[Lonnie Anderson]

I live in this mobil home for five years and had to pump my septic one time ,then a. Week ago Pump again now it's full again

[cdad]

Do you have a leak somewhere causing water to pass into the system?

[hkstroud]

Yes, by now it is full again. Septic tanks are usually about 1000 gallons. As soon as you use 1000 gallons of water they are full. Septic tanks are always full. They don't work until they are full.

You need to read up on septic tanks and how they work.

Septic tanks are only holding tanks. A place for bacteria to break down and liquefy solids.

The input line to the tank is slightly higher than the output or distribution lines. The sewage, liquids and solids, flow into the tank. When the tank is filled to the level of the output or distribution lines, liquids (usually called grey water) flow out through the distributions lines and are absorbed into the soil and are evaporated by the sun.

While the sewage is sitting in the septic tank, bacteria break down and liquefy the solids and tissue. There is sufficient bacteria in the solids to cause this break down. It is the same bacteria in your body that causes you to break down and digest food. You don't need additives you some time see advertised.

There always seems to be things that get into the septic tank that are not broken down and liquefied. These solids settle to the bottom. If the solids are not periodically removed before they reach the level of the distribution line, they flow out and clog the distribution lines and the surrounding soil. That is the reason for pumping a septic tank, not emptying the tank.

People debate the frequency of pumping. Five years seems to be a good schedule to me. I had a mobile home park on septic tanks for over 30 years. During that time I had 4 or 5 tanks pumped. Never had a tank pumped more than once. Only had one that had to have a distribution line replaced.

Don't use a garbage disposal on a septic system. If you want a garbage disposal, put in an additional tank. Don't drive or park vehicles over septic lines.

[Milo Dolezal]

Well explained, Harold !

[hkstroud]

Thanks Milo.
Should have added.

Toilets are for disposal of human waste. Do not put any thing down a toilet that you haven't eaten first.

Many years ago I was in Venice, Italy. At one point I had to visit the bathroom.
There I notice a sign, "Put towels in the waste basket".
OK, seemed a little gross but, OK.

Later the wife and I took the required gondola ride. Now that wasn't like you see on TV, two lovers and the serenading gondolier.
There must have been twenty people in that long, narrow boat and the gondolier didn't sing.

As we floated along, I notice water flowing out pipes in the side of the buildings. Then I understood the sign. Sewage is dumped into the canals.

A little later some guy seated behind me asked,

"I wonder where their sewage goes?"

"You are riding in it", I replied.

"Oh God, I've been dragging my fingers in it."