I have a fairly active sump pump in my house and my brother called me up to ask me if I had anything to keep things out of the discharge pipe like mice and insects. I can't say the thought ever crossed my mind. Has anyone here ever had an issue with their discharge pipe becoming clogged from mice or insect activity?

Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love my Septic System.... (Two things that really worry me are automatic transmissions--and septic systems). A laurel and hearty hello! This is my first post to this forum. After searching several different septic-tank-related venues, this one seemed to be most active. I'm hoping to get some advice here as it relates to my 55+ year old home and septic system. I bought this old house in 1995 (built in 58?). At that time, all waste water in the house except for the kitchen sink/dish washer, went to the septic system. About four years and one previous owner before I bought the place, the original owner added some new grey water pipes in the basement. These pipes (the "ABC" pipes in my Image 1 [url=http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/154170943]1.jpg photo - C. G. Anderson photos at pbase.com[/url]) drained the kitchen, basement drain, and (after I did some changes) the bathtub/bathroom sink. "C" is capped and not in use. "S" is the septic feed pipe. These pipes leave the foundation, hit some "cleanouts" just past the driveway, and terminate in a yucky cesspool surrounded by willow trees. I am not comfortable with this, and not sure of the legality, but it works and we bought it this way. See [url=http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/154170956]2.jpg photo - C. G. Anderson photos at pbase.com[/url]. In this image, way off in the distance above the Husky's head you can see the willow trees at the cesspool. The paint marks the approximate location of the sewer pipe "S". Present day, only the toilet goes to the septic. Now I bought the house in 1995, and had no idea where the septic system was. Out of sight, out of mind...until 2004. That Thanksgiving weekend the toilet stopped flushing. I deduced it had to be the septic tank, and called a professional. He came and found the cover, which was not where the pipe leaving the basement would lend one to think. His theory was that there was a disused original tank out there someplace, that when it "failed" someone dropped a new one in and "45'd" the effluent pipe over to the new tank. Hence the odd route the current pipe takes. He found the new tank by probing the line. But I digress... He pumped the tank, and all was well. He speculated the existing tank was installed between 1979 and 1981, based on its fiberglass construction? Now that I knew (c. 2004) where the tank was, I was dismayed to learn we had planted a tree very close to the discharge end of the unit. But I let it go... Last week the tank stopped working again. I dug down to the lid and, upon opening, saw that it was full. Curiously, what I think is called a baffle that covers the input to keep surface debris from blocking the pipe, was missing. I suspect it was, too, in 2004. The input pipe was clogged with about two feet of crap, hence the backup. I only suspect this from looking at images I shot (don't ask) of the discharge end of the tank that shows such a baffle. Anyway, nine years between cleaning the tank was pretty good I thought, but got me to worrying again about that danged tree. It has to sit literally right on top of the line that leads out of the septic tank! [url=http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/154170970]3.jpg photo - C. G. Anderson photos at pbase.com[/url] Septic mans says it has to go. That tree is my favorite tree as it shades nearly my entire southern exposure in summertime. So far I have not had root issues, that I know of. Now to the meat of the missive. I have no idea where my "lateral lines" (if that is the correct nomenclature) are. I don't know where any "field" is. When I first bought the property I can recall seeing a series of 1" PVC pipes laid out just below the surface and covered with pea gravel in an area out beyond the driveway, in line with the septic tank (see the "Green Zone in the above link) and adjacent to the ABC grey water pipes. The reason I call it the "green Zone" is, based on some Google Earth imagery ([url=http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/154170972]4.jpg photo - C. G. Anderson photos at pbase.com[/url]) there appears to be a slightly greener area of grass where the pipes were. I say were because I can't find them now. It never gets wet or lush or muddy or anything out there. If the discharge is out there (makes sense, as it is a waste lot cattle graze on from time to time), that tree is ground zero over part of the system. The inside of the tank seems pretty good ([url=http://www.pbase.com/darklightimagery/image/154170977]5.jpg photo - C. G. Anderson photos at pbase.com[/url]). This image is looking towards the tree. In it you can see the discharge baffling and the cleanout. I don't know what else the water line tells me. Part of me says let the tree go, hope they used good PVC piping. The systems works, and I've only had to clean it out twice in 19 years (now that I added a riser I can keep better tabs on it). If it fails due to roots, attack it then. Septic guys says it's only a matter of time. Any thoughts as to where the rest of the system might be? In the dead of summer there is only one place, out 250 feet towards the main highway, that stays grass-lush, but there is a big pond close. I don't know if the line would run that far out or not. It's always puzzled me Sorry to ramble so much, but wanted to see what others thought? Thanks! Chris