We have had a lot of problems this year - central heating, electric meter,
cost of bills etc.

Now it seems we might have another problem. I noticed because I do the
garden , that the drain cover from our main waste system is over flowing.
It must be because the top was covered with water ( it was a bit stagnant
but only water) . I haven't lifted it up. I noticed the ground around the
drain cover was also very soggy but since its rained all summer I am not
sure how much is rain and how much water leakage.

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about five
feet further on. Thats perfectly dry and there is nothing coming out the
top of that at all.

As a temporary fix I have dug up the garden around the drain cover and made
it act as a soak away for the water that seems to come out and land there.
It was all grass but I dug under the trees and around and made a sort of
gutter to run the excess water off into the ground.

Before I tell my husband and he goes off down the septic tank to take a
look or digs up the pipe or whatever, what do you think the problem might
be? is it the septic tank or is it just some sort of blockage in the drain
going into it? Do you think I need to just get someone in or could he
deal with it with drain rods?

I don't want to start him off without having some idea what he could be up
against. Its winter, its cold, we have had a couple of frosts and he has to
work and then look at this problem. Also I have been ill with pneumonia,
and I don't want to have to stand outside in the cold watching him whilst he
messes and I don't want to leave him alone in case he has an accident/ gets
stuck/ needs my help.

Anyone any ideas whether this could be an easily fixed problem or a real
disaster?

"endymion" wrote in message
...
We have had a lot of problems this year - central heating, electric
meter,
cost of bills etc.

Now it seems we might have another problem. I noticed because I do
the
garden , that the drain cover from our main waste system is over
flowing.
It must be because the top was covered with water ( it was a bit
stagnant
but only water) . I haven't lifted it up. I noticed the ground
around the
drain cover was also very soggy but since its rained all summer I am
not
sure how much is rain and how much water leakage.

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats
about five
feet further on. Thats perfectly dry and there is nothing coming
out the
top of that at all.

As a temporary fix I have dug up the garden around the drain cover
and made
it act as a soak away for the water that seems to come out and land
there.
It was all grass but I dug under the trees and around and made a
sort of
gutter to run the excess water off into the ground.

Before I tell my husband and he goes off down the septic tank to
take a
look or digs up the pipe or whatever, what do you think the problem
might
be? is it the septic tank or is it just some sort of blockage in the
drain
going into it? Do you think I need to just get someone in or could
he
deal with it with drain rods?

I don't want to start him off without having some idea what he could
be up
against. Its winter, its cold, we have had a couple of frosts and
he has to
work and then look at this problem. Also I have been ill with
pneumonia,
and I don't want to have to stand outside in the cold watching him
whilst he
messes and I don't want to leave him alone in case he has an
accident/ gets
stuck/ needs my help.

Anyone any ideas whether this could be an easily fixed problem or a
real
disaster?


When was the tank last pumped out? Just maybe it's full.

AWEM

On 30 Nov, 17:52, "Andrew Mawson"
wrote:
"endymion" wrote in message

...





We have had a lot of problems this year - central heating, electric
meter,
cost of bills etc.

Now it seems we might have another problem. *I noticed because I do
the
garden , that the drain cover from *our main waste system is over
flowing.
It must be because the top was covered with water ( it was a bit
stagnant
but only water) . *I haven't lifted it up. I noticed the ground
around the
drain cover was also very soggy but since its rained all summer I am
not
sure how much is rain and how much water leakage.

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats
about five
feet further on. *Thats perfectly dry and there is nothing coming
out the
top of that at all.

As a temporary fix I have dug up the garden around the drain cover
and made
it act as a soak away for the water that seems to come out and land
there.
It was *all grass but I dug under the trees and around and made a
sort of
gutter to run the excess water off into the ground.

*Before I tell my husband and he goes off down the septic tank to
take a
look or digs up the pipe or whatever, what do you think the problem
might
be? is it the septic tank or is it just some sort of blockage in the
drain
going into it? * Do you think I need to just get someone in or could
he
deal with it with drain rods?

I don't want to start him off without having some idea what he could
be up
against. Its winter, its cold, *we have had a couple of frosts and
he has to
work and then look at this problem. Also I have been ill with
pneumonia,
and I don't want to have to stand outside in the cold watching him
whilst he
messes *and I don't want to leave him alone in case he has an
accident/ gets
stuck/ needs my help.

Anyone any ideas whether this could be an easily fixed problem or a
real
disaster?

When was the tank last pumped out? Just maybe it's full.

AWEM- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hi,
When ours does this it is a blockage in the pipe between drain access
cover and the septic.

Probably worth using rods as they are so close together.

You can buy rods without buying a set so not expensive .

Might be worth getting a corkscrew type attachment for the end as
well,
but I would use only the normal end of the rod first in case there
are
roots.

If you get the attachment caught in the roots you will not be able to
get it
out as you can only turn the rods clockwise else they will unscrew
and
you will lose them down the drain creating a real problem.

You won't need many rods

Presume access to drain easier from the drain cover than from the
septic end, but not necessarily.


As previous person said, check the septic first.

It may be full or the outlet blocked with solids and not draining
liquids
properly.

My outlet was installed upside down and collects solids where it
should not.
I hope you will be luckier.
Best wishes. David G

On 30 Nov, 18:23, gilli wrote:
On 30 Nov, 17:52, "Andrew Mawson"



wrote:
"endymion" wrote in message

...

We have had a lot of problems this year - central heating, electric
meter,
cost of bills etc.

Now it seems we might have another problem. *I noticed because I do
the
garden , that the drain cover from *our main waste system is over
flowing.
It must be because the top was covered with water ( it was a bit
stagnant
but only water) . *I haven't lifted it up. I noticed the ground
around the
drain cover was also very soggy but since its rained all summer I am
not
sure how much is rain and how much water leakage.

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats
about five
feet further on. *Thats perfectly dry and there is nothing coming
out the
top of that at all.

As a temporary fix I have dug up the garden around the drain cover
and made
it act as a soak away for the water that seems to come out and land
there.
It was *all grass but I dug under the trees and around and made a
sort of
gutter to run the excess water off into the ground.

*Before I tell my husband and he goes off down the septic tank to
take a
look or digs up the pipe or whatever, what do you think the problem
might
be? is it the septic tank or is it just some sort of blockage in the
drain
going into it? * Do you think I need to just get someone in or could
he
deal with it with drain rods?

I don't want to start him off without having some idea what he could
be up
against. Its winter, its cold, *we have had a couple of frosts and
he has to
work and then look at this problem. Also I have been ill with
pneumonia,
and I don't want to have to stand outside in the cold watching him
whilst he
messes *and I don't want to leave him alone in case he has an
accident/ gets
stuck/ needs my help.

Anyone any ideas whether this could be an easily fixed problem or a
real
disaster?

When was the tank last pumped out? Just maybe it's full.

AWEM- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hi,
When ours does this it is a blockage in the pipe between drain access
cover and the septic.

Probably worth using rods as they are so close together.

You can buy rods without buying a set so not expensive .

Might be worth getting a corkscrew type attachment for the end as
well,
*but I would use only the normal end of the rod first in case there
are
*roots.

If you get the attachment caught in the roots you will not be able to
get it
*out as you can only turn the rods clockwise else they will unscrew
and
*you will lose them down the drain creating a real problem.

You won't need many rods

Presume access to drain easier from the drain cover than from the
*septic end, but not necessarily.

As previous person said, check the septic first.

It may be full or the outlet blocked with solids and not draining
liquids
*properly.

My outlet was installed upside down and collects solids where it
should not.
I hope you will be luckier.
Best wishes. David G

My tank has a breather just at the entry point and if there is a
blockage on my system it will be in the access point trap and hence
everything flows up the breather - nasty. Bu this is an old brick
double tank system, not one of the modern polythene bottle thingies.

When the outlet blocked both tanks filled up and overflowed
**obviously**.

Rob

My tank has a breather just at the entry point and if there is a
blockage on my system it will be in the access point trap and hence
everything flows up the breather - nasty. Bu this is an old brick
double tank system, not one of the modern polythene bottle thingies.

When the outlet blocked both tanks filled up and overflowed
**obviously**.

Rob

Ours is an old brick double tank system , not a bottle type ( built 1958) .
I'll tell my husband and hope its just the inlet pipe that is blocked. The
septic itself isn't showing signs of overflow, just this drain cover. I
know from many years ago that there is a clay/ pottery pipe from here to the
septic tank inlet/ inspection. We have some drain rods somewhere in the
sheds.

Thank you for replying. Thanks to all who replied.

On 30 Nov, 19:13, "endymion" wrote:
My tank has a breather just at the entry point and if there is a
blockage on my system it will be in the access point trap and hence
everything flows up the breather - nasty. * *Bu this is an old brick
double tank system, not one of the modern polythene bottle thingies.

When the outlet blocked both tanks filled up and overflowed
**obviously**.

Rob

Ours is an old brick double tank system , not a bottle type ( built 1958)

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:09 -0000, endymion wrote:

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about
five feet further on.

Is the tank cover lower or higher than the one that is leaking? If higher
it's not likely to leak ever as the water will never get to it...

I'd go for a blocked inlet pipe to the septic tank, if you can rod up from
the tank end to the leaky inspection cover that is the prefered way. The
water pressure will be pushing the blockage into the pipe, going in the
same direction could just push it harder into the pipe.

Where is this overflow going to go form your temporary moat/trench? Will
it end up on neighbours land? or will it have soaked in by then? As you
say this is not a good time of year to be up to your armpits in waste
water... I'd be tempted to leave the rodding for better weather/conditions
but keep and eye on the temporary soak away.

--
Cheers
Dave.

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.net...
On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:09 -0000, endymion wrote:

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about
five feet further on.

Is the tank cover lower or higher than the one that is leaking? If higher
it's not likely to leak ever as the water will never get to it...

Its lower than the one leaking.


I'd go for a blocked inlet pipe to the septic tank, if you can rod up from
the tank end to the leaky inspection cover that is the prefered way. The
water pressure will be pushing the blockage into the pipe, going in the
same direction could just push it harder into the pipe.

Where is this overflow going to go form your temporary moat/trench? Will
it end up on neighbours land? or will it have soaked in by then?

My little dug out gutter is going into the garden soil. We dont have a
neighbour nearby ( our house is in a two acre field if you see what I mean
and we own the six acres at the back where the land drains go) I dont
think there is much danger of it ending up in anyone elses garden.


As you
say this is not a good time of year to be up to your armpits in waste
water... I'd be tempted to leave the rodding for better weather/conditions
but keep and eye on the temporary soak away.

I was wondering about that. I checked it this morning and now there is no
water on the drain cover. The soil is dampish in my soak away but not muddy
or soggy . The grass is still soggy between the drain and the tank cover but
I would expect that would be the case.

My husband cant look at it before the weekend now anyway. He has to work
and goes out before light and its dark when he gets in. Its not smelly or
anything.

--
Cheers
Dave.

The message
from "endymion" contains these words:


"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.net...
On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:09 -0000, endymion wrote:

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about
five feet further on.

Is the tank cover lower or higher than the one that is leaking? If higher
it's not likely to leak ever as the water will never get to it...

Its lower than the one leaking.


I'd go for a blocked inlet pipe to the septic tank, if you can rod up from
the tank end to the leaky inspection cover that is the prefered way. The
water pressure will be pushing the blockage into the pipe, going in the
same direction could just push it harder into the pipe.

Where is this overflow going to go form your temporary moat/trench? Will
it end up on neighbours land? or will it have soaked in by then?

My little dug out gutter is going into the garden soil. We dont have a
neighbour nearby ( our house is in a two acre field if you see what I mean
and we own the six acres at the back where the land drains go) I dont
think there is much danger of it ending up in anyone elses garden.


As you
say this is not a good time of year to be up to your armpits in waste
water... I'd be tempted to leave the rodding for better weather/conditions
but keep and eye on the temporary soak away.

I was wondering about that. I checked it this morning and now there is no
water on the drain cover. The soil is dampish in my soak away but not muddy
or soggy . The grass is still soggy between the drain and the tank
cover but
I would expect that would be the case.

My husband cant look at it before the weekend now anyway. He has to work
and goes out before light and its dark when he gets in. Its not smelly or
anything.

The most likely cause is a blockage at the vertical tee where the drain
enters the tank. Before doing anything else lift the cover at the end
of the tank where the main drain enters the tank.

Is something stuck there? If it's not totally clear there then rod
vertically straight down through the tee.

That will also reveal depth at which you strike the solids at the bottom
of the tank -- i.e. whether the tank needs pumping. If you're hitting
solids just at the bottom of the tee, then it's full. However, ifthat
were the cause of the overflowing manhole I would expect the muck to be
coming into the tank still and spilling over the top of the tee.

If that doesn't clear the overflowing manhole, then it's time for the
messy job -- lift the cover on the said manhole and rod through,
preferably with a screw on the end of the leading rod.

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt more times than I can count.

On 2 Dec, 14:18, Appin wrote:
The message
from "endymion" contains these words:



"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ill.net...
On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:09 -0000, endymion wrote:

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about
five feet further on.

Is the tank cover lower or higher than the one that is leaking? If higher
it's not likely to leak ever as the water will never get to it...
Its lower than the one leaking.

I'd go for a blocked inlet pipe to the septic tank, if you can rod up from
the tank end to the leaky inspection cover that is the prefered way. The
water pressure will be pushing the blockage into the pipe, going in the
same direction could just push it harder into the pipe.

Where is this overflow going to go form your temporary moat/trench? Will
it end up on neighbours land? or will it have soaked in by then?
My little dug out gutter is going into the garden soil. We dont have a
neighbour nearby ( our house is in a two acre field if you see what I mean
and we own the six acres at the back where the land drains go) I dont
think there is much danger of it ending up in anyone elses garden.
As you
say this is not a good time of year to be up to your armpits in waste
water... I'd be tempted to leave the rodding for better weather/conditions
but keep and eye on the temporary soak away.
I was wondering about that. I checked it this morning and now there is no
water on the drain cover. The soil is dampish in my soak away but not muddy
or soggy . The grass is still soggy between the drain and the tank
cover but
I would expect that would be the case.
My husband cant look at it before the weekend now anyway. He has to work
and goes out before light and its dark when he gets in. Its not smelly or
anything.

The most likely cause is a blockage at the vertical tee where the drain
enters the tank. Before doing anything else lift the cover at the end
of the tank where the main drain enters the tank.

Is something stuck there? If it's not totally clear there then rod
vertically straight down through the tee.

That will also reveal depth at which you strike the solids at the bottom
of the tank -- i.e. whether the tank needs pumping. If you're hitting
solids just at the bottom of the tee, then it's full. However, ifthat
were the cause of the overflowing manhole I would expect the muck to be
coming into the tank still and spilling over the top of the tee.

If that doesn't clear the overflowing manhole, then it's time for the
messy job -- lift the cover on the said manhole and rod through,
preferably with a screw on the end of the leading rod.

Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt more times than I can count.

I have successfully cleared blocked drains on more than one occasion
by putting a hose pipe up the pipe from below and flushing out the
blockage.

Jonathan

On Dec 2, 2:18*pm, Appin wrote:
The message
from "endymion" contains these words:


Take ca I once lived in a house with cess pit. the man next door
had one also. After havign the ipt pumped empty he found that
nothing was draining into it and the pipes were all backed up.
Foolishly, he climbed into the pit and ridded from inside. he cleared
the blockage but wished he hadn't.

The standard deal back then, apparently, was to build your pit, have
it insected by building control, and then crack the sides with a big
hammer. Wouldn't do these days.

R

On 3 Dec, 08:37, RobertL wrote:
On Dec 2, 2:18 pm, Appin wrote:

The message
from "endymion" contains these words:

Take ca I once lived in a house with cess pit. the man next door
had one also. After havign the ipt pumped empty he found that
nothing was draining into it and the pipes were all backed up.
Foolishly, he climbed into the pit and ridded from inside. he cleared
the blockage but wished he hadn't.

The standard deal back then, apparently, was to build your pit, have
it insected by building control, and then crack the sides with a big
hammer. Wouldn't do these days.

R

Well I didn't climb in - did from a man-hole

Jonathan

"RobertL" wrote in message
...
On Dec 2, 2:18 pm, Appin wrote:
The message
from "endymion" contains these words:


Take ca I once lived in a house with cess pit. the man next door
had one also. After havign the ipt pumped empty he found that
nothing was draining into it and the pipes were all backed up.
Foolishly, he climbed into the pit and ridded from inside. he cleared
the blockage but wished he hadn't.

Its a sh!t job.. best employ a handyman to do it!

On Wed, 3 Dec 2008 10:48:51 -0000, dennis@home wrote:

Its a sh!t job.. best employ a handyman to do it!

IIRC he charges extra for bogs, don't blame him.

As for climbing into a cess pit/septic tank and rodding it chaps lucky to
have survived. A 4" column of water is more than enough to knock you off
your feet and I bet the inside of a tank is a bit slippy. *Never* climb
into tanks...

--
Cheers
Dave.

Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Wed, 3 Dec 2008 10:48:51 -0000, dennis@home wrote:

Its a sh!t job.. best employ a handyman to do it!

IIRC he charges extra for bogs, don't blame him.

As for climbing into a cess pit/septic tank and rodding it chaps lucky to
have survived. A 4" column of water is more than enough to knock you off
your feet and I bet the inside of a tank is a bit slippy. *Never* climb
into tanks...


And furthermore, *never* kneel down looking into the manhole if you also
have a goat.

Happened to a friend. Fortunately he didn't go right in. Only his head.


--
Ian White

"endymion" wrote in message
...

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.net...
On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:09 -0000, endymion wrote:

This isn't the main inspection cover for the septic tank - thats about
five feet further on.

Is the tank cover lower or higher than the one that is leaking? If higher
it's not likely to leak ever as the water will never get to it...

Its lower than the one leaking.


I'd go for a blocked inlet pipe to the septic tank, if you can rod up
from
the tank end to the leaky inspection cover that is the prefered way. The
water pressure will be pushing the blockage into the pipe, going in the
same direction could just push it harder into the pipe.

Where is this overflow going to go form your temporary moat/trench? Will
it end up on neighbours land? or will it have soaked in by then?

My little dug out gutter is going into the garden soil. We dont have a
neighbour nearby ( our house is in a two acre field if you see what I
mean and we own the six acres at the back where the land drains go) I
dont think there is much danger of it ending up in anyone elses garden.


As you
say this is not a good time of year to be up to your armpits in waste
water... I'd be tempted to leave the rodding for better
weather/conditions
but keep and eye on the temporary soak away.

I was wondering about that. I checked it this morning and now there is no
water on the drain cover. The soil is dampish in my soak away but not
muddy or soggy . The grass is still soggy between the drain and the tank
cover but I would expect that would be the case.

My husband cant look at it before the weekend now anyway. He has to work
and goes out before light and its dark when he gets in. Its not smelly or
anything.

--
Cheers
Dave

Err, well, I just got round to telling my husband about this one. He has
shouted at me for my " Victorian fix" over the last three months.

But I am still not sure whats wrong. My husband has said he thinks our land
drains have packed up . How could you tell if this is the case?

he got the drain up and the inspection hatch.
He rodded from the drain to the inspection hatch and cleared it, but its
blocked again.

He says the septic tank isnt clearing to allow more water in but the
septic tank is only about half full. How far full do they have to be. I
think its about 8ft deep and the water is four feet off the top. Its above
the intake from the drain though - you cant see the hole that comes in from
the drain to the septic.

Is it the land drains? How do I find out? I cant see any water anywhere
except in the drain where it backs up ( and in the septic tank , whci doesnt
seem to move one way or the other.)

How much will it cost to have the land drains sorted?

On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:18:20 -0000 someone who may be "endymion"
wrote this:-

He says the septic tank isnt clearing to allow more water in but the
septic tank is only about half full. How far full do they have to be.

They are normally fairly full. However you should be able to see the
dip-pipe which is the inlet and this should be at the water level in
the chamber.

You should also be able to see, normally via a second inspection
hatch, the dip-pipe at the outlet. There should also be a baffle
board (or boards) or a dip-pipe joining the two sections.

In the earlier discussion there seemed to be some question about
whether you actually have a septic tank or a cesspool, or indeed a
septic tank which has been so badly looked after that it is little
more than a leaky cesspool. May I suggest borrowing a copy of a
suitable reference book which covers septic tanks, I have the David
& Charles Manual of Home Plumbing, to make sure of what you have.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

"David Hansen" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:18:20 -0000 someone who may be "endymion"
wrote this:-

He says the septic tank isnt clearing to allow more water in but the
septic tank is only about half full. How far full do they have to be.

They are normally fairly full. However you should be able to see the
dip-pipe which is the inlet and this should be at the water level in
the chamber.

You should also be able to see, normally via a second inspection
hatch, the dip-pipe at the outlet. There should also be a baffle
board (or boards) or a dip-pipe joining the two sections.

In the earlier discussion there seemed to be some question about
whether you actually have a septic tank or a cesspool, or indeed a
septic tank which has been so badly looked after that it is little
more than a leaky cesspool. May I suggest borrowing a copy of a
suitable reference book which covers septic tanks, I have the David
& Charles Manual of Home Plumbing, to make sure of what you have.

Its definately a septic tank. Its pretty big though as septic tanks go or
so my husband tells me. He was originally put off when he looked at it
because he had never seen a brick built one and we didnt have plans for it
and couldnt find any. The plans for the house though state " septic tank"

The bafle is there and the two chambers - when he got his head in and
looked with a torch and everything. Actually I have never seen it so low on
water in the intake. I know there should be a second inspection lid but we
have never been able to find that. If fact he is cursing me now because he
cant find that ( I cant see how I can do anything about that can I?) He has
been prodding and digging half the garden for this four feet all directions
around the first chamber inspection lid.

He has wondered if someone in the past has had this capped or if its just
under the grass. My mother has one which is just covered totally in grass,
if she had to get it up she would struggle to find it.

He has left the drain covers off and I have just been out to look because I
had to flush the lo and put water down the drain. It isnt getting any
higher or lower even after the flush and dishwasher this morning either in
the drain or the tank.



Other than that I dont know what to say. I'll try and get the book you
suggest.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:30:59 -0000 someone who may be "endymion"
wrote this:-

I know there should be a second inspection lid but we
have never been able to find that. If fact he is cursing me now because he
cant find that ( I cant see how I can do anything about that can I?)

It is usually men who are blamed for something they can't do
anything about and wonder (often to themselves) why they are being
blamed:-)

Other than that I dont know what to say. I'll try and get the book you
suggest.

It might provide some useful background, but it may not be too much
help with your particular problem. I would want to peer at it if I
was helping someone.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

On Thu, 19 Feb 2009 07:26:53 +0000, David Hansen
wrote:

On Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:30:59 -0000 someone who may be "endymion"
wrote this:-

I know there should be a second inspection lid but we
have never been able to find that. If fact he is cursing me now because he
cant find that ( I cant see how I can do anything about that can I?)

It is usually men who are blamed for something they can't do
anything about and wonder (often to themselves) why they are being
blamed:-)


Probably some woman has tidied the second inspection cover away.
Probably stuck it in his sock drawer

Other than that I dont know what to say. I'll try and get the book you
suggest.

It might provide some useful background, but it may not be too much
help with your particular problem. I would want to peer at it if I
was helping someone.