My son bought a home with a septic tank about three years ago, and after two years he had to have it pumped. Initially, it was empty and inspected before purchase, but just 9 months later, his drains started clogging again. We opened the septic tank, and it was full, so we pumped it out, but it refilled quickly. The septic guy we hired jetted the line from the septic box to the distribution box (about 10 ft away) and told us that the leach field is dead, advising us to get a permit for replacement. However, the health department indicated that our system, which records show to be a 1000-gallon tank, needs to be replaced with a 1250-gallon one, which was a shock! We don't see any wet spots in the yard, though we do have trees close to the leach lines. We've been bypassing the washer and water softener to the backyard, which has helped a bit, but we're considering digging up the leach lines since I found a blockage about 6 feet from the d-box. The original system was installed in 1999, and it's just the four of us at home. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Checking your leach lines’ condition is critical. If there’s a serious blockage, it may mean your field isn't working properly anymore and needs replacement. Just remember, the codes usually correspond to bedrooms, not the actual number of people living there, so that might play into why you’re being told to upgrade your system.
If you're in a bind, some folks suggest digging near the d-box and shooting water down the leach field with a jet nozzle. Last time I did this, I found roots causing the blockage. But, be aware if your system's going to need a big upgrade later, you may mess everything up in the yard. Just a heads-up!
That’s a smart idea! In my case, moving my leach lines saved my backyard, but it was a huge project!
It's tough when you're dealing with septic issues like this. Unfortunately, leach fields do have a lifespan, and if previous owners messed around with what they flushed, it could be shot, even if everything passed inspection before. Have you considered that your tree roots could be causing some of this blockage? I've known people who ended up needing a whole new system after passing initial inspections. Maybe pumping the tank more frequently might buy you some time, but it's not a permanent fix.
I totally hear you! I had the same issue after moving in, it felt like a ticking time bomb. Just keep an eye on those tree roots; they can really ruin your leach lines!
Absolutely, and those trees are a huge consideration too. They might have already wreaked havoc on your leach field.