Septic Advice - Repair / Replace 40yrs

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andgrim

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Jul 21, 2020
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Location
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We are looking to purchase a home built in 1973 that has the original septic system. After inspection we found multiple issues, looking for advice on what you think the best course of action here is (contract going in I had the seller agree to all repairs to meet inspections).

Overview:

Septic Tank
Two septic tanks are installed next to each other, on the side of the house. The lower tank is approximately 20” deep. The lower tank was found to have a deteriorated/broken lid, and the outlet side of the tank showed signs of deterioration. The lower septic tank had approximately 24” of solids in it, and pumping for that tank is recommended at this time. The upper tank is buried approximately 30 inches deep. The water level in the upper tank was found to be approximately 12” low, and leakage is suspected. The pipe leading from the upper tank to the distribution box is partially crushed. No obvious signs of deterioration were present in this tank. Both septic tanks are within 5 feet of a brick sidewalk, which does not meet setback requirements.

The septic permit indicates that the size of both septic tanks serving this residence is 900 gallons.


Conclusions
▪ Two septic tanks are installed on the property next to each other, both of which feed the same drain field.
▪ The distribution box for the lower septic tank was camera inspected, and found to be deteriorated and not water tight.
▪ The distribution box for the upper septic tank could not be camera inspected as the pipe leading from the septic tank to the distribution box was partially crushed, and did not allow camera access.
▪ The drain field area is mostly covered with a brick patio.
▪ The lower tank was found to have a deteriorated/broken lid, and the outlet side of the
tank showed signs of deterioration.
▪ The lower septic tank had approximately 24” of solids in it, and pumping for that tank is
recommended at this time.
▪ The water level in the upper tank was found to be approximately 12” low, and leakage is
suspected.
▪ The pipe leading from the upper tank to the distribution box is partially crushed.
▪ Both septic tanks are within 5 feet of a brick sidewalk, which does not meet setbackrequirements.
 
The average life expectancy of a onsite waste treatment system is around 15 years. Have them replace the system and if possible install a diverter valve to you old field lines. If you need to use it in the future the biomat should have broken down by then and you could get use from the old field again.
 
And when you install the new fields, install inspection/witness pipes at teh ends of teh galleries. So you can inspect them periodically to be sure they are working right.
 

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