septic tank problem

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Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 12:36 pm Post subject: septic tank problem

Looking for answers please.

Septic tank last emptied in August, but we are having issues with flushing, so John has rodded the drain and lifting the lid on the ST he has found it to be full of water.

He is down town trying to hire a pump to pump the water out into the filed. He then plans to climb inside the tank to see if he can see anything to explain what is happening.

The only thing I can think of is a blocked outlet to the runoff. How serious is this to remedy?
Any other ideas as to possible reasons ?

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 12:54 pm Post subject:
Is the ground around dry, or damp? If its sodden there my be nowhere for the soakaway to go.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 1:34 pm Post subject:
Too late to find out! He's a-pumping!

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 3:48 pm Post subject:
Please be very careful and wary about getting in the tank, confined spaces, gas build up etc.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 4:05 pm Post subject:
Can you define full? They are supposed to stay full to the bottom of the outlet pipe.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 4:08 pm Post subject:

Apparently the big tank seems okay. The little tank (the one that gets the water and allows it out to the soakaway is the one causing the problem (although how the big tank filled so fast I dont know).

John says the little tank was silted up at the bottom, where the 3 exits are placed. He has now cleaned all this, but im concerned that the problem is outside the tank, where the water exits the exits (if you follow me).

Liz in Ireland

Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 1287

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 10:28 pm Post subject:
I have that problem temporarily if the field next door to me is flooded....less of a problem now even if it is as there is mostly only me putting anything into the system!

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 7:05 am Post subject:
If you don't get your septic tank emptied regular the sludge will go through to the out let and block your soak away and then you'll get it backing up all the time

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 8:42 am Post subject:
This may indeed be the problem.... we are working on it.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 10:42 am Post subject:
If a septic tank is installed correctly,you should`nt need to empty regulary,the one here has`nt been emptied for 25yrs. But saying that,a septic tank with soak away,is not the best choice ,if you do not have free draining soil texture,where the soak away outlet is situated, If you have clay,you are better off with a cesspool,which does need emptying regulary.

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 10:54 am Post subject:
Septic tank problems https://www.mtmdrains.co.uk/tankempty.html I've had to renew a few soak aways for different people because of this.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 11:23 am Post subject:
Those seem to be problems with new type systems, The old type septic tank,brick /block built,with a 2nd chamber filled with graded stone to filter,with out let at base,piped to a further hole dug,and filled with graded stone,tofilter further ,before dispersing to the ground.

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 2:49 pm Post subject:
I remember those sort of tanks, they weren't exactly water tight. These new ones are water tight, even the concrete ones, its mainly the fibre glass tanks i put in for people because they're cheaper

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 12 7:58 am Post subject:
Dont know if this is 'old' or 'new' - it was put in in 1977.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 12 1:53 pm Post subject:
The civil engineering friends have been round and the general gist is that its the outflow that's blocked. They are now drinking cider mulling over the problem................. not going to get done in the near future then..........

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