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Post by ronruble on Jun 4, 2013 18:03:53 GMT -5
Septic tank outlet problem – tank overflowing may not be a field blockage/problem. In the early 1990’s they made a change to septic tank outlet – They used a 90 degree elbow and tube extending about 18 inches into the tank. This did not work well and was discontinued after a few years. This type of outlet would work fine for some time, then the tank over flow and sometimes would go back working just fine again. Plumping companies would think it was a blocked field and would dig up and replace the septic field at a cost of thousands of dollars. It turns out that the real problem was this configuration would cause an air pocket in the field feed line and stop drainage from the tank. Also sometimes it caused another problem of siphoning from the tank, lowering the level of the septic tank to the bottom of the pick-up tube; this would allow sludge and other material to enter the field lines. Fix is simple and cheap (less than $40). Remove the 90 degree elbow and pick-up tube. Replace it with a T fitting with an 18 inch pick-up tube. Optional – add a simple filter to the top of the T to prevent large material from entering in case of rapid fill of septic tank. Before you dig up your Septic field which cost thousands of dollars, check you tank outlet for the 90 degree elbow. Old 90 degree elbow to be replaced T with pick-up tube
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Post by pooka on Jun 4, 2013 19:15:55 GMT -5
Gosh, I'm glad I don't have to deal with anything like that. This house was built with a brick septic tank but it was removed many years ago when the sewer line was put into the neighborhood. My grandfather & uncle used the old bricks to build the chimney for the garage. Right now I have a sinkhole trying to form out next to the garage where I think the sewer line is trying to collapse. I've got an old oil drum that's been cut in half laying over it now to keep surface water & rain from causing it to wash out any more for now.
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Post by jhmack on Jun 9, 2013 15:06:00 GMT -5
Thanks, Ronruble! We had a septic tank put in at our farm in the late 80s, and though we've never had the problems you describe, I'll check it out next time the guys come to empty it out. Appreciate the info! Though, if it is an outlet from the tank (or is it the outlet from the house into the tank?), it may not be visible....Jane
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Post by ronruble on Jun 9, 2013 15:26:43 GMT -5
Outlet from the tank to the drain field
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