Septic systems wtf

[Quack]

Got my septic tank pumped yesterday… after having a little water in my basement. I don’t know how it could be the water in the basement wasn’t disgusting but the events that overloaded the system were clean- laundry and filling/draining a ginormous bathtub 3x in a week. Thankfully there was nothing resembling sewage.

So anyway, had two contractors over and both said right away the drain field is shot. Not surprised, it’s 30 years old. One estimate, off the cuff was $15-20k for a new system.

Pumping only cost $200. I could pump the system 4x year for 25 years for the cost of replacement.

So why would I put in a new one?

[Fish Felon]

Well, you lucked out....but you're right, a new system doesn't seem to pencil out. Hmmmm

[Mallard_maniac]

Reasons to fix because you asked:
1) a drain field isn't the only thing that can fail in a sewer system so if not now, at what point do you start fixing it? If you have a 30 yr old system and for the sake of argument your pump and everything else is in similar shape I'd want it replaced.
2) You'll almost certainly never be able to sell your place if you don't fix it
3) continuously pumping is similar to dumping a quart of oil in a motor every 200 miles. It's a band aid but eventually you'll probably cave and fix it whether you do it electively or are forced to is kind of up to you.
4) you maybe got lucky this time that it wasn't terribly dirty sewage but if it happens again your luck might run out

You do you... but if it were me I'd fix it. Part of being a homeowner

[maplelakeduckslayer]

Just an fyi it's always sewage if it come from a waste line...no matter the color, smell, consistency etc it's got the same contamination level

Now does shit water scare me? No... according to what I used to do any time that water hit any finished building materials, those materials should be removed and replaced. Have I dried them out for clients before? Certainly. Would I dry out sewage contaminated building materials in my house if I didn't have coverage for it? Certainly.

Sorry for the bad news. Septics definitely are not cheap

[Quack]

Thanks for the conversation fellas, that’s why we’re here.

[h2ofwlr]

MM said it straight.

Wait for a wet year, you'll be pumping every week.

Long term the clear rock plugs up, thus won't dissipate the water into the surrounding soils. Likely this is what is happening.
Also some systems were minimal.
I remember a neighbor had a single drain field and had 5 kids - it was way, way under rated. He needed at least 3 drain fields of rock/tile for 7 people.
My Dad's worked fine with 6 people - but he had put in multiple holding tanks and 3 drain fields and we had a good hill so it worked well.

Now they use the domes(mound), hate the looks of them frankly. A PITA to get around as always seem to be in the way and you aren't supposed to drive on them.

Btw I just saw a headline that Porn Hub is now paying up to $30k a video for amateur action. It may be your only option to pay for it.