Wet over the septic tank

[N80]

I know it is a bad thing, I just don't know how bad. The house is 30 years old and as far as I know there have never been any septic tank problems. The yard, and drainfield, are red clay and it is now extremely dry and the ground is cracked and hard. The area over the septic tank is damp and boggy.

Everything is draining properly, even during peak times with showers, washing machine and toilets going at the same time.

So. Do I need to get the suck truck out here right away? Should I wait? Anything else I can do?

Septic tanks. Another of the joys of rural living!

 

[Dmace]

Being a septic designer myself. I say pump it immeditely ! Most likely the filter inside the tank that filters the "effluent" before it enters the leaching system is clogged and filling up the tank.

Although being 30 years old, it might not have a filter. In that case the tank is probrably just full of "sludge" and not drianing properly.
I have a brand new "Enviro-Septic" system and new tank that is 4 months old and I still plan on pumping it every year in the spring.

Good Luck.

 

[450EXC]

If it's wet at the tank and not the field then it sounds like the water is not getting out of the tank. Could be a plugged discharge baffle or the line to the d-box.
You could dig it up and check it out. If it hasn't been pumped recently then it woun't be wasted money to pump it now.

 

[Highbeam]

Careful not to get a surpeize shower. If the ground above the tank is wet there is a good chance that the tank is pressurized by gravity. Just know that when you remove the lid, it may surge up a bit.

I would dig it up and open the lids. It has to be done anyway to pump it.

I would then investigate to find the level of sludge in the tank. So often the tanks are ignored until a situation like yours and then it is time for pumping.

 

[N80]

Thanks guys. Sounds like its time to give the septic guys a call. Ugh.

 

[tawilson]

Be careful. You might have a rusted out metal lid waiting to collapse with you on it. Highly recommend getting it checked asap.

 

[kevincook]

N80,

Just wondering when the last time the tank was pumped? If the tank isn't pumped and any solids get into the leaching field it can be expensive to repair. The solids can plub the lines in the leaching field and then it needs to be replaced.

I have our tank pumped every two years. The health department says it is required here but I know that I am the only one in the neighborhood who has it done regularly.

Good Luck,
Kevin

 

[Highbeam]

If the leechfield has already gotten a mouthful (nice thought) of solids then that's too bad. Nothing you can do about it now so you may as well just pump to minimize additional gulps of sludge and see what happens. Some sludge to the leechfield can be tolerated but by the time you notice surfacing effluent above the drainfiled it is too late and the field has been spoiled.

Those metal lids. I have seen them on old tanks and was shocked. Would be a bummer to fall into a tank.

 

[DKinWA]

I just attended some WOSSA training thursday and heard a couple of horror stories about old steel tanks.

 

[shvl73]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just attended some WOSSA training thursday and heard a couple of horror stories about old steel tanks.
)</font>

How about when your best friend's brother backs the family station wagon over (and into) the tank! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif