1: Type of septic system you have.

Conventional with field lines

2: Tank size

I don't know. I saw pictures of it and I would say it is about 6ft long and 4ft in diameter. So roughly 560 gallons??

3: Number of tanks

One

4: Type of pump

There is a pump that pumps the effluent up a low grade hill and into the leach field. I don't know what kind it is.

5: Number of buildings attached to system.

One

6: The more details you can give. The more we can help.


The system is approximately 20 years old

There are just me and my wife utilizing the system

As far as I know there are 4 laterals attached to this system.

The laterals run parallel to the house and are approximately 30 ft long each.

The ground the laterals are in is a gently sloped clay hill right next to the house. The area is approximately 4500 sq ft.

There is no other place on the property to put in a leach system due to proximity to a lake

I don't know if there is a D-box


There are a couple soft spots in the yard. The worst spot is closest to the house on what is probably the 1st lateral


I am able to do all the work myself and have done a lot of reading but have a few questions

a) How far from existing laterals do I place the new laterals? In other words would it be alright to dig trenches between the existing laterals and lay the new ones there?

b) Is there a guideline for total linear feet you should have in leachfield laterals per house occupants?

c) I have read that you must have the laterals as level as possible and the level must be in relation to each lateral to ensure proper distribution. Is this correct? If so would I have to use laterals of a stronger material that require to be buried deeper? For instance the farthest lateral from the house may only need to be buried 12 inches but the lateral closest to the house may need to be buried 3ft to ensure the system is level overall.

I plan to install a bulldog valve so that I can switch between the two leach systems.

Any other advice much appreciated

thanks

 

I'm not a septic system guy but have lived on a number or properties that had leach fields. Generally the local health dept is over septic systems and will dictate the number of drain field feet required. They tend to raise that number over the years - a system that only required X amount of feet 30 yrs ago may require more feet today. It's based both on the type of ground and how many bed rms the house has.

Each run must be level but you can make the next run lower. My drain field is on the side of the hill with each run approximately 3'-4' lower than the previous.

Those that know more than me should be along later

 

No. You usually have to remove all the dirt/biomat. Adding laterals inbetween will not work.

Yes but its done by a percolation test.

They should be placed in relation to the d box.

Its a bullrun valve , and no you cant use that from your comments above..


Your best off to find the d box. Have the laterals jetted and treated with peroxide. You may have better success trying to srestore whats there..

Once the d box is found you may oncover many things. Possibly a lateral or two are simply clogged at the d box...

 

Thanks for the responses

Follow on questions.

What would be ballpark $$ for getting the lines jetted and treated with peroxide?

If I replace the system are there restrictions on where the dirt/biomat can be disposed of?

thanks

 

Prices differ in all areas. Plus to find a competent person that knows about leach field restoration may be hard to find.. Most just want to replace.


You have to go through the health department. This is something you cant really DIY..

A competent company will give you a price for replacement..

You find the d box and let us know what you find.. You can maybe get the survey from the health department and locate the D box..

 

I would pay a visit to your counties Health or Environmental Services Dept. Have them pull the file for your system. Their records are usually not 100% accurate but it is a good place to start in finding out what you have.

Though a single tank is possible I suspect that you have two tanks. A septic tank and a pump tank. The pump tank usually has a riser above ground for access to the pump but often the septic tank is buried and consequently gets forgotten or ignored and never gets pumped.

 

Yes until you find your d box and take pics of what you may have we can help you further..

First thing you should do is have the main tank pumped. Have the outlet checked. Get a filter in there asap.

Then inspect the pumped side. Get that pumped to. Determine if there is sludge in there. If there is then your not pumping the main tank enough and/or no outlet filter..

From there we move to the d box. To jet the line we go from the d box. You need a jetter and pump truck on hand to do this.

Ones lines are jetted and biomat removed you can then treat with aid ox. / peroxide..

You may be able to aerate the second tank or chamber but I have to see what you have..

Last many people do not want to be bothered and just put in a new field.

A mound system you have I believe is costly.. ( If thats what you have..)

 

I don't doubt that your Leach Field is failing; but I didn't catch what symptoms you're experiencing which led you to that conclusion.

I'm not any kind of waste water engineer; but problem definition is usually the best 1st step to problem solution.

Is it just that "soft spot" in the lateral closest to the house that indicates a developing problem ?