|
|
 List of Key Articles About Septic System Maintenance & Septic Care
- Septic System Basics - this page: septic maintenance, septic care instructions for home owners and home buyers; steps to take when buying a home with a septic tank and septic fields
- Septic System Design & Installation, and alternative septic designs, drawings, product sources
- Septic System Inspection and Testing, how to find and diagnose septic system problems
- Septic System Maintenance and Repair, septic system care, septic products, septic repair or replacement procedures
- Questions & Answers about septic system basics for homeowners: what is a septic system or septic tank and drainfield, how do septic systems work, and what maintenance and cleaning or care do septic tanks and septic systems require.
- References
|
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Key references on septic system design, inspection, maintenance & repair. This article series answers just about any question about buying or owning a house with a septic tank or septic system. At this website we discuss just about every septic system topic, question, problem, design, or repair such as septic tank design, septic tank size, septic tank pumping frequency, septic tank cleaning, and septic tank inspection.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Key Articles for Septic Tank & Drainfield Inspection & Maintenance for Home Buyers or Owners
If you own or are buying a home or any other property that uses a private, onsite wastewater disposal system - that is, a septic system, the articles below point you to key references that you'll want to read. If you do not quickly find the information you need CONTACT US or post a Comment or Question in the Comments box at the end of any article found at InspectAPedia.
"Septic tanks" are what
home owners or home buyers think of when buying or maintaining a home with a private septic system. But we should be thinking about the whole septic system
- since the drain field or leach field makes up half of a typical septic
system cost.
Septic tank care and septic tank cleaning need to be done on a regular frequency (we provide a septic tank pumping schedule table)
in order to avoid ruining the drainfield. Septic tank maintenance is not enough. Proper septic system design for
the level of usage and soil conditions is critical if the system is going to have a long useful life.
We are also quite
concerned with septic system health and safety since there are potential collapse hazards which can be fatal, and
there are bacterial and pathogen hazards for both site occupants and for the environment if a septic system is
not working properly. The articles listed at this website form an extensive guide to septic systems care, inspection,
testing, and installation.
Septic System How-To Articles
"How-To" Articles at our Septic System Information Website are in four groups: (these links are also at Related Topics )
- Septic System Basics, septic maintenance and septic care instructions for home owners and home buyers; steps to take when buying a home with a septic tank and septic fields
- Septic System Design & Installation, and alternative septic designs and septic products,
- Septic System Inspection and Testing, how to find and diagnose septic system problems
- Septic System Maintenance and Repair, septic system care, maintenance, repair or replacement procedures and products
Basics of Septic System Design, Maintenance, Inspection
- Abandoned or New Septic System inspection & testing suggestions
- Additives & Chemicals products for septic system maintenance. Are septic products needed? Are septic treatments legal?
- Alternating Bed Septic Systems may provide a retrofit repair for a failing drainfield or a means of extending drainfield life
- Alternative Designs for septic systems with problem sites, poor soil percolation, limited space: septic system designs, designers, suppliers & products for Aerobic, Alternating Bed, Biogas, Cesspools, Disinfection, Drywells, Evaporation-Transpiration, Filters, Fixed-Film, Gravelless, Greywater, Lagoon, Latrines, Media Filter, Mound, Outhouses, Pressure dosing, raised bed, sand bed, sequencing batch reactor, sewage treatment, toilet alternatives, vegetative submerged bed, wastewater treatment,
& wetland septic systems
- Abandoning a Septic Tank - Guide - how to safely find & abandoned unused septic tanks, cesspools, drywells
- AGE of PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURES including piping, plumbing fixtures, septic systems, cesspools, drainfields
- Backups and Clogged Drains diagnosing septic backups and septic system failures versus clogged drains - key step in septic repair
- Backup Prevention: extra steps to avoid a septic backup such as during a party or when you anticipate heavy use of the septic system
- Backup Repair: what to do when the toilets or drains are backing up
- Basic Designs for septic systems, tank size, field size, design notes, septic maintenance and septic care instructions for home owners and home buyers; steps to take when buying a home with a septic tank and septic fields, and basics septic system information about:
Septic soil & percolation tests, septic tank size, septic tank depth, septic tank tees, filters, graywater, clearances septic system to other site features, drainfield size, drainfield shape, tank pumping frequency, tank pumping procedure, tank repair, septic treatments & chemicals, steep slope systems
- Buy Septic Books Online at Amazon.com - books for septic system design. septic system education materials
- Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems inspection & testing - what to do, step by step to inspect and test a septic system when buying a home
- Biomat Formation in the Septic System Drainfield Absorption System - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Blocked Drain Repair Methods - do-it-yourself steps you can try to clear a clogged drain before calling a professional plumber
- Cesspools home buyer's or Owner's cesspool maintenance advice
- Cesspool Safety warnings about cesspool, drywell, seepage pit collapse dangers
- Contaminants in Sewage which may be released from sewage spills from residential septic systems and wastewater disposal systems
- Curtain drains or intercept drains can protect septic drainfields in areas of wet soils or surface and subsurface groundwater
- Design Guide for Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" articles
- Distribution Box - Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box Designs for Septic Systems - Master List of Septic System Designs & Types, named and described
- Distribution Box - Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
- Distances & Clearances from septic system components to other site features, property boundaries, waterways, etc. - Avoid property being declared insalubrious or uninhabitable due to septic system space or function problems.
- Don't Flush these things into a septic system: a list of what's ok and what's not ok to put into septic tanks and building drains
- Don't Pump Before Testing Septic Systems: warnings for home buyers about septic tank pumping
- Drain Clogs, Slow Drainage: how to diagnose & repair slow or clogged drains; find out if the problem is in a drain or in the septic system, a key step in septic repair
- Drain Noises: may indicate defective or clogged plumbing: how to diagnose and cure drain sounds
- Drain Line Replacement diagnosing a clogged drain leads to drain line replacement - step by step photo-illustrated guide to drain replacement
- Drainfield Layout: septic drainfield or leaching bed shape and placement considerations
- SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION: how to find the septic drain field or leaching bed
- DRIVING or PARKING OVER SEPTIC is it ever acceptable to drive or park over septic system piping, tanks, or drainfields?
- DRYWELL DESIGN & USES home buyer's or owner's advice for drywell installation, testing, and maintenance
- Definitions of septic system terms, an online septic system dictionary
- Drawing Library © drawings of septic system components, fields, layouts. These are educational, not engineering drawings and are © protected. Sample engineering drawings and plans wanted for the website.
- Filters for Septic Tanks & Graywater to protect septic drainfields and reduce drainfield clogging
- Flood Response what to do after a septic system has been exposed to flooding, key septic maintenance and repair tips
- Garbage Grinders and garbage disposal units - effects on septic systems and septic maintenance requirements
- Gases, Septic Methane and other septic system gas hazards such as hydrogen sulfide
- Grazing, Animals Over Septic Fields, is it a problem?
- Inspection & Testing of Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" articles
- SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS, septic maintenance and septic care instructions for home owners and home buyers; steps to take when buying a home with a septic tank and septic fields, and basics septic system information about:
Septic soil & percolation tests, septic tank size, septic tank depth, septic tank tees, filters, graywater, clearances septic system to other site features, drainfield size, drainfield shape, tank pumping frequency, tank pumping procedure, tank repair, septic treatments & chemicals, steep slope systems
- SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES, septic system designs, designers, suppliers & products for Aerobic, Alternating Bed, Biogas, Cesspools, Disinfection, Drywells, Evaporation-Transpiration, Filters, Fixed-Film, Gravelless, Greywater, Lagoon, Latrines, Media Filter, Mound, Outhouses, Pressure dosing, raised bed, sand bed, sequencing batch reactor, sewage treatment, toilet alternatives, vegetative submerged bed, wastewater treatment,
& wetland septic systems
- SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION LEVELS - describes the parameters of visual inspections, tank and field inspections, dye tests
- Septic Inspection Worksheets for use with various types and levels of onsite septic inspection and testing
- Septic Inspection Book - online text describes septic system inspection, diagnosis, repair, design
- Septic Inspection Course - online documents
- Life Expectancy of Septic Systems and septic system components
- Maintenance & Repair of Septic Systems complete list of detailed "how to" articles
- Neighboring Septic System Problems - advice for dealing with a neighboring septic system producing odors or seepage
- OUTHOUSES & LATRINES - types, design, inspection, safety warnings
- Outhouse or Latrine Fire and Explosion - methane gas explosion and fire
- Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, gardens, groundcover over or near the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
- Planting Gardens Near Septics, vegetables, fruits, other types of gardens
- Pumps Septic pumps, sewage ejector pumps, grinder pumps, effluent pumps, sump pumps, & septic pumping stations compared; pump alarms. Advice.
- Reference Books, Codes, Design Guides for septic system maintenance, repair, design, installation
- Septic & Cesspool Safety - septic system, septic tank, & cesspool safety warnings for septic inspectors, septic pumpers, and homeowners.
- Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
- Septic Tank Abandonment Guide - how to safely find & abandoned unused septic tanks, cesspools, drywells
- Septic Tank Depth - how deep will we find or install a septic tank
- Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - how to inspect septic tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
- Septic Tank Leaks can prevent a valid septic loading and dye test and can damage the drainfield
- Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
- Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for septic tanks: when, how, what to watch for when pumping or cleaning septic tanks
- SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS why relying on the septic tank pumping schedule table or advice from pumping contractors isn't enough
- Septic Tank Pumping Procedure step by step photo guideline of how to pump and clean a septic tank - septic tank care
- Septic Tank Size: septic tank size and capacity vs. usage determine the required septic tank size, calculate size of an existing septic tank
- Septic Tank Types: characteristics and inspection guide for steel, concrete, plastic, fiberglass, and home made septic tanks
- Sewage Odors in Wet or Cold Weather - Septic Odors or Sewage Odor Diagnosis & Repair Guide for diagnosing and eliminating cold weather sewer gas odors
- Sewage Levels in Septic Tanks - what are normal and abnormal sewage levels in septic tanks and what do they mean about tank condition, leaks, etc.
- Sewer Gas Odors diagnosing, finding, and curing septic tank and sewer line smells
- Sewer Gas - Methane and other septic system gas explosion or asphyxiation hazards such as hydrogen sulfide
- Sewer Line Replacement diagnosing a clogged drain leads to drain line replacement - step by step photo-illustrated guide to drain replacement
- SEWAGE & SEPTIC CONTAMINANTS - what contaminants are found in sewage or septic effluent
- SEWAGE CONTAMINANTS in FRUIT / VEGETABLES - is it OK for you eat fruits and vegetables grown over a septic drainfield?
- Steep Slope Septic Designs - how to install sewer lines from building to septic tank; how to install septic drainfields, leach field systems at steep or sloped sites.
- Swimming Pool Clearance distance to septic components
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, septic maintenance suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits with additions by DJF
- TOILET OVERFLOW EMERGENCY: how to stop a toilet from overflowing
- What is a Septic System? An Engineer's View & Septic System FAQ's
- When Not to Pump a Septic Tank to avoid damage, unsafe conditions, or wasting money. Don't pump the tank right before a septic test.
...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about septic system design specifications & construction methods
...
Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Questions & answers or comments about septic system basics for homeowners: what is a septic system or septic tank and drainfield, how do septic systems work, and what maintenance and cleaning or care do septic tanks and septic systems require..
Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below.
Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Aerobic Septic System Products Directory List
- Alternative Septic System Product Suppliers List
- Filters, Septic Filters & Wastewater Treatment Systems Using Filtration Methods Products Directory
- Gravelless Leach Field Septic Systems Products Directory List
- Septic Effluent Distribution Products Directory List
- Toilets, Composting Toilets, Biological Toilets, No-water/Low water toilets, Waterless toilets, Chemical Toilets, Incinerating Toilets and related products list
- Other Septic Wastewater Treatment Products List
- Plumbers & Septic Repair Companies List
- Septic Tanks septic tank suppliers
- The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
- Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
- Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
- Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
- ...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
|
- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
-
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
- Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
- ...
|
