Septic tank safety measures
Q: I think before you write an article on septic tanks you should do a little research and learn something about the business. First off, you should never recommend someone check their own cesspool. I was involved in a very unfortunate incident of a customer falling into the cesspool and dying because he was trying to check his own. So it is very upsetting to hear you give some advice that can be deadly to someone. I am the owner of a cesspool company, and I advise you do some serious research before writing an article. — Anonymous, via e-mail
A: Well, that’s it folks, from now on don’t check your septic tank levels with a measuring stick, call a professional to do it. While you’re at it, throw away all your power tools, your ladders and maybe all the fatty foods in your refrigerator, too. They are all unsafe and can lead to your demise.
I am being a bit flippant, but the last time I checked this was a “do-it-yourself” column. And I have great faith in my readers that they will observe basic safety guidelines before checking septic tank levels, using power tools, climbing ladders or consuming steaks.
That said, let’s go over some common-sense precautions to take before checking your septic-tank levels:
•Bring a helper along, and if you’re worried about falling in, bring a sturdy rope.
•Don’t lean over or into the tank opening. If the measuring stick you’re using doesn’t reach the bottom of the tank, get another one.
•And don’t ever attempt to drain or clean the tank yourself (this actually did lead to a widely publicized fatality a couple years ago) — the point of measuring the amount of sludge is to determine when to call a professional to pump it out.
If you’d like more in-depth information about septic tank maintenance than this brief column can provide, allow me to recommend my favorite book on the subject: “The Septic System Owners Manual” by Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones and Peter Aschwenden (Shelter Publications, 2000).
It’s also not a bad idea to have one or two safety guides for other do-it-yourself tasks in easy reach. So head to your nearest bookstore (or online store) and ask for books on power-tool or home-improvement safety. Many of these guidelines are included in any general home-improvement book you pick up, so be sure to review them before starting repair or maintenance tasks.
The steaks I can’t help you with, I’m afraid. You’ll just have to use your best judgment. Although I do have a decent marinade recipe for them.
HOME TIP: Secure a wobbly plunger handle by slipping an adjustable automobile hose clamp around the neck of the plunger and tightening it so that it keeps the handle in place.