So Lucky

Many months ago, our neighbors were having their septic tank pumped, which they seem to do regularly. I didn’t understand why. We only had that done a couple of time in our 40 years in Fort Lauderdale. True, they have 4 kids, but so did we, some of whom who took very long showers. Perhaps it’s because up here we have sump pumps to get the outflow to our drain fields. How do non-gravity fed septic tanks work? I toddled nextdoor and asked the worker to come see me when he was done pumping their tank.

His take on our situation was that it all looked good, except that the water level alarm for the pump tank was shot, its electric box completely rusted away. 

And so things stood. Occasionally I’d say we needed to get that looked into. Yep. But we didn’t. However, a few months ago, I decided this needed to be fixed. I didn’t want to come home from vacation or even the store, and find a house full of water or worse. My inclination was to install an alarm that would alert us on our phone. My rationale was that if we had one that rang outside, it would just annoy the neighbors, who might, or might not, get in touch with us. This proved difficult. Evidently blue tooth and the internet have not come to the septic service industry. We could buy such an alarm online, but the local guys had never installed one. I gave in. And time passed.

I decided we needed to finish this project. Then we had to choose a company to use. All of these decisions seem so difficult. The neighbors, and most of our street, seem to use Brownie’s. I searched NextDoor, and found that our cat sitter’s dad had recommended Arc Septic. She’s a responsible young teen, surely her dad has good sense. Other people recommended other companies. Grant called several, got prices, decided on Arc, and gave them my number to set up a service date this week.

Thank goodness we finally got our act together. When David and Daly uncovered the pump tank to install the new float switch, they found the pump wasn’t working, and the water was inches away from the top. Fortunately, it was the GFI outlet that had been tripped. Perhaps when the electricity was out during Hurricane Ian? While checking the breaker box, David discovered the GIF outlet next to it was filled with wasps and their nest. This outlet also needed to be reset. Was that the problem? Grant got wasp spray, we all agreed we felt bad about killing the wasps, and David sprayed that outlet. Daley stood way back because he’s allergic to wasps. I told him I had my Epi-Pen at the ready.

Both outlets were reset, the pump started working, the new float with sound alarm and flashing light was installed, the pump tank emptied, its lid put back on, and the dirt smoothed over. We dodged that inertia bullet. $350 installation + $20/guy for patiently explaining to me how our system works and where our 2 tanks are: worth every penny. Much cheaper than new flooring installed.

Gardening note: I decided that rather than trying to get the grass to regrow over the pump tank, I’d seed it with purple cove flowers. I hope the spot gets enough sun. The free-range puppies from next door came over to see what I was doing. I’d though I’d better put some fencing around the area so my lawn guys wouldn’t mow there. I hadn’t thought that a patch of dirty was just what puppies like to romp in. Before I could get the wire installed, they’d run back and forth a couple of times. Perhaps their little puppy feet settled the seeds in. Perhaps I should plant more seeds.