Septic tank drain field question.

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JamesCoste

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After reading a post from "Brother Chris ", I have a question.<br /><br />Is digging a new drain field a DIY project? <br /><br />I have two septic systems. One gray water and one brown. We recently had them pumped out and the gray water one actually started filling back up after it was pumped. The lowest part of my yard where all the water collects when it rains is where the drain field was dug. It is the wettest part of my property! I think they made an error by putting the drain field there. We have only been in this brand-new house for 7 years. If we have a combination of really wet weather and wash several loads of clothes, we will have water seep up out of the ground. :eek:
 
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craze1cars

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

I doubt it's a do it yourself deal...most likely the EPA is involved, so you'll need permits and certifications. Usually a replacement field needs to be a specified distance away from an abandoned field. Often, if there is not enough land, this restriction can be circumvented by building a mound (bringing in a lot of fill) to build up the elevation to the specified height. and then there's non-conventional systems available with multiple tanks and pumps that allow septic fields to be uphill from where the home is. But each state has it's own regulations on all this....best to ask this question of your local building inspector so he/she can direct you.<br /><br />I'd also consider reviewing your history to find out who installed the original field...sounds to me like they didn't place it properly and it is now malfunctioning, so it's possible you could get some warranty help.
 
Summer Fun

Summer Fun

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

EPA are you cazy or what ?? . The EPA is for haz-mat stuff NOT poop ...You can do this yourself . give me some time and i'll show you how to do it.......the poop guy .....wayne
 
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JamesCoste

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

I'd certainly appreciate any advice you can offer.<br /><br />I thought of building a deep french drain that would collect the rainwater so the drainfield doesn't stay so wet due to rain water.<br /><br />Do most of your drain fields last more than 7 years? I think mine should have. I'll take pictures of the area if it helps.<br /><br />Would you put the drain field in the low spot on a yard?<br /><br />I'm pretty certain that the work was approved when it was done.<br /><br />I've heard of people spending up to $400 on stuff you flush in your tank (for me, run down the drain) that helps the drain field. I'm wondering if I simply shred 400 $100-bills and pour it down there , it might do the same. :rolleyes: <br /><br />I do know right where my septic tank is and pretty sure where the drain field lines are.
 
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craze1cars

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Originally posted by wayne from vernon ny:<br /> EPA are you cazy or what ?? . The EPA is for haz-mat stuff NOT poop ...
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Yep...have you read my name? :) OK...EPA is probably the completely wrong government agency. But there's defnitely some pretty restrictive regulations on how, where, what type, and what size these systems need to be. And I'm sure a permit is required. I'm just saying that there needs to be some research done to make sure you're complying with local regs, that's all. Probably will get more accurate info by doing that than posting a question on a boating website, where people like me are tossing out advice about things they know little about every day... :D
 
Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Originally posted by JamesCoste:<br /> Is digging a new drain field a DIY project? <br /><br />
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Yes and no. Just last sat I put in a new drainfield for my system. I rented a mini back-ho and it took 9 1/2 hours of time to do it. I did have my tractor to help cover over so it might take you a little longer. I have very thick clay soil so yours might be less also. Its a job for sure. We used 8" gravelless pipe not to save money but to save time. The pipe itself was easy. Its a little trouble to snap together and you will want to use a few sheetmetal screws to help hold it together, it will seperate if not careful. Any person with decent sense can do the work. Do a perc test so you know how much line you need and go over that just a little. If code allows you might also consider allowing the washer to drain on the surface.
 
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Homerr

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

As far as I know... you can't as much as crack a sewer pipe open without permits and inspectors... At least in Oregon anyway.<br /><br />If you are in a place where nobody can see or report you... go for it. Out of sight - out of mind.<br /><br />But just in case... you might nose around the library or talk to someone who's " In-da'-bizness " of doing that sort of stuff.<br /><br /><br />H.
 
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Tatorbug

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Check with your local health departmant or building inspector/code enforcement services. If your original system required a permit, it will be on file. Sounds like you have a field line failure which requires knowledge of standards to insure the line is installed correctly, you can DIY, but lots of work.
 
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JamesCoste

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

I'm leaning towards hiring a professional. I am all for saving money for DYI projects; however, this one might be more than I want to bite off. Since this problem is only occasional, I'm going to put it off until I have more severe problems (and more money).<br /><br />I may find a local friend here who has done this and change my mind.
 
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PierBridge

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

<br /> EPA are you cazy or what ?? . give me some time and i'll show you how to do it
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So when are you going to show us how to do it?
 
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gaugeguy

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

I just had mine replaced, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it myself. Luckily for me, it was what is called a "replacement in kind", so there were no permits or inspections needed by the state or town. <br /><br />Like yours, my leach bed was not draining even after they fractured the soil beneath the bed (prvious homeowners who built the house put the leach field over a stump-dump). Had to have the pump truck come in and drain almost 2500 gallons from the field. Then had to have all the old stumps removed and everything (sand, stone, pipe and loam) was replaced...grand total $7100. Well worth it in my opinion.
 
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JamesCoste

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Gaugeguy,<br />Please tell me you transposed the "7" and the "1"!<br /><br />$7,100 is high in my mind.<br /><br />The folks that pumped out my tanks said they would do the job for about $1200 if I remember correctly.
 
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PierBridge

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Originally posted by gaugeguy:<br /><br /> Had to have the pump truck come in and drain almost 2500 gallons from the field. Then had to have all the old stumps removed and everything (sand, stone, pipe and loam) was replaced...
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If your just having it pumped yeah that would be high, but gauge had much more labor intensive work done.
 
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kenimpzoom

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

7100 bucks just to flush a toilet!!!! For goodness sakes, its just crap, not radioactive waste.<br /><br />James if I were you, I would just rig the washing machine to dump on the flowers. Its just soapy water.<br /><br />Also, consider digging a trench so the rainwater runs off faster. My father's back field was always flooded. After 1 days rental of a small backhoe, problem solved.<br /><br />Ken
 
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gaugeguy

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

Yeah, I didn't transpose the numbers. My original quote was $5500. I had them bring in a bunch of extra fill and loam to extend my lawn. Plus, they were hoping that when they fractured the bottom of the bed, the field would drain, which it didn't.<br /><br />It really did suck to drop $7100 on it, because basically all I have to show for it is a pretty lawn. Talk about money right down the crapper :rolleyes:
 
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tomatolord

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Re: Septic tank drain field question.

if you have the following you can do it yourself...<br /><br />space to extend the line<br /><br />skill enough to run the backhoe/digger<br /><br />Most people extend the lines not dig deeper trenches - here the rule is 350 feet in total length of pipe, with no 180 degree bends 90 degrees is ok <br /><br />Here in NC they are using packing peanut wrapped septic lines instead of gravel...much much cheaper easier to put in and the peanuts actually last longer then a gravel based systems.<br /><br />Mine is over 35 years old so 7 years is not much.<br /><br />Also switch to a front loading washer - they use like 7 gallones versus 60 for a load of wash<br /><br /><br />Also why pump the the gray water tank??? EVER?? You pump the brown water one to get rid of solids - which you do not want in your drain field...gray water there are no solids ever so it should never be pumped...
 
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