septic field frozen

[PILOON]

How many are in the household?
Did the first winter freezing occur after a November field construction?
I ask as because if you live alone and the system was built in November chances are that you were pumping pure or almost pure water into the field.

Also if you use a lot of Javex and your toilets are equipped with little cleanser blocks then you are killing the bacteria that eats septic sludge and therefor probably sending pure water to the drainage field which in turn will freeze.

 

[v8only]

I have some pictures of my coverage on the field as i said i have a total of 90 bales: 4 rows on top of my field lines and spread out 2 rows on either side and 2 rows around the distribution line. Note: the second photo shows that i have moved the bales over to the left as i am trying to thaw that area with the warm sun, the bales are set up in a straight line.

There are 2 of us in the household who come from homes with fields therefore we arent really new the septic field living however this field is different as its a sand mound vs the old rock mound. The field was built in 2009 there were no issues to my knowledge with the previous owners and the first winter we moved in we had no issues, this year and last year (2 out of 3 winters) it froze, last year it froze in January this year March.

We do not use bleach/javex as we are aware of the bacteria required to keep the field warm. Our daily routines are a shower everyday each sometimes a second shower, laundry every 2 weeks (cold water washes) dishwasher every few days.

My answer maybe additional coverage however as i said earlier in one of my posts i already have 90 bales how many more do I need....the norm around here people only have maybe 20 bales, some people dont use bales and just use snow fence.....

 

[Egon]

Get some tall prairie grass growing and harvest the seeds as a byline.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

View attachment 416380View attachment 416381View attachment 416382

I have some pictures of my coverage on the field as i said i have a total of 90 bales: 4 rows on top of my field lines and spread out 2 rows on either side and 2 rows around the distribution line. Note: the second photo shows that i have moved the bales over to the left as i am trying to thaw that area with the warm sun, the bales are set up in a straight line.

There are 2 of us in the household who come from homes with fields therefore we arent really new the septic field living however this field is different as its a sand mound vs the old rock mound. The field was built in 2009 there were no issues to my knowledge with the previous owners and the first winter we moved in we had no issues, this year and last year (2 out of 3 winters) it froze, last year it froze in January this year March.

We do not use bleach/javex as we are aware of the bacteria required to keep the field warm. Our daily routines are a shower everyday each sometimes a second shower, laundry every 2 weeks (cold water washes) dishwasher every few days.

My answer maybe additional coverage however as i said earlier in one of my posts i already have 90 bales how many more do I need....the norm around here people only have maybe 20 bales, some people dont use bales and just use snow fence.....

Based on what you just told me it sounds like you are not putting enough effluent into the field for the size of the of the mound. They sized it to the size of the house/number of bath rooms, then with the both of you gone during day and night it is freezing. Haven't had a chance to look at the pictures, but based on the width of the mound it looks like you have three laterals. If it was mine I would consider shutting off the outer two laterals. Dig down put shut off in then, PVC pipe so you can get your hand down to shut it off, and so you can turn back on, when you get more people in the house. Then use timer control like I suggested Cover like you have been. Timer control by its self won't work your not making enough effluent..

 

[PILOON]

Couple more possibilities.
Is the effluent even getting to the field?
Blockage en route? low point that 'puddles' and freezes in the (looks long) feed line.

Generally your style of field would suggest a clay soil which is not very absorbent hence the above ground solution.
Then the question is there enough sand used.

How far is the field from the tank? and what is the grade like? and lastly what size and type of pipe is used to connect the tank to the field.

 

[v8only]

Couple more possibilities.
Is the effluent even getting to the field?
Blockage en route? low point that 'puddles' and freezes in the (looks long) feed line.

Generally your style of field would suggest a clay soil which is not very absorbent hence the above ground solution.
Then the question is there enough sand used.

How far is the field from the tank? and what is the grade like? and lastly what size and type of pipe is used to connect the tank to the field.

As of right now the effluent is not making it to the field as the field is frozen but i know in the fall it was as I have seen the liquid come out of the 4 access ports. I have never seen puddles or wet saturated ground anywhere in my yard around the distribution line or around the field.

I am not sure on how much sand was used, the field is maybe 80-100' from the tank, not sure on the grade and pipe underground, but i do know that during the summer when i open up the access ports and engage the pump the effluent does come out of the ports steady and equally there is no hesitation or something that would suggest bad flow or blockage. (i would assume based on the water well underground lines the line running from the tank to the field would be a rigid poly line) however i could be completely wrong.

 

[doxford jim]

It sure seems that you are still trying to rectify this situation blind.
It is extremely important that you get copies of the manuals and maintenance plan for your septic system. At least you will know what is supposed to be where and how deep in the soil etc.
It is a legal requirement that the builder supply the homeowner with the necessary documents to allow full and proper maintenance. You local building inspectors, Dept. of Health or RD should have copies as well.
Again, it seems that there is an awful lot of Bovine Manure being spread around over this problem. Someone is not doing their job properly and you are getting little help - if any at all.
I know that in BC, the people allowed to design and install septic systems are Registered On Site Waste Water Practitioners and Professional Engineers. Whoever designed and installed your system has the correct drawings and plans and should provide them to you - even if for a fee. Once armed with these documents you can start to make appropriate decisions and make repairs as needed. Without these documents you will just be guessing - which is what you appear to be doing right now.
Still, it is your septic tank not mine, so whatever you do is your business. BUT you need the right documentation.

 

[v8only]

ok i got some information: the system was done in accordance with all legal requirements it is stamped and signed. Soil and sand sampling was done, and inspected before covering.

sand layer is 40'x10' = 400 sq feet of sand, with a 4:1 slope.

system was sized for 330 gallons per day with a .15 Efflucent soil loading rate.

Preliminary infiltration = 330 gals / .15 = 2200 sq ft

 

[Egon]

Can the mound feed line drain after the pump shuts off. This question may be of the "Bovine Manure" category but just may be critical to your problem.

 

[v8only]

The mainline from the tank to the field can drain back, but from the manifold to the end of the field will not drain back as it is sloped towards the end of the field.