Septic System Question

Posted by on October 13, 2009, 11:32 am

wrote:

>Hello,
>Havew the typical septic system with a "chamber" that feeds several
>perforated pipes in a leaching field. Believe the pipes are nestled in
>gravel, and covered with soil.
>These pipes with the holes are, I believe, clogged.
>Or, the gravel and surrounding soil are "clogged.
>Question:
>Before I call anyone in:
>a. Are there treatments, or perhaps steam-cleaning for the perforated pipes
>that is effective ?
>b. Are there treatments or steam cleaning for the gravel and/or surrounding
>soil ?
>Are any of these doable without removing any over-soil ?
>e.g. just a steam probe inserted thru the main feeder pipe to the field,
>or... ?
>I keep thinking of steam, as it's hard to believe anything else might work.
>Thoughts ?
>Thanks,
>Bob

I have seen 3 leach fields dug up in my neighborhood and every one of
them was OK (but replaced anyway). The problem was always right where
the pipe came out of the tank or the collector box where the field
ties to the tank pipe. The septic guys always say "well the field
needed replacing too", mostly because they were there with a machine
and a signed contract.
It is certainly worth a few minutes with a shovel before you dig up
your whole yard.

Posted by Ed Mc on October 13, 2009, 2:23 pm

Robert11 wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Havew the typical septic system with a "chamber" that feeds several
> perforated pipes in a leaching field. Believe the pipes are nestled in
> gravel, and covered with soil.
>
> These pipes with the holes are, I believe, clogged.
> Or, the gravel and surrounding soil are "clogged.
>
> Question:
>
> Before I call anyone in:
>
> a. Are there treatments, or perhaps steam-cleaning for the perforated pipes
> that is effective ?
>
> b. Are there treatments or steam cleaning for the gravel and/or surrounding
> soil ?
>
>
> Are any of these doable without removing any over-soil ?
>
> e.g. just a steam probe inserted thru the main feeder pipe to the field,
> or... ?
>
> I keep thinking of steam, as it's hard to believe anything else might work.
> Thoughts ?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
>
>

Around here there are companies who will 'refracture' a drain field.
They blast a shot of air into it. It's illegal in my County but
legal in the next. (I live in Washington state). Don't ask me why..??
The blast of air blows the clogs and surrounding soil into a loosened
state. It is reported to add years to the life of the field. Never had
it done myself.

Posted by Tony on October 13, 2009, 2:35 pm

Robert11 wrote:

I've heard of Honey Dippers attaching their hose to the drain field and
blasting the drain field with liquid, hopefully opening it up again, but
I wonder how they keep from pumping the solid goo into the field also?
The truck pumps a hell of a lot water fast. They most always use this
"feature" to shoot liquid back into the septic tank to loosen up the goo
in the bottom, then pump it out again.

Posted by Steve Barker on October 14, 2009, 1:45 pm

Robert11 wrote:

pretty much no, no, and no. Sounds like years of non-maintenance, and
now you know why the tank should be pumped every three years.

s

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