A Crappy Easter…Well, Not Completely
Whether it’s in March or April, Easter in the Midwest is never predictable. This year certainly was an example. Various areas in southern Wisconsin received 7-12 inches of heavy, wet snow, which made for a true March Madness.
Unpredictable madness can also occur when living in an old house, especially a country house. Take for example, this Easter weekend. A houseful of company proved too much for our old, old septic system and it strategically chose to back up just as everyone was settling in for the weekend. Needless to say, they didn’t stay around too long!
So, what do you do when nasty, foul smelling you-know-what begins working its way up your lines and near to overflowing the toilet?
Well, you act pretty darn fast. One unfortunate person—yeah, you got it, that handy husband of mine—had to remove the stuff while everyone else made less-than-handy suggestions such as “Uh, would you mind shutting the bathroom door so the odor doesn’t come through the rest of the house?” The same handy and now considerably less cheerful guy also had to dig an 18-inch hole to the expose the septic cover for pumping. Did I mention it’s still winter here in Wisconsin?
Septic systems are definitely something to consider if you’re contemplating life in an old country house. Barry Chalofsky, in his article for Old House Journal, describes the ins and outs of old house septic system care. I won’t necessarily promote the article as fascinating—you have to remember the topic at hand here. But, as one who’s lived and cared for an old system for twenty years, or rather my husband has, I can vouch for the author’s informative advice: flush only biodegradable paper products, avoid planting invasive vegetation near the tank and disposal field, and have your tank pumped periodically.
So, you could say we had a crappy Easter. Well, not completely. Remember, we’re easy-going people and above all, Easter means a lot to us.
Jesus lives!
April 5th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hi Neighbors!
I’m sorry you had a crappy weekend. I followed a link from the Garden Web plumbing forum to your site.
I just wanted to let you know that the only time my septic ever failed was when we had a party up at our cabin in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. Yes, it is embarrassing! One of the things that ‘saved’ us is that we are next to a public access that has a porty potty nearby. But embarrassing to think that all our city friends may think it’s a common occurance.
We also have septic at home in Lino Lakes, MN. We have lived there for 15 years and that was our first septic. From the get-go I knew not to rely on the garbage disposal like I did when we lived in the city. I rarely use it except after scraping dishes into the wastebasket (or compost in summer) and then rinsing on the disposal side. Veggies are peeled into the sink and then scooped out and brought to compost or trash.
This summer I am going to host a large wedding shower for mostly city dwellers. I plan on making a pretty sign and putting it in a frame on the bathroom vanity which would say something like “We are on a septic system. Please don’t put anything down the toilet except what you ate or drank and T.P.
I seriously think that some people DON’T GET IT!
I am usually on the kitchen forum at GW and a few people mentioned that they knew of people who used their toilets as Garbage Disposals because they didn’t have a disposal. But they insisted that they didn’t flush bones, as if that’s any consulation!
My best to you and your family! And hugs to your DH who got the dirty job done over Easter Weekend, bless his heart.