Septic Tank Condition - How to Inspect Home Made or Site Built Septic Tanks InspectAPedia® -
Characteristics of home made or site-built septic tanks
Types of Septic Tanks: steel septic tanks, concrete septic tanks, fiberglass septic tanks, home made septic tanks - definitions and characteristics of various types of septic tanks
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This document describes how to inspect the condition of a septic tank, providing special
considerations for inspecting home made or site built septic tanks. Inspecting home made septic tanks is a key component in
onsite wastewater disposal systems and can involve special risks of collapse or early failure since often home made septic tanks are constructed
too small, or are built using marginal materials or have unsafe tank covers.
The photo shows a home made septic tank which was
being excavated after discovery of sewage effluent in the drainfield.
This is a chapter of Septic Systems Inspection, Testing our online book about septic system inspection procedures,
defects in onsite waste disposal systems, septic tank problems, septic
drainfield problems, checklists of system components and things to ask.
Also see The Septic Information Website our main page of articles and information
about septic systems and onsite wastewater disposal systems inspection, testing, diagnosis, maintenance, and repair.
HOME MADE, SITE BUILT SEPTIC TANKS - Home made or "site built tanks
Site built systems, in my experience, are often under-sized and worse, dangerous. There is a
serious risk of collapse of old rotting wood covers, collapsing concrete block dry-laid tank
or "cesspool" walls, etc.
The septic tank shown in this photograph was "home made" using concrete
blocks stacked to form the tank sides (and maybe bottom) and covered with a poured-concrete lid
which has been tipped over and can be seen on-edge in the left side of this photograph.
The home made septic tank was so small that it would need to be pumped
more frequently than normal to protect the drainfield.
In this particular case the home made septic tank was found
to be completely filled with solids, and the leach field was found to be filled with solid waste
as well. An improperly-conducted septic dye test failed to detect this condition even though
even a small and inadequate test, had dye and water been run into the main waste line, would certainly
have caused a backup - which is what happened within hours of the new buyers moving into the home to which
this septic non-system was attached.
While building your own septic tank is not an impossible task, proper sizing of the tank, and construction
of materials to be sure that the tank and its cover are safe from collapse, are critical considerations.
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The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
Alternative & Advanced Designs for Septic Systems
for discussion and links to (on-site waste disposal) System Designs for Problem Sites & Soils. Books, Consultants, Engineers, Designers. Alternative septic system designs can substantially
reduce the normal required distances between septic system components and wells, lakes, streams, and property boundaries.
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