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CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC., 3697 HABERSHAM LANE, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096, 770-849-0920 AUGUST 2002

Q & A

Septic Tank Systems?We are buying an older home with a septic tank. We've

never had a septic system before and are a little uneasy. Arethey as good as a public sewer?

Yes, they are just as good. I have one with my new homeand it will save me thousands of dollars in sewage fees overmy lifetime.

WHAT IS A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM?

SEPTIC TANK The septic tank is an underground watertight container,almost always constructed of concrete, and is built to receivesewage and retain the liquid portion for approximately 24hours. The tank has three functions: First, it acts as a settlingchamber to allow solids to settle to the tank bottom; second,the tank serves as a digestion-chamber to allow somebiological treatment; and third, the tank becomes a storagevault for solids until removed The tile absorption field (nitrification field) is the secondand probably the most critical part of the septic tank system.It consists of a trench, or system of trenches, with gravel orcrushed stone and jointed tile or perforated pipe to receive theliquid sewage after treatment in the septic tank and todistribute this liquid to the soil for absorption and finalbiological treatment.

SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM INSTALLATION

To protect the public health from the dangers of impropersewage disposal practices, state regulations have beenadopted. The regulations are designed to help insure when a

septic tank system is used it will be constructed to meetappropriate standards of sufficient size to handle theanticipated waste load and that the soil is suitable forabsorption of sewage. These regulations require that a permitto construct a septic tank system be obtained from the county

health department. A septic tank system may not be coveredwith earth until an inspection is made and approval is givenby the county health department sanitarian.

Remember that a septic tank system cannot be safelyinstalled on all lots or building sites. Some lots or buildingsites are unsuitable because of the type of soil, terrain (toosteep, too low or wet, etc.), size, ground water, rock, or otherfactors which would interfere with proper operation of thesystem.

Although one usually wants to keep all the trees and shrubspossible on his lot, remember that the roots of trees andshrubs growing near the septic tank system may infiltrate theabsorption trenches and block the flow of sewage. It isadvisable to remove trees and shrubs growing over thetrenches or near the septic tank system.

CARE OF YOUR SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM

A septic tank system requires prudent usage andmaintenance to insure its best performance. Here are sometips:1. Only household waste and toilet tissue should be disposedof in a septic tank system. Keep all kitchen greases andhygiene items out of the system.2. Any leaks that develop in the plumbing fixtures should beimmediately corrected. A leaking faucet or toilet tank, nomatter how small the leak, will eventually result in completesaturation and failure of the absorption field.

3. A septic tank needs periodic cleaning or pumping out ofthe accumulated solids. If the solids are allowed to build up inthe tank to a point that they begin to pass out of the tank intothe soil absorption network, the soil will soon become cloggedwith the solids, resulting in failure of the system. If thishappens, costly repairs will have to be made before the systemwill again function property.

The frequency of tank cleaning or pumping is hard todetermine as it depends on many factors and varies withdifferent families. The only sure way to determine the needfor service is to open the tank periodically and inspect it todetermine the accumulation of solids, but most homeownerswill not do this when it is needed. A good rule of thumbwould be to have the septic tank pumped out every 7 years.This should provide a margin of safety, but remember themost accurate way to determine the need for service is toinspect the tank contents on a yearly basis. When you decideto pump out the tank, contact the county health departmentfor a list of sewage removal contractors who have beenapproved as having the proper equipment to do the job and anapproved site to dispose of this offensive waste.4. Automobiles and other heavy vehicles should not beallowed over the septic tank system. This causes excessivecompaction and actual structural damage to septic tanks andtile absorption field. A sketch of your septic tank system canusually be obtained from your county health department to aidyou in knowing the location of all parts of the system. Thiscan be helpful in case of problems with the system or whenthe tank is cleaned.5. No presently known chemical, yeast, bacteria, enzyme, orother additive product will improve the operation or lifeexpectancy of a septic tank system.

BUYER BEWARE

If you are about to purchase a lot to construct a home in anarea which is not served by a public sewerage system, contactthe county health department to find out if that lot has beenapproved for development using a septic tank system. They

may already have information on this property, but if not, anevaluation can be made and the owner may have to arrangefor soil tests to be made by an engineer or surveyor before adecision can be made on its suitability.

Source: Georgia Department of Human Resources

If you have a question, change of address, comment, home tip or wouldlike to send Home Tips to your clients, send your letter to Home Tips,Christian Building Inspectors, Inc., 3697 Habersham Lane, Duluth,Georgia, 30096-6111. You can also E-Mail your questions to us atrodharrison@ christianbuildinginspectors.com/. We reserve the right toedit questions for length.

MOLD TESTING AVAILABLETo Have Your Home Tested ContactChristian Building Inspectors, Inc.

770-849-0920

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a memory.” - rickie Lee Jones

Donna IrwinColdwell Banker/Buckhead Brokers

4790 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Suite 200Lawrenceville, Georgia 30044

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CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC. M e m b e r : A S H I , G A H I , M A I A , S B C C I

SBCCI CODE CERTIFIED CABO ONE & TWO FAMILY DWELLING INSPECTOR NO. 1619

For Additional Information, Contact Rod Harrison or Terri Whitehead

Office: Monday-Friday 770-849-0920, Fax 770-849-0540, Digital Pager 770-890-4503

Web Page: www.christianbuildinginspectors.com E-Mail: rodharrison@christianbuildinginspectors.com

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CHRISTIAN BUILDING INSPECTORS, INC. 3697 HABERSHAM LANE, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096, OFFICE 770-849-0920, FAX 770-849-0540