Posted: 3/1/2013 5:44:28 AM EDT
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First excuse my terminology. I'm not a expert in this field.
Ok so earlier this winter I had my septic tank pumped out after I could start to smell , (What i will call septic odor). Well since then i've noticed that there wasn't a lot of snow around the big cement clean out cap area, I thought this was maybe because the heat of the septic now being pumped was keeping this area warm.. Well i was wrong.. Today while the wife was showering i noticed water flowing out of the cap. Which leaves me to believe that my drain field is plugged, frozen or has just gone Tits Up. Is there anything I can do? Do I wait till spring and see if it goes away ? or do I call the experts and if so whats this going to cost me? |
| Is this a system that uses a pump to pump out into the drain field, similar to what's used in a mound type system? It almost sounds like it. When a pump goes, that's exactly what happens. If you have a gravity flow system, roots growing into the drain field pipes do that. Do you have trees or bushes near to the drain field? But this usually happens in summer, when growing roots are active. |
| Idk what i have we live in solid sand and haven't planted any trees or bushes since we moved in almost 10 years ago I'm going to be talking to the sewer guy monday morning i guess. As of right now nothing odds backing into the house and the turds havnt left the containment vessel.. |
| How much snow is on the ground now, and has there been a decent snowcover the last 8 weeks or so? If not, the frost might've penetrated deep enough to freeze up your drainfield, which would cause a back-up. That was very common in my area around mid January, because the snow cover, which actually insulates the ground, was way below normal allowing deeper than normal frost into the ground. Septic guys can thaw it out with steam, if that's your problem. |
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Your drain field froze up because your tank was pumped and there was no flow into the field.
Happened to my neighbor when he had his tank pumped late in the fall. He had his tank pumped and waiting for things to thaw. Is the ground soggy and muddy around the tank cover area? |
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Your drain field froze up because your tank was pumped and there was no flow into the field. Happened to my neighbor when he had his tank pumped late in the fall. He had his tank pumped and waiting for things to thaw. Is the ground soggy and muddy around the tank cover area? That sounds like a winner right there. Good to know. I have never had a tank pumped in winter. |
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Your drain field froze up because your tank was pumped and there was no flow into the field. Happened to my neighbor when he had his tank pumped late in the fall. He had his tank pumped and waiting for things to thaw. Is the ground soggy and muddy around the tank cover area? That sounds like a winner right there. Good to know. I have never had a tank pumped in winter. I'm not a sewer expert either but I've dealt with a number of septic/mound system issues over the years. If he's in sand country (like I am) I really doubt the drain field froze, no matter the amount of snow on the ground. Sand doesn't freeze like 'regular' soil freezes. Since it sounds like he isn't even sure if he has a septic, gravity or pump or mound, I'm betting its most likely a pump failure. Roots are also a problem, even if the trees seem to be far enough away, especially in sand country...those silver/sugar maples go right for any water source like that and they are relentless. If there is one of those maples within 75' feet of that field, it's almost guaranteed there is a massive root system going directly to that drain field or mound. Good luck to you, I've dealt with it enough in winter to know it really sucks. CM |
Nothing but sand here too.... and I know at least 3 people who have had frozen drain fields in the last month. I cover mine with all the oak leaves I have to blow every fall, because it (low snow) has been a common occurance lately. I have literally a 2' -3' deep layer of "non-compressed" oak leaves on my drain field when winter starts... by spring they're smashed down to about 3". In low snow years, it adds needed insulation. Surprising how well it works. 
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