| Pages:
1
2 |
Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
Evaporation - Is it an issue
We finally have a vacation home in Baja and were talking with a friend who has a vacation home along the Colorado River. He said whenever he leaves
he places several containers of water throughout the house. He said it helps to add a little humidity so everything doesn't get so dry in their
summer heat. Being closer he is able to get to his place much more often than I can get to mine in BCS but it started me wondering about the traps in
the drains of my place. Is it an issue? Does the water in the drains evaporate allowing sewer gases to enter the house? If so, can something be
done to prevent it. I remember it happening to a house in my neighbor that had stood vacant for a long while. It actually smelled like someone had
died in there.
What do others do?
[Edited on 10-4-2007 by Alan]
|
|
|
vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
|
|
I've heard of people putting mineral oil on the drain and toiletbowl water surfaces to prevent evaporation.
Having said that, couldn't mineral oil be substituted for any kind of liquid that floats on water ?? Dieselfuel 
Mineral oil fairly expensive comparing to other kinds.
I should know, have used it for years to keep my old pooch regular. 
|
|
|
tuna stick
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 8-27-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Traps
What? Traps in BCS? Where did those come from?
|
|
|
bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
|
|
Don't want to use something that will harm the septic system. I put a little cooking oil in all the drains before I leave for an extended period.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
|
|
Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Cover the toilet pans with clingfilm or plastic bags, stops them drying out. But remember to remove before use when you return...
|
|
|
oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
|
|
uh-oh. Maybe we've just been lucky so far so I'll mention this to the family plumber. Thanks.
|
|
|
bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Before we moved down, we would always leave the bathroom window open...not worried about evaporation but humidity if it rained.
Never really thought about evaporation as a problem. It sure is a good thing for the septic system.
|
|
|
DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
It sure is a good thing for the septic system. |
Agree. Besides, the smell is only a problem if your poop stinks.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
|
|
|
docsmom
Nomad
Posts: 418
Registered: 6-21-2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
|
|
I've been in the new home business for 25 years. We build model (show)homes that may sit for 2 to 5 years without any "plumbing use" during that
time. In our models we pour some anitfreeze in all the the drains. Before we discovered this we would open the models daily for months and everything
would be fine. One day we'd walk in and be overcome by the sewer gasses. (DanO, loved your response, and I'm quite certain mine doesn't stink, but
there are other issues  ). We used to just pour water down the drains and flush all the
toilets, but it was a regular, occuring problem for us. Once we started to use antifreeze the problem basically went away.
I can't really comment on whether antifreeze would cause any damage to a septic system. Maybe someone here with plumbing knowledge could comment on
that. We used the antifreeze solution when we were in a septic area but we didn't own the properties for 20 - 25 years and don't know if eventually
it was unwise.
I'd be interested to hear from an expert on this.
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
antifreeze is poison
if the dog drinks from the toilet...that's it
you polute if you use antifreeze
|
|
|
Minnow
Banned
Posts: 1110
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Lost Wages
Member Is Offline
Mood: Embarrased Harry Reid is a Nevadan
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by docsmom
I've been in the new home business for 25 years. We build model (show)homes that may sit for 2 to 5 years without any "plumbing use" during that
time. In our models we pour some anitfreeze in all the the drains. Before we discovered this we would open the models daily for months and everything
would be fine. One day we'd walk in and be overcome by the sewer gasses. (DanO, loved your response, and I'm quite certain mine doesn't stink, but
there are other issues ). We used to just pour water down the drains and flush all the
toilets, but it was a regular, occuring problem for us. Once we started to use antifreeze the problem basically went away.
I can't really comment on whether antifreeze would cause any damage to a septic system. Maybe someone here with plumbing knowledge could comment on
that. We used the antifreeze solution when we were in a septic area but we didn't own the properties for 20 - 25 years and don't know if eventually
it was unwise.
I'd be interested to hear from an expert on this. |
Where do you live? You need to be reported.
Proud husband of a legal immigrant.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
You should have your model plumber castrated for not properly venting the drains. That is how a septic system breathes rather than through your
drains and toilets into the house.
|
|
|
capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
I cover my shower drains with a bucket. This has nothing to do with evaporation but with c-ckroaches coming in after the drains are dry. The air in
Baja Sur is humid in the summer months so that is not a problem there. However, in the Arizona desert, we used to place buckets full of water in the
house if we were going to be gone a long time.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
|
|
|
docsmom
Nomad
Posts: 418
Registered: 6-21-2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
|
|
Wow! I'd like this thread to continue and offer some realistic answers for homeowners who leave their homes unattended for several months. The
elimination of sewer gasses was all I was commenting on. So please let me clarify my comments before I get blasted here!
Bob & Susan, of course I know I anitfreeze is a toxic, a kidney killer to our animals! Please read below.
Minnow, reported for what?
Dennis, castrate the plummer?
Did you guys not read my post fully?
EVERYONE, I WAS COMMENTING ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A PROBLEM WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR RESIDENCE VACANT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS! NOT WHEN YOU'RE LIVING
THERE!!!!!!!!!
I ALSO ASKED FOR COMMENTS FROM SOMEONE WHO KNEW MORE ABOUT PLUMBING THAN I KNOW.
My experience is that you float a bit of anitfreeze in the pipe so there'
s a barrier for the evaporation. If you something I don't, please share it.
WHY'D YOU ATTTACK ME???????????
|
|
|
Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
|
|
We put 5 gal. buckets full of water in the trailers every time we leave. We've never had problems with unwanted creatures or smells crawling up, only
wood paneling peeling down, that is until we starting leaving the water.
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
|
|
|
Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
|
|
docsmom,
When we had a cabin in northern saskatchewan, we allways drained the water from our toilets, sinks, showers etc and then put antifreeze in them as
well. It was to stop the sewer gases, and if by any chance there was still water in the lines, the lines wouldn't burst. -40 degree C weather, tends
to burst pipes with water in them.
When we got to the cabin, we would turn on the water, flush out the lines and bingo we were good to go.
|
|
|
bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Do Not use antifreeze in a septic system....period!
|
|
|
Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
|
|
I live up at a little over 6,000' so I know about weekenders draining their lines and using anti-freeze to keep pipes from freezing. I was more
curious about the water in the traps evaporating in the heat. Apparently it isn't as much as an issue as I thought it might be or there would be more
solutions offered. I intend to try the cooking oil in the trap trick and I imagine that all of my cabinet doors would benefit if I left some
containers of water throughout the place.
For DanO - It is not mine that is of concern. It is everybody else's that is so atrocious!
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
You might try using boat/RV antifreeze. It is non-toxic.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by docsmom
Dennis, castrate the plummer?
|
Well, maybe not totally but, if the builder didn't put vents in, you will have problems.
Back to the issue of vented drain pipes......if they are vented, and you can usually tell by a plastic pipe sticking through you roof or running up
the side of the house, you may want to seal those as well to minimize evaporation.
For sure I wouldn't be putting lethal chemistry in my septic tank. Anti-freeze will kill a dog so it will certainly kill all beneficial life in a
septic system. You have to be kind and gentle with those little critters and they will do their job efficiently.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
