Need some septic advice

[RNeumann]

The overflow water from the liquid side of the septic. I guess black and grey water, everything from the house anyways.

The sump having water in it is something I have just noticed since installing the tile across the back of the house, I am wondering if it is to much water for the system to handle like you mentioned

So the “overflow” from the septic system is the normal Black Water. That is tied into your leach lines. The septic leach field isn’t designed to handle storm water. Leach fields are designed to handle a few hundred gallons a day. Storm Water could be that much an hour.
You will need to separate the storm water and the septic leach field. If it’s too late in the year to add a storm water leach field just use your little sump pump to pump the storm water to the low side of the property.

Storm tiles/drain tiles (another word that may be a misused word) are typically at the footing depth- irregardless of depth. If it’s a curtain drain or trench drain then those are typically 1-3’ unless an engineer has designed something to catch known subterranean water.

 

[deanwerden]

So the 登verflow from the septic system is the normal Black Water. That is tied into your leach lines. The septic leach field isn稚 designed to handle storm water. Leach fields are designed to handle a few hundred gallons a day. Storm Water could be that much an hour.
You will need to separate the storm water and the septic leach field. If it痴 too late in the year to add a storm water leach field just use your little sump pump to pump the storm water to the low side of the property.

Storm tiles/drain tiles (another word that may be a misused word) are typically at the footing depth- irregardless of depth. If it痴 a curtain drain or trench drain then those are typically 1-3 unless an engineer has designed something to catch known subterranean water.

Would one run the sump pump into a French drain? My property doesn't really have a low side, and I don't really want to run a sump to the ditch just because it does have septic water mixed with it

 

[RNeumann]

Would one run the sump pump into a French drain? My property doesn't really have a low side, and I don't really want to run a sump to the ditch just because it does have septic water mixed with it

If the property doesn’t have a low spot or drain then you will need to dig a leach pit or field for the storm water. You will need to separate the storm water and black/gray water before it goes into the sumps- one for sewer and one for storm water. You could be looking at a large storm water system- I’m surprised their isn’t someplace that drains- where does all the water from the gutters and or roof go?

 

[deanwerden]

If the property doesn稚 have a low spot or drain then you will need to dig a leach pit or field for the storm water. You will need to separate the storm water and black/gray water before it goes into the sumps- one for sewer and one for storm water. You could be looking at a large storm water system- I知 surprised their isn稚 someplace that drains- where does all the water from the gutters and or roof go?

On the ground behind the house, that is one thing that should be changed and have the gutters come off the front of the house because the front yard slopes to the ditch

 

[RNeumann]

If I’m understanding this correctly you are running the risk of not have a usable septic system when the storm water increases- no toilets, no shower, no sinks etc.
If you can’t get the storm water in its own leach field or pit before winter I stand by my thought that you will need to separate the storm water and pump it on the surface to the low spot or the ditch.
If I’m understanding this correctly you will literally be up sh** creek in your basement. Not trying to be an alarmist but don’t want to see this escalate either......hoping for no precipitation.

 

[deanwerden]

If I知 understanding this correctly you are running the risk of not have a usable septic system when the storm water increases- no toilets, no shower, no sinks etc.
If you can稚 get the storm water in its own leach field or pit before winter I stand by my thought that you will need to separate the storm water and pump it on the surface to the low spot or the ditch.
If I知 understanding this correctly you will literally be up sh** creek in your basement. Not trying to be an alarmist but don稚 want to see this escalate either......hoping for no precipitation.

Yes that's why I'm asking for suggestions because I want to get things fixed before snow

 

[joe48]

Septic drainfields have a lifespan. It varies depending on many factors but they all will fail at some point.

Sounds to me like you need a new drainfield and a thorough system check.

The house could have vent stack and p trap issues as well. (As was already mentioned)

If you are not familiar with septic and plumbing drain systems, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and possible health issues by hiring a professional.

For projects like this, I always get at least 3 bids and evaluations and make a choice from there.

Also, with a system that old, I would not be surprised if it needs a tank and pipes too.

Final note, once you have new system, keep all trees and shrubs away and do not drive over it with vehicles or a tractor.
Lawn mower only.

All above good advice plus check with your county health department and the state Dept of Environmental Conservation for current regulations and requirements. They should have pamphlets or on line info. Do this before you start talking to contractors so you are informed. Then do some asking for references at the coffee shop, lumber yard plumbing supply tractor dealer, you'll find out who's good and bad pretty quick.
Next determine the depth of your frost line, then the type of soil at that level. If its clay I've had very good results by using 4 or 6" perforated pipe with the cloth sleeve(get it with the sleeve already on it!), then use pea gravel or 1/2" crush to bed and cover the pipe with 6" gravel top and bottom and if it's fine clay or sand lay fabric on top of gravel before backfilling to prevent soil clogging gravel. In clay the old rule of thumb I use is 100 ft of leach line for each person in house. Grey or black water same thing and pipe can be straight line or leach field layout depending on lay of the land. If you replace the septic tank go at least 1000 gallon.
Last to keep the system clean use enzymes once or twice a year and you shouldn't need to have system pumped for at least 5 years, maybe 10.

 

[deanwerden]

I am in the midst of digging it up, broken outlet pipe off the septic and lots of questionable tile. It is angling into the field right under a cluster of trees so I suspect I'll find lots of good stuff in there. Got a chance to talk to my neighbor and his leach bed is 60 feet of the plastic leach Chambers tied into field tile and a separate line for his perimeter tile. I am going to separate mine and will end up with probably 100 feet of weeping bed for each before they tie into the field. Lots of gravel

 

[deanwerden]

Also bought a pump for my sump hole, I'll bury a line run into the cedars to take care of any extra, now that it is clean water not grey