I am having a slow draining tub and will try solutions suggested in earlier posts, but also have noticed the dirt is sinking over where I believe the drain field's distribution box is. I am not having drain problems in sinks or toilet, but could the slow tub drain and the sinking earth be related? If I clear the tub drain, what next? I thought I didn't have a septic tank, just the drainfield. Is that possible? Would I be able to make a determination about the distribution box by digging down before calling a plumber? What is my most likely problem? A couple of years ago I moved my washer to a different part of the house and at that time, of course, had a new drain pipe from the washer tied into the old system so I thought at first it was just the ground settling. It started as a small hole in the ground but seems to be growing.

When the dirt subsides over a distribution box it usually means your wallet will feel lighter, soon. I think your box has caved in and the problems will start soon. The quicker you dig down and correct the less it will cost.

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I thought I didn't have a septic tank, just the drainfield. Is that possible?

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Nope! Got to have a septic tank for the solids.

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I also have noticed the dirt is sinking over where I believe the drain field's distribution box is.

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Bob's bang on when he sez; "When the dirt subsides over a distribution box it usually means your wallet will feel lighter, soon.". Kaching! Kaching!
Another cause could be the drainfield's loaded and there's standing water in and around the box. I would first focus on the septic tank and drainfied and then the house drainage. This sounds more serious. Good luck, Tom

Thanks guys. I was afraid of that. Any idea how much this sort of thing is going to cost me? Any suggestions for determining if a company is honest an competent would be appreciated.

Hi all...

Never know... nexttouseless could also have an old fashioned cesspool... *YUCK*! Check out this site for info. On cesspools and septic tanks: http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/septcesspools.htm

I would call your local building department and see if perhaps they can recommend anyone in the area... otherwise, call 3 contractors minimum and get estimates to compare apples to apples... ;)

I also wonder if this is just an issue at all... could just be that the tub is clogged.. What have you done to try to unblock the drain?

Of course, sounds like you need to find out more on your system anyway.. whether it be now or later as an emergency... ;) I'd find out more for sure!

Let me know...

MARK

I'd try a little digging myself and then see what you run into. I have uncovered some boxes and even septic tanks with old metal lids than were just sagging. You may luck out. When it comes to septic guys in my area I call the one with the biggest ad in the yellow pages.

Ill make a note to put a bigger ad in the yellow pages, lol.

The above answers are correct, you will want to look into the sagging dirt. However, your problem as of now is with the tub drain. If the sagging dirt were the main problem, all of your fixtures would drain poorly.

Please answer Marks question about what you have done to unplug the tub. I believe that you need to get the outside problem fixed, but even when you do, it most likely won't fix the tub draining problem. Let us know if you would like some advice on clearing the tub drain.

Hi, used a "zip" tool last night to attempt unclogging the tub drain. The guy at Home Depot recommended it as a first try. I figured what the heck, it was only $2 and looked pretty handy. It didn't work in this case, but think for sinks it could be helpful later. Anyway, will go back today to get a snake. Read other entries about the going in from the stopper thingie above. Is that correct? Will try the drain first and if that doesn't work could try from the thing above.

Re: the sinking dirt, Will try digging down first to see what I can see. If there is no back-up, water, etc. and I don't see evidence of broken something's, should I call someone anyway? I'm really struggling financially right now so don't want to do that unless I have to. At the same time, don't believe in waiting while things get worse. Is it possible the septic tank just needs to be pumped and that nothing is broken? That wouldn't be as bad right? Can't do anything for 2 weeks at least unless we get to critical stage.

On possibility of cess pool, it is an old house, but it does have a drainfield because I can see the stripes in the lawn, although right now everything is really, really green, so they are not as evident as they are in the winter. Hope that rules out the cess pool theory.

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On possibility of cess pool, it is an old house, but it does have a drainfield because I can see the stripes in the lawn, although right now everything is really, really green, so they are not as evident as they are in the winter. Hope that rules out the cess pool theory.

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It does for me. Cesspools don't have drainfields.

"Zip Tool" ! If that's a tool that sends a blast of air to bl,ow out a clog they only work on lateral drains before the vent. To work on a tub you'd have to block off the tub waste. Let me show you how to clear your tub.
To snake your tub remove the two screws holding the chrome face plate and pull up and out on the linkage and plug. Feed your snake in through the opening.(see image) You will run into the return bend of the trap about 18 inches down but crank and work your way past that you should only have 6 or 8 more feet to run out. Flush with a tub of hot water. Good luck and thank you for rating my answer, Tom

Great! Thanks.

Please let us know the outcome. Tom

One more thing. Is the stopper supposed to be solid or closed. My tub's looks like it's a pipe section on the end of the chain, so wondered if the cap had come off and might be stopping things up. But maybe it works with weight somehow.

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Originally Posted by nexttouseless

One more thing. Is the stopper supposed to be solid or closed. My tub's looks like it's a pipe section on the end of the chain, so wondered if the cap had come off and might be stopping things up. But maybe it works with weight somehow.

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It's not really a "cap".(see image). When the plumger drops down it simply blocks off the branch of the tee. More questions? I'm as close as a click. Tom

OK. So the plunger itself isn't solid right?

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Originally Posted by nexttouseless

OK. So the plunger itself isn't solid right?

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Nope! Think of it like a flap that stops the flow of water from your drain. Why all the interest in the drain assembly? Cheers, Tom

As I keep reading on its getting further form the distribution box and why? If the cave in is restruction the main line from the tank and the tank slowly draining, then the lowest drain will be slower not to mention a LONG clog from house to tank, and tank to box.

That is the link to ALL of the drainage here, once clogged you are dead in the water. Expose that box. This could easily be a DIY project. If you find a cave in on that lid then lets address that. After you expose it and find a bad lid then lets replace it. First check to see if its still level and it HAS to be perfectly level for it to work properly. Look in phone book for septic tank/boxes company and buy a new lid.

Or If buying a lid is hard to find then make one. Get some High strength sakrete. Lay a piece of ploy down on garage floor. Thena 2x4 frame on plastic. Couple of short steel rods for reinforcement, mix concrete pour in frame 1 1/2 lay rods, pour 1 1/2 again . Let cure keep water on it and there's your lid

I agree, suggested that in post #6. Its worth opening that area on your own just to see what you have.

OK, OK, will look at the box this weekend. Have been out of town since last week. Work long hours, dark when I get home, so progress is slow.

In response to Tom about interest in plunger, was just hoping it was something easy, like a cap stopping things up. Can see now that's wishful thinking. Anyway, will get back to work on this.

Thanks to 21 Boat. Building a lid might be beyond my abilities, but I am really, really broke, so may give it try (have learned to do many other things out of necessity) if that turns out to be the problem.


Hi, finally was able to dig down to see what was happening. Absolutely NOTHING was happening -- Yea! Dirt was dry, everything looked brand new, no leaking, nothing. So filled up hole and called plumber, who unstuck glob of hair from trap. (I had tried snaking but his snake was powered by a drill - made all the difference.) Sinking dirt may have been caused by a discarded piece of drain pipe leftover from when I replaced the sewer pipe when I moved in 6 years ago that was angled upward. My theory is that dirt slowly sank into that leftover piece of pipe making a small hole on the surface. Think I forgot to mention the sink hole was small. Anyway, for now, things seem to be OK. Thanks for all the advice. I learned a lot.

We thank you for the update. Good luck, Tom