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The Bottom Line -  All about Septic Systems In Clark County, WA

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

 

Septic Systems in Clark County, WA  - What you need to know. 

Septic Sytems

 

Many of our multi-generational families find the best property matches for their housing needs in rural locations. Therefore, a septic system is usually the norm. We always tell our clients to learn more about septic systems in general. Specific to a property, it’s important to understand the design and capacity, servicing and maintenance requirements, and the costs.

At the top of the list is capacity. When we find properties suitable for our buyers, we check the county records to ensure the septic system is large enough for their needs. An improperly sized septic can add up to problems down the road. Here’s the basic requirements to be aware of per WAC 246-272A-0232.

0-3 Bedrooms -   900 Gallons

    4  Bedrooms - 1,000 Gallons

  Each Additional Bedroom -    250 Gallons

The regulations are based on the assumption of 2 people per bedroom. Therefore, a 1250 gallon tank can effectively handle the waste from 10 people. You’ll occasionally find homes with more bedrooms than listed in the our regional MLS, because of the limited septic system capacity. The size of the tank is also an important consideration if future plans include adding a outbuilding with a bathroom. The County may look at that as an extra bedroom and deny the application if the septic cannot support the additional room. 

 

Sh## happens - Septic System Maintenance is Critical 

We all know things happen. Improperly maintained, or improperly serviced septic systems are ripe for potential issues. In Clark County, you’re required to get your system inspected on an annual basis, and pumped every 1-3 years depending upon the design of the system. That’s why it’s smart to understand the type of septic system installed on your property. 

In addition to regular inspections and pumping, homeowners with septic systems should follow some basic guidelines. For example, a high volume of waste water can upset the delicate biological balance within the tank. For a large family, showering at alternate times and not doing multiple loads of washing all at once, will help prevent problems. 

Here are some additional recommendations: ( Note, we would all be wise to adopt these regardless of whether we have public sewer, or private septic systems.) 

Environmental Tissue

  • Don’t use excessive amounts of household chemicals. 
  • Don’t dump cleaning water for latex pain brushes and cans down the drain.
  • No coffee grounds, cooking fats (grease), paper towels, diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts, women’s personal hygiene products should be dumped into the septic tank.
  • Use high quality bio-degradable toilet tissue. ( Give it the test: Put a handful of tissue into a fruit jar half-full of water. Shake the jar, if the tissue breaks up easily, it’s suitable for the septic tank. 

 

 The bottom line - septic systems can be out-of-sight, odorless (when properly maintained), but should never be out-of-mind. Mindfulness can be critical in keeping your private sewage system operating properly. A well-constructed, properly maintained tank could last indefinitely. As usual, it’s what you don’t know that can hurt you.

 

If you’re looking for any type of property in Clark County, Washington, we’d love to be your guides. Our experience, and expertise can save you time and money. Call us today, The Carl Group - We’re Your Locals. 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments (17)

Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Debb, very informative post on your Clark County septic systems!  Lots of proper usage and maintenance needed with a septic system to avoid costly repairs!!!

Have you ever had to throw on your boots, grab a shovel, and do some "honey dippin" to help out a client in distress, Debb????    ^_~

Jun 10, 2015 06:10 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Bruce Walter I love my clients and would do most anything - but not, I would not do any honey dippin. Sorry! That's when I turn into a real "girl." ;) 

I just had to explain all of this to client and I decided to post a blog to share with them. Hoping it will be easier to digest.

Jun 10, 2015 06:14 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

Excellent explanation on septic tanks and their capacity.  There were lots of those in Napa County.  A

Jun 10, 2015 06:31 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Septic systems is something I am not too familiar with here. In twelve years only had three contracts with septic systems. Still, ##it happens so the info is great!

Jun 10, 2015 06:43 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Debb Janes 

Great overview on the kinds of things buyers/homeowners need to know about septic. Some areas futher inland have quite a few of them but not at the coast. They are certainly not something you want to neglect in terms of maintenance/cleaning, inspecting, etc.

Jeff

Jun 10, 2015 07:00 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

ok, SO the title--HYSTERICAL!!! I just love ya for that and much more! 

Maintenance IS critical! We just bought a ranch and the seller had to cough up $12,000 to put in a new septic system--it had NEVER been serviced (ECCHHHHH....) and Lord Only Knows how old that sucker was, since we're waaaaaaaay out in the country and we are several owners later. 

OH, my goodness, but you had fun with this post! 

I'm bookmarking it, too. 

Jun 10, 2015 07:53 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

P.S. What's a fruit mare?? 

Jun 10, 2015 07:54 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have lived in houses with septic tanks and never had problems. You just have to be aware and take precautions to not overload the tank with products that don't break down. Good Post. 

Jun 10, 2015 09:34 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Debb,

 Excellent blog on septic tanks and I actually found it interesting not sure what that says about me LOL!

Jun 10, 2015 09:46 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Debb: A very good article about septic systems, the maintenance that should be performed, and the types of products that should not be put in them.

Jun 10, 2015 10:52 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

This is a terrific post that should be featured. Unfortunately, many homeowners learn about septic tanks the hard way - tenants too! I was a tenant in one about a thousand years ago and I can still see, smell, taste, and feel how uncomfortable it was to be in that position, finding out the landlord neglected to clean it over an extended period of time and no sooner did he get it repaired when the well went dry. 

You did an excellent job with an illustration too. Your post is easy to read and to understand. This is something everyone needs to know, especially Real Estate Agents. 

Jun 10, 2015 10:58 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Alexandra - I remember you saying that - and wells, I imagine.

Gary, yes it does. ;)

Jeff, that makes sense that they would be found farther inland.

Hi there, Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905  I remember you saying that - what a bummer. You know first hand that it cost $$$ to get them replaced.  :( 

Oh, and by the way - typo. "Fruit jar," although a fruit mare might be a female fruit fly. Hahaha. 

Jun 10, 2015 11:25 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Like so many other parts of our homes, "properly maintained" is the key. We don't have too many septic systems in the Las Vegas area, but I can only imagine how a problem might be magnified by our triple-digit temps.

Jun 10, 2015 03:03 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

John, heat actually helps the bacteria numbers and hence break down the solids. Colder temps are actually more of a nemesis for septic systems. 

Jun 11, 2015 12:51 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Funny you should be posting about this issue Debb.  We are in the process of redoing our septic-we need a new tank - our home has 4 bedrooms but, they are telling us we need a 1250 gallon tank - I guess it varies by county and state but trust me, I hate spending money  on this **it and this is a big number!

Jun 11, 2015 08:44 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Debb Janes Having grown up with public sewers and now living in property with 1950's septic system I can definitely relate to your post.  Be wary how you use septic system and it will serve you well.  That is my advice.  Thanks.

Jun 14, 2015 09:41 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, great post regarding septic systems!   We don't have them in the City, but when doing rural properties there are. 

Jun 14, 2015 10:20 PM