septic tank problem

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septic tank problem
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RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 4:05 pm Post subject:
Can you define full? They are supposed to stay full to the bottom of the outlet pipe.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 4:08 pm Post subject:

Apparently the big tank seems okay. The little tank (the one that gets the water and allows it out to the soakaway is the one causing the problem (although how the big tank filled so fast I dont know).

John says the little tank was silted up at the bottom, where the 3 exits are placed. He has now cleaned all this, but im concerned that the problem is outside the tank, where the water exits the exits (if you follow me).

Liz in Ireland

Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 1287

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 12 10:28 pm Post subject:
I have that problem temporarily if the field next door to me is flooded....less of a problem now even if it is as there is mostly only me putting anything into the system!

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 7:05 am Post subject:
If you don't get your septic tank emptied regular the sludge will go through to the out let and block your soak away and then you'll get it backing up all the time

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 8:42 am Post subject:
This may indeed be the problem.... we are working on it.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4611
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 10:42 am Post subject:
If a septic tank is installed correctly,you should`nt need to empty regulary,the one here has`nt been emptied for 25yrs. But saying that,a septic tank with soak away,is not the best choice ,if you do not have free draining soil texture,where the soak away outlet is situated, If you have clay,you are better off with a cesspool,which does need emptying regulary.

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 10:54 am Post subject:
Septic tank problems https://www.mtmdrains.co.uk/tankempty.html I've had to renew a few soak aways for different people because of this.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4611
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 11:23 am Post subject:
Those seem to be problems with new type systems, The old type septic tank,brick /block built,with a 2nd chamber filled with graded stone to filter,with out let at base,piped to a further hole dug,and filled with graded stone,tofilter further ,before dispersing to the ground.

digit

Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 88
Location: Neath,South Wales

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 12 2:49 pm Post subject:
I remember those sort of tanks, they weren't exactly water tight. These new ones are water tight, even the concrete ones, its mainly the fibre glass tanks i put in for people because they're cheaper

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 12 7:58 am Post subject:
Dont know if this is 'old' or 'new' - it was put in in 1977.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 12 1:53 pm Post subject:
The civil engineering friends have been round and the general gist is that its the outflow that's blocked. They are now drinking cider mulling over the problem................. not going to get done in the near future then..........

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 12 4:16 pm Post subject:

Lorrainelovesplants wrote:

The civil engineering friends have been round and the general gist is that its the outflow that's blocked. They are now drinking cider mulling over the problem.................

not going to get done in the near future then..........

Or it may be cleared using a controlled explosion and natural jetwash...

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 12 6:19 am Post subject:
I didnt let them drink that much...........it was only 2pm.....

diggerjohn

Joined: 21 Oct 2010
Posts: 14

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 12 5:11 pm Post subject: Soakaway at the end of its life.

Septic tank soakaways don't live forever. If yours is from 1977, it has done remarkably well to last so long. You can't mend them either - all the rodding and jetting in the world won't help.
See this page for a good explantaion of your problem.
https://www.wte-ltd.co.uk/septictank.html

Replacing soakaways makes up a good part of my business, but as your tank is so old, you would probably be better off replacing it with a sewage treatment plant, especially if you have a ditch to put the water into.

alex-mcmillan-02

Joined: 22 Nov 2016
Posts: 1

Posted: Tue Nov 22, 16 10:36 am Post subject:
As John said they don't live forever and has done to last this long, I had a similar problem but these guys helped: https://mpcservices.co.uk/contacts Good Luck!

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