Eelpoutguy wrote:

If a septic tank is pumped out and the house is empty and it rains for a day or two, should the tank fill back up with water from the field lines? Not if it is gravity fed, but yes if the covers were left off Or should it remain empty until the sinks and toilets are used in the house? If it does the opposite of what it is suppose to do would that be due to bad field line?

Remember all systems are not built/designed the same especially in different parts of the country.

I guess Caveat Emptor.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

i looked in there today and there is a little water but even close to being full. I think it is ok to go since the top is put back on there like it should be.

Bassn Dan wrote:

If you haven’t lived in a house with a septic system before here are a few tips.

Do NOT use the extra-soft-triple-thick toilet paper (like Charmin Ultra, etc.) It doesn’t break down fast enough and it will likely clog your system. And do NOT flush other things like cleaning wipes, tampons, condoms, etc.

Avoid using bleach for laundry. It kills the bacteria in the tank – the bacteria in the system is what breaks down the paper and solids in the tank.

Avoid doing massive amounts of laundry all at once – at least until you know how the system is doing. Even then it’s better to do one or two loads a day than 10 in one day. This is especially true if you live where there is heavy soil.

Get your system pumped and the filter cleaned regularly as recommended by your pumping service.

Good luck with the new house!

Thank you for the quick list of do’s and don’ts as I have never had a septic tank before. I will make sure to follow these.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

If a septic tank is pumped out and the house is empty and it rains for a day or two, should the tank fill back up with water from the field lines? Not if it is gravity fed, but yes if the covers were left off Or should it remain empty until the sinks and toilets are used in the house? If it does the opposite of what it is suppose to do would that be due to bad field line?

Remember all systems are not built/designed the same especially in different parts of the country.

I guess Caveat Emptor.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

I just checked it and it is still empty, not even a 1/4 of the way. The guy who pumped it said some would return. Not sure what some means though

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Is it a gravity system or does it pump to the drain field?

It is gravity fed

Deleted wrote:

Just depends on how old it is too. A septic tank and drain field are 15 yr life items. Ours was 24 yrs old when we bought our current home. We negotiated that into our price and had a new tank & drainfield system installed for $6,600. So we just added 5k to their asking price and made that part of the deal. New septic system was installed before closing. Guy who did the install said the old system was shot and we were lucky we did the new one cause it was just one old man living here the 24 yrs and with the increased use from our 3 people, we woulda had problems that first winter.

The home was built in 1995 so I’m guessing it is 23 years old.

I just left from looking at the septic tank and it is still emtpy, well less than 2/3 empty from what I can see. That’s after a couple days of rain after it was pumped. I poked around the yard at different spots and smelled no odors whatsoever. I guess I will proceed with the buy and just know I need to save as this system could be at its life’s end. It’s a foreclosure so they will not negotiate on the septic tank, but I am getting a good deal so I guess I won’t complain.

I am new to this but I think it is a 1500 gallon system. Like you said one side is for solids and the other is for liquid to the drain field.

I plan to look in the second tank today to see if it is empty or what. The water in the house is cut off and the only way it could be filled up is if it drained back from the field lines.

I’m assuming if the field lines drained back and filled it up there is an issue….is that safe to say?

no sir, i work 3rd shift and was googling and found this forum. I know its not fishing or hunting related but i seen one other post from some one else asking about septic tank and figured it was worth a shot.