Help Me Understand Septic Problem

[Travelover]

I've noticed a wet spot in my septic field this summer and I'm trying to determine if I need a whole new field or if it is a localized problem. So far there have been no problem with the drains backing up in the house. The field is 36 years old and was inspected when I bought 4 years ago.

There are a number of potable water lines in the area for watering, but I don't know if there is one near the wet spot that might explain the wet spot as being a leaky fresh water pipe. I notice no odor at the wet spot.

Anyone had a similar issue and have any advice on diagnosing it, short of calling the septic guy, which I will do after investigating myself.

 

[seville009]

I’ve had wet spots in my leach field lines ever since i moved in back in 2001. House was built in 1991. Never has caused a problem. Can dmell the poop smell occasionally when mowing over it.

Had the line from the septic tank to the leach field distribution box replaced three years ago; it had collapsed. Asked my septic guy about the wetness. He said the lines looked in great shape when he looked at the distribution box and that he didn’t see any issue.

Everything works fine. I get the tank cleaned out every three years.

As long as your lines are not backing up, I’d say you are fine.

Note - pull the top off of your tank and look at the water level. Should not be at the top. Have you had the tank cleaned out since you’ve moved in?

 

[ruffdog]

What is the history of the tank being pumped?

 

[duffer]

Take 15 minutes and a spade shovel and dig the wet spot until you hit a water pipe, leach pipe or tank. Then go from there.
If there is no smell, I'm guessing it's a water pipe.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you are on public water service, does it show a high number of gallons being used?

 

[Travelover]

Note - pull the top off of your tank and look at the water level. Should not be at the top.

Good tip

Have you had the tank cleaned out since you’ve moved in?

It was pumped when I moved in and I took a class to do self inspection and measured the solids and scum one year ago and it was well within limits.

 

[Travelover]

What is the history of the tank being pumped?

I only know back to 4 years when I bought it. The county did not keep records on service prior to that.

 

[Travelover]

If you are on public water service, does it show a high number of gallons being used?

I'm on well, so I can only observe cycle times and I don't see anything unusual.

 

[Travelover]

Take 15 minutes and a spade shovel and dig the wet spot until you hit a water pipe, leach pipe or tank. Then go from there.
If there is no smell, I'm guessing it's a water pipe.

Best advice so far. I dug it up and it is a 1" pipe that feed hydrants in the back yard area.

Next question, how do I repair a leaking coupler in the ground?

 

[seville009]

Best advice so far. I dug it up and it is a 1" pipe that feed hydrants in the back yard area.

Next question, how do I repair a leaking coupler in the ground?

Just get a new piece of pipe to use as a coupler. Can get that and the purple pipe dope at Home Depot. Just cut the old piece out with a hacksaw (or anything - it cuts real easy).

Turn the water off first though……

 

[cwbyeng1300]

Use one of these -

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Homewerks-Worldwide-2-in-x-2-in-x-2-in-dia-x-4-in-L-Coupling-PVC-Fitting/50160525

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

A foot of new pipe, and two “SharkBite” or Orbit “PVC-Lock” fittings. One is just a coupling, the other fitting is a longer one which lets you flex the pipe, and then push it back onto the pipe your joining.

Or just go old school and glue in a union.

 

[JasperFrank]

Our tank was failing and backing up into the house.... or so I thought. Had me pretty freaked out. The guy that pumped out the tank, cause I thought it was full or something, said he could see nothing wrong, BUT..... and this was the huge BUT, he said the coupler from the house run to the tank probably sank, or the tank floated, and disconnected the run. He said he had seen this many times. I checked, and this is exactly what had happened. Total cost of repair, was $760. $750 for the pump out on a 1,500 gal tank, which I thought at the time was a reasonable time for a pump out after 20 years of use, which wasn't really needed as there was very little sludge, and $10 for a new coupler. I dug it all up, on my own, and clearly saw the break. A very, very messy job and worth investing in a bio-jump suit.

 

[duffer]

I'd suggest using an expandable coupling. It's far easier to install than just normal coupling. All the pros use it.

Search Results for 1" pvc expanding coupling at The Home Depot

Search Results for 1" pvc expanding coupling at The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

The 1" diameter one is only $8-$10, compared to the Blue Store.

Be sure to let your glue set up for 24 hours before turning the water back on. (some say that's overkill, but it's easy insurance)

 

[Travelover]

I'd suggest using an expandable coupling. It's far easier to install than just normal coupling. All the pros use it.

Search Results for 1" pvc expanding coupling at The Home Depot

Search Results for 1" pvc expanding coupling at The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

The 1" diameter one is only $8-$10, compared to the Blue Store.

Be sure to let your glue set up for 24 hours before turning the water back on. (some say that's overkill, but it's easy insurance)

Thanks, I think this is the way I'm going to go. Inexpensive and seems hard to mess up, but I may find a way.

 

[ljjhouser]

There fittings made for that. The Slip-fix is one. See the video.
Video

There is another that is a compression fitting which screws a cap on each end and seals with rubber gasket. BUT THAT is a low pressure fitting only for springkler heads etx.
Not a hard fix.
Maybe like this fitting.
PVC repair

 

[mrmikey]

Turn the water off first though……

Killjoy LOL.
Glad you found the problem and it's a relatively simple fix.......

 

[tfuller]

Could be wrong but it looks to me like a repair has already been attempted. The pipe on the top part of the picture apears to be one of the expandable couplings linked above. Based on the amount of glue on the outside of the joint I would say the last person who "repaired" it still had a leak after fixing and tried to cover it with glue to fix. PVC glue doesn't really work like that so it didn't last. If you dig more on the side of the top part of the picture and see what is there.

 

[ruffdog]

Could be wrong but it looks to me like a repair has already been attempted. The pipe on the top part of the picture apears to be one of the expandable couplings linked above. Based on the amount of glue on the outside of the joint I would say the last person who "repaired" it still had a leak after fixing and tried to cover it with glue to fix. PVC glue doesn't really work like that so it didn't last. If you dig more on the side of the top part of the picture and see what is there.

I agree....a bit more digging may reveal more of the issue and may save extra work later.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I didn't read all replies but I've been here 42 years. About 8 years ago I noticed back yard which slopes downhill from house an area staying wet. I had a drain guy out I knew, he found septic tank with a fiberglass rod, poking it in ground. We hand shoveled and found distribution box (1 inlet from tank, 4 outlets to drain field) was clogged. He opened it up, then electric drain auger tank to house after tank was pumped out. His auger stopped not far from house saying "your pipes done egged".
Everything back, I seeded area, all is well.
$150 tank pump out, $75 drain work.
It may last my lifetime otherwise I'll have to replace septic line house to tank with PVC. All those years ago (septic probably installed 50s-60s) they used I think it's called Johnson pipe, just rolled up tarpaper.