septic advice (1 Viewer)

[sirenmoses]

Cross-posted in Home-Improvement: Dan's answer reminded me what a fount of info ya'll can be. Just trying not to take (too much) advantage of your brains.

linky here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/workshop-h...septic-tank-drain-field-failed-flow-test.html thanks in advance.

If ya'll can fix this sans new drain field, I'll be a due's payn TLCA + HDC member for life. Serious! Got my new position cuz the union made mgmt follow the rules: worth my dues. I'm a (small) believer in joining now.

 

[Rudical]

Ummm????? Let's see, I know a plumber that cut me some good deals when my drain plugged up. He even came out on a Sunday. I have a friend that said he has worked on septic tanks in the east mountains. And if the plumbler needs to charge a high rate (digging, the hardest part of the job is the biggest cost!), I think I know a quite a few guys that can keep that cost way way down. Let me know if you want to get it looked at, and I can make some calls.

 

[sirenmoses]

do want lowest price, first hole is already dug (to tank). Hopin to keep it 'only' hole...
Will keep you posted, thanks.

 

[BionicCruiser]

if you know Tony Rodgers (fire medic at Rio), his family owns Rodgers Plumbing. he is very knowledgable and helpful.

 

[evanz80]

Siren - I would second Dan's recommnedation (in the other post) about York Septic. I have used them before and been pleased.

Not busting your chops, but why hasn't the tank been pumped in 10 years? When I built my house in 1998, the county put me on a plan where I pump the tank every two years AND I'm required to provide documentation that it's been done. That is likely overkill, but I always thought the key to keeping septic tanks trouble free is regular pumping.

Good luck!

 

[sirenmoses]

Bust away Evan, I've clearly earned it. I've not pumped it cuz I'm renting; the owner didn't pump it cuz... I don't know why. Now that I've paid to have the access hatch exposed, it'll get pumped w/regularity!

 

[evanz80]

Bust away Evan, I've clearly earned it. I've not pumped it cuz I'm renting; the owner didn't pump it cuz... I don't know why. Now that I've paid to have the access hatch exposed, it'll get pumped w/regularity!

Let's bust the landlord for that! It's not free to pump the septic tank, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing the drain field. I consider it cheap insurance. It seems like the owner should have taken responsibility for that, and maybe now they will.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Constructed wetland? The one at my old place worked great and still does. 15 years old now.

 

[sirenmoses]

^ that's an interesting idea: more data please?


Can't be busting on the rent-taker, as she's a buddy of mine. I could've pushed harder, but previous crossings of the mind about defensible space (WUI: fire threat) didn't go well.

Think of it as I'm buying it from.... well, no HDC'r woulda gone so long: nevermind.

Shawn: I do know Tony, thanks for the tip...

 

[Cruisergreg]

^ that's an interesting idea: more data please?

Here's a start: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

What you could do is keep the current leach field as a back-up and add the wetland with a valve off the tank effluent line switching between the two. Letting the field "dry out" for a period might also help "heal" it.

You could also consider the FujiClean system: Pugo Systems::Home It's been approved by NMED and if you want more info I can put you in contact with the company owner.

 

[marcfj60]

Danise's uncle in Texas has a leach-field-less system. I'd never heard of them before. The best he could describe it to me is that there are ~3 tanks, each providing a level of treatment of the liquid. When it gets to the final stage, it is clean enough to spray on the ground and let it soak in. He has a sprinkler in the back yard (wooded and away from the house) that comes on every few days and sprays the treated water out onto the ground. I don't know if there's a separate tank that holds the solids and then has to be pumped out but it seems like that would be required. It sounds like it functions similar or the same as the system Greg provided a link for.

 

[Cruisergreg]

I'm pretty certain NMED will not allow any surface discharge from a septic system. When the wetland was constructed it was a requirement that there be no standing water in it. I think there is even a restriction against surface application of grey water.

 

[sirenmoses]

Randy w/ York is the bomb-diggity!!

Let me peek over his shoulder to learn, wouldn't accept help, gratuity, did finally go away w/a snacky bite; very reasonable pricing (like half of the bank-recommended vendor), and thinks it'll pass inpection: I'm to phone him in a week.

Lesson learned: ask the locals insteada going w/bank rec's, and

if you have a septic tank, GET IT PUMPED! Costs less than good seat covers, or 2 tires for our rigs, or....


Multi-tasking: contacted the rec'd leach field dude. He 'comp'd' a site visit/estimate after he heard my story about the parent company. $2300 for new field is better than $3500 initially ballparked. I looked at a place about 3 miles away which paid 5bigs to have a new field put in, so I'm breathing much easier.

Thanks for all your input and support. I'll pay it forward soonest.