We have a rural septic system. I recently noticed toilet paper & sewage coming out the vent between house and first holding tank. Pipe from house is very old metal. Should I treat as a clog first and then suspect broken pipe? Order of items along sewage line:Vent, manhole 1 has 8" diameter plug, manhole 2- tank with baffle, main septic tank, drain field. Getting 9" of snow today.Help!

Hi Danno.

Without knowing how long it has been since the system was pumped it is hard to advise, but if your "rural septic system" was pumped out recently enough then I would advise you to treat the clog first...snake from the "vent between house and first holding tank" to the first holding tank (but not into it). Start there...;)

Mark

I would check for clog first, but my main guess would be the septic is full and over flowing. This can be because of many reasons. Is there a lid or vent pipe to the septic tank that can be opened and checked?

Have you opened up the house clean out to see if it's full of water? Back to you. Tom