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Posted by Joe on October 10, 2005, 7:41 pm
I have a house that I think needs to have the septic system replaced. The
house is located on a very flat area, and there is a high clay content in
the soil, so water tends to lay on the ground if there is heavy rain or a
big snow melts.
The problem that I'm having is if there is a lot of rain my septic tank will
fill up I think due to the ground not being able to absorb the water coming
from the leach lines. That being said this has gotten worse over the years,
I've lived here about twenty years and the house is about 30 years old. So I
assume that there may be some damage to the leach bed area too.
So my question is what would probably be the best benefit? Replace the leach
lines and the soil around them or convert to an above ground mound system?
Also any idea what either of these might cost me?
Thanks
Joe
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Posted by boden on October 10, 2005, 11:59 pm
Clays have a tendency to loose their ability to absorb or pass water due
to ionic contaminants. I've seen something as simple as excessive salt
from ice removal cause this. An outgrowth of oil drilling exposed a
technique for addressing this effectively. Clay soils can be
refloculated. I'd suggest a good text on soil chemistry, or perhaps a
Google search on clays and ionic contamination. Also look at this web page:
http://www.swopnet.com/engr/Septic_Tanks/Gayman_Soil_Failure.html
and Google on Mary Gayman and look at her company Drayner, Inc., at
http://www.drayner.com/
She has some interesting material that may be of use. Calcium
polysulfide isn't an expensive or hazardous material so it may be worth
a try. I haven't used this on my septic system, but keep the info handy
in case I do need to do something.
Boden
Joe wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> I have a house that I think needs to have the septic system replaced. The
> house is located on a very flat area, and there is a high clay content in
> the soil, so water tends to lay on the ground if there is heavy rain or a
> big snow melts.
> The problem that I'm having is if there is a lot of rain my septic tank will
> fill up I think due to the ground not being able to absorb the water coming
> from the leach lines. That being said this has gotten worse over the years,
> I've lived here about twenty years and the house is about 30 years old. So I
> assume that there may be some damage to the leach bed area too.
> So my question is what would probably be the best benefit? Replace the leach
> lines and the soil around them or convert to an above ground mound system?
> Also any idea what either of these might cost me?
>
> Thanks
> Joe
>
>
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Posted by Old_boat on October 11, 2005, 1:11 am
Well I don't know about your neck of the woods, but in mine, you cannot do
anything to a leach bed or septic tank without first contacting the health
department and then they will tell you what system you are allowed to
install. All we can do is repair the old system without calling them. Good
luck.
Larry
show/hide quoted text
>I have a house that I think needs to have the septic system replaced. The
>house is located on a very flat area, and there is a high clay content in
>the soil, so water tends to lay on the ground if there is heavy rain or a
>big snow melts.
> The problem that I'm having is if there is a lot of rain my septic tank
> will fill up I think due to the ground not being able to absorb the water
> coming from the leach lines. That being said this has gotten worse over
> the years, I've lived here about twenty years and the house is about 30
> years old. So I assume that there may be some damage to the leach bed area
> too.
> So my question is what would probably be the best benefit? Replace the
> leach lines and the soil around them or convert to an above ground mound
> system?
> Also any idea what either of these might cost me?
> Thanks
> Joe
>
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Posted by C & M on October 11, 2005, 9:53 am
> I have a house that I think needs to have the septic system replaced.
<snip>
If you are anywhere near civilization you will likely be mandated into
installing a raised, sand-mound sysem. It will be partially raised above
the existing ground level and toppe with topsoil and seeded with grass
*only*. It allows the effluent from the tank to escape into the sand and,
because it is raised, evaporate rather than sagnate. Pretty expensive
project. Get ready for sticker shock - sorry.
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Posted by trader4 on October 11, 2005, 7:10 am
The answer to your question depends on two things we don't know:
1 - A percolation test
2 - Local codes
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> house is located on a very flat area, and there is a high clay content in
> the soil, so water tends to lay on the ground if there is heavy rain or a
> big snow melts.
> The problem that I'm having is if there is a lot of rain my septic tank will
> fill up I think due to the ground not being able to absorb the water coming
> from the leach lines. That being said this has gotten worse over the years,
> I've lived here about twenty years and the house is about 30 years old. So I
> assume that there may be some damage to the leach bed area too.
> So my question is what would probably be the best benefit? Replace the leach
> lines and the soil around them or convert to an above ground mound system?
> Also any idea what either of these might cost me?
>
> Thanks
> Joe
>
>