Septic Systems

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm knew to septic systems. This weekend we have a new problem. About every half hour or so we get what I think is a "burp" coming back into our sink" The lift pump is working fine and all water is pumping out into our septic tank. I've taken off the covers of our vertical inspection stacks in our drainage field(2) and found that everything is as it should be.
Our septic system is designed for a 6 person household and currently only have 3 people living here full time. We had the tank pumped last yr. Normally it's been pumped every 2 yrs.
Any suggestions??

 

[toysrme]

Ray
If you mean a burp as in gas coming up into to your sink. I would be more inclined to beleive the problem is not the septic system, but the vent line from your sink. All septic system produce gas. the gas travels up your waste lines and out the vent stack. If the vent is blocked then the gas builds up unitl there enough pressure to pass thru the trap under your sink which is full of water to prevent the gas from enterig the sink. its the old path of least resistance. If you are in the part of the the counrty that as had extremely cold it could have froze

hope this help

toysrme

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Lift pump? Do you pump the output of the septic tank to the drainfield, or do you pump sewage to the septic tank? I once had a neighbor who had the latter, while I had the former. She had nothing but problems...........Sorry, I digress.

One problem that can cause your symptom is a blocked or partially blocked intake on your tank. As waste flows down the pipe into the tank, air is displaced. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but with the blockage the air has no place to go except back up the pipe to the nearest drain, thence back up through the trap--and gurgle gurgle.

In our case it was through a toilet, and it was the first clue we had a problem. This was in our current place which we had just purchased. I planned to have the tank pumped as soon as I got around to it, but it wasn't soon enough.

Fortunately for us, we got to it before any damage or befoulment occured.

I'm not saying this is what is wrong with your system--just something you might keep in mind.

Good luck,
SnowRidge

 

[MossRoad]

I agree with Toysrme. Check your main vent stack for blockage. It could have an ice block or dead animal. If there's snow on the roof, be careful.

 

[RJohnson]

I think Toysrme has it right. Some tanks are vented but most aren't and the gases that come up the pipe to the house should be vented by the vent pipe in the house. I would look for the one closest to the outlet from the house.
Oh and another thing, methane gas is flamable and can be hazardous. I would look to fix the problem as soon as possible. Good Luck

Randy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I owe ya one! You hit the nail on the head. I went up on the roof this morning and sure enough. The vent had about 3 inches of ice in it. We haven't had any snow this year yet so I never thought about it. Thanks!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That ice is called hoarfrost, and should not occurr when the vent is properly sized.
That's why the actual roof vent is 4" diameter, and increased from the 1 1/2" vent rising from the sink.

 

[toysrme]

Ray
Glad to help, and the fix was simple and low cost.

toysrme