ok - we bought a 100 year old house 4 years ago, "as is"... long story. Anyway, the house is so old we were given no information about the septic system. We have been getting it pumped at least every 6 months to prevent standing water (a puddle about 4x4ft develops over the tank) and once it backed up into the house/toilets. Our pumper says the leech bed is "shot" / not leeching and we basically need to install an entirely new system. He does not install septic systems, but is only in waste removal, so I wondered if anyone may have other ideas what could be wrong with the system? I've heard of aerating the leech bed - does this work? We hate to put 5K+ into this house that assuredly we will have to sell "as is" within the coming years... but i understand it is incredibly old. Also, does anyone have recommendations for septic professionals and waste removers in the plain city or dublin or marysville, oh areas. we are currently paying 225 for 500 gallons waste removal each time.

oh - i think he said the tank is only a 500 gallon tank. thanks!

 

I hate to be negative but a bad leaching field and a 500 Gal tank (way too small), I don't think you have any recourse then to plan a replacement.

 

thanks... any idea how much this should cost? any recommendation how big a tank is needed for 5-6 people? i know almost nothing about septic systems... a friend of ours was saying yesterday the risers or something could be broke or roots could have gone down and done something (there are trees nearby)? would this still mean replacement? thanks!

 

Have a few contractors come out to look and give you bids on the job - that will give you a lot more insight into what all is going to be involved

 

any ideas where to find contractors? is there a national or Ohio association or something... not having much luck online with anyone nearby? any opinions about rotorooter?

 

Septic tanks and leach fields are often installed by excavating companies because of the amount of earth that is moved. Try calling some general contractors and ask who they use to install septic systems. You can also go here. They have a page to help locate what you need.

The system will be sized based on the number of bedrooms in the house and will involve the local Building, Health or Environmental Services Department. They will come out and inspect the site and soil to figure out what type of system is needed and how large. The price will vary greatly on what they find. Septic tanks and leach fields must be located a minimum distance away from wells, buildings and property lines so much will also depend on the size of your lot and where things are located.

 

Are you sure you have a septic tank and not a cess pit?
Six people need a larger than normal tank and a large drain field, have you enough room.

Have you checked there is a drain field?

Is the outlet pipe from the septic tank into the drain field full of water?

The surface of the water inside the septic tank outlet pipe, should just be level with the bottom of the outlet pipe where it exits the septic tank.
In other words, when you look into the pipe leading to the drain field it should be empty as far as you can see, when you look down the pipe into the septic tank it should be full.

While you are looking at the outlet level, get someone to flush one of the toilets, after about a minute, there should be a surge of water up the pipe from the tank and the water should flow down the pipe to the drain field.

 

actually the puddle is directly above the tank i think. they have to use gloves and feel around to get it open to pump. i was reading about ecological laboratories microbe-lift... anyone know anything about it? thought may be worth a last try?