[Septic system] Sand mound question

[Newby]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

You system should have multiple lines to the nitrification (absorption) field. At the upstream end there should be a distribution box, and the box should have an adjustable outlet for each line. Raise the outlet for the line that is saturated, and let it "rest" for a few months while the other lines take up the water.

It's standard practice in commercial systems to divide the nitrification field in have, restrict flow to one half and dose the other. Then switch every year. Nitrification fields work best when they have an annual rest period.

That's the ideal way, but older systems and many of the new aren't built that way.

2 tanks in series is also best, but seldom done unless required by code.

[Don Rickles]

Septic work was done this morning.

I had visions of tractors destroying the entire mound and lawn but no. Using a mid sized kabota they dug three, perfectly located 16”x16” holes! The ends of the pipes and end caps were exposed cut off and new fittings installed. They inserted a high water powered jet on a rigid hose into each of the three laterals.

I also had all the tanks emptied using clean hose water the pump was run the the fittings wide open flushing any remaining sludge. Then placed a 4” pvc cap over the fittings, covered with dirt. Future herrings can be done in minutes!

They did also find the wire ties holding the wires had snapped…. One more service set for next week.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Don Rickles

Septic work was done this morning.

I had visions of tractors destroying the entire mound and lawn but no. Using a mid sized kabota they dug three, perfectly located 16”x16” holes! The ends of the pipe end caps were exposed cut off and new fittings installed. They inserted a high water powered jet on a rigid hose into each of the three laterals.

I also had all the tanks emptied using clean hose water the pump was run the the fittings wide open flushing any remaining sludge. Then placed a 4” pvc cap over the fittings, covered with dirt. Future herrings can be done in minutes!

They did also find the wire ties holding looos of wires had snapped…. One more service set for next week.

Did they find Jimmy Hoffa down there?

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Did they find Jimmy Hoffa down there?

I was surprised to see how much sludge had built up! The mound is meant for liquids not solids…… clearly years of pumping dirty dirty water has its residue….

[GrandSportC3]

I'm having similar issue with my drain field at times. (I also have a raised drain field that the sewage is pumped into). I really wonder how those drain field pipe holes get clogged as no solids should be making it into the pipe.
The way my system (and probably all the systems) is set up is that the main tank fills up with liquids and solids. Solids stay on the bottom. On the top, liquids overflow into the smaller tank with the pump. Pump then pumps the liquid into the raised drain field. Unless shit would swim on top, no solids are supposed to get into the 2nd tank. Every time I open up the tank, I can't see any solids coming into the 2nd tank. I have been living in the same house since 2010 and it was built in 1989. I always check with a 6 foot pole to check for solids and I can't even get to the solids 6 feet down, so I don't see a reason to pump it. My septic tank appears to be very deep.. Not sure how deep they normally are.

[Big bob]

I have seen this many times. Particulates will accumulate through the years and plug it up. If you can find the end caps it is a easy and cheap fix. You can buy a pipe jetter off Amazon for under a hundred bucks that hooks to your power washer.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Big bob

I have seen this many times. Particulates will accumulate through the years and plug it up. If you can find the end caps it is a easy and cheap fix. You can buy a pipe jetter off Amazon for under a hundred bucks that hooks to your power washer.

This is true.

A lesson learned. If only cell phone cameras were so readily available in '92, when the mound was built....

I'll let the pros jet wash in a few years. Dirty work.

[Red Baron]

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[SurfnSun]

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