Septic backed up

[Howard Sterndrive]

I got the tank pumped, and later noticed water running back into the tank from the outlet. I installed a backflow preventer valve at the outlet. Then I started questioning where this water is coming from.
After a week of exploratory digging (by hand, I have lost 8 pounds!), I learned that one of my drainage lines appears to slope UP instead of down. And it is in a low spot of the yard. It seems that particular line is draining my yard backwards into my junction where perf pipe meets the outlet.
To add insult to injury, My sump pump/eavestrough discharge was dumping right there thanks to a broken pipe. I fixed that, and water stopped flowing, -I left the hole open for 4 days and it stayed dry.
but after a rain, the hole I made at the junction started to fill again.
now I'm wondering if I can just slope and grade the lawn in that area to run away and drain off rather than dig the field up.
If I dig the field up, I'll probably have to get a whole new, upgraded system with a mound and an up-pump. I really don't want that mound.
septic is 25 years old. I thought the drainage pipes might be blocked.... they sure aren't. The sand and gravel down there looks 'ok'...very black and sandy...I guess that's a bio-mat... but they flow water just fine- unfortunately in the wrong direction ....

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Septic backed up

if I can just slope and grade the lawn in that area to run away and drain off rather than dig the field up

Yes and You could choke that one line down a little more than the others.

Then I would put pipe dials in the other ones so they take the same mount of water.

Like these.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Septic backed up

yeah, I have seen that D-box (distribution box) setup on the internet. Not something they use around here for some reason. I wish they did.
I did order a nice 3" PVC knife valve thinking along the same lines as you. Thanks for the input.

I'm also pondering pressure. Once I installed the backflow preventer, I drilled and tapped the screw on lid to 1/4 npt and I was regulating 3 or 4 psi to the lines. That actually helped me find the start of the perf pipe as I was digging, but I'm thinking of burying the hose and setting it up so I can push out on the lines any time I feel the need.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Septic backed up

Your saying you have a up grade on the discharge pipe.....only fix is to make a down grade.....I say start digging....only way to do it right you know discharge has to flow down hill not back into tank up hill thats crazy