system works:

1. All water goes out of your house from one main drainage pipe into a septic tank
2. An underground, water-tight container, often composed of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene, serves as a septic system’s holding tank. Its function is to retain wastewater for a long enough period of time to allow particles to sink to the bottom and form sludge, while oil and grease float to the surface and produce scum. Sludge and scum are prevented from exiting the tank and moving into the drainfield region by compartments and a T-shaped outlet. After that, the liquid wastewater (effluent) exits the tank and flows into the drainfield. The drainfield is a shallow, covered hole dug in unsaturated soil that serves as a drainage system. Pretreated wastewater is released through pipelines onto porous surfaces that allow wastewater to filter trough the soil. In the process of percolating through the soil, wastewater is accepted, treated, and dispersed by the soil, finally discharging into groundwater. If the drainfield is overwhelmed with too much liquid, it might flood, allowing sewage to flow to the ground surface or produce backups in toilets and sinks
3. sFinally, the wastewater percolates into the soil, naturally eliminating hazardous coliform bacteria, viruses and nutrients. Coliform bacteria are a kind of bacteria that may be found in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals, with humans being the most common host. As a result of human fecal contamination, it is a sign of this.

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority has built an animated, interactive model of how a residential septic system works, which you can view here.

Do you have a septic system?

It’s possible that you’re already aware that you have a septic system. If you are not sure, here are some tell-tale symptoms that you most likely are:

• You make use of well water. In your home, the water pipe that brings water into the house does not have a meter. In the case of a water bill or a property tax bill, you will see “$0.00 Sewer Amount Charged.” It is possible that your neighbors have a septic system

How to find your septic system

You can locate your septic system once you have confirmed that you have one by following these steps:

• Taking a look at the “as constructed” drawing of your house
• Making a visual inspection of your yard for lids and manhole covers
• Getting in touch with a septic system service provider for assistance in locating it

Failure symptoms: Mind the signs!

Examining the “as constructed” drawing of your house; Checking for lids and manhole covers in your yard. A septic system service company who can assist you in locating it is to be sought.

• Water backing up into the drains of homes and businesses
• It is especially noticeable in dry weather that the drainfield grass is bright green and spongy. The presence of standing water or muddy soil near your septic system or in your basement
• A strong stench emanating from the area surrounding the septic tank and drainfield

3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SEPTIC TANK BAFFLES

By Admin on November 12, 2020 Your efforts to live as environmentally conscious as possible, as a responsible homeowner, are likely already underway, with practices such as recycling, composting, and purchasing energy-efficient equipment among your list of accomplishments. As a septic tank owner, you want to be sure that anything you put into your tank and septic field is causing the least amount of ground contamination as is reasonably practicable. Fortunately, there are a number of modest improvements you can do immediately to make your septic system even more ecologically friendly than it already is.

Have your septic tank inspected and pumped on a regular basis.

A bigger septic tank with only a couple of people living in your house, for example, will not require pumping as frequently as a smaller septic tank or as a septic tank that must manage the waste products of multiple family members will require.

When in doubt about how often to pump your septic tank, consult with a professional for advice.

In addition to locating and repairing any damage, a professional can ensure that the septic field is in good working order and that your septic tank is functional, large enough to handle your family’s waste, and not causing any unwanted pollution in nearby ground water.

Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items down the toilet or down the toilet.

Items that are not biodegradable are unable to properly decompose in the septic tank and might cause the system to get clogged.

In addition to causing issues in your house, septic system backups can damage ground water in the area surrounding your septic field.

Towels made of paper Products for feminine hygiene Grease or fats are used in cooking.

grinds from a cup of coffee Even if you have a trash disposal, the food scraps that you flush down the drain and bring into your septic system may cause unanticipated harm to your plumbing system.

Food scraps can enhance the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in the wastewater, which can disturb the natural bacterial balance of the septic tank, among other things.

Water conservation should be practiced.

Exceedingly large amounts of water use will interfere with the normal flow of wastewater from your home into your septic tank.

Limiting the amount of time you spend in the shower and turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, as well as purchasing a smaller dishwasher and washing machine that use less water, are all simple strategies to reduce water use in your home.

The following are some basic steps you can take to make your septic system more ecologically friendly: save water, maintain your septic system and tank, and recycle wastewater. To get answers to any of your septic tank-related issues, get in touch with the experts at Upstate Septic Tank, LLC.