MikeOnTheRanch
Mar 3, 2009, 11:22 PM
Ya, I got them real bad. Here's the story as best I know.
I bought a ranch about 5 years ago, complete with a fine well and a septic tank with a cracked baffle wall. About 8 months ago, I notice a STRONG sewage smell out in my yard. After quick investigation, nothing died as I had suspected... no turns out I ripped open my septic tank with the tractor. (Actually it was a friend, but I place blame on myself for not pointing out the stakes with flags meant don't drive here)
While standing over the pit of doom, trying not to breath through my nose, it dawned on me that it was full up and time to pump the tank. What timing! Had the tank pumped just fine, but the fine tank mechanic needed a couple days to order the correct fitting lid.
The next day I awoke to a STRONG sewage smell in the corner bathroom that is nearest the tank. This bathroom has only a shower. I promptly plugged up the drain and the next bathtub down the line began to smell. I realized that because the tank had no lid and winds were high... that air was making its way from the tank to the house. So I got the lid the next day and fixed up the opening, then piled dirt and bingo... all was well.
About 5 dryas ago that back corner shower began to stink again. Due to some improvements, I have been using this shower for about a month and a half. Each day for the past 5 days, it's getting worse.
I have inspected outside... no tractor mayhem or any other sort of damage.
So I guess I'm asking for my plan of attack. Need I be concerned with bleach if I have a septic tank? I heard someone say that kills the good bacteria in the tank. So it appears I have several options, yet I am unsure what the proper order is. Clean the hair/junk in the drain, Flush the toilet a handful of times, listen for gurgling, check for bubbles, empty some large tubs of hot water, snake the drain, check the valvles.
Can someone give me a roadmap? I'd hate to have to sell the ranch...
Thanks,
Mike
I bought a ranch about 5 years ago, complete with a fine well and a septic tank with a cracked baffle wall. About 8 months ago, I notice a STRONG sewage smell out in my yard. After quick investigation, nothing died as I had suspected... no turns out I ripped open my septic tank with the tractor. (Actually it was a friend, but I place blame on myself for not pointing out the stakes with flags meant don't drive here)
While standing over the pit of doom, trying not to breath through my nose, it dawned on me that it was full up and time to pump the tank. What timing! Had the tank pumped just fine, but the fine tank mechanic needed a couple days to order the correct fitting lid.
The next day I awoke to a STRONG sewage smell in the corner bathroom that is nearest the tank. This bathroom has only a shower. I promptly plugged up the drain and the next bathtub down the line began to smell. I realized that because the tank had no lid and winds were high... that air was making its way from the tank to the house. So I got the lid the next day and fixed up the opening, then piled dirt and bingo... all was well.
About 5 dryas ago that back corner shower began to stink again. Due to some improvements, I have been using this shower for about a month and a half. Each day for the past 5 days, it's getting worse.
I have inspected outside... no tractor mayhem or any other sort of damage.
So I guess I'm asking for my plan of attack. Need I be concerned with bleach if I have a septic tank? I heard someone say that kills the good bacteria in the tank. So it appears I have several options, yet I am unsure what the proper order is. Clean the hair/junk in the drain, Flush the toilet a handful of times, listen for gurgling, check for bubbles, empty some large tubs of hot water, snake the drain, check the valvles.
Can someone give me a roadmap? I'd hate to have to sell the ranch...
Thanks,
Mike