temperoath
New Member
Ill try to be as clear as possible in this description. Here is my story:
Im currently deployed with the Army, and I own a home that I have been renting out for the past few years. I know the basics of septic systems, how they work, etc. But Im not sure how to approach this issue.
1. It seems that several times per year, I get calls about sewage either backing up into the house via the tubs and toilets, or overflowing out in the yard where there is screw top PVC above ground just after the main line comes out of the house. All anyone has ever said was "I have to pump the septic, can't find a clog" It doesn't seem like this should need to be done several times per year (its a smaller 3 bed 2 bath house 1350sqft occupied by a few people). This leads me to believe that it may be an installation/design issue, but I'd like to hear everyones thoughts!
2. The design (as far as I know with limited experience) is as follows.
When the main line leaves the house through the front its obviously underground. There is an "access point" to the main line just after it comes out of the house (PVC). The line then flows underground diagonally under the lawn and the cement pathway and to the side of the parking pad. This is where its a little different. There is no leach field. Its in a small neighborhood on a little parcel of land. After it goes to the septic tank, stuff leaves the septic tank and goes directly into a big main line by the road that collects from all the houses on that street...from there I believe it goes to a plant just down the road. Kind of like a hybrid septic/sewer system.
** Im thinking that maybe the slope of the pipes leading to the septic tank is off causing it to flow back in when the tank gets fuller, or maybe the septic tank itself was installed wrong.
Im looking for suggestions, tips, anything really. Also best/worst case scenarios and typically how much those repairs may cost.
Sorry for the novel and thanks for your help! I quickly made a crude diagram that may give you a better idea of what Im looking at. If you'd like to see it I'd have to email to you...it wont let me attach the pdf.
Im currently deployed with the Army, and I own a home that I have been renting out for the past few years. I know the basics of septic systems, how they work, etc. But Im not sure how to approach this issue.
1. It seems that several times per year, I get calls about sewage either backing up into the house via the tubs and toilets, or overflowing out in the yard where there is screw top PVC above ground just after the main line comes out of the house. All anyone has ever said was "I have to pump the septic, can't find a clog" It doesn't seem like this should need to be done several times per year (its a smaller 3 bed 2 bath house 1350sqft occupied by a few people). This leads me to believe that it may be an installation/design issue, but I'd like to hear everyones thoughts!
2. The design (as far as I know with limited experience) is as follows.
When the main line leaves the house through the front its obviously underground. There is an "access point" to the main line just after it comes out of the house (PVC). The line then flows underground diagonally under the lawn and the cement pathway and to the side of the parking pad. This is where its a little different. There is no leach field. Its in a small neighborhood on a little parcel of land. After it goes to the septic tank, stuff leaves the septic tank and goes directly into a big main line by the road that collects from all the houses on that street...from there I believe it goes to a plant just down the road. Kind of like a hybrid septic/sewer system.
** Im thinking that maybe the slope of the pipes leading to the septic tank is off causing it to flow back in when the tank gets fuller, or maybe the septic tank itself was installed wrong.
Im looking for suggestions, tips, anything really. Also best/worst case scenarios and typically how much those repairs may cost.
Sorry for the novel and thanks for your help! I quickly made a crude diagram that may give you a better idea of what Im looking at. If you'd like to see it I'd have to email to you...it wont let me attach the pdf.