Septic Tank Of $#^%#

[65Stang]

So, been away from our house for over a year. Just came back and noticed some holes/washouts over the general area of the tank right next to the garage/shop. Been in the house for about 4 years, haven't had to mess with the septic tank so far. It seems to be working just fine inside and there is no sewage smell in the holes or anywhere outside. Before I go get professional assistance or start digging (not the best time of year to do this), I wanted to see if anyone here has had a similar experience or has any advice. I am also wondering if there may be a way to stop any further erosion by covering the area of the tank until spring. If soil is indeed washing into the tank, I need to fix it, stop it and fix later, or stop pooping .

Thanks!

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[58Yeoman]

Stick a pole into the holes, and see if you bring up gunk. It MAY be a metal tank, depending on when it was put in. I used to help a honey dipper when I was a kid in the late 50's/early 60's, and many tanks then were metal. They do rust through. Be careful walking around it until you find out, as you CAN go through...then it's very stinky on you. I don't think a cement one would crack enough to cause the sink holes. Good luck.

 

[1969]

Call the honey wagon, get er done !

 

[red69ss]

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You don't want this to happen!

 

[scooby074]

possible ypur just having some settling. like mentioned above , try a stick or dig down to the tank depending how deep it is.

Here ours are concrete, and last a long time. they do however crack and cave in sometimes. If thats the case (or its a rusted metal one) then you got to bite the bullet, dig it up and replace. you can open the inspection/cleanout and have a look inside as well/

 

[65Stang]

Definitely concrete as I can see see some edges in one hole, no cracks. Can't get a stick too far down.

 

[ishiboo]

Definitely concrete as I can see see some edges in one hole, no cracks. Can't get a stick too far down.

I'm going through a similiar issue... be careful. If your system is working well and you have a poured in place concrete tank, those holes could be the end of things.

Around here, the tank needs a manhole cover, the field needs accessible vents, etc. I have a poured in place tank where the field (conventional) has failed, and will no longer perk for a conventional. Because the tank has no access and is so old, I cannot repair it - everything must be replaced at a cost of $10,000-$17,000.

Since you have concrete, I would get some thin wood (1/4" or so) and some wire. Place the wood in the hole and use the wire to pull it tight against the top, and then pour new concrete over it.

You'll then need to carefully discuss this with a septic guru in the area... septic systems are relatively simple but there is a ton of code/requirements and you may be **** out of luck if you start making changes to it

The county north of here is going through reports and if anyone does not have a report, it has to be inspected - if it lacks the manhole/vents/etc. it automatically has to be replaced. Even if everything has been working 100% fine for many years.

 

[Lou N]

Stang,

Sorry to hi-jack your post, but I have a related question. We have these small gophers that like to make their burrows over the leach field presumably because it's warmer there.

Does anyone see any potential damage issues with that? I don't want to put poison down because we have a dog who likes to dig holes chasing the little bastards. I'm going to get a nice air gun in the Spring to dispatch the ones I see, but in the meantimne should I be concerned about damage to the leach field?

BTW around here we have cement tanks with manhole covers and vents. We had the tank pumped this year and it was pretty cheap, I think around $250 -$300.

Lou

 

[scooby074]

Definitely concrete as I can see see some edges in one hole, no cracks. Can't get a stick too far down.

How deep? Might be worth the effort to dig up a small area with a shovel and see. Typically ours are only 1-2 ft max deep

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

65 Stang, this is what is likely causing those holes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_Ground_Squirrel

Lou, having a tank pumped out around here (Manitoba), costs 75-90 Canadian dollars.

 

[W-Cummins]

Most places they will allow you to replace the tank with a new one, but I think it's not common to allow you to repair (dig up) the drain field. It is some times possible to clean out/restore the drain field with a water jetted machine.

William.....

 

[65Stang]

So this is what I found. First access port had a pull handle and a filter device. Clogged with lots of hair and other things. Gross.

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Then I kept going. The hold in the lower left is outside the tank and appears to be caused by a leak in the tank. The soil two feet down was contaminated. Soft soil, but not muddy or standing water.

I didn't open the access hatch, going to leave that to the poop pros.

Second issue, when measured with a stick, the tank is about four feet deep and it is full up to about 10" from the top. Not good. Not sure how far this might go.

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[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Septic tanks will always be full up to the overflow / outflow pipe which should be about
1-2" lower than the inlet, which is typically about 12-18" down from top of tank. (Depending on mfg and location)

The key is how much solids you have in the tank, if you have been there 4 yrs and don't know when it was pumped last, have it pumped out and inspected.

As someone previously mentioned normally tanks can be replaced / fixed fairly easy, fields can not!

 

[larry_g]

Second issue, when measured with a stick, the tank is about four feet deep and it is full up to about 10" from the top. Not good. Not sure how far this might go.

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The tank will always be mostly full as the drain to the leach field is near the top so your 10" may be correct operating conditions. One thing that the pro told me is to make sure that ground water does not get into the tank through the cover and cool the process down. If the **** in the tank is pinkish then things are working good. Make sure to cover the tank again so that it stays warm enough to that the bacteria are happy and working. It hurts nothing to add a quart of yeast to the tank to enable the process.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[scooby074]

65 Stang, this is what is likely causing those holes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson's_Ground_Squirrel

Lou, having a tank pumped out around here (Manitoba), costs 75-90 Canadian dollars.

Wow. Thats cheap. Going rate here is about $225 for 600Gal. Used to be about 125 cash if they knew you.

So this is what I found. First access port had a pull handle and a filter device. Clogged with lots of hair and other things. Gross.



Then I kept going. The hold in the lower left is outside the tank and appears to be caused by a leak in the tank. The soil two feet down was contaminated. Soft soil, but not muddy or standing water.

I didn't open the access hatch, going to leave that to the poop pros.

Second issue, when measured with a stick, the tank is about four feet deep and it is full up to about 10" from the top. Not good. Not sure how far this might go.

As mentioned.

Water near the top is normal.

Id be more concerned with the leak. If its been several years your likely due for a pump. Typically its every 5-7 years for a family of 4. You have no idea what maintenance the previous owner did, it might be 10 years since the last pump.

They'll need to pump it out to fix it anyways. Better to have a pro come out so you dont waste and money time pumping a warn out tank.

 

[rcayot]

Don't tell me you didn't have the tank inspected when you bought the house???!!!!!

Always, always get an inspection. A crack in the tank would have been evident and incumbent on the seller to repair.

Roger

 

[hetkind]

I had my tanked pumped a few weeks ago, $275 and the guys didn't even tamp the backfilled hole that was in the middle of my flagstone.

Once you fill your leaching field with "material", you are in real trouble. It cost by buddy 33 THOUSAND to bring a tank and leaching field up to spec in a house he is renting out after living in for 25 year, and it cost my dad over 20 thousand to bring the septic system of a house he was buying up to spec.

These things can get expensive.

Howard