Failing septic tank and leach field?
#1
09-12-11, 06:16 PM
Failing septic tank and leach field?
I am in a home that is 23 years old. The tank was pumped this spring after being here 3 years and the seam (between top and bottom half of the concrete 1200 gallon tank was allowing any and all ground water to re-enter. Just checked the tank again and the outlet is completely submersed and only the top of the PVC can be seen. I am seeking multiple quotes and suggestions from "septic installers and experts". One has suggested the use of the aero-tech ATS system with new tanks and use the existing leach field. He is fairly certain that this system will clean out the black layer and allow my field to recover and perform again. Any suggestions as it sounds like the aerobic system "might" work and has a lot of potential repairs and failure points.
Thanks in advance for the advice or words of wisdom.
Thanks in advance for the advice or words of wisdom.
#2
09-12-11, 08:07 PM
Super Moderator
Hi,
It may take months and months to restore that drain feild by aeration.
Do you actually need a new tank or field????? Or both???
If the field is good but water locked and you need a tank here is what I would do.
Install a new tank and field. Connect the old and new field to a bull run valve. Use the new field for three yrs. Then switch the bull run valve to the old field. A good three yrs letting the old field rest will restore it to new. As long as its mechanically sound. Then switch back and forth every yr.
I would nix the aeration system. Higher cost to maintain. Electric, failed parts?
If you do the above it should be the last septic you ever replace.
Mike NJ
It may take months and months to restore that drain feild by aeration.
Do you actually need a new tank or field????? Or both???
If the field is good but water locked and you need a tank here is what I would do.
Install a new tank and field. Connect the old and new field to a bull run valve. Use the new field for three yrs. Then switch the bull run valve to the old field. A good three yrs letting the old field rest will restore it to new. As long as its mechanically sound. Then switch back and forth every yr.
I would nix the aeration system. Higher cost to maintain. Electric, failed parts?
If you do the above it should be the last septic you ever replace.
Mike NJ
#3
09-13-11, 06:07 PM
Mike NJ,
Thank you for your response. I don't know that I need anything. All I know is that the seal of my 1200 gal concrete tank definitely allows ground water into my septic field. As I saw when the tank was pumped during a rain storm and after a very very wet spring. I looked in the tank with the guy pumping my tank. That is when he said he felt the system was failing. Now that the weather is dry my outlet is still full of water and I can only see the very top of the PVC pipe. I don't have any standing water or smell from my yard or system. My water fixtures drain fine in the house. I have very limited space in the back yard and don't know that I have room to install a second field. My feeling is that if a new field would have to be installed it would have to sit in the same area as the existing one. Do you feel the black layer or sludge would not be corrected with an aeration system.
Thank you for your response. I don't know that I need anything. All I know is that the seal of my 1200 gal concrete tank definitely allows ground water into my septic field. As I saw when the tank was pumped during a rain storm and after a very very wet spring. I looked in the tank with the guy pumping my tank. That is when he said he felt the system was failing. Now that the weather is dry my outlet is still full of water and I can only see the very top of the PVC pipe. I don't have any standing water or smell from my yard or system. My water fixtures drain fine in the house. I have very limited space in the back yard and don't know that I have room to install a second field. My feeling is that if a new field would have to be installed it would have to sit in the same area as the existing one. Do you feel the black layer or sludge would not be corrected with an aeration system.
#4
09-13-11, 06:47 PM
Super Moderator
I think its throwing money away. Search my post of my septic. I had/have the same issue as you I think.
The field is water locked. And when you pump the tank the water from the field comes back in the main tank. I would not blame it on the wet weather realy....
If the field gets water locked for an extended period it kills the bacteria. The water will never seep in that field. The only thing that will work to restore that field is to let it rest. How do you do that? Put another field next to it as I descibed.
Nothing you can buy and pour down there will work. I tried them all. Spent lots of $$$$$. Trust me.
You want to try a aerator???? I only know of one that looks ok but you need to make sure you put a filter in the outlet. The price though is 1/2 of what you will pay for a new field. Once you get a new field and a bull run valve connecting the two, its probably the last dime you will spend, except for pumping.
Like I said I have pics on my post about my septic. Let me know if you find it.
Mike NJ
The field is water locked. And when you pump the tank the water from the field comes back in the main tank. I would not blame it on the wet weather realy....
If the field gets water locked for an extended period it kills the bacteria. The water will never seep in that field. The only thing that will work to restore that field is to let it rest. How do you do that? Put another field next to it as I descibed.
Nothing you can buy and pour down there will work. I tried them all. Spent lots of $$$$$. Trust me.
You want to try a aerator???? I only know of one that looks ok but you need to make sure you put a filter in the outlet. The price though is 1/2 of what you will pay for a new field. Once you get a new field and a bull run valve connecting the two, its probably the last dime you will spend, except for pumping.
Like I said I have pics on my post about my septic. Let me know if you find it.
Mike NJ
#5
09-13-11, 07:36 PM
Mike,
I looked at your pics and your tank outlet looks much better than mine. I am still waiting on 2 other septic companies to get back with me for recommendations. The aerator seems like a nice solution, but no guarantee it will work. The other suggestion provided to me was to install a mound system if it is deemed I don't have enough room to install new leach field. Sometimes I wish the city would send their utilities out my way.
I looked at your pics and your tank outlet looks much better than mine. I am still waiting on 2 other septic companies to get back with me for recommendations. The aerator seems like a nice solution, but no guarantee it will work. The other suggestion provided to me was to install a mound system if it is deemed I don't have enough room to install new leach field. Sometimes I wish the city would send their utilities out my way.
#6
09-13-11, 08:15 PM
Super Moderator
I dont think you want a mound system.
I dont think you want sewer either. Its a monthly bill. I dont want sewer. I will fight sewer and city water till the death...LOL
Gee wiz... How big is the property? Put in a seepage pit like mine. What do you have now laterals?
Dont let them sell you nothing without being sure. Post back here exactly what was happening and what they are telling you.
Mike NJ
Mike NJ
I dont think you want sewer either. Its a monthly bill. I dont want sewer. I will fight sewer and city water till the death...LOL
Gee wiz... How big is the property? Put in a seepage pit like mine. What do you have now laterals?
Dont let them sell you nothing without being sure. Post back here exactly what was happening and what they are telling you.
Mike NJ
Mike NJ
#7
09-14-11, 05:59 PM
I really don't want anything other than a system that works. The property space is limited because a previous owner here put in a pool eliminating a good chunk of space. I currently have laterals that take up the entire backyard and my well is on the other side of the house eliminating that space. I am still waiting on my other septic guys and will post what is recommended. I don't know if a seepage pit is legal in my area. Thanks
#8
09-14-11, 08:08 PM
Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 943
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
A seepage pit or cesspool have been out lawed in most places.
For small lots with failing systems, a drip system is used in some cases.
I am not a fan of them, but in some places its that or move. A mound system is also used on small lots.
The type of replacement system is often dictated by lot size,and or county or state laws.
For small lots with failing systems, a drip system is used in some cases.
I am not a fan of them, but in some places its that or move. A mound system is also used on small lots.
The type of replacement system is often dictated by lot size,and or county or state laws.
#9
09-14-11, 11:29 PM
Super Moderator
A seepage pit or cesspool have been out lawed in most places.
As far as I am aware, and NJ is a stickler to health department issues, seepage pits are installed everyday. Heck two just got installed across the street last month...
Mike NJ
