Help! Septic tank or main drain pipe clog problem.

[frogman]

New to the forum and I would be grateful for any thoughts/suggestions:

We have had a country property in upstate NY for nine years or so. My wife and I went up to the house maybe a total of five or six weeks each year so the plumbing has gotten very little use, except for this past year which was spent up here full time. Due to the very infrequent use the last time our septic tank was pumped was when we purchased the property and have had no issues.

The house’s main drain pipe runs along a wall in the basement with an access hole for the clothes washer drain pipe. The main drain pipe runs through the basement wall and then underground to the septic tank for about 20 feet measured from that drain hole to the tank. Three days ago we started getting water back up out of that access hole when the washer would drain. There is no sludge in the water that backs up and it takes at least a couple of hours for that water to drain out of that section of pipe; presumably back into the tank.

Today I tried snaking the pipe. At about 19 feet I think I feel the snake hitting a clog and the end of the snake comes out with a small clump of what looks like toilet paler and hair. I snaked it many times with the same results and tried sending boiling water down it, but have not been able to clear the clog…....if it is a clog. The pipe still fills up with water when the washer runs. We have been using the facilities.in a separate building, but assume that the water would back up to toilets and sinks if we used them.

I am hoping it is a clog and not something more serious. Thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks very much in advance.

LG

 

[Twowaxhack]

Sounds like you need a drain machine to clear the line.

Could be roots, bad pipe, wad of toilet paper, sludge or a combo of all of the above. I found a huge rat that got stuck inside a 2” cast iron drain once.

 

[arctic bill]

Sounds like you need a drain machine to clear the line.

Could be roots, bad pipe, wad of toilet paper, sludge or a combo of all of the above. I found a huge rat that got stuck inside a 2” cast iron drain once.

I did too, when i pulled back my fish the leg of the rat was on it still kicking.

 

[plowking]

On a septic system The pipe can be clogged in the inlet baffle The baffle extends below the pipe 12 to 18 inches below water level .Baffle can be unplugged with a probe or shovel. .You have to dig up cover on tank nearest the house to have access to it. I snake lines from tank to the house while I am pumping the tank if line is plugged.

 

[frogman]

Thanks very much all for the suggestions. I will look for a clog at the intake baffle. I welcome any other thoughts.