Septic drain field issue

[defranks]

In Washington, near where I lived, there was a large forest tract that was used specifically for dumping septic tank pump-out. You'd see pumper trucks roll in there all day long, day after day, and they were spraying that stuff out on the open ground within a few miles of salt-water Hood's Canal. I believe this is still on-going, and there were plans to expand it with some kind of "lagoon" before we moved away a year and a half ago. But government tells us that it's all fine and good, so it must be, right?

 

[defranks]

OP states that there are wet spots at two junction boxes, and suspects a clogged drain field. If that's the case, I'm doubtful that a bacteria treatment is going to unclog it. And did I understand that the drain field was planted with wheat? I wonder if the leech pipes weren't damaged during all of that. I think, Rangerfredbob, that you're going to have to dig at least some of it up to see what condition it's in.

 

[kthompson]

rangerfredbob, talk to local person who pumps septic tanks and install tanks. Look for the true local person who runs basic equipment. Here the guy who comes to my mind runs all used trucks with much newer tanks and pumps on them. First no idea about right now or nor any where else but here, a year or so back think it was Federal Grants paying a good bit to replace or repair a nonfunctioning system. It was being done though maybe the US Dept of Agriculture. But the local guy who installs, pumps and repairs system will have ideas or recommendation that are best for your type of system and area. I make this an in person conversation and not a phone call.

It has been interesting to see how the pumped sewage is treated in different areas. In my area the local water and sewage company who serves the rural areas has thousand of acres of turf they pump the "clean" what ever it is called onto. They sell turf lower than anyone else can due to their source of fertilizer. Have been told "dumping" a pumper here is a fine. No idea the seriousness of it.

 

[fried1765]

I fixed my septic system when a rock dislodged a rubber connection that went to old cast iron pipe. The frost worked the connection loose.

It is not that bad. Wear clothes you can throw away, cheap gloves, and take a shower afterwards. It is cheaper to do that then pay someone to fix it.

As for the right to fix. Here in Maine anyway, we can legally repair 2 lengths of pipe without any permit. But good gracious, what court is ever going to fine a homeowner for fixing their septic system? A fixed system is FAR BETTER than one that is flowing human manure out of it.

"can legally repair 2 lengths of pipe without a permit"

So....does Belfast have an assigned pipe length checker, to make sure that no one exceeds that 2 length limitation?
I replaced my entire system without a permit, and I don't live in the country (when I was a kid it was country).
Of course, I have had a TLB for 34 years, so I didn't need to hire anybody.

 

[WVBill]

I work for a company here in Washington that designs, installs and maintains home septic systems (in the office but I've been on numerous calls with the owner/designer). First - one of those additives will not help. You have assessed the situation correctly. At least two of your three drainfield laterals are plugged. There should be a distribution box at the head of each lateral.
A clogged lateral can result from three things: 1) Your septic tank hasn't been pumped regularly (or the outlet baffle is broken) and some of the solids from the tank have been pumped down the drainfield laterals 2) Roots from trees and bushes have infiltrated and plugged your lateral lines (unlikely since you've said you only have grass near your drainfield) 3) The drainfield is very very old or was installed in marginal soils and the surround soils have become clogged with microorganisms.

Diagnosis and repair of a septic is really not a DIY job. I'm pretty handy and I might well have tried before I started working for the septic company. You should call a company that does septic system design, installation and repair. Not all septic pumping companies do that - some just pump. Having your system pumped will fix the problem - for as long as it takes you to use 1,000 gallons of water but as soon as the pump comes on it will be back. A good septic guy will be able to take a look at your system and tell you what you need to to so you don't waste time digging up stuff you don't need to.

Best of luck.

 

[MikePA]

rangerfredbob - When is the last time you had the tanks pumped out?

In our previous home, we had a septic system which was installed in the 1950s. 300 gallon tank to a distribution box (they are not called junction boxes here). Two pipes out of the distribution box to two drain fields.

The distribution box would overflow because; (1) Both drain fields were clogged because (2) The baffle to keep solids from leaving the 300 gallon tank was missing and (3) We had waited too long to have the 300 gallon tank pumped out which let solids build up.

We called a local septic tank business, not just a company who pumps tanks out. We were selling the house and a septic inspection was required.

They replaced the missing baffle and pumped out the tank - Not easy given the build up of solids. They also had a high pressure 'wand' they inserted into the exit pipes in the distribution box that was long enough to reach the drain fields. High pressure water with a solution to break up the clogged pipes out to and in the drain field. Fixed the problem. The high pressure treatment, which they said may not work (it did) cost $1,600. They also said to have our tank pumped out every 3 years, given its size.

It was my mistake not having the 300 gallon tank pumped out on a regular basis. If I had, the missing baffle would have been found and fixed and the solids would not have built up in the tank and in the drain field.

If your drain field is damaged or clogged no treatment you put in the toilet or the junction boxes will fix it.

P.S.
WVBill and I were typing at the same time. He described the situation we had. My advice...call a professional.

 

[defranks]

Hey WV Bill. I grew up in Anacortes and spent a lot of time on Whidbey Island, where my dad was stationed.

 

[4570Man]

"can legally repair 2 lengths of pipe without a permit"

So....does Belfast have an assigned pipe length checker, to make sure that no one exceeds that 2 length limitation?
I replaced my entire system without a permit, and I don't live in the country (when I was a kid it was country).
Of course, I have had a TLB for 34 years, so I didn't need to hire anybody.

Here a homeowner can install the whole system but they’re still subject to the inspections. I don’t know what the rules on repair are. I guess if it works it’s all good.

 

[BrokenTrack]

"can legally repair 2 lengths of pipe without a permit"

So....does Belfast have an assigned pipe length checker, to make sure that no one exceeds that 2 length limitation?
I replaced my entire system without a permit, and I don't live in the country (when I was a kid it was country).
Of course, I have had a TLB for 34 years, so I didn't need to hire anybody.

And that was just what I was saying...It is better for a homeowner to fix it themselves no matter the size of the break, then to just let it go. Who is going to stop you from fixing your own problem? What is the better of the two evils: letting it spew all over the ground, or a homeowner fixing it? I was just saying what the repair rules are here in Maine.

Myself, I put in my own leach field, which was not difficult, nor was it rocket science. I think I had $1500 in the entire system. Now contractors want $7,000 to put one in. That is stupid money for some plastic pipe and some screened rock.

 

[BrokenTrack]

As for spreading human manure on fields...it can be done.

The City of South Portland wanted to spread human manure on our farm fields as I have a few acres, and we looked into it, but did not feel right about it. Typically, if someone is giving you something for free, there is a reason for it. And...I have not seen much good come out of South Portland!

I am glad we chose not too spread the stuff on our farm.

Some neighbors did, and now you cannot use land that has been treated with human manure for a house lot 100 years from the last year of human manure being spread. I do not intend to ever sell my land, but still, that says something about the stuff.

What we did want though, was wood ash for our highly acidic soil, and the mills and bio mass locations used to give us that for free. Then they decided, if farmers wanted the wood ash, but not the humane manure, they would mix it together so that farmers HAD to take the human manure if they wanted the free alternative to lime. We still did not take it, but other farmers did. Now I see those mixing places are no longer in operation, so I am not sure if they changed the laws again or not.

I do kind of feel bad. The waste water treatment plants are a true answer to societies problem, and treating 99% of the waste is good, but I still do not want that other 1% on my land. The farmers that took it, had fields littered with condoms, and other kinds of junk that came along with the "sludge" as it was called. I heard it had drugs (prescription and illegal drugs) in the sludge as well, but I am not sure.