Septic overflow
#1
12-27-21, 10:15 AM
Septic overflow
Hi, my septic tank is generally trouble free except when we have long periods of very heavy rain. Then it will sometimes overflow. The problem is, that it overflows into the grey water tank (septic and washer tanks are side by side), which then overflows thru the dryer drain trap in my basement. Since the basement is my daughter's bedroom, 10 gallons of septic tank water into this room is a big problem. I have to disable the water softener because it it goes into regen it could pump a significant amount water into her room!
Also, if a toilet drain hangs, or softener fails while we are away and continuously pumps water to the drain, it could all end up in our basement. That would be very bad.
I noticed there is a cleanout pipe outside but it is about a foot higher than the washer drain.
I was thinking of extending the washer drain pipe above the level of the cleanout, and then installing a float valve on the cleanout so that any overflow would drain outside instead of into the basement.
Is there a better or more correct way of handling this??
Thanks!
Also, if a toilet drain hangs, or softener fails while we are away and continuously pumps water to the drain, it could all end up in our basement. That would be very bad.
I noticed there is a cleanout pipe outside but it is about a foot higher than the washer drain.
I was thinking of extending the washer drain pipe above the level of the cleanout, and then installing a float valve on the cleanout so that any overflow would drain outside instead of into the basement.
Is there a better or more correct way of handling this??
Thanks!
#2
12-27-21, 10:29 AM
Group Moderator
I'm not sure what the "correct" method would be but I wouldn't be discharging my water softener into the septic system. That should be discharged outside.
#3
12-27-21, 11:21 AM
Group Moderator
I would work on the root problems. Your septic is not performing properly and surface water should not be able to enter your gray water tank. Do you have your septic tank pumped regularly? If not that would be a good place to start. A inspection of your system by a professional would also be a good idea and hopefully they can figure out what is wrong.
#4
12-27-21, 12:35 PM
Hi Dane thanks for the reply.
Surface water is not entering the septic tank, and the tank is pumped yearly.
I have two septic tanks side by side, but because they are connected (don't recall if it's at a top vent or just the drain field) it's possible for them both to overflow together if the drain field is slow to drain.
This is flat Florida. When the drain field gets saturated due to many days of steady rain (it just rained for a week straight) the septic tank will drain slowly because the water has nowhere to go. If it's saturated and two people take a shower at the same time, or the washer drains while someone is flushing and someone is showering (it happens it's a three story home with three bathrooms) the septic can overflow.
Obviously overflowing into the house makes the problem 10 times worse.
PJMax: Regarding the water softener regen discharge, I agree and will probably move this to drain outside.
Surface water is not entering the septic tank, and the tank is pumped yearly.
I have two septic tanks side by side, but because they are connected (don't recall if it's at a top vent or just the drain field) it's possible for them both to overflow together if the drain field is slow to drain.
This is flat Florida. When the drain field gets saturated due to many days of steady rain (it just rained for a week straight) the septic tank will drain slowly because the water has nowhere to go. If it's saturated and two people take a shower at the same time, or the washer drains while someone is flushing and someone is showering (it happens it's a three story home with three bathrooms) the septic can overflow.
Obviously overflowing into the house makes the problem 10 times worse.
PJMax: Regarding the water softener regen discharge, I agree and will probably move this to drain outside.
#5
12-27-21, 02:14 PM
Member
I was thinking of extending the washer drain pipe above the level of the cleanout
If so then yes I think your suggestion to raise the drain line above cleanout is an option but typ cleanouts are capped meaning your going to either have to leave it open, not best option, or remember to remove it if rain is imminent.
Just be aware, your discharging gray water which nobody is going to be pleased about!
Regarding the water softener regen discharge, I agree and will probably move this to drain outside.
#6
12-27-21, 04:07 PM
Thanks Marq1. The plan is to replace the cap on the cleanout with a hinged flap so water can go out but not in. This doesnt happen often but when it does, the water ends up outside regardless, by mop bucket. I am on 1.5 acres so a little overflow isnt going to bother anyone but me especially and likely not at all because its usually under heavy rain.
#7
02-24-22, 07:29 AM
Ok, I extended the washer drain above the level of the cleanout, then I 3d printed a funnel shaped cleanout cap which has a 1ft stainless rod extending from it. Gravity keeps it closed. Rising water can lift it enough to drain. I'm going to need to repair my drainfield to resolve the slow draining problem, but for now this is working beautifully. When it backs up while draining a tub or something, it discharges about a quart of grey water, which soaks into the ground almost immediately and is completely unnoticed.
So I've stopped the overflow into the basement, and bought myself some time to repair the drain field.
So I've stopped the overflow into the basement, and bought myself some time to repair the drain field.
#8
02-24-22, 03:11 PM
Member
then I 3d printed a funnel shaped cleanout cap
I'm sure Norm will be impressed, I have access to a work printer, Stratus 450, so I can occasionally slip in a project and am very pleased with the results.
Good job!
