The Pose Threat Created When There Is a Do-It-Yourself Septic System

Where should we begin when thinking about the importance of safety for others and the environment during septic system installation? We often discuss this in our septic-related blogs and social media posts because we believe that education is essential, especially when it involves exposure to toxins. While we, as professionals, would prefer to avoid these situations, sometimes they are inevitable. Nevertheless, we prefer to handle waste issues ourselves instead of having homeowners do so, as we have the appropriate equipment and safety gear to minimize exposure to the toxins produced by septic tanks. Today's blog topic is inspired by a recent viral TikTok video where property owners faced septic system problems. They initially thought they knew the placement of the septic tank's location, only to find it was beneath their driveway. Consequently, they had to remove the concrete driveway to access the tank, which to then find out the tank was built from cinder blocks 45 years ago. Based on the information given, can you identify the issues in this process?

As industry professionals, we've pinpointed several key issues:

1. First and foremost, septic tanks should not be made from cinder blocks.

   1. Was there a mechanism inside this tank to filter wastewater into effluent?

   2. Was there an outlet to discharge the effluent water to an appropriate disposal field for further filtration before being released into the soil or environment?

   3. Or was it merely a cesspool?
      

2. From this video, it appears the installation wasn't reviewed or approved by the homeowners' county. Given this tank was built 45 years ago dating back to 1981, there might not be records available today, which is why the new owners were unaware it was beneath the driveway.

   1. However, in the 21st century, with advanced technology, any newly installed septic systems should have documented permits and locations.

   2. This eliminates guesswork and prevents disrupting landscaping to locate the septic tank or leach field.

   3. Alarmingly, many older septic systems are poorly constructed or involve shortcuts, which is concerning given the importance of proper installation and functionality.
      

3. Since the septic tank was buried beneath the driveway, it likely hadn't been maintained for 45 years. Consider the buildup that accumulated over those years and the potential hazard it posed to the homeowners or the surrounding environment.

   1. Generally, septic tanks should typically have manhole covers accessible from the ground surface and a clean-out pipe to avoid any of the issues mentioned above.

      
      

4. Another problem identified was that the real estate agent who sold this home did not disclose this information.

   1. The reason for their omission is unknown, but if the information was properly disclosed, two outcomes might have occurred: either the seller would have had to reduce the home's price, or the home might not have been sold.

   2. In either scenario, this could lead to significant legal action against the real estate agent and inspector. However, the owner noted that in their state, inspections are not legally required.

In another video, the owners provide an update on how they handled the abandonment of the old septic tank. Fortunately, they appear knowledgeable about installing a new septic system, as they first ensured to apply for permits through their county. After receiving the "approval to construct," they installed an "official" septic tank located much farther from the house, in compliance with county setback regulations. This septic tank also featured visible lids, clean-out pipes for future maintenance, and included a proper disposal field. After setting up their newly improved system, they abandoned the old cinder block tank by filling it with dirt following a thorough pump and cleaning.

In conclusion, we are pleased that the new homeowners recognized the issue and took the necessary steps to properly install a new and functional system. However, since we do not know these individuals personally, as a professional business, we do not support any DIY methods and instead recommend contacting a professional company to prevent situations similar to those before the new homeowner's renovation. The fact that many homes are constructed under similar conditions is concerning, as they can have negative impacts on both nearby residents and the surrounding ecosystem. Hopefully, the videos raised awareness, and this blog provided some insight into the importance of following the correct procedures to install a compliant septic system. Due to the negligence of previous parties, this project could have been more severe. Thankfully, it wasn't overly harmful to the homeowners' health or the surrounding environment, and they were able to install a properly functioning septic system on their property.