In a time when almost anything can be learned with a Google search or YouTube tutorial, how is it possible that so many people still don’t understand how their septic systems work?
The answer is both simple and complicated: misinformation spreads faster than facts, and people tend to believe what they want to hear — especially when it sounds cheaper and easier.
A septic system isn’t something most people think about — until it fails. The tank is buried. The pipes are hidden. The warning signs go unnoticed by the typical homeowner, until sewage backs up into the house or surfaces in the yard.
Longtime installer at Herr Construction, columnist for OnsiteInstaller.com, and recent podcast guest Todd Stair fields a lot of questions from homeowners — sometimes after they’ve done their own “research” online.
“People don't even know that they have an access cover to their tank. You can go to that same house and knock on the door and they'll be able to find the owner's manual for their TV. They know where that is, but they don't know they have access covers to their system or where they are or anything about their system. It seems to be underground, out of mind.”
To be fair, the internet has made septic education more accessible. A growing number of professional pumpers and installers are using Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to share helpful videos and infographics. Some homeowners are asking better questions, and learning more than ever.
But with access to more information comes an increase in misinformation as well.
“People hear something they want to hear. ‘I don't have to pump it. I'm going to save some money,’” Stair says. “Yes, there are people out there that are learning more about their systems. So here's what's mind-boggling about it. I watch a lot of different installer sites online, and you get homeowners on these sites asking questions. And what boggles my mind is how many of these homeowners have already dug up their system before they're asking the questions. ‘Look what I found when I dug up my system that's not working. How do I fix that?’ and there's a lot of that out there unfortunately. Now they get on social media, but they're going to get 80 different responses to their question. Forty of them agree on the right way and 40 of them have their DIY way that they learned — maybe incorrectly. So yes, 50% of the people out there are trying to make sure people are educated about their systems, but the other 50% are telling the little bit they know, which may not be accurate.”
Stair expands on the continual challenge of homeowner education, among other topics, with host Jeff Bruss. Tune in to the full interview with Todd here. (Also on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.)
If you have a story of your own to tell, a solution to share or a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the industry, Pumper/PRO/Installer Cast wants to hear from you. Click here to apply to be a guest.
For updates, episode releases and exclusive content, follow Onsite Installer on Facebook and Instagram.
