Septic tank queries

r3nu4l

I had a few questions about septic tanks, hopefully someone can help me get some answers.

How do I know where the leach field is in relation to the tank?
If I'm growing vegetables, how far away from the tank and leach field should they be?
How often should a septic tank be emptied?
How would I know if there was a problem with the tank (leaks etc)
Does all wastewater (baths, showers, dishwasher, kitchen and other sinks) as well as toilet waste, go into the tank?
I've read that you shouldn't use harsh cleaning materials such as bleach in toilets when you have a septic tank, what about toilet duck and multi-purpose cleaners, such as floor cleaning fluid?

Thanks in advance.

Sir Arthur Daley

r3nu4l wrote: »

How do I know where the leach field is in relation to the tank?
If I'm growing vegetables, how far away from the tank and leach field should they be?

You can only get a rough idea from the exit point of tank. Is there not any vent pipes in the region of your tank?. I see no issue growing vegetables over the leach field.

How often should a septic tank be emptied?
How would I know if there was a problem with the tank (leaks etc)

Emptying depends on usage, some say once a year. Others go on 1.5 feet of sludge. Have you ponding or smells that you are questioning potential problems with your tank?

Does all wastewater (baths, showers, dishwasher, kitchen and other sinks) as well as toilet waste, go into the tank?
I've read that you shouldn't use harsh cleaning materials such as bleach in toilets when you have a septic tank, what about toilet duck and multi-purpose cleaners, such as floor cleaning fluid?

It should but in ireland alot of different school of thoughts were employed. In my opinion cleaning materials screw up the natural breakdown in tanks.

Cerco

r3nu4l wrote: »

I had a few questions about septic tanks, hopefully someone can help me get some answers.

How do I know where the leach field is in relation to the tank?
If I'm growing vegetables, how far away from the tank and leach field should they be?
How often should a septic tank be emptied?
How would I know if there was a problem with the tank (leaks etc)
Does all wastewater (baths, showers, dishwasher, kitchen and other sinks) as well as toilet waste, go into the tank?
I've read that you shouldn't use harsh cleaning materials such as bleach in toilets when you have a septic tank, what about toilet duck and multi-purpose cleaners, such as floor cleaning fluid?

Thanks in advance.

Some information here you might find useful.

http://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Tank_Care.htm#lsign

In relation to grey water note that dishwashers, washing machines and shower waste etc contain chemicals. Check the labels on bleach as some are claimed to be suitable for septic tanks...though I have doubts.

Would be interested in opinions on how to locate a leach field.covered on the link above but would like to hear from anyone who has done it.

r3nu4l

Thanks for the answers folks. I don't actually have a tank yet but in the coming months am most likely going to be purchasing a property that contains a tank rather than being connected to mains sewerage

I thought I'd so some research first.