Septic drain question

[4HAND]

Mine has a screen, on the outflow side, that I pull and clean out every couple years. Get me a whiff of septic stink going out the back door, and I know it's time for a cleanup.

Mine has that too. I initially thought that was the problem, but it's not.

 

[WayneB]

I've had issues, and figured a few changes my family made that had a huge negative impact;
Look for 'OXY' anything that may go down the drain, laundry soap, household cleaners, dish soaps...
Here's the deal, your septic system is anaerobic, which means bacteria that break down waste thrive in the ABSENCE of oxygen. Using 'OXY' products adds oxygenating agent to your system, killing off the bacteria.
This basically turns your septic system into a holding system.
Now you can change the use of these products and in a few weeks' time, your system will revert back to an anaerobic system, or you can take advantage of the aerobic bacteria that are taking over an add an air pump:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I1PO5C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and air diffusers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071Z869LX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I rigged two diffusers, some hose and weights and dropped the assembly in the tank. Within a week the amount of flow within the field had increased, for the past 2 years, we have not had to have a pumpout.
There are articles out describing 'black slime' which is built up at the diffuser area of your drain field. Many of these articles will promote a product, which ultimately promotes an aerobic environment to consume the slime and increase flow. After reading a LOT, I decided to go with a pump and diffusers instead of some 'magic' additive. One thing to note; you can swap between adding air or not, the system WILL switch bacteria depending on environment.
There are septic specialists that will sell you this aerobic system.. for a pile of money. They'll tell you how good it works, etc. It really does, however you don't have to spend thousands to make the conversion. For about the cost of a pumpout, you can DIY and have good results.

 

[notnksnemor]

When you had the tank pumped a few months ago, did you notice if water was back flowing from the drain field back into the tank?
I always put a gallon of buttermilk in my tank a couple of times a year.

 

[4HAND]

When you had the tank pumped a few months ago, did you notice if water was back flowing from the drain field back into the tank?
I always put a gallon of buttermilk in my tank a couple of times a year.

It was. It's a drain issue. It's still draining, just not as rapidly as it should. Take a shower & wash a couple of loads of clothes back to back & you'll hear the toilet bubble as washing machine discharges the water.
Buttermilk?

 

[notnksnemor]

It was. It's a drain issue. It's still draining, just not as rapidly as it should. Take a shower & wash a couple of loads of clothes back to back & you'll hear the toilet bubble as washing machine discharges the water.
Buttermilk?

I've been told by a lot of old school plumbers cultured buttermilk was the best for keeping bacteria built up in your tank.

Sounds like you've got a bad blooter field.
Had mine replaced 4 years ago. I went with infiltrator baffle system.

https://www.infiltratorwater.com/products/chambers/

 

[treemanjohn]

You can buy a sewer jetter on Amazon cheap. It hooks to a pressure washer. It will blow out the lines. Also use copper sulfate to kill tree roots. Its cheap and does a great job. It will kill roots, but not deteriorate them. That takes time or mechanical help

 

[kmckinnie]

Bite the bullet ! Redo the drain fill. If u have ornament plants around it. Well get rid of them.
Get a good septic tank man.

 

[notnksnemor]

If you have the EZ flow system, it probably isn't roots. That's what I had and after 15 years it had deteriorated and collapsed on its own.

 

[SouthPaw Draw]

If you have the EZ flow system, it probably isn't roots. That's what I had and after 15 years it had deteriorated and collapsed on its own.

IMO this is inferior, I had this system and it failed after a few years. Now I have the corrugated pipes encased in popcorn pellets with a mesh around it. I think another good tip is regular pumping of tanks. If too much solids get into the inlet side of the chamber box it can overflow into your field lines or clog up your outlet filter (if you have one installed). Like was mentioned in previously disconnect your washing machine and shower/tub from your tank. This discharge of grey water will cause overload on a septic system too.

 

[bany]

RootX is probably the best product. But you’d have to put a hurtin on the roots if that’s the problem.
there is an excellent looking hydro jet/whip being sold that you use on a pressure washer. That should clear you out for a ways. Bare in mind its a dead end eventually,meaning the whole thing is a seep area.

i had the septic guys out to Moms house for the same reason. Didn’t think the price was terrible for a lasting repair. Ended up her line collapsed or disintegrated at the tank. They replaced about 12’ of line.
You might get a couple bids/ opinions?

 

[jiminbogart]

If you are adding drain lines I recommend chambers.

Around here it's 65' of chambers per bedroom.

 

[notnksnemor]

If you are adding drain lines I recommend chambers.

Around here it's 65' of chambers per bedroom.

View attachment 1039830

That's what I put in.
Replaced 150' of EZ Flow with 260' of chambers.

County inspector said there should never be a problem with this drain field.

 

[fireman32]

I removed all gray water from my system within a year if it being installed. I recommend it if you’re in a place that you can drain it and it not be an eye sore. Had to replace my in-laws drain field 3 times due to roots, apparently we did it right the last time with corrugated pipe and plenty of gravel. It’s been 15 years and no problems yet.

 

[ucfireman]

We had ours pumped, while the lid was off, took a hose and ran it in the drain lines, figured out how far out the line was blocked. Dug it up and bypassed the clog and all is good.
Just pumping the tank never fixes the back up issue, no matter what they tell you, unless its a clog going into the tank.
PS don't flush Kleenex, they don't break down and will clog.

 

[notnksnemor]

Teenage girls have been the death of many a septic system.

 

[basstrkr]

At the lake a finger size hole in the line from the house to the tank allowed a root to get into the tank. The root was about 1/2" in size the root ball in tank was the size of a car!

 

[Evergreen]

Long story short, used to be a volunteer fire fighter in my home town, got dispatched to a house fire, the truck that pulled to the back of the house bounced over/thru the septic tank lid, after the fire was out we went to inspect the damage to the tank, lid was gone you could see into it very well and it was slam full of condoms, the homeowners (middle aged couple) got a look in that tank and slap went off on each other "you cheating blah blah blah, bunch of words I can't say here" almost went to them fighting, and then the teenage daughter pulls up with the boyfriend and you could see the light come on for both of them at the same time, that poor boy about didnt get out of there

 

[jdgator]

if you are on a crawl, get you a gray water line going off the washer and shower. Let it flow on the ground(outside the foundation).

I've done this on a couple of my rental properties. Definitely helps.

 

[Lukikus2]

Long story short, used to be a volunteer fire fighter in my home town, got dispatched to a house fire, the truck that pulled to the back of the house bounced over/thru the septic tank lid, after the fire was out we went to inspect the damage to the tank, lid was gone you could see into it very well and it was slam full of condoms, the homeowners (middle aged couple) got a look in that tank and slap went off on each other "you cheating blah blah blah, bunch of words I can't say here" almost went to them fighting, and then the teenage daughter pulls up with the boyfriend and you could see the light come on for both of them at the same time, that poor boy about didnt get out of there

Been there! Clay pipe plum clogged. Wasn't mine. Good talking point for previous owners watching though. Lol

 

[Twiggbuster]

^ that’s funny right there ?
Dang wimmens ! If it ain’t condoms that get your tank, it’s tampons.