Septic System

[Highbeam]

Another benefit of transfer panel to provide backup power to these critical circuits. There are mounds, there are recirculating gravel filters, and then there are sand filters plus a couple more. I have worked on buried sand filters that were only used to reduce the required drainfield area. There can be several different pumps with these and each will have some sort of high level alarm.

When the power came on, your pumps should have too.

Most of the pumps are set with level switches and timers to maintain a fairly low level of liquid in their sumps. This low normal level provides a good bit of storage which will allow you some time to contribute during the power outage.

In the future, find the first cleanout on the line between your home and the first tank. Unthread the cleanout lid when the power is out and just set it on the top of the threads. This practice will allow for the release of sewage at the clenaout location onto the surface and while nasty and foul is worlds better than having the sewage flood your first floor.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

That is similar to what I have, which is a pump-up system from Orenco. The
hi water alarm in the holding tank will go off after a long power outage. My
pump is in a vault, within a 1500 gal holding tank. The pump is a submersible,
just like in my well. I am not looking fwd to replacing it as it is over $500.

Boy, I never thought I'd feel fortunate to have the system I do. My pump is like a standard sump pump and can be had for about $100. I've had it out a couple times to rewire it. Finally got smart and bought waterproof wire nuts. No problems since.

 

[rtdiggr]

DIRTCUTTER like i said before you can always get out the shovel. If you do this becarful your tank contains methane gas that could be deadly.

Do a search on methane gas septic there is alot of info there. personnelly when i go in the tank i use a organic cartrige mask.

Shane

 

[Highbeam]

Holy smokes! You go IN the tank? They don't even let us climb into manholes anymore without lots of special equipment.

Don't go in the tank.

If the pump needs to be replaced it will be underwater. Most all pumps are mounted such that they can be pulled up to the surface after disconnecting a plumbing union.

 

[rtdiggr]

Holy smokes! You go IN the tank? They don't even let us climb into manholes anymore without lots of special equipment.

Don't go in the tank.

If the pump needs to be replaced it will be underwater. Most all pumps are mounted such that they can be pulled up to the surface after disconnecting a plumbing union.

Highbeam you are very much right, i did miss say that. DO NOT GO IN THE TANK.

Having said that i have had my cover of my 3rd camber off a few times. She doesn't smell like roses. That is when a mask comes in handy.

Maybe i should call Mike Rowe [Dirty Jobs] next time i open the camber he doesn't seem to mind getting dirty.

Shane

 

[Highbeam]

Phew rtdiggr, that's good to hear. I have had to knock the stuck floats around on a few pump tanks and the liquid isn't clear but more milky and stinky. The pumps are liquid cooled and should be underwater but you can hear them running.

The last pump tank I owned was 1000 gallons and the top of the tank was about 3 feet below grade. The lid is required to be at the surface in my area so they put on risers and a 24" or so lid. The floats on that pump were set to pump the tank down to about a foot of liquid in the bottom of the pump tank which is great for power outages since it takes a long time to fill 750 gallons of pump tank during a power outage. But, I wouldn't let the kids stand on that surface plastic tank lid. I was afraid it would collapse and the kid, or me, would fall 7 feet into a dark, nearly, empty tank filled with poisonous gas.

At least if you fall into a septic tank you can swim a bit and pull yourself out.

 

[rtdiggr]

Yeah on my list of "ways to go" that really isn't to high on the list. Me with my head in a tank full of .......

Shane