Septic System Issues - Puddle at far end of drain field (1 Viewer)

[Prince Myshkin]

I've started seeing some blackish water puddling at the end of where my septic drain field runs, especially after a big rain.  How much trouble am I in here???

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

I've started seeing some blackish water puddling at the end of where my septic drain field runs, especially after a big rain.  How much trouble am I in here???

Big. Hydraulic failure surfacing at the distal end usually means end of life. Or your distribution box isn't level and the whole thing can be fixed for about $500. One of those two things.

 

[OrtonToOlsen]

I've started seeing some blackish water puddling at the end of where my septic drain field runs, especially after a big rain.  How much trouble am I in here???

How big is your lot and how far from civilization are you?

 

[NotSmart]

Are you sure it's not oil?

You know... Black Gold?

 

[culdeus]

Drink the water. See if its poop. Report back. 

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Are you sure it's not oil?

You know... Black Gold?

Brings new meaning to Texas Tea.

 

[DocHolliday]

Cousin Eddie says your ####ters full!

 

[El Floppo]

Naive question... But why would a heavy rain affect a septic system? 

 

[Kafka]

Man, sounds like a ####ty situation.

 

[peaces]

Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? Watch it. Now, my straw reaches acroooooooss the room and starts to drink your milkshake. I... drink... your... milkshake! I drink it up!

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Big. Hydraulic failure surfacing at the distal end usually means end of life. Or your distribution box isn't level and the whole thing can be fixed for about $500. One of those two things.

System is less than 10 years old so I'm certainly hoping its not end of life.  

 

[Prince Myshkin]

How big is your lot and how far from civilization are you?

Total lot is a couple of acres but usable area is just over 1.  Neighbors on both sides...one is civilized, the other not so much.  

 

[McGarnicle]

Our system is 50 years old.  

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

System is less than 10 years old so I'm certainly hoping its not end of life.  

A system is dependent on a few things. 

Soil, installation, and use. 

End of life can happen in a few years if all three factors are compromised. 

Quick question: how many people in the house? Anyone on medication?

Also, check for leaky appliances. Water softeners should not be tied in to the system. The more details I know, the better. Wouldn't be a bad idea to call your local Health Department and have someone assess the system.

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Naive question... But why would a heavy rain affect a septic system? 

Surface water will mix with drainfield effluent if the drainfield is hydraulically overloaded or malfunctioning. Water likes to travel along the path of least resistance. If it can't percolate down it will flow back out.

 

[culdeus]

Anyone on medication

Gonna need this examined more closely

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Gonna need this examined more closely

Certain medications will destroy the bacteria in the septic tank. Drainfields only work because of the primary treatment that occurs in that tank. 

 

[culdeus]

Certain medications will destroy the bacteria in the septic tank. Drainfields only work because of the primary treatment that occurs in that tank. 

Now this is quality info. 

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Now this is quality info. 

Sadly septic systems are my area of expertise.

 

[Fear The Turtle]

Certain medications will destroy the bacteria in the septic tank. Drainfields only work because of the primary treatment that occurs in that tank. 

And bleach. Constantly reminding my wife not to use it to clean. 

Any smokers in the family?

 

[Fear The Turtle]

A system is dependent on a few things. 

Soil, installation, and use. 

End of life can happen in a few years if all three factors are compromised. 

Quick question: how many people in the house? Anyone on medication?

Also, check for leaky appliances. Water softeners should not be tied in to the system. The more details I know, the better. Wouldn't be a bad idea to call your local Health Department and have someone assess the system.

I will definitely defer to Cold Dead in all things septic: however, getting the local gov. involved can have potentially unintended consequences (as in expensive). You might be able to get a cheaper solution if you fly under the radar, at least at the beginning. 

 

[Sand]

Sadly septic systems are my area of expertise.

Remind me never to approach you if you're in work clothes.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

2 adults and child in the house, nobody on meds.  

Would not surprise me to find out it was installed poorly...lots of other things with the house were.  I've always thought the leach lines were too close to the surface.  

 

[Prince Myshkin]

A system is dependent on a few things. 

Soil, installation, and use. 

End of life can happen in a few years if all three factors are compromised. 

Quick question: how many people in the house? Anyone on medication?

Also, check for leaky appliances. Water softeners should not be tied in to the system. The more details I know, the better. Wouldn't be a bad idea to call your local Health Department and have someone assess the system.

Don't think we have any leaky appliances.  There has been a bit of a funny smell that seems to be coming from the kitchen sink, but thinking that is from some food scraps caught in the scrap.  Going to clean that out today.  

 

[zeamax]

Have you ever had the septic tank pumped out?  It should be done every year or two.To get rid of the solids.  There are guys the do that for you.

If the laterals are plugged up you can pump out the tank, dig down and take the caps off the laterals and then flush water through if it's not too plugged.

If all else fails you get to replace the system.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Have you ever had the septic tank pumped out?  It should be done every year or two.To get rid of the solids.  There are guys the do that for you.

If the laterals are plugged up you can pump out the tank, dig down and take the caps off the laterals and then flush water through if it's not too plugged.

If all else fails you get to replace the system.

Seriously? every 1-2 years??? That seems extreme.  Not sure how 2 adults and a child could fill a 1500 gallon tank with solids in 1-2 years even if we ate Taco Bell everyday.

Tank was pumped last about 5 years ago. 

 

[James Daulton]

Sadly septic systems are my area of expertise.

So in your profession doing a ####ty job is a good thing?

 

[Sand]

So in your profession doing a ####ty job is a good thing?

You know, I'm sure that's the first time he's heard that.  I eagerly await the response.

 

[gianmarco]

Sadly septic systems are my area of expertise.

You're full of ####.

 

[James Daulton]

You know, I'm sure that's the first time he's heard that.  I eagerly await the response.

Please, you think other folks have my sharp, intuitive wit?  Didn't think so. 

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

You know, I'm sure that's the first time he's heard that.  I eagerly await the response.

When I go to conferences, no one shakes hands.

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Remind me never to approach you if you're in work clothes.

I work in an office now, but deal with the same ####ty people.

 

[JetMaxx]

I've rappelled into my tank to fix/replace a broken exit baffle with a PVC T. Nothing a hunter's safety harness, climbing rope tied to a nearby tree and and a fan for a fresh air source couldn't get done for about a $1000 less than quoted. 

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I've repelled into my tank to fix/replace a broken exit baffle with a PVC T. Nothing a hunter's safety harness, climbing rope tied to a nearby tree and and a fan for a fresh air source couldn't get done for about a $1000 less than quoted. 

:X

 

[JetMaxx]

:X

I'd like to say I swam to through the solids to fix the issue but the needed repair was found upon drainage. That said, the video with commentary taken by the skeptical wife from the nearby bedroom window is

 

[RokNRole]

Seriously? every 1-2 years??? That seems extreme.  Not sure how 2 adults and a child could fill a 1500 gallon tank with solids in 1-2 years even if we ate Taco Bell everyday.

Tank was pumped last about 5 years ago. 

You are seriously underestimating the American diet.

 

[RokNRole]

I'd like to say I swam to through the solids to fix the issue but the needed repair was found upon drainage. That said, the video with commentary taken by the skeptical wife from the nearby bedroom window is

Please upload this video to watch.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

I've rappelled into my tank to fix/replace a broken exit baffle with a PVC T. Nothing a hunter's safety harness, climbing rope tied to a nearby tree and and a fan for a fresh air source couldn't get done for about a $1000 less than quoted. 

We have different views on the value of $1000

 

[RokNRole]

https://youtu.be/nU8VJYxzqbE

 

[Hastur]

Have you ever had the septic tank pumped out?  It should be done every year or two.To get rid of the solids.  There are guys the do that for you.

We just had this done.  We bought the house about 1.5 years ago, and stupidly assumed the septic tank was pumped out as part of the purchasing process.  It was not.  Without going into too much detail, the whole experience was nasty.

However, it had to be done, and the guy educated us on some items we didn't know.  For instance:

1. "Flushable" wet wipes are not actually flushable.  No matter what it says on the package, do not put them in the toilet.

2. Powder type dishwashing soap is bad.  Hot water breaks it down, but when it reaches the septic system it becomes cold.  It then turns in a cement like substance.

 

[prosopis]

I had to have two new leach fields installed in mine several years ago.