HomeBusinessThe High Cost of Poop

The High Cost of Poop

Published on

Derek Grant is the Chief Operating Officer at Grants Septic Techs.

Many of the homeowners I work with don’t know how their septic system works and they don’t want to think about it.

I get it. Poop isn’t typically considered a polite dinner topic (unless you grew up in my house). Most people just want to flush the toilet and have the magical poop fairy whisk it away. 

What they don’t realize is their septic system is one of the largest investments in their home, and they often don’t remember that until it comes time to sell their house, when the state requires a Title 5 inspection to be completed. That’s when we usually find the problems.

How your Septic System Works

The basic function of a septic system is to treat and dispose of wastewater from household plumbing and appliances such as toilets, sinks, and washing machines.

Most people think their septic system is just their tank, but that’s just one part of it. A typical septic system consists of both a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is usually buried underground and is designed to hold wastewater for a period of time to allow solids to settle and liquids to separate. The solids that settle at the bottom of the tank are partially broken down by bacteria, while oils and grease float to the surface and form a layer of scum. The partially treated liquid, known as effluent, then flows out of the septic tank and into the drainfield.

The drainfield (also known as a leach field) is a network of perforated pipes buried in gravel trenches or beds. The effluent from the septic tank is distributed evenly into the drainfield, where it is further treated by naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms in the soil. The soil acts as a filter, removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from the effluent as it percolates through the ground.

Caring for your Tank

Many homeowners think if they pump their tank more often it’s better for their system. This is not true. In fact, it may be worse, because pumping the tank removes critical bacteria that’s needed to break down poop into sludge. After you pump, when you have new waste coming into the tank, it doesn’t break down as well initially, and it takes a while for the ecosystem to reestablish. What doesn’t break down ends up in your drain field, leading to clogging.

So how often should you pump? MassDEP recommends that you pump at least once every three years, and I think that’s good advice in general, but it depends a lot on the size of your home and number of occupants. Since septic systems aren’t built with a warning system, it’s best to have them visually inspected at least once per year by a professional.

Most people know this, but it bears repeating: Your septic tank is not a trash bin. I’ve seen some pretty weird things in tanks over the years – condoms, tampons, doll parts, and even shoes. Unless it’s poop or toilet paper, nothing else should go in it. 

The Drainfield

The drainfield is the least understood part of the septic system. Think of the drainfield like a Brita filter that you’d use to clean drinking water. The filter needs to be changed every 6 months or so to keep working. Over time it get clogged and water stops flowing through it. 

Drainfields are built to last 20-30 years, so you don’t have to change them as often, but it is essentially the same concept. Drainfields fail because over time they are filled with biomaterial, or dead bacteria. Because the septic tank is underground, the bacteria in the tank survives with no oxygen. But then it is ejected into the drainfield (where there is oxygen) and dies out there, creating a slimy layer. Eventually the water can’t penetrate it and that’s when we see pools of water in the yard and backups into the home.

When a system fails, 90% of the time it is the drainfield. 

A failing drainfield. Some signs of a failing septic system are a foul odor near your tank, slow drains in your house, sewage backup into your house, and standing water near your septic system components.

The High Cost of Failure

Replacing a failed septic system is expensive, and typically it is not something that’s contemplated until a Title 5 inspection or the homeowner has waste in their basement. Ever change a poopy diaper? It’s like that, only a hundred times worse.

A full system replacement costs between $30,000 and $50,000 depending upon the number of bedrooms in the house and the level of groundwater in your yard. Many Hopkinton homes have high groundwater, so the septic system needs to be raised, which is more costly.

One out of every ten septic systems we evaluate for Title 5 needs to be replaced. That cost almost always falls on the homeowner, not the buyer. One way to avoid these costs is to extend the life of the system through microbial aerobic treatment.

Microbial Aerobic Treatment

Microbial aerobic treatment is a relatively new method for ensuring your septic system continues to operate optimally for a long period of time. Think of this like a big beehive that drops into any tank and acts as an incubator for the bacteria. The more the bacteria grows the more waste it’s able to break down. So instead of pumping every couple of years, homeowners never pump again. It eliminates clogging by turning the sewage into clear water by the time it hits the drainfield, making the septic system last forever.

Showing is always better than telling. Here’s a video of us installing one.

Care for your septic system and it will care for you

Caring for your septic system is essential to ensure that it functions properly and provides effective treatment of household wastewater. Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and non-biodegradable materials that can harm the system is essential, and regular inspections by a qualified professional can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. By following a few simple guidelines, homeowners can ensure the longevity and effectiveness of their septic system.

Foemmel Fine Homes
UniBank CD Special
Sunnyside Gardens

Latest articles

Catch up with a briefing of the most important and interesting stories from Hopkinton delivered to your inbox.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More like this