AboutRob Janus Expertise Recycling, solid and liquid waste management, social and environmental procurement,
transportation demand management, energy and resource conservation, green buildings and
corporate environmental management systems.
Experience 20 years working in the public and private sector waste management field.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Expert: Rob Janus Date: 1/26/2008 Subject: septic system
Question We have a house that was built in 1949. We have been having problems with drainage from the septic tank- it does not drain very well and sometimes comes out over the lid into the yard. We are unsure of where the leach field is located. The person who emptied our tank recently told us that our outlet pipe may be blocked. Is there anyway to tell or to unblock it? Or will this involve replacing our leach field? How do we find out if and where our leach field is. Thank you
Answer Hi Karen,
Thank you for your question. It sounds very likely that your outlet pipe or even the whole field may be blocked. Sewage should never come out over the lid of the tank. This can be a very serious health hazard, and you should have it adressed immediately.
You need to hire a septic system inspection company to come and inspect your system. They should be able to tell what the problem is by visually inspecting the tank and how it is leaching. One of the most common tests is to drain the tank partially and then listen and watch to see if sewage is flowing back into the tank from the outlet pipe; a sure sign of leach field failure. They may use a remote camera to look into the tank and/or into the pipes. They will also likely bore holes into the pipes in the septic field itself to test for clogging. If it's just a blockage that can be removed, you're lucky ($). If it's your septic field that's not draining because it is clogged and reached the end of it's life, it could mean you need to replace the field ($$$). If this is the original system on your 1949 house, it is almost certainly the field that is the problem.
Beware of hiring a company that does mostly installations, as they may be biased towards having you install a new field. Try and find someone that speciallizes in inspections. Besides septic system companies, inspection professionals can be found at civil engineering firms and geologists.
I'd suggest contacting your local government office or town hall to ask for a recommendation of a reputable company. You may also want to make sure you hire a contractor who is certified by the National Association of Wastewater Transporters in the inspection of existing onsite treatment systems. A list of certified inspectors can be found on the NAWT website at: http://www.nawt.org/
You should expect to get a full report documenting the information collected during the inspection, the current condition of the system, fitness for intended use, deficiencies, and recommendations for repair or remediation. You should pay in the range of $250 for a complete inspection, assuming that you expose the tank inspection lid yourself (digging if necessary). If they dig, expect to pay more.
Incedently, you can find out more about your system yourself (age, inspection history, location, etc) from the agency that gives out permits on septic systems in your area, ususally the Board of Health. Again, check with your city hall.
