Septic Distribution Box

[dfeck]

I noticed a sink hole in my front lawn where the septic field is. I dug around the hole and noticed what appeared to be my septic tank's distribution box. It appeared to have collapsed and the top caved into the center. I cleaned out as much as possible and the bottom seems intact but the sides look like they're in bad shape. The water appeared to be grayish in color and it even had some sludge on the bottom of the box. The lines look somewhat ok but there's some dirt/etc that filtered into the lines from the cave in. The house is 8 years old and the septic does not appear to have been installed very well. We purchased the house 5 years ago. So, it appears that I need to replace the distribution box. I'll call an expert on Monday. The question I have is does anyone know the cost to replace a distribution box? Is it good idea to vacuum out the leach lines while they do this? What else would you consider doing at the time? We had our tank cleaned about 18 months ago. If for some reason we have a premature failure of the leach lines does anyone have any info on those chamber type leach lines?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[KTurner]

We had the distribution box rebuilt on ours about 11 months ago. I don't know how the price compares to other companies in my area, but the service was good and it was a well known (in this area) family owned small business that has done work for some of my wifes family before. The box rebuild was $650, plus $175 to pump the tank. If I remember right, he came out to look at it within a hour or so of me calling on Sat and they were performing the work on Monday.

Keith

 

[mbohuntr]

There are companies up here that offer to backflush your leach lines. They run a hose in that pushes the water back toward the distribution box. Never used it, but it sounds right.

 

[forester2]

Call Kistner Concrete and get a new D box. My guess is that not much dirt has gotten into the leach field; the lines can be flushed if necessary. A lot of the water from your tank has probably not been going into your leach field. With an 8 year old house, there is probably a gravel box keeping bad stuff from the tank (if overflowing with solids) from getting into your D box and leach field. Sure it's the D box and not the gravel box? I believe both Meyers and Delo septic can flush lines if needed.

 

[dfeck]

I talked to a company and they will replace the failed concrete d-box for $600. This is the same company we use for pump-outs. They use plastic instead of concrete. Is one better than the other?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[FRISKY]

I just helped a friend fix one of his distribution boxes that collapsed. We dug it up with shovels and poured a new box in about two hours. Easy fix and it only cost a couple bags of Quickcrete.

 

[Marc68]

Frisky,
How did you form around existing drain pipes and were you sure the base of the existing box was not cracked?
Marc

 

[Raspy]

I put a concrete D box in my system when installed it. But I wonder why we can't just use an ABS tee instead of a D box? What does the D box do that a tee would not do?

 

[crash325]

I put a concrete D box in my system when installed it. But I wonder why we can't just use an ABS tee instead of a D box? What does the D box do that a tee would not do?

In theory a D box equalizes the flow to all leach lines. If a tank is permitted and will be inspected, a D box is code most places.

In actual practice Tee's do the job just fine. It is not uncommon for the D box to leak or plug up. :2cents: