This from a friend of mine:
(I'll forward any replies to him.)
====================


Trying to trouble shoot my drain problem. At first,
I thought the stack vent was clogged. When I run a
drain in my trailer, it comes backup some other drain.
My trailer is on my old family property. Used to be
a house here, but that fell down twenty or so year
sago.

It burned down. there was a couple of trailers here
before that, last opne was about 10 Years ago.



The trailer is maybe twenty feet from the septic tank.
It is connected with four inch ABS, and we snaked it
before I moved in, and set up my trailer,.

So, the drain is getting worse. I finally found
the clean out plug, which is right before the
septic tank. Pulled the plug out, and a lot
of dirty water came out.



The cleanout is right next to my trailer, as
per county code. The sewer line is only about
3 to 6 inches deep. when I unscrewed the cap
from the clean out, I had a **** geyer for a
few seconds. the clean out is roughly 20 feet
from the Septic tank. it is an old Cement
Block septic tank. My uncle built it in 1957.
Before that the house had an outhouse.



As for now, I'm trying to figure out what
might be holding the system back. Wonder if
the tank is clogged, or maybe the leach field?


Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 7:08:58 PM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
This from a friend of mine:
(I'll forward any replies to him.)
====================


Trying to trouble shoot my drain problem. At first,
I thought the stack vent was clogged. When I run a
drain in my trailer, it comes backup some other drain.
My trailer is on my old family property. Used to be
a house here, but that fell down twenty or so year
sago.

It burned down. there was a couple of trailers here
before that, last opne was about 10 Years ago.



The trailer is maybe twenty feet from the septic tank.
It is connected with four inch ABS, and we snaked it
before I moved in, and set up my trailer,.

So, the drain is getting worse. I finally found
the clean out plug, which is right before the
septic tank. Pulled the plug out, and a lot
of dirty water came out.



The cleanout is right next to my trailer, as
per county code. The sewer line is only about
3 to 6 inches deep. when I unscrewed the cap
from the clean out, I had a **** geyer for a
few seconds. the clean out is roughly 20 feet
from the Septic tank. it is an old Cement
Block septic tank. My uncle built it in 1957.
Before that the house had an outhouse.



As for now, I'm trying to figure out what
might be holding the system back. Wonder if
the tank is clogged, or maybe the leach field?


Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

It sounds more like a cesspool with a leach field.
It's not really a septic tank. Presumably it has a cover
that you can remove and see if it's full, higher than
normal? If so, then I'd get it pumped out.

Typically they are made of cement blocks, no bottom,
so as you say, there will be leaching. But they get
plugged up over time and eventually fail. The rate it
was leaching 30+ years ago and the rate it's leaching now,
can be very different.

Stormin Mormon wrote:

....

is anything actually getting to the septic
tank at all?


songbird

On 10/25/2014 7:26 PM, trader_4 wrote:
Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

It sounds more like a cesspool with a leach field.
It's not really a septic tank. Presumably it has a cover
that you can remove and see if it's full, higher than
normal? If so, then I'd get it pumped out.

Typically they are made of cement blocks, no bottom,
so as you say, there will be leaching. But they get
plugged up over time and eventually fail. The rate it
was leaching 30+ years ago and the rate it's leaching now,
can be very different.


The one time I was there, LOT of clay in the soil.
There may be a cover, I'd expect so. Will ask and
let you know what I hear. Thank you.
--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/25/2014 7:54 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 7:26 PM, trader_4 wrote:
Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

It sounds more like a cesspool with a leach field.
It's not really a septic tank. Presumably it has a cover
that you can remove and see if it's full, higher than
normal? If so, then I'd get it pumped out.

Typically they are made of cement blocks, no bottom,
so as you say, there will be leaching. But they get
plugged up over time and eventually fail. The rate it
was leaching 30+ years ago and the rate it's leaching now,
can be very different.


The one time I was there, LOT of clay in the soil.
There may be a cover, I'd expect so. Will ask and
let you know what I hear. Thank you.

Could well be a cesspool. I'd have a septic guy out to pump it and
assess the problem. Back in the 50's around here, you could get away
with anything. Been costing people a lot of money to upgrade to current
standards.

On 10/25/2014 8:03 PM, Frank wrote:
On 10/25/2014 7:54 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
The one time I was there, LOT of clay in the soil.
There may be a cover, I'd expect so. Will ask and
let you know what I hear. Thank you.

Could well be a cesspool. I'd have a septic guy out to pump it and
assess the problem. Back in the 50's around here, you could get away
with anything. Been costing people a lot of money to upgrade to current
standards.

I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

Stormin Mormon wrote:

On 10/25/2014 8:03 PM, Frank wrote:
On 10/25/2014 7:54 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
The one time I was there, LOT of clay in the soil.
There may be a cover, I'd expect so. Will ask and
let you know what I hear. Thank you.

Could well be a cesspool. I'd have a septic guy out to pump it and
assess the problem. Back in the 50's around here, you could get away
with anything. Been costing people a lot of money to upgrade to current
standards.

I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.

Heavy clay soil generally means an aerobic system these days.

On 10/25/2014 7:52 PM, songbird wrote:

is anything actually getting to the septic
tank at all?


songbird

I'm not sure, from here. They have three persons
living there, as I understand it. Man, wife, teen
daughter. If that's the case, must be some.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/25/2014 8:50 PM, Pete C. wrote:


I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.

Heavy clay soil generally means an aerobic system these days.


What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/25/2014 9:20 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:08:56 -0400, Stormin Mormon

Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.


I would just call a septic company for a pump out. If you don't need a
certification letter they will also give you a free inspection. One
indication of a plugged leach field, is water running back into the
tank from the field lead wile the tank is being pumped down.
Most of these septic guys are pretty good at what they do.

This is really something that should be done every few years anyway.

It might make your problems go away and it will at least buy you a
week or two to figure out what to do next if it doesn't.


Makes total sense, to me. A septic company most
likely has guys who do this often enough, and
who can help with the troubleshooting.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/26/14, 7:10 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 8:50 PM, Pete C. wrote:


I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.

Heavy clay soil generally means an aerobic system these days.


What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

In the 1980s, the EPA said most Americans needed sewers because septic
systems wouldn't percolate in clay. In the 1990s, they changed their
mind. Sewer systems were terribly expensive, and it was expensive to
dispose of the water within guidelines set for the EPA.

They'd also discovered that clay soils would percolate fine. You have
to keep stuff like laundry lint out of the leach field, and you need
air. Sometimes this means building a mound for the leach field. If the
soil stays waterlogged, bacteria won't break down the solids in the
effluent, and the clay will get clogged.

On Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:10:03 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 8:50 PM, Pete C. wrote:


I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.

Heavy clay soil generally means an aerobic system these days.


What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

--
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

It's the type of system where fresh air is pumped into the tank.
Different bacteria from what you would have with a regular septic
system then thrive. IDK much beyond that, except that they are
more expensive and used for some applications.

On 10/26/2014 7:08 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 7:52 PM, songbird wrote:

is anything actually getting to the septic
tank at all?


songbird

I'm not sure, from here. They have three persons
living there, as I understand it. Man, wife, teen
daughter. If that's the case, must be some.

-

Teen daughter is probably taking hour long showers too.

I'm in agreement with the people that said to pump out to find the
problems. Given the age of the system,k it may be time for a new one.

Something else to look for:
We were having repeated backups at our camp, which would be cured only
for a day or two by snaking. We dug down and ended up cutting an access
into the tank. There's a curved baffle at the inlet. We found it was
packed with solids, even though the liquid level was lower than it. We
(my husband) used a stick to dislodge everything so it fell into the
tank and the problem was solved.
Snaking would make a hole, and the next big load would plug it.
Liz

On 10/26/2014 8:17 AM, Liz Megerle wrote:

Something else to look for:
We were having repeated backups at our camp, which would be cured only
for a day or two by snaking. We dug down and ended up cutting an access
into the tank. There's a curved baffle at the inlet. We found it was
packed with solids, even though the liquid level was lower than it. We
(my husband) used a stick to dislodge everything so it fell into the
tank and the problem was solved.
Snaking would make a hole, and the next big load would plug it.
Liz


You did not have to snake it, just increase your use of prune juice so
change the solids to a liquid.

trader_4 wrote:

It's the type of system where fresh air is pumped into the tank.
Different bacteria from what you would have with a regular septic
system then thrive. IDK much beyond that, except that they are
more expensive and used for some applications.

I've had one for 8 years - requirement of building a new house at a location
where there's very little top soil before you hit fractured limestome.

Advanced Treament Systems use a 3 chambered tank. First tank, known as the waste
tank collects any non-degradable stuff an acts like a traditional septic tank
(anaerobic - no air). That feeds into a second tank which has a compressor
feeding a bubbler (aerobic). Third tank is a stanging tank for the field pump,
which uses spider pipe spread out over a mounded field. All of it's controlled
by a computer which monitors the compressor, effuent levels and switching
valves.

It's a rather expensive miniature municipal treatment plant. Also, by regulation
requires twice a year inspection and a service contract with a licensed service
company.

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote:

trader_4 wrote:

It's the type of system where fresh air is pumped into the tank.
Different bacteria from what you would have with a regular septic
system then thrive. IDK much beyond that, except that they are
more expensive and used for some applications.

I've had one for 8 years - requirement of building a new house at a location
where there's very little top soil before you hit fractured limestome.

Advanced Treament Systems use a 3 chambered tank. First tank, known as the waste
tank collects any non-degradable stuff an acts like a traditional septic tank
(anaerobic - no air). That feeds into a second tank which has a compressor
feeding a bubbler (aerobic). Third tank is a stanging tank for the field pump,
which uses spider pipe spread out over a mounded field. All of it's controlled
by a computer which monitors the compressor, effuent levels and switching
valves.

It's a rather expensive miniature municipal treatment plant. Also, by regulation
requires twice a year inspection and a service contract with a licensed service
company.

Around here mound setups are uncommon. Normally the last chamber has a
chlorine drip feed setup for final sanitation of the waste water before
it is pumped and sprayed onto the lawn. Not an expensive system really,
only the air and spray pumps and a controller really beyond basic tanks
which are cheap. Since they work without the need for a lot of soil
work, trucking in sand or the like to get a conventional septic system
to work, they are actually cheaper in many cases. Also around here,
while the system requires annual inspection, you can do that yourself if
you take a class in it (a day and $100), it's not rocket science.

"Pete C." wrote:

Around here mound setups are uncommon. Normally the last chamber has a
chlorine drip feed setup for final sanitation of the waste water before
it is pumped and sprayed onto the lawn.

It's only needed here if there isn't enough soil for a traditional buried field.
My system has a chorinator in the third chamber that I didn't mention. Uses
tablets and neededs refilling a every few months. The service tech joked that
the output was drinkable. Not sure I'd go that far!

Not an expensive system really,
only the air and spray pumps and a controller really beyond basic tanks
which are cheap.

I can't recall what the delta over a standard septic system was - but $10K or so
more installed would be in the neighborhood.

Since they work without the need for a lot of soil
work, trucking in sand or the like to get a conventional septic system
to work, they are actually cheaper in many cases.

The biggest problem I have the the running cost. The air compressor runs
continuously and uses about $40 work of electricity a month.

Also around here,
while the system requires annual inspection, you can do that yourself if
you take a class in it (a day and $100), it's not rocket science.

Not here. Not only does it have to be a licensed contractor registered with the
county, that contractor has to be qualified for the specific manufacturer. Since
our system manufacturer (Southern Aerobic) went defunct a few years ago, that
will be an issue when the currect service company stops being an option.

I've watched them do the service - cleaning the filters, checking sludge levels
and checking the system pressure isn't a big deal.

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote:

"Pete C." wrote:

Around here mound setups are uncommon. Normally the last chamber has a
chlorine drip feed setup for final sanitation of the waste water before
it is pumped and sprayed onto the lawn.

It's only needed here if there isn't enough soil for a traditional buried field.
My system has a chorinator in the third chamber that I didn't mention. Uses
tablets and neededs refilling a every few months. The service tech joked that
the output was drinkable. Not sure I'd go that far!

The output water quality is really surprisingly good. The aerobic
bacteria do a good job. Many systems use/used a tablet chlorinator, but
people tend to change them over to a liquid drip system as it's cheaper
and easier to deal with. Mounds just aren't common since a couple
standard sprinkler heads are cheaper and easier to install.


Not an expensive system really,
only the air and spray pumps and a controller really beyond basic tanks
which are cheap.

I can't recall what the delta over a standard septic system was - but $10K or so
more installed would be in the neighborhood.

Well, installed cost vs. actual cost are two different things and the
real cost of either type of system is only perhaps $1k different. The
problem is with the businesses doing the work and their typical
collusion and monopolistic practices. Fortunately here there are also
exemptions that allow you to do your own installation and bypass the
less scrupulous businesses.


Since they work without the need for a lot of soil
work, trucking in sand or the like to get a conventional septic system
to work, they are actually cheaper in many cases.

The biggest problem I have the the running cost. The air compressor runs
continuously and uses about $40 work of electricity a month.

That is an issue, and there are some ways around it though they have
some upfront costs. I don't have an aerobic system currently, but my
next place I build will most likely have one at which point I'll
experiment with some of my alternate ideas such as a simple windmill
driven compressor as primary with check valves and pressure switch to
let the regular air pump operate as backup if the windmill setup runs
out of air.


Also around here,
while the system requires annual inspection, you can do that yourself if
you take a class in it (a day and $100), it's not rocket science.

Not here. Not only does it have to be a licensed contractor registered with the
county, that contractor has to be qualified for the specific manufacturer. Since
our system manufacturer (Southern Aerobic) went defunct a few years ago, that
will be an issue when the currect service company stops being an option.

I've watched them do the service - cleaning the filters, checking sludge levels
and checking the system pressure isn't a big deal.

Get involved with your government and push through suitable regulations
for DIY maintenance with training.

On 10/26/2014 8:10 AM, J Burns wrote:
What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

In the 1980s, the EPA said most Americans needed sewers because septic
systems wouldn't percolate in clay. In the 1990s, they changed their
mind. Sewer systems were terribly expensive, and it was expensive to
dispose of the water within guidelines set for the EPA.

They'd also discovered that clay soils would percolate fine. You have
to keep stuff like laundry lint out of the leach field, and you need
air. Sometimes this means building a mound for the leach field. If the
soil stays waterlogged, bacteria won't break down the solids in the
effluent, and the clay will get clogged.

Makes me wonder if the leach field is clogged?


--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/26/2014 8:12 AM, trader_4 wrote:
On Sunday, October 26, 2014 7:10:03 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 8:50 PM, Pete C. wrote:


Heavy clay soil generally means an aerobic system these days.


What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.


It's the type of system where fresh air is pumped into the tank.
Different bacteria from what you would have with a regular septic
system then thrive. IDK much beyond that, except that they are
more expensive and used for some applications.

OK, that makes sense. Air pumped in to
encourage different bacteria.


--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/26/2014 8:13 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
I'm not sure, from here. They have three persons
living there, as I understand it. Man, wife, teen
daughter. If that's the case, must be some.

-

Teen daughter is probably taking hour long showers too.

I'm in agreement with the people that said to pump out to find the
problems. Given the age of the system,k it may be time for a new one.

With any luck. Trying to do this on the frugal.


--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/26/2014 8:17 AM, Liz Megerle wrote:

Something else to look for:
We were having repeated backups at our camp, which would be cured only
for a day or two by snaking. We dug down and ended up cutting an access
into the tank. There's a curved baffle at the inlet. We found it was
packed with solids, even though the liquid level was lower than it. We
(my husband) used a stick to dislodge everything so it fell into the
tank and the problem was solved.
Snaking would make a hole, and the next big load would plug it.
Liz

And, that's a very real possible. Thank you.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

Sunday Oct 26, 2014
Just heard back. The tank is, again, totally
full. He's done a little digging around. No
sign of any kind of leach field. As such, it
may be an open bottom old style cistern thing.

Plan for the moment is to get the tank pumped.
Have the guy power wash the sides and bottom,
might open up the percolation a bit.

Plans to divert the grey water, and use the
tank only for toilet.

I'll report here, if I hear any thing more.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/26/14, 2:02 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/26/2014 8:10 AM, J Burns wrote:
What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

In the 1980s, the EPA said most Americans needed sewers because septic
systems wouldn't percolate in clay. In the 1990s, they changed their
mind. Sewer systems were terribly expensive, and it was expensive to
dispose of the water within guidelines set for the EPA.

They'd also discovered that clay soils would percolate fine. You have
to keep stuff like laundry lint out of the leach field, and you need
air. Sometimes this means building a mound for the leach field. If the
soil stays waterlogged, bacteria won't break down the solids in the
effluent, and the clay will get clogged.

Makes me wonder if the leach field is clogged?


Maybe you don't have one. I've read that after WWII, when there was an
exodus to suburbs, civil engineers recommended cesspools, where water
was supposed to percolate from the bottom.

In 1965, my family of 8 moved to a 19th Century suburban house. My
parents were there until 1978. I never saw evidence of a drain field
(... the grass is greener). It may have been pumped once.

About 1900, epidemics affecting well water routinely killed a lot of
people around here. In 1925, my grandparents bought a 19th Century
farmhouse with a septic tank and drain field. Laundry water and kitchen
water can wreck a drain field; so my grandfather piped them to their own
drain fields and not the septic tank. I don't know about bath water.

If it's legal, running your laundry water elsewhere could help the
toilet tank work better. Piping that greasy kitchen water elsewhere
would also help.

When a drain field can't handle all the water, you get a stinky puddle
on the lawn. Dogs love it! I've read that a university scientist, I
think in Florida, studied those puddles and found them free of human
pathogens. Apparently spending 48 hours in a septic tank kills them.

I've read that in some California counties, if your drain field fails,
the law may require a construction process involving heavy equipment and
costing $25,000. If the resident can get a waiver, a crew working with
hand tools can build a better drain field for $900.

On 10/26/2014 4:58 PM, J Burns wrote:

Makes me wonder if the leach field is clogged?


Maybe you don't have one. I've read that after WWII, when there was an
exodus to suburbs, civil engineers recommended cesspools, where water
was supposed to percolate from the bottom.

In 1965, my family of 8 moved to a 19th Century suburban house. My
parents were there until 1978. I never saw evidence of a drain field
(... the grass is greener). It may have been pumped once.

About 1900, epidemics affecting well water routinely killed a lot of
people around here. In 1925, my grandparents bought a 19th Century
farmhouse with a septic tank and drain field. Laundry water and kitchen
water can wreck a drain field; so my grandfather piped them to their own
drain fields and not the septic tank. I don't know about bath water.

If it's legal, running your laundry water elsewhere could help the
toilet tank work better. Piping that greasy kitchen water elsewhere
would also help.

When a drain field can't handle all the water, you get a stinky puddle
on the lawn. Dogs love it! I've read that a university scientist, I
think in Florida, studied those puddles and found them free of human
pathogens. Apparently spending 48 hours in a septic tank kills them.

I've read that in some California counties, if your drain field fails,
the law may require a construction process involving heavy equipment and
costing $25,000. If the resident can get a waiver, a crew working with
hand tools can build a better drain field for $900.

You know, that sounds totally correct. I'm not there
to see, but it sounds reasonable. Thank you.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On Sunday, October 26, 2014 4:58:50 PM UTC-4, J Burns wrote:
On 10/26/14, 2:02 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/26/2014 8:10 AM, J Burns wrote:
What's that mean? Yes, it is clay soil in
South Carolina.

In the 1980s, the EPA said most Americans needed sewers because septic
systems wouldn't percolate in clay. In the 1990s, they changed their
mind. Sewer systems were terribly expensive, and it was expensive to
dispose of the water within guidelines set for the EPA.

They'd also discovered that clay soils would percolate fine. You have
to keep stuff like laundry lint out of the leach field, and you need
air. Sometimes this means building a mound for the leach field. If the
soil stays waterlogged, bacteria won't break down the solids in the
effluent, and the clay will get clogged.

Makes me wonder if the leach field is clogged?


Maybe you don't have one. I've read that after WWII, when there was an
exodus to suburbs, civil engineers recommended cesspools, where water
was supposed to percolate from the bottom.

In 1965, my family of 8 moved to a 19th Century suburban house. My
parents were there until 1978. I never saw evidence of a drain field
(... the grass is greener). It may have been pumped once.


Agree. Cesspools were common in that era and didn't include a leach
field. I know of some where leach fields were added decades later,
when the cesspools became clogged and would no longer percolate sufficiently.



About 1900, epidemics affecting well water routinely killed a lot of
people around here. In 1925, my grandparents bought a 19th Century
farmhouse with a septic tank and drain field. Laundry water and kitchen
water can wreck a drain field; so my grandfather piped them to their own
drain fields and not the septic tank. I don't know about bath water.

If it's legal, running your laundry water elsewhere could help the
toilet tank work better. Piping that greasy kitchen water elsewhere
would also help.

When a drain field can't handle all the water, you get a stinky puddle
on the lawn. Dogs love it! I've read that a university scientist, I
think in Florida, studied those puddles and found them free of human
pathogens. Apparently spending 48 hours in a septic tank kills them.

I've read that in some California counties, if your drain field fails,
the law may require a construction process involving heavy equipment and
costing $25,000. If the resident can get a waiver, a crew working with
hand tools can build a better drain field for $900.

I think that $25K price isn't unusual today in many parts of the coutry.
Around here, in some cases, folks have to build raised leach fields on
trucked in dirt mounds, to get the required percolation.

"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message

This from a friend of mine:
(I'll forward any replies to him.)
====================


Trying to trouble shoot my drain problem. At first,
I thought the stack vent was clogged. When I run a
drain in my trailer, it comes backup some other drain.
My trailer is on my old family property. Used to be
a house here, but that fell down twenty or so year
sago.

It burned down. there was a couple of trailers here
before that, last opne was about 10 Years ago.



The trailer is maybe twenty feet from the septic tank.
It is connected with four inch ABS, and we snaked it
before I moved in, and set up my trailer,.

So, the drain is getting worse. I finally found
the clean out plug, which is right before the
septic tank. Pulled the plug out, and a lot
of dirty water came out.



The cleanout is right next to my trailer, as
per county code. The sewer line is only about
3 to 6 inches deep. when I unscrewed the cap
from the clean out, I had a **** geyer for a
few seconds. the clean out is roughly 20 feet
from the Septic tank. it is an old Cement
Block septic tank. My uncle built it in 1957.
Before that the house had an outhouse.



As for now, I'm trying to figure out what
might be holding the system back. Wonder if
the tank is clogged, or maybe the leach field?


Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

If it is an actual tank - four sides, top and bottom - and it spews dirty
water then that means the tank isn't draining. If the tank isn't
draining, it means that either there is an obstruction in the outlet to
the drain field - OR - that the drain lines themselves are clogged - OR -
that the soil around the drain pipes is clogged. Or any combination of
the preceding.

In any case, you need someone who does that stuff for a living to come
look/diagnose.


--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

On 10/27/2014 7:50 AM, dadiOH wrote:
Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

If it is an actual tank - four sides, top and bottom - and it spews
dirty water then that means the tank isn't draining. If the tank isn't
draining, it means that either there is an obstruction in the outlet to
the drain field - OR - that the drain lines themselves are clogged - OR
- that the soil around the drain pipes is clogged. Or any combination
of the preceding.

In any case, you need someone who does that stuff for a living to come
look/diagnose.

Last I heard, he's got a pumper coming out. And they
plan to pressure wash the inside walls of the tank.

The history of usage of the tank is uncertain, so
it's wise to get someone out who knows this kind
of thing. Thank you.

-
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On Monday, October 27, 2014 8:11:11 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/27/2014 7:50 AM, dadiOH wrote:
Since the septic tank is made of 4" Cinder
Block, if worse comes to worse, I would think
there would be SOME leaching action as the
water seeps through the somewhat porous block.

If it is an actual tank - four sides, top and bottom - and it spews
dirty water then that means the tank isn't draining. If the tank isn't
draining, it means that either there is an obstruction in the outlet to
the drain field - OR - that the drain lines themselves are clogged - OR
- that the soil around the drain pipes is clogged. Or any combination
of the preceding.

In any case, you need someone who does that stuff for a living to come
look/diagnose.

Last I heard, he's got a pumper coming out. And they
plan to pressure wash the inside walls of the tank.


That sounds like a wonderful job......




The history of usage of the tank is uncertain, so
it's wise to get someone out who knows this kind
of thing. Thank you.

-
.
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

As I and others have said, from your description it sounds
like a cesspool. Made out of cement blocks, it's not a tank
and it's designed to let water leach out.

On 10/27/2014 9:13 AM, trader_4 wrote:
On Monday, October 27, 2014 8:11:11 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:

Last I heard, he's got a pumper coming out. And they
plan to pressure wash the inside walls of the tank.


That sounds like a wonderful job......


The history of usage of the tank is uncertain, so
it's wise to get someone out who knows this kind
of thing. Thank you.

As I and others have said, from your description it sounds
like a cesspool. Made out of cement blocks, it's not a tank
and it's designed to let water leach out.


The job is still in the early stages. We'll
see how it pumps out. Thanks for your wisdom.
-
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 10/25/2014 8:05 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 10/25/2014 8:03 PM, Frank wrote:
On 10/25/2014 7:54 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
The one time I was there, LOT of clay in the soil.
There may be a cover, I'd expect so. Will ask and
let you know what I hear. Thank you.

Could well be a cesspool. I'd have a septic guy out to pump it and
assess the problem. Back in the 50's around here, you could get away
with anything. Been costing people a lot of money to upgrade to current
standards.

I suspect it was a "get away with any thing"
system that has ran into trouble.



Depends on where you live I guess.
People here have been having trouble selling houses with antiquated
systems and I think the county makes them upgrade to current standard
which includes an alternate drain field. Might be best to solve the
problem yourself rather than risk a professional coming in, getting
turned in, and having to pay a fortune for an upgrade.

On 10/27/14, 2:32 AM, trader_4 wrote:
I think that $25K price isn't unusual today in many parts of the coutry.
Around here, in some cases, folks have to build raised leach fields on
trucked in dirt mounds, to get the required percolation.

I think a good septic tank has two chambers. The holes in the partition
are at midlevel so neither the sediment nor the scum enters the second
chamber. The second chamber drains at midlevel, to avoid sediment and scum.

That minimizes solids in the drain field, and there's evidence that it
keeps waste in the tank long enough to kill pathogens. I'm waiting for
some town to make drain fields obsolete. Just use a perforated pipe to
distribute the purified waste water on the lawn. The town will become
famous for the absence of sewer bills, the green grass, and the sweet
smell of success!

J Burns posted for all of us...

I think a good septic tank has two chambers. The holes in the partition
are at midlevel so neither the sediment nor the scum enters the second
chamber. The second chamber drains at midlevel, to avoid sediment and scum.

That minimizes solids in the drain field, and there's evidence that it
keeps waste in the tank long enough to kill pathogens. I'm waiting for
some town to make drain fields obsolete. Just use a perforated pipe to
distribute the purified waste water on the lawn. The town will become
famous for the absence of sewer bills, the green grass, and the sweet
smell of success!

No chambers, baffles at different levels for incoming and outgoing.

--
Tekkie

On 10/29/14, 4:42 PM, Tekkie® wrote:
J Burns posted for all of us...

I think a good septic tank has two chambers. The holes in the partition
are at midlevel so neither the sediment nor the scum enters the second
chamber. The second chamber drains at midlevel, to avoid sediment and scum.

That minimizes solids in the drain field, and there's evidence that it
keeps waste in the tank long enough to kill pathogens. I'm waiting for
some town to make drain fields obsolete. Just use a perforated pipe to
distribute the purified waste water on the lawn. The town will become
famous for the absence of sewer bills, the green grass, and the sweet
smell of success!

No chambers, baffles at different levels for incoming and outgoing.

http://www.aoseptic.com/septictank2.jpg
http://www.realtyresourceguide.com/s...tic-tank-3.gif
http://a1ablerooter.com/img/septictank.jpg
http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/f...box/TILLEY.jpg

I believe I became aware of this type from my own, which was installed
before 1925. Seems worthwhile: less solids in the drain field, and less
chance of pathogens making it through.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 4:42:24 PM UTC-4, Tekkie® wrote:
J Burns posted for all of us...

I think a good septic tank has two chambers. The holes in the partition
are at midlevel so neither the sediment nor the scum enters the second
chamber. The second chamber drains at midlevel, to avoid sediment and scum.

That minimizes solids in the drain field, and there's evidence that it
keeps waste in the tank long enough to kill pathogens. I'm waiting for
some town to make drain fields obsolete. Just use a perforated pipe to
distribute the purified waste water on the lawn. The town will become
famous for the absence of sewer bills, the green grass, and the sweet
smell of success!

No chambers, baffles at different levels for incoming and outgoing.

--
Tekkie

Around here I've seen them as J Burns described, two seperate halves,
built out of concrete blocks, no bottom. IDK exactly how the water
moves from one half to the other, but would suspect it may just be
that the cement blocks are not completely cemented together, continously,
etc. The heavier waste was in the first section, mostly liquid in
the second.