The joys of septic tanks

[jaxs]

Sorry, I didn't realize you were joking. I have been told sometimes I am to literal.

Sweating the small stuff just make's you old before it's time. Just play it cool,keep your head down and things always work out in the end.:drink:

 

[dragoneggs]

Well... some progress and seeking some advice as I again tackle the risers tomorrow.

I dug around the covers. A bit tedious as the main clean out cover was on top of two old tires stacked on top of each other imitating a proper riser. Trying to remove the dirt around the tires without too much falling into the tank was a challenge with the backhoe but I am so glad I have one!

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Once I got the tires out (and yeah they were partially filled with water), I lowered the cement plug and got to work getting the dirt cleared off the immediate surroundings to make room for the risers. In the case of the larger 18in by 28in opening, I bought an 30in square flanged adapter and a 24in round riser. The smaller riser is 12in diameter.



Now the question of the night... I need to get the concrete top of the tank clean so I can set the risers with some 'Jetset' mortar. Thinking of pressure washing the top with the lids on. Suggestions?

Oh the total bill for all supplies, $510 including 9% sales tax. Includes, square to round adapter, 12in and 24in risers both 24in long, caps for each, 50lb bag of mortar, and adhesive for sealing adapter to riser. Septic guy roughly quoted me $2000 but maybe $1500 if I did the digging.

I guess this is turning into a DIY thread. :dance1:

 

[jaxs]

Oh man,I don't see any way of putting high pressure spray on the tank without it bouncing off and washing dirt off wall of hole. Maybe vacuum dirt up then a stiff brush and water repeatedly sucked up with shop vac until lid is clean. Even working in hole might be difficult to avoid knocking dirt off walls.

 

[tjkubota93]

I have a partner gas concrete saw.

I recently had to cut my slab inside the house. Used my angle grinder with a turbo wheel as deep as it would go, then busted it out.

Didnt want 2 cycle exhaust AND dust in the house!

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh man,I don't see any way of putting high pressure spray on the tank without it bouncing off and washing dirt off wall of hole. Maybe vacuum dirt up then a stiff brush and water repeatedly sucked up with shop vac until lid is clean. Even working in hole might be difficult to avoid knocking dirt off walls.

Yeah, my fear... also was thinking of a wire brush and shop vac with no water to start and then add water when most of the dirt has been sucked up. Hoping the dirt around the two openings will dry some overnight tonight and in the AM so I can brush it off. It is kind of muddy at the moment. Really want to get this set before the PNW rain is back on Friday! Otherwise it is going to be weeks if not a month to get this project finished as I am traveling extensively on biz the next 3 weeks with only a day or two in between to 'reload' and go with little time for this. And who knows if we will have dry weather on the weekend days I have at home.

Just how clean do you all think I need to the surface. Even if it leaks, it has to be better than the old tires!

 

[two_bit_score]

Well, the tree needed water to drink too. It just helped itself.

It was getting plenty from that link!

 

[jaxs]

Just how clean do you all think I need to the surface. Even if it leaks, it has to be better than the old tires!

,
I think you are right,got to be better than tires.
I do have a tried and approved method of putting job on hold midway if necessary. My access hole in tank for pumper is only 8" so my hole was rather small diameter and soil is clay. I piled dirt from digging lid up around hole,covered dirt berm with #3 washtub weighted with large pavers to prevent wind knocking tub off. One thing lead to another with continued rain and it worked perfect until I got back on it 3 weeks later.

 

[Ford850]

Sorry, I didn't realize you were joking. I have been told sometimes I am to literal.

I wasn't joking, just making an assumption based on what I've seen roots do to locate running water lines and pipes. After seeing replies thinking I was joking I googled the subject and found many scientific studies that prove it's true. Plant roots do listen and grow in the direction of running water, water lines, drain pipes, etc. Sound waves are just vibrations after all, so it's not that far fetched to believe they grow toward the sound of water to survive.

 

[Zerk]

I wasn't joking, just making an assumption based on what I've seen roots do to locate running water lines and pipes. After seeing replies thinking I was joking I googled the subject and found many scientific studies that prove it's true. Plant roots do listen and grow in the direction of running water, water lines, drain pipes, etc. Sound waves are just vibrations after all, so it's not that far fetched to believe they grow toward the sound of water to survive.

After laughing. Yesterday I googled, in case you continued this. I didn't read anything about a plant listen, without ears Light and moisture.

Plants don't have ears.

 

[lilranch2001]

Maybe plants use "divining rod" technology????