I replaced the line going from the tank to the drain field a few years
ago. Now, it looks like the drain field may have failed. We have
tennants in the house now so they aren't as careful with it as we were.


What's the best option (of course, costs in our area will be a big
part):
* dig up, remove the drainfield, replace myself
* contract out digging up and removing; replace myself
* contract out the whole thing
* install an aerobic system
* install a lift station and tie into the City sewer that runs out
front (it's uphill) and have the tennant pay the additional monthly fee

On 1 Nov 2006 13:14:41 -0800, "BradMM" wrote:

I replaced the line going from the tank to the drain field a few years
ago. Now, it looks like the drain field may have failed. We have
tennants in the house now so they aren't as careful with it as we were.


What's the best option (of course, costs in our area will be a big
part):
* dig up, remove the drainfield, replace myself
* contract out digging up and removing; replace myself
* contract out the whole thing
* install an aerobic system
* install a lift station and tie into the City sewer that runs out
front (it's uphill) and have the tennant pay the additional monthly fee

Pretty stupid to be trying do decide what to do when you
don't know what the problem is in the first place.

Pump the tank, and then have someone do a flow test, and find OUT
whether the leachfield is hosed. THEN decide what to do about it.

BradMM wrote:
I replaced the line going from the tank to the drain field a few years
ago. Now, it looks like the drain field may have failed. We have
tennants in the house now so they aren't as careful with it as we were.


What's the best option (of course, costs in our area will be a big
part):
* dig up, remove the drainfield, replace myself
* contract out digging up and removing; replace myself
* contract out the whole thing
* install an aerobic system
* install a lift station and tie into the City sewer that runs out
front (it's uphill) and have the tennant pay the additional monthly fee

most places you can't charge for sewer/water

If sewer rates are not crazy, and the city isn't about to start a big
project,[secondary treatment, combined sewer overflow, anything that
sasy 'consent decree] go with the sewer. Grinder pumps are fairly
reliable, and with a rental unit, you don't need the hassles

yourname wrote:
BradMM wrote:
I replaced the line going from the tank to the drain field a few years
ago. Now, it looks like the drain field may have failed. We have
tennants in the house now so they aren't as careful with it as we were.


What's the best option (of course, costs in our area will be a big
part):
* dig up, remove the drainfield, replace myself
* contract out digging up and removing; replace myself
* contract out the whole thing
* install an aerobic system
* install a lift station and tie into the City sewer that runs out
front (it's uphill) and have the tennant pay the additional monthly fee

most places you can't charge for sewer/water



And where would those places be? Here in NJ it's not only legal, but
usual for tenants to pay for utilities, including water and sewer.
You may find some whacko places where laws say otherwise, but it
certainly not "most places."

And even beyond that, he can certainly just jack up the rent by an
appropriate amount, making any such law not only stupid, but close to
worthless.




If sewer rates are not crazy, and the city isn't about to start a big
project,[secondary treatment, combined sewer overflow, anything that
sasy 'consent decree] go with the sewer. Grinder pumps are fairly
reliable, and with a rental unit, you don't need the hassles


You'd go with the sewer without even understanding what the cost of the
conversion, plus the monthly expense, etc is vs the cost of fixing the
existing system?

And where would those places be? Here in NJ it's not only legal, but
usual for tenants to pay for utilities, including water and sewer.
You may find some whacko places where laws say otherwise, but it
certainly not "most places."
And even beyond that, he can certainly just jack up the rent by an
appropriate amount, making any such law not only stupid, but close to
worthless.
If sewer rates are not crazy, and the city isn't about to start a big
project,[secondary treatment, combined sewer overflow, anything that
sasy 'consent decree] go with the sewer. Grinder pumps are fairly
reliable, and with a rental unit, you don't need the hassles
You'd go with the sewer without even understanding what the cost of the
conversion, plus the monthly expense, etc is vs the cost of fixing the
existing system?

The tennant pays the bills directly for all the other utilities and the
sewer would be based on the water use since it's not metered
seperately. That's pretty standard in these parts.