Just recently during a real estate inspection, my client asked me why the house had a aerobic system versus a conventional, so thought this might be something to talk about. Some subdivisions require an aerobic system, whereas in rural areas conventionals are more common. Since I was a city person initially, I knew nothing about septic systems. As a builder, we now coordinate putting them into your new home. The most common 2 types are conventional and aerobic.
So the first thing I thought about was, What is a septic tank and system? According to Wikipedia: A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations. (Other components, typically mandated and/or restricted by local governments, optionally include pumps, alarms, sand filters, and clarified liquid effluent disposal means such as a septic drain field, ponds, natural stone fiber filter plants or peat moss beds.) Septic systems are a type of On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF). In North America, approximately 25% of the population relies on septic tanks; this can include suburbs and small towns as well as rural areas. Since a septic system requires a drain field that uses a lot of land area, they are not suitable for densely built cities. The term “septic” refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops in the tank, which decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the tank. Periodic preventive maintenance is required to remove the irreducible solids that settle and gradually fill the tank, reducing its efficiency. A properly maintained system, on the other hand, can last for decades or possibly even a lifetime.
Which one do you want or need? If you live in a subdivision, chances are you need the aerobic system. The architectural committee will be able to help you determine the requirements on building your home and the type of septic system they require. If you are out in the rural areas, just a plan conventional is all you might want. Conventional systems are normally a couple thousand dollars less than an aerobic system too. You will also need to get periodic maintenance performed on the aerobic. You will need to get an analysis performed on the soil. Call in a septic expert for details, differences, and a quote. Just be sure they test the soil, give you a quote to install, go over the maintenance schedule, and don’t forget to get the warranty details.
When you are installing a septic system for an RV now and a house in five years, be sure you have the septic designed for the future size of your home. You sure can’t run a 3000 SF home on a septic designed for only an RV.
Some things I have learned - don’t put chemicals down your drains, you don’t have to have them pumped all the time, run some of the water discharges from your home to the ground (grey water) and not into your septic, and know where your lines and tanks are so you won’t drive over them. Just some notes from a city girl who has learned a few things in the country.
For all Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 or 713-818-6658.
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