Limb in Septic Line

lakngulf · Jun 9, 2013

A few weeks ago I had a tree guy cut some huge pines that were leaning. Couple were near field lines so I had them just put the limbs and trees on the ground for me to move in dry weather. Seems they did not cut all the limbs close to the trunk, and when tree fell, some sizeable ones drove into the ground. So much so that I had to pull a couple out with chain attached to FEL. Since then I have had some oozing in that area, and the ground has become mushy. I dug in to see what I could do, and now have it clearing out. I know I am almost to the lines because I hit the rock bed that I put in around the pipe. What should I do now? Do you think that repair will be needed to the pipe? Just fill back up with better dirt? Add pipe in the ditch I have dug? HELP!! When finished with this issue, I do plan to add 6-8 inches of soil on the entire field line area.

paulharvey · Jun 9, 2013

Dig it up with a shovel and see. I wouldn't over react until you can put an eye on it. Probably something very simple, like a single crushed perforated pipe. In which case your probably out $40, if you call a septic Guy, there will probably be $500 worth of permits, red tape, and BS.

On second look, follow those two PVC irrigation lines a couple feet and see if they are broken.

kevin37b · Jun 9, 2013

What type of field is in there . What is that pipe I am looking at ? What really annoys me is no informatio n .

creekbend · Jun 9, 2013

In the title of the OP's Thread, he indicated that it was a Septic Line.

pjbci · Jun 9, 2013

Follow paulharveys advice. Good advice.

SPYDERLK · Jun 9, 2013

kevin37b said:
What type of field is in there . What is that pipe I am looking at ? What really annoys me is no informatio n .

creekbend said:
In the title of the OP's Thread, he indicated that it was a Septic Line.

You may think that is definitive. ... I also dont think so.
larry

paulharvey · Jun 9, 2013

It looks to me like 3/4" PVC lines for irrigation, he said he was NEAR the drain because he saw bedding rock, leading me to assume he had not actually saw them. Does it smell like sewage? Its entirely possible the limb cracked the irrigation line, which only contains preasure when that zone comes on. Even if there is a faint sewer smell, its possible a broken irrigation line over filled the spetic drain field.

Midniteoyl · Jun 9, 2013

ya, not enough info as to exactly what the line is.. Looks really small to be a septic/sewer line..

Also, we do know if the line was pierced by a limb, or crushed by their truck..

lakngulf · Jun 9, 2013

Sorry if I did not give enough info. Will try again. Since I put in the Septic Tank Field Lines and the 1inch irrigation lines I will describe as best I can.
1. The two white pipes showing are indeed 1 inch irrigation lines. That was one of my suspicions, as the limb from the falling tree pierced the ground in about this location.
2. Deep beneath the white pipes is a septic tank field line, perforated 4 inch I think, with rock bed below and rock bed above. I have shoveled enough to hit the rock bed, so I know I am near the pipe.
3. I was hoping it was irrigation line, and that could still be the issue, since there is a LOT of water in the area, AND we have not had that much rain, AND this field line is the upper one (There are three running parallel). I turned on one zone yesterday to see if there were any leaks, but this was before I had dug this far. I will turn on both zones and see what happens. I could only hope that was the case.
4. Yes there is a sewer smell. I know I am at a septic field line.

So, if irrigation is ok, and the 4 inch perforated is cracked. Splice and replace? Refill with dirt, add more to top?

lakngulf · Jun 9, 2013

Midniteoyl said:
ya, not enough info as to exactly what the line is.. Looks really small to be a septic/sewer line..

Also, we do know if the line was pierced by a limb, or crushed by their truck..

The white pipes showing are irrigation. No sign of damage to them yet, but I will see if volume increases when each zone is turned on. I did not allow the tree folks to put there truck in the area. I had them leave these trees on the ground for me to move when weather was dry. I was not happy to find that some limbs had pierced the soil, causing this damage I believe.