I had my septic tank pumped yesterday, first time since we built the house 4 years ago. The gent who pumped it thought there was a large amount of paper in the tank, which may be true with 3 small children in the home...they sometimes will fill the bowl with t.p. then Daddy needs to 'remind' them. Anyway, while I had the lid off, he suggested I put a garden hose in the line that runs out the side of the tank to the distribution box. As luck would have it, it appears that there must be a clog somewhere from the tank to the distribution box or worse yet in the leach field /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif b/c it was running s-l-o-w. I am going to need to get to the distribution box and see if the clog is within there. Is it common to find a clog within the box? Can any of you off a tip or two about my dilemma?
Distribution Box-septic system
- Thread starter coachgrd
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woodlot
Gold Member
If you can find and repair the clog, then I've got two tips for you. 1) look into having a filter installed that will prevent soilds from entering your distribution box and drain feild. 2) Get your tank pumped more often, at least untill the kids understand the notion of "TP Conservation." I still have to have a family meeting on that subject quite often. I call them family meetings, my wife calls it nagging!
Highbeam
Super Member
Since I have become my neighborhood septic expert, this really only means I don't mind smelling poo, I have had to rescue a few.
One neighbor had sewage overflowing from a downstairs toilet. The line was plugged at the point where it dumps into the septic tank. His young daughter flushed a slug of TP and it got hung up on the first baffle. Backed up onto his wood floors and everything. I showed him my trick of leaving the first cleanout's lid unscrewed to allow overflow onto the yard.
An outlet filter is a great idea inconjunction with a relief system to prevent pluggage from flooding your home. The filters are meant to prevent the sludge an dscum from contaminating your drainfield when it overwhelms your septic system.
One neighbor had sewage overflowing from a downstairs toilet. The line was plugged at the point where it dumps into the septic tank. His young daughter flushed a slug of TP and it got hung up on the first baffle. Backed up onto his wood floors and everything. I showed him my trick of leaving the first cleanout's lid unscrewed to allow overflow onto the yard.
An outlet filter is a great idea inconjunction with a relief system to prevent pluggage from flooding your home. The filters are meant to prevent the sludge an dscum from contaminating your drainfield when it overwhelms your septic system.
Can you give me some details on the outlet filter...price, where to purchase, etc. Where within the system does it go? Pretend you talking to a 3rd grader...I might be as dumb as one when it comes to sewage. I REALLY wish I would have taken pictures of the spetic system as it was being built...sure would make find the box a lot easier!
woodlot
Gold Member
The filter is installed inside the septic tank. It covers/filters the outlet pipe (the pipe that goes to your distribution box). I would contact the company that installed your system to ask about the filter. Then call other companies for a price comparison. I don't think this is a DIY job.
Highbeam
Super Member
I have also seen them as seperate little units outside of the septic tank on the line leading from the septic tank to the drainfield. Should be about the size of a beer keg and the purpose is to filter and plug up if something other than treated effluent comes out. It can be a DIY job if you are willing to dig a hole. There is no rocket science in a gravity septic system.
The alternative to a filter is to check the septic tank often and have it pumped before it is full of sludge and scum, the tank will fill with sewage right away but the scum and sludge settles out over time in the tank. If it is real cheap in your area, just get it pumped more often than you have to as a form of preventative maintenance.
The alternative to a filter is to check the septic tank often and have it pumped before it is full of sludge and scum, the tank will fill with sewage right away but the scum and sludge settles out over time in the tank. If it is real cheap in your area, just get it pumped more often than you have to as a form of preventative maintenance.
PSDStu
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Highbeam,
I like your idea about leaving the clean-out cover loose.
What about a swing check valve to prevent the system from back up into the house?
I like your idea about leaving the clean-out cover loose.
What about a swing check valve to prevent the system from back up into the house?
Depending on how far your d-box is from your tank, you could rent a 100 foot snake and remove the clog from the access hole for your outlet pipe on the tank. No need to get extravagant, just a standard snake. Don't need the powered type. I have done this before, however, you do need to address the problem of the clog getting to your d-box to start with.
well, here's a little update on my d-box problem. Now mind you, I had the tank pumped for no other reason other than I felt it might be a good idea as we'd been in the house 5 years. I was not experiencing problems of any kind. I talked with a friend who runs all the septic systems at a local state park. He truly knows his sh...err crap. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Anyway, I told him that when I shot the garden hose in the drain pipe headed to the d-box, how it backed up into the tank. He made a good point...one I'd overlooked: perhaps I filled the d-box with water and thats why it backed up! He said that a d-box is really not very big and a even a garden hose cranked full throttle will fill it up quickly and cause it to back up into the line towards the tank. It was his opinion that I should watch the system and see if any problems arise. I think I may do just that. If its not broke, don't fix it I guess!
Regardless, thanks for all your thoughts...
coach
Regardless, thanks for all your thoughts...
coach