Diving into the unknown (septic tank)

[Mrwurm]

A septic system is quite the mystery. Most of us know how they work. But, how do you know they are actually working. There really is no way to check.
Home inspectors just run some water down the drain to see if it goes somewhere. They don't actually know where its going, we're all just happy that it goes away.
So, here I am standing in my back yard, looking at the area where my leaching field is located. Yep, looks ok from here. So, why do all the toilets in the house bubble and fill up with foam when the wife runs the wash machine ? A few thoughts come to mind.
1) The vent nearest the wash machine is blocked. But, hey, I've checked a lot of vents over the years. I've never actually found one to be blocked.
2) The septic tank is blocking the flow to the leaching field.
3) The leaching field is clogged.
4) The water table has risen above the level of the leaching field.

Seems, that most of the scenarios involve things that can't be easily assessed. Well, I guess I'll start with the easiest thing and just go ahead and check that vent. Worst case scenario: I'll have to send the wife to check the tank /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[RonR]

Back when we lived in the country, we didn't run our sink/tub/washer water through the septic. All the soap would kill the bacteria, making the tank not functioning.

Do you use special soap now that is safe for septic?

Smells foul to me.................. (sorry).

ron

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Jerry,
Very catchy thread title /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Got me to look /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

All kidding aside, check your vent pipes anyway, I had one blocked up pretty good with a yellow jackets nest a few years back, might be worth a look /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

scotty

 

[Mrwurm]

I'm not sure about the soap, but the house is nine years old and we have been using the same types of laundry soap all along. The toilet bubbling and foaming is a recent develpment.
The 1,000 gallon tank has been pumped three times. I had the tank pumped just for preventative maintenance. Each time, the waste hauler told me that he did'nt find much sludge to remove and that I should wait longer between pumpings. He recommended five years before we pump again.
I'm not sure if it will help, but I'm pretty sure it won't hurt, so I went ahead and poured some bacterial 'digester' products down the toilet. The bottle said its designed to 'rescue' sluggish systems.
Hey, maybe I can get Heraldo Rivera to go down there and check the tank. He could film the whole thing and sell it on pay-per-view /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JJT]

If you have soap bubbles in the toilet you've got a serious blockage in the system, (I seriously doubt this would be caused by a blocked vent stack). Is it an easy job to dig up the tank and check? If so, dig it up and make sure you have a good flow into the tank when you flush every toilet in the house. If not, snake the line from the tank. If the tank inlet is under water, the issue is with your drain field. If you think the water table is high, dig a hole in the drainfield and see where the water level is at. I had to replace a field in my previous house, (brand new spec house), the field was under water. Went to a raised bed system and the issue was resolved, ($10K in costs absorbed by my builder).

 

[Mrwurm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Went to a raised bed system )</font>

I already have a raised bed system /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'd have to put the system on stilts to get it any higher /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[PBinWA]

Have you called Roto-rooter (or your local equivalent)? Sounds like you need your drain lines cleaned.

 

[Mrwurm]

Hey, now you're talk'n . . . Have someone else do the yucky work /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Maybe, I won't have to send the wife in there after all !

 

[Mrwurm]

Ya, I usually do all my own maintenance and repairs and sometimes it does'nt even cross my mind to hire someone to do a job. This being my least favorite job, I think I will call in a professional. Thanks for suggesting the obvious to the oblivious /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Egon]

Does your septic tank have an outlet screen that will filter out any undigestibles like artificial fibers from the washing machine?

Egon