Any septic system pros out there?

[Claytonfarms]

The permit was tied to the installer. If I get someone else to do the repairs, they want to get a repair permit.

I dug the holes, I was going to backfill but rain slowed me down and I saw the problems pumping water out of the hole around the tank.

I have not paid the installer yet or told him about it. I am thinking I would would just repair it myself or make the installer fix it but who knows if it will even be right if he fixes it.

Yes the outlet side does have very limited access. The entire outlet pipe, tee, manhole cover and inspection pipe etc are one glued together mass. I see no way to install a filter as the inspection pipe is 7 feet to the outlet tee. I will not cover the tank until this is fixed.

I am fairly certain that ground water will run into the tank since the outlet manhole cover does not fit correctly. The outlet side has been filling as it has been raining.


I was looking for some tips to make sure it is fixed correctly and that it will last.

 

[lilranch2001]

Did you take pictures and document everything?

 

[Midniteoyl]

The permit was tied to the installer. If I get someone else to do the repairs, they want to get a repair permit.

I dug the holes, I was going to backfill but rain slowed me down and I saw the problems pumping water out of the hole around the tank.

I have not paid the installer yet or told him about it. I am thinking I would would just repair it myself or make the installer fix it but who knows if it will even be right if he fixes it.

Yes the outlet side does have very limited access. The entire outlet pipe, tee, manhole cover and inspection pipe etc are one glued together mass. I see no way to install a filter as the inspection pipe is 7 feet to the outlet tee. I will not cover the tank until this is fixed.

I am fairly certain that ground water will run into the tank since the outlet manhole cover does not fit correctly. The outlet side has been filling as it has been raining.


I was looking for some tips to make sure it is fixed correctly and that it will last.

You prolly dont need nor want a filter.. The 'tee' is the outlet baffle and the bottom will be below the surface of the water with the top a vent for releasing gases.

The only problem I really see is not having a manhole for that side of the tank to use for later repairs. Though, to be honest, IF you need to repair that side, the pipe on that side will also have to be dug up so its kinda moot.

 

[turnkey4099]

You prolly dont need nor want a filter.. The 'tee' is the outlet baffle and the bottom will be below the surface of the water with the top a vent for releasing gases.

The only problem I really see is not having a manhole for that side of the tank to use for later repairs. Though, to be honest, IF you need to repair that side, the pipe on that side will also have to be dug up so its kinda moot.

If it hasn't filled itself already, fill that tank with water!! The last thing you need is an installed tank rising up. As soon as the installers pulled out of my drive, I had a water hose running into the tank.

I don't understand a two compartment tank with no access to the outlet side. Here, ALL compartments have manhole covers and the tank pumpers pump all compartments (no, all solids do not come to rest in the first one).

Harry K

Harry K

 

[mikim]

Want it done right? Do the research and do it yourself. Pay the man just to get rid of his sloppy butt and do what needs doin'. What the county don't know won't hurt you.

 

[bcp]

Any septic system pros out there?


No, but here is some septic system poetry.

Tales from the Tank: Septic Tank Writings

http://www.a-1septicserviceinc.com/a-1_septic_bathroom_art.pdf



Bruce

 

[ultrarunner]

Think long and hard about how you will proceed. You don't want to get involved with the new rules.

Exactly my thinking... sometimes you win the battle only to lose the war.

Seen it happen way too many times.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Clayton,

Ignore my previous rant and let's solve this w/o poking the hornets nest.

Apparently you have a signed final inspection report. Most jurisdictions use all or most of one of the model codes. I have an older version of the ICC code for private sewage systems and will post excerpts at the end of this dialog. Your installer should have gotten a professional design approved by the "justification having authority". He is required to provide you a copy for your records. You may want to hold payment till you get it and the inspection certificate. Pay him before you start anything else or he may sic his inspector buddy on you again.

Now the fix: Sounds like it is pretty minor and you could do yourself. Who is the manufacturer? Their local supplier should be able to link you up with them to get a copy of their installation guidelines and the various parts like the risers. Worth a try, tell them you need it for your record package. Once you know the brand name search it on the web. You can probably find another, non-local supplier that will sell you the parts you need. Your contractor is surely buddies with their local supplier and already knows your name. Then fix it yourself. Should be easy to reconnect the inlet and outlet lines using "FERNCO" neoprene connector available at even the big box stores. Measure the OD of both ends. If they do not have that one they can order it as they are made in sizes to match all types of material. Document everything in detail so you have a record.

Excerpts:
802.4 Manholes. Each compartment of a tank shall be provided with at least one manhole opening located over the inlet or outlet opening, and such opening shall be not less than 24 inches (610 mm) square or 24 inches (610 mm) in diameter.
Manholes shall terminate a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) below the ground surface and be of the same material as the tank. The manhole extension on fiberglass tanks shall be of the same material as the tank and an integral part of the tank.
Methods of attaching fiberglass risers shall be water tight and approved.
PROHIBITED JOINTS AND CONNECTIONS
General. The following types of joints and connections shall be prohibited:
• Cement or concrete joints.
• Mastic or hot-pour bituminous joints.
• Joints made with fittings not approved for the specific installation.
• Joints between different diameter pipes made with elastomeric rolling O-rings.
• Solvent-cement joints between different types of plastic pipe.

Lost of luck on this but I think you can get there.

Ron

 

[dmccarty]

In NC, the septic regulations were published on the Internet way back in 1999-2000. I would think MD would have the regulations online. Read the regulations and then proceed. This stuff is not rocket science.

NC has some wacky rules about septic tanks. Our tank has two chambers that each have an access. However, the code only requires a riser to the access on the chamber that has the filter. When the tank gets pumped you have to open the first chamber which by code does not have to have a riser. :confused3::shocked: When our tank was pumped the first time, we added a riser to make the job easier. The code only has a riser on the filter chamber so that it is easier to clean the filter. Some septic pumpers would just pump the chamber with the filter, which of course is not the chamber that really needs pumping.

I would read the MD regulations and change things as you think best. Call a septic pumper and get his opinion since he will be the one helping maintain the system.

Later,
Dan

 

[Claytonfarms]

Happy New Year to all.

I thought I would post some pictures, it explains the install much better. The pipe with the 90 on it was the inlet. No tee in sight. The inlet side in the tank was 21" long.

The pipe with the tee / manhole cover etc. was the outlet. The short pipe is 4", it went to the dist box. The other pipes are 6". The upper part of the 6" with the coupler and cap are not glued together but everything else is. The lower part is 21" from the bottom of the tee. As you can see the hole in the manhole cover is not centered so the cover does not fit, the rear of the tank is filling with rain water.

My tank is 5' tall inside and the outlet is 4' from the bottom of the tank to the bottom of the outlet hole.
Any ideas how long the inlet and outlet pipes should be inside the tank?

I have 2 tees, 20' of pipe, 2 ferncos, risers, lids, sealer, hopefully everything needed to have this fixed and covered in the next couple of days if the rain stays away.