Septic System Issues

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Home Depot has a 100' 5/8th auger rental. I think I'll give it a go when I go get the stuff for a new baffle. After running the auger, would it be a good idea to irrigate the line with a garden hose? That might allow for some crap to run out.

If I can't clear this thing on my own, I really am on the hook for a professional field rebuild and that's just not an option right now.

/ side note: tank is 1200 gal.
 
Home Depot has a 100' 5/8th auger rental. I think I'll give it a go when I go get the stuff for a new baffle. After running the auger, would it be a good idea to irrigate the line with a garden hose? That might allow for some crap to run out.

If I can't clear this thing on my own, I really am on the hook for a professional field rebuild and that's just not an option right now.

/ side note: tank is 1200 gal.

Again, you need a pro that knows what he's doing with a jetter before the tank is full. Augering will only compound your issue, the grease must go somewhere it won't magically go away, so flowing downstream when you auger puts it in leach field where you do not want it.
 
Again, you need a pro that knows what he's doing with a jetter

Agreed - sadly, the only jetter in the area is Rotorooter and they think their equipment might damage the drain line. They're also hella-expensive.
 
Agreed - sadly, the only jetter in the area is Rotorooter and they think their equipment might damage the drain line. They're also hella-expensive.

Where are you located, I know a lot of good plumbers all over the US, Canada and Aussieland
 
Agreed - sadly, the only jetter in the area is Rotorooter and they think their equipment might damage the drain line. They're also hella-expensive.

There is always that chance. The smart thing would be to camera it first. If they did not offer that, you need to get someone else.
 
UPDATE

Septic tank is full after just 5 days, but that's not really a surprise. Finally found a plumber in Albuquerque who does jet lines. They even provide residential service and are willing to jet a septic drain line. I mean, that's kind of a break through because lots of firms are either commercial only or don't jet or don't even know what the hell I'm talking about. Price is reasonable, $300.00 for the first 2 hours. They will require that the tank is drained and that sucks, but it took this long to find 'em so that's the way it is.

If I can get this thing settled for $600.00, I guess everything else will have to be considered as some very expensive lessons learned. Like, I will never use Roto-rooter again. They're overly expensive and not very knowledgeable in terms of septic systems. But they do drive nice trucks. Also, if you're in the Abq area, don't use Atlas Septic Pumping. They're very expensive and they don't do a complete job.

So there you have it; tank is full and field drain line is full of grease and other gunk. Ran two bottles of Roebic down the drain, maybe it'll work (I doubt it). Chances are we'll get backed up in another 3 or 4 days. When that happens, I'll schedule Frank's Septic and A.B Plumbing for the same day. I've seen a few videos and working in tandem seems to be the way to do it.
 
UPDATE

Septic tank is full after just 5 days, but that's not really a surprise. Finally found a plumber in Albuquerque who does jet lines. They even provide residential service and are willing to jet a septic drain line. I mean, that's kind of a break through because lots of firms are either commercial only or don't jet or don't even know what the hell I'm talking about. Price is reasonable, $300.00 for the first 2 hours. They will require that the tank is drained and that sucks, but it took this long to find 'em so that's the way it is.

If I can get this thing settled for $600.00, I guess everything else will have to be considered as some very expensive lessons learned. Like, I will never use Roto-rooter again. They're overly expensive and not very knowledgeable in terms of septic systems. But they do drive nice trucks. Also, if you're in the Abq area, don't use Atlas Septic Pumping. They're very expensive and they don't do a complete job.

So there you have it; tank is full and field drain line is full of grease and other gunk. Ran two bottles of Roebic down the drain, maybe it'll work (I doubt it). Chances are we'll get backed up in another 3 or 4 days. When that happens, I'll schedule Frank's Septic and A.B Plumbing for the same day. I've seen a few videos and working in tandem seems to be the way to do it.

I believe you are on the right track. Honestly that price is very reasonable, I won't get the jetter out for under $500
RR has a different philosophy, they generally don't send a plumber but rather a "technician" which is a fancy name for a guy that went through their 6 week crash course. Next time you get a person that's supposed to be a plumber, ask them for a license.
 
UPDATE

6 days later - system not backed up. Is it resolved? Don't know, but if it's gonna back-up now is definitely the time. We've had heavy rain and the wife's brother has been here since Thursday. So far, so good.

Here's what I did, in detail.
1. ran one bottle of Roebic K-570 directly into the drain field tube (from the septic tank)
2. dumped 2nd bottle of K-570 directly into the septic tank
3. dumped 3rd bottle of K-570 down toilet, per instructions on bottle

When I started, water level in tank was just reaching normal level. Tank is 1200 gal, each bottle of K-570 is concentrate for up to 1500 gal. So, basically, I put in 3 to 4x the amount of product for my tank.

Is the Roebic working? Did it eat through the grease/gunk build-up in the drain line? I don't know, right now I'd say yes. That could change in 24hrs... Anyway, just wanted everyone to know the current status.
 
Make sure that tank has risers on it and is sealed to get it above grade. It will help with ground water penetration. Also. I forget but has the tank been inspected for cracks?
 
So, are you near Belen or Los Lunas? (It's totally none of my business but I'm asking because my sister lives in Albq and we looked at homes in those areas).

I hope that problems with your tank are resolved. I have a septic tank system, but I'm down in Louisiana. I know the soil and moisture content up there is vastly different from what we have down here.
 
So, are you near Belen or Los Lunas? (It's totally none of my business but I'm asking because my sister lives in Albq and we looked at homes in those areas).

I hope that problems with your tank are resolved. I have a septic tank system, but I'm down in Louisiana. I know the soil and moisture content up there is vastly different from what we have down here.

We're west of Albuquerque, 30-min out. Soil here is dry; very, very, dry... lol

So the tank started playing the backup game again...
 
Did you ever open the D-Box to monitor flow into and out of to the leach-field... :confused:
No, but I'm pretty sure I know where it is. Might as well spend a morning locating it. Would add to my knowledge of the situation.
 

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