Mowing Mowing with CUT on Spetic System Lines?

[KiotiJohn]

One thing you may want to check on the system is whether the lines going from the tank to the drains were sealed properly.
My brother just had a new raised septic system in, and within a few weeks, it was pouring out of all different sides and top of the mound. What was happening was that the installer did not seal the pipe connections and any and all rain that came down got directly into the tank and lines. Then, coming off the mound went right back into the lines again, a viscious cycle. This could be the problem you're having as well. You should not have to pump out your septic system for many years if it's working properly, and you stated you "suck it out" regularly which leads me to believe you're getting ground water into the tank and lines just as in my brother's case.
John

 

[tillboy2001]

When I say regularly, I mean like every 4 years. I think it may have been done twice since 1996 when it was installed. It's saturated pretty much the entire length of 2 of the leach lines...so that's what bothers me. I keep thinking for some reason the soil isn't absorbing it. It stayed pretty damp all through summer too. You know how soil gets nasty, stinky and really black around a leaky leach line? It's sort of like that. Fortunately grass is still growing pretty well over it, but it's very soggy there.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When I say regularly, I mean like every 4 years. I think it may have been done twice since 1996 when it was installed. It's saturated pretty much the entire length of 2 of the leach lines...so that's what bothers me. I keep thinking for some reason the soil isn't absorbing it. It stayed pretty damp all through summer too. You know how soil gets nasty, stinky and really black around a leaky leach line? It's sort of like that. Fortunately grass is still growing pretty well over it, but it's very soggy there. )</font>
Very likely that system was not right from the start. You should not have had to pump that tank nearly that often. We have pumped our tanks on average, about 20 years.
There's no way that is should always have been wet and smelly. The part you posted about aerobic bacteria is beginning to sound quite feasible in this situation, and you may be in for a new leach/drain field.
John

 

[tillboy2001]

It's not that I HAD to get the tank cleaned out. I just thought it was a good idea to do it. But also keep in mind the soil conditions. I would imagine your soil is more sandy and MUCH better draining than ours. Our soil in places is the consistency of potter's clay - no joke! It's that thick.

The thought that bothered me the most was that septic system site saying sometimes you need to abandon the leach field and use a new site if certain problems come up with the soil. That would suck. It's in the perfect location right now. Plenty of room and all downhill from the tank. I dread mentioning this to my wife...hehe I won't tell her that I think there might be an issue with the leach lines until I can get a professional opinion from someone that installs these systems locally. She'll freak out if she thinks it needs to be replaced ($$$) I'm not sure if this is something we can get a permit to do ourselves if we buy a back hoe attachment (if it needs to be done). Of course, with proper guidance on how to do it properly. We have access (I think) to a retired plumber.

 

[dooleysm]

Installation of septic systems vary widely, as far as permits needed, who can dig, who can install, etc. In our county in Indiana you have to be an approved installer. In a neighboring county where my cousin works, no such certification is needed. I imagine it just depends on the local politics where you live.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Installation of septic systems vary widely, as far as permits needed, who can dig, who can install, etc. In our county in Indiana you have to be an approved installer. In a neighboring county where my cousin works, no such certification is needed. <font color="brown"> I imagine it just depends on the local politics where you live. </font> )</font>
________________
<font color="brown"> You got it the whole thing is a political fiasco. </font>

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( I think Lbrown59 said once that he uses the creek? )</font>
Yes, and once again, <font color="red"> it's like pulling teeth to get him to explain his always incomplete statements. </font> Leave it to your imagination, and you can come up with just about anything. You'll probably be right!
John )</font>
===========
<font color="red"> I have explained my position on septic systems more than once and in much detail in previous post ;therefore I see no object in repeating it agan. Anyone not getting it the first time wouldn't get it now so why should I bother with it? </font>

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I think Lbrown59 said once that he uses the creek? </font>

Yes, as a matter of fact, he did say that he dumps it in a creek. He also said in another post that he knows the proper installation method for a septic system since he worked in the housing industry for 32 years.
Dumping waste into a creek is a proper septic installation??? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )</font>



A few questions for andy boy.
How many septic tanks have you installed?
Who is having septic trouble me or the others posting about problems?

 

[LBrown59]

1*The thought that bothered me the most was that septic system site saying sometimes you need to abandon the leach field and use a new site if certain problems come up with the soil.
That would suck.
============
What sucks is that is exactly what it's designed to do.

 

[tillboy2001]

Just talked to the local gov't. My requirements are that if I fool with the system now, I must use a certified installer, get a permit and have it inspected. Hopefully the 'certified' installer won't be required to be union...or some other crazy rule. The last time we used the excavater but I'm not sure if he had a certification to do this. But it WAS inspected by the local gov't before digging and before covering it up.

The lady at Infiltrator Systems (chamber makers) was very helpful with info. One of her suggestions was to simply add on to the existing lines to make them longer (but they can't be too long - not sure what the limit was). I'm beginning to think I have the bio-mat problem. Where that slimy bio-mat builds up too thick and it stops letting water seep into the ground. Seems to be the most likely explanation for what's happening. Hey...maybe if I dig at night, in the dark, I can get away with doing it myself /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Just kidding

 

[LBrown59]

Is dumping waste into a creek considered a proper installation?
I guess that's the kind of work to expect from someone who has been in the housing business for 32 years.
================
Adding a leach bed is the result of the medical profession attempting to regulate something that is not their trade.

 

[ByronBob]

In the distribution box you should have levelers in the pipes which level the water flows to all your pipes. In my system I have 8 lines. In the d-box the pipes have the levelers in them so you shouldn't have excess to 1 pipe over another.

Do you know where the d-box is and if your pipes have these in them??

FYI... I have the infiltrator system in my system and driving over the septic field is a common sense thing. If you have another way not to then it's a good idea.

 

[tillboy2001]

I believe I have the installation on video...but it's on a VCR tape. I don't have a VCR anymore (got DVD). I'll have to borrow a VCR or buy a cheapo and go back and check the tape to see if it shows anything like that.

 

[slowzuki]

LBrown59 - A leech bed is not something the medical community dreamed up to punish commoners. The reason North America is not rife with infected water supply like much of the less developed world is the knowledge of sewage treatment.

A cesspool and dumping waste into a stream is *NOT* a method of treating waste. If you are dumping into a swamp, then yes, the mechanisms to break down waste would be there.

Cesspools deliver untreated water to below the level at which oxygen using bacteria thrive. This means much of the effluent can seep downwards without treatment.

Not all cesspools are a problem as many areas have different soil conditions but the chances of problems are much less in drain fields.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I had the same system installed 3 years ago with my new house. It wasn't a choice I made. The plumber was dropping the panels in and I was asking him what the heck it was. Supposed to alleviate many problems with clogged pipes and allow a higher surface area for liquid penatration. I would think a lot of traffic or weight would compress it into the soil though.

My plumber left such a mess after the install we had to drive a tractor over it with a disc to level it a bit. We did take care to drive parallel to the lines and to straddle them so we didn't have a tire directly over a trench. You also have to realize there are little plastic junction boxes in front of each run that are more brittle than the run itself. I fenced off my whole field and I'm currently grazing small animals out there to maintain it. I'm not chancing mowing it with a tractor. I figure this way I'll remember the exact dimensions and wont have accidental damage in the future.

I have heavy clay as well and I am also on top of a hill. I had to do a water test before the site was approved though to ensure the drainage was appropriate. Did you do something similar? Also, when my plumber installed this he told me that it couldn't have much of a slope. You mentioned yours was aimed down a hill? It is my understanding that this would make the leachate move to fast and may be contributing to your problems?

I attached a picture of my field. It is the mowed area in the distance. The shovel is directly above my septic tank.

I also plan to have my tank pumped every 3-4 years. From what I understand every septic owner needs to do this. It doesn't matter what the leach field is made of or what type of soil. It is because the fiberous material in the sludge cannot be broken down by bacteria and thus needs to be removed. If not, it will eventually rise and destroy the leach field. If this periodic maintenance is not done, plan on installing a new field.

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't have a VCR anymore (got DVD). )</font>

Gosh i have 2 VCR'S and 2 DVD'S , i have so much stuff on VHS TAPE . but seems like the old Beta vrs VHS thing again. I know VHS is thing of the past, but gol dang it so many folks have a lot of stuff on vhs, but to get back to your original question. if you have it on tape, no matter how u have to do it , take a look at it. You might learn something.

 

[frank_f15]

VERY , VERY GOOD POINT. my DB has 5 levelers and the installer took particular attentinon to setting them just right., equal amts going to each line is very important. spreads out the water to the whole field, for better filtration and distrabution.

 

[450EXC]

You can actually adjust the levelers in the d-box now. Spin them and raise the outlet port high on the bad leach fingers to let them rest. Then reset all to equal in 1-2 months.

You are right on pumping the tank b/4 bigger problems.

 

[Engine66]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hopefully the 'certified' installer won't be required to be union...or some other crazy rule. )</font>

If it was my septic system in trouble, I would prefer a union guy who is certified, knows his job well, and will be able to assess the particulars of your site and come up with a professional solution and fix the problem. That sounds a lot less crazy than doing it yourself or having someone experiment on your place with their backhoe scratching their heads hoping they know what they're doing. This is not a landscaping problem or a simple labor issue...get the most certified, experienced guy out there. Good luck.

 

[tillboy2001]

As long as they are knowledgable/certified per local rules and don't charge me an arm, leg, ear and hand...I wouldn't care if a monkey did it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Reason I brought up the issue f using someone I didn't want to use was because there's a possibi;ity that I can find someone the family knows that did this professionally but is now retired. If that were the case and I was told I couldn't use them even though they were qualified and I trusted them, well I'd be aggravated.

I'm going to check out the leveler issue first. If I can perhaps put more into the lines that aren't having issues, that might solve my problem over time.