Hi:

I need to turn the flow diversion valve on my septic tank so it uses the second drain field, but the septic tank company is charging me $200 to come and do this. I know where the valve is and I also have the rod for turning it, but I have no idea how to do it. The septic tank company said if I don't do it correctly, I could end up breaking the valve so I should call them the first time and they can show it to me.

Any suggestions? I did not find any directions on the internet.

Regards,
K

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Originally Posted by kutra

Hi:

I need to turn the flow diversion valve on my septic tank so it uses the second drain field, but the septic tank company is charging me $200 to come and do this. I know where the valve is and I also have the rod for turning it, but I have no idea how to do it. The septic tank company said if I don't do it correctly, I could end up breaking the valve so I should call them the first time and they can show it to me.

Any suggestions? I did not find any directions on the internet.

Regards,
K

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Fly me up there and I'll do it for $150. Doesn't look that complicated to me.(see image) how about you? Just do it! Good luck, Tom

In my neck of the woods those things are quite rare but they only go left or right. Try right and then left, your guess will be about as good as the guy who isn't getting your $200. Those guys should fall into the tank for what they are charging. Shine a flashlight down your shaft and you may see that the indicator knob is slightly point off in one direction, you want it to go in the other direction.

Thanks speedball1 and ballengerb1. I shall try it myself and let you know.

Tell me more about your field. I have only seen one field with a diverter. Around my area space is so precious folks are hard pressed to get one adequate field in let alone two. Why do you require q second field, is the first one getting water logge or what tells you its time. Thanks,
Bob

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Tell me more about your field. I have only seen one field witha diverter. Around my area space is so precious folks are hard pressed to get one adequate field in let alone two. Why do you require q second field, is the first one getting water logge or what tells you its time. thanks,
Bob

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I managed to open the riser cap and turn the flow diversion valve. It was exactly like the one posted by speedball1 above (Bull Run Valve). Yippee! That's $200 saved because of you guys. :)

ballengerb1:

I moved into this house in Sep 2008 and this house's septic system has two drainfields. This is as per the seller and county records. Space isn't an issue since I have over 10,000 sq ft of back yard space.

The seller was nice enough to pump out the septic tank before she left. And she also did other repairs like replacing both the distribution boxes, etc. All records were furnished by the Septic Tank Co that did it along with the County Permits.

Now, I read that flow diversion valves need to be turned every 6 months or 1 year. Since I have no way of knowing whether the valve was turned when they pumped out the septic tank, I thought now was a good time. There's no problem with my septic system; I turned the valve just as a part of regular septic system maintenance. After this, I plan to be on a 6 month schedule.

Does this info help?

My next quest is to find out if my septic tank uses a filter or not. The Septic Guys told me to look for a 2-3ft in diameter round cover which might be flush with the ground or slightly above; but exposed. I am certain I cannot find it, but the Septic Guys will charge $200 to confirm this.

Same septic guy, same price for everything, Get anew guy. Most tanks do not have a filter and if yoy have one its on the side closest to the home where the line conncets from the house to the tank. No white cap, no white plastic filter.

You should be able to change the valve position yourself. It is easy to do. The $200 charge is outrageous unless you live a long way from the plumber's or are in an area with a high cost of living. It helps to have an underground curb key, also called a meter wrench, to turn the valve. You can get one from a home center or hardware store. The bull run valve should turn quite easily. Don't force it. You may need to carefully remove dirt and vegetation debris that may have settled and covered the valve. I just bought a house that has such a valve in the yard. I'm wondering why whoever installed it must have done it backwards. The arrow on my valve points back toward the septic tank and the house.

I'm trying to figure out where the field lines run in my yard. Can they branch out into multiple lines past the valve, or will there be only two field lines, one for each side of the valve?