bubbling water from septic tank
#1
04-05-01, 12:01 AM
I purchased a 17 yr old house in 96. We had no problems with the septic system until september of 98. it backed up into the house. we had it pumped. it was in winter. when the men were doing it they had to use a hoe to crack through something. they kept banging and banging into the opening of the septic opening until they broke through and finally pumped it out. A few months later i notice when i flushed the toilet, showered or did laundry water would bubble out of the top of it. I though it needed pumping again and so did it. now,no matter what we do all our in house water comes out. Could something had been busted during the first pumping, when they were trying to break through? I don't put anything down the toilet (no paper, feminie products, nothing0 since the first pumping. i even called the local enviromental people(theyl never got back to me to se if i had a leak somewhere).If i have to put new field lines in how expensive will it be? I'm hoping it is nothing serious, please help as soon as possible.
#2
04-05-01, 01:38 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
Posts: 10,701
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote
on
1 Post
Hi,
There are different types of septic systems.
I'm going to assume that your's is standard with a 1000-gallon septic tank with a short line to a distribution box, and drainfield lines coming out of the d-box.
About the only "maintenance" required for a septic system is pumping out the tank every five years.
Septic system problems usually are related to the drainfield, which can eventually clog up with sludge or roots.
The roots can be zapped with root-killer. There are temporary solutions to the sludge, but the only real solution is to add a line or replace the drainfield, if the drainfield is failing.
From your description, though, it sounds like you have a problem at the tank. Is that where the septic water is bubbling up? On top of the tank, and not the drainfield? That could be a simple plugup at the tank or at the d-box.
You need to get an environmental technician from the Health Department to come out and inspect the system for you. They design, issue permits for, and inspect septic systems.
Before the tech comes out, you need the have the tank opened up and pumped out, so that the tech can see what your problem is. You probably will also need to uncover the small d-box next to the tank. It has a concrete cap on it.
It might be better, if you can, to coordinate the visit of the tech at the same time that the tank is being pumped out.
Good luck!
Mike
There are different types of septic systems.
I'm going to assume that your's is standard with a 1000-gallon septic tank with a short line to a distribution box, and drainfield lines coming out of the d-box.
About the only "maintenance" required for a septic system is pumping out the tank every five years.
Septic system problems usually are related to the drainfield, which can eventually clog up with sludge or roots.
The roots can be zapped with root-killer. There are temporary solutions to the sludge, but the only real solution is to add a line or replace the drainfield, if the drainfield is failing.
From your description, though, it sounds like you have a problem at the tank. Is that where the septic water is bubbling up? On top of the tank, and not the drainfield? That could be a simple plugup at the tank or at the d-box.
You need to get an environmental technician from the Health Department to come out and inspect the system for you. They design, issue permits for, and inspect septic systems.
Before the tech comes out, you need the have the tank opened up and pumped out, so that the tech can see what your problem is. You probably will also need to uncover the small d-box next to the tank. It has a concrete cap on it.
It might be better, if you can, to coordinate the visit of the tech at the same time that the tank is being pumped out.
Good luck!
Mike
#3
04-05-01, 11:46 AM
septic tank
If it is a plug at the tank or the d box, is it possible that someone other than a professional could do it? if it is this, how would we tell? would it be visible? the bubbling is right at the top where the concrete top is. The tank had not been pumped by the previous owners (not the original first occupants)andit seemed as if the drain lines were doing just fine until it backed up. It only started after the first pumping....could the septic tank professionls damaged the opening? It started overflowing after they banged repeatedly on it to break through something...thanks....
#5
04-05-01, 07:07 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
Posts: 10,701
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote
on
1 Post
joanmarie,
I agree with John that the first suspect is always the drainfield.
However, it's possible that the first "un"professional people damaged your septic tank access cover or a baffle pipe.
I think maybe whatever they did, is causing your problem.
You might be able to fix it yourself.
A septic tank has a beveled access cover recessed into the tank top. It is about 18" square and several inches thick, like the septic tank top. Take a shovel and dig the access cover out, and open it up.
Also, just a few feet out toward the drainfield should be your d-box.
Dig it up and take the cover off. It will be about the same size, but maybe only an inch thick.
You may be able to see your problem from there (clog?). Check the main drain pipe from the tank to the d-box, and clear it out, if necessary.
Good Luck!
Mike
I agree with John that the first suspect is always the drainfield.
However, it's possible that the first "un"professional people damaged your septic tank access cover or a baffle pipe.
I think maybe whatever they did, is causing your problem.
You might be able to fix it yourself.
A septic tank has a beveled access cover recessed into the tank top. It is about 18" square and several inches thick, like the septic tank top. Take a shovel and dig the access cover out, and open it up.
Also, just a few feet out toward the drainfield should be your d-box.
Dig it up and take the cover off. It will be about the same size, but maybe only an inch thick.
You may be able to see your problem from there (clog?). Check the main drain pipe from the tank to the d-box, and clear it out, if necessary.
Good Luck!
Mike
septic tank
#8
04-08-01, 02:22 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
Posts: 10,701
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote
on
1 Post
A SHOVEL to dig up the tank top and d-box, and to pry up the lids. If it's stopped up, it's going to bubble up and overflow when you open them up.
(You may need to have the tank pumped so that you can see if the baffle pipes are o.k., in any case.)
A PLUMBER'S SNAKE to run through the line from the d-box to the tank, and you can even snake the drainfield lines, if you want.
A BUCKET or large can to dip out the d-box (dump it into tank only). You do not want anything but sewer WATER in the d-box and lines.
Some solids will be settled to the bottom of the tank and sludge (grease, etc.) will be floating on top of the sewer water in the tank. Baffle pipes are supposed to prevent the sludge from getting into the d-box and lines and clogging them up.
A WATER HOSE to wash everything off. (Rubber gloves and boots, if you've got them.)
This is NOT a pleasant job, obviously.
Good Luck!
Mike
(You may need to have the tank pumped so that you can see if the baffle pipes are o.k., in any case.)
A PLUMBER'S SNAKE to run through the line from the d-box to the tank, and you can even snake the drainfield lines, if you want.
A BUCKET or large can to dip out the d-box (dump it into tank only). You do not want anything but sewer WATER in the d-box and lines.
Some solids will be settled to the bottom of the tank and sludge (grease, etc.) will be floating on top of the sewer water in the tank. Baffle pipes are supposed to prevent the sludge from getting into the d-box and lines and clogging them up.
A WATER HOSE to wash everything off. (Rubber gloves and boots, if you've got them.)
This is NOT a pleasant job, obviously.
Good Luck!
Mike
#9
04-12-01, 11:17 PM
bubbling waterabove septic tank
One more question please. Do you know of a site I can go to to view the design of a septic tank, where the field lines are, dbox, ect? Also, alfer rereading some of the members questions about their septic tanks I guess I need to add this.I get everyones rain run off in my back yard. When it rains a few inches my ground is very, very soggy. Not just around the tank, but whole back yard. Is that a problem? It never was until the first pumping.
#10
04-13-01, 01:54 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
Posts: 10,701
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote
on
1 Post
Joanmarie,
You should be able to get a map of your specific septic system from your Health Department filed in the name of the person that originally installed it or by the address.
They may have a handout on septic system design in general.
And yes, water saturating the ground around your system will cause problems. You need to trench a swale, drainage ditch or underground drainage tile to divert that water.
Good Luck!
Mike
You should be able to get a map of your specific septic system from your Health Department filed in the name of the person that originally installed it or by the address.
They may have a handout on septic system design in general.
And yes, water saturating the ground around your system will cause problems. You need to trench a swale, drainage ditch or underground drainage tile to divert that water.
Good Luck!
Mike
#11
04-24-01, 04:25 PM
bubbling water ,septic tank
I had my tank pumped april 18th. it worked perfectly well until yesterday...it rained. now it is bubbling up again. Could it be filling up from the rain? What is a swale? How do i divert the rain water from the septic tank? We get our neighbors run off. Please help me again.
#12
04-24-01, 05:32 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
Posts: 10,701
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote
on
1 Post
A swale is just a grassy dip-like ditch that can be easily mowed (to channel run-off away when it rains).
If your system is having problems with every rain, I believe that you are going to have to replace your drainfield to get it right. Doesn't matter from which direction the excess water is coming from, including straight down.
Once a drainfield gets plugged up with sludge and/or roots, it has had it, and the only thing that you can do for it, it to just replace the drainfield.
Sorry. There always comes a time for all things.
Call your local Health Department for advice, plan for a new system, permit, and inspection.
Good Luck!
Mike
If your system is having problems with every rain, I believe that you are going to have to replace your drainfield to get it right. Doesn't matter from which direction the excess water is coming from, including straight down.
Once a drainfield gets plugged up with sludge and/or roots, it has had it, and the only thing that you can do for it, it to just replace the drainfield.
Sorry. There always comes a time for all things.
Call your local Health Department for advice, plan for a new system, permit, and inspection.
Good Luck!
Mike
