A plumber who came by to unclog a sink told the tenant that it was the septic (the house actually has a cesspool, not a septic tank).

Unfortunately, I wasn't there to ask any follow-up questions. I'm wondering, is it possible this is a partially blocked main line out to the cesspool? Could it be that the cesspool needs pumping?

I don't think I'll be attempting any of the work myself, but I'd like to keep the cost down. Is there a way to make a more definitive diagnosis without digging up the cesspool? What should I be looking at first?

Thanks,
-jb

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Originally Posted by JohnnyB

A plumber who came by to unclog a sink told the tenant that it was the septic (the house actually has a cesspool, not a septic tank).

Unfortunately, I wasn't there to ask any followup questions. I'm wondering, is it possible this is a partially blocked main line out to the cesspool? Could it be that the cesspool needs pumping?

I don't think I'll be attempting any of the work myself, but I'd like to keep the cost down. Is there a way to make a more definitive diagnosis without digging up the cesspool? What should I be looking at first?

Thanks,
-jb

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Hi Johnny,
When a fixture "gurgles" it's caused by a blocked vent. When a fixture "burps or bubbles " it's caused by a partial blockage in the drain line forcing air back up the line when the discharge hits the clog.
Did the plumber snake out the kitchen sink vent or just charge you for lipservice and leave?
Let me explain about vents. When you pull a plug or flush a toilet the water going down the pipe sets up a suction. This has to be relieved by outside air. Hence a pipe through your roof. If the vent is blocked by a birds nest or a dead critter the water will pull suction through the nearest trap and you will hear a gurgle. It may be a fixture trap or the toilet may talk to you but you will hear it someplace. While it is possible for the suction to pull enough water out of a trap to have sewer gas escape but it's more likely a smell will come from decaying food, grease or hair. A blocked vent is unlikly to cause oders. And now you know about vents. A note about cesspools.
Section E-8(a) of the Standard Plumbing Code states," a cesspool shall be considered only as a temporary expedient, pending the construction of a septic system or a public sewer". While your immediate problem may be a faulty vent I would install a septic tank and drain field to bring your dwelling into code. Regards, Tom

Thanks so much for the reply. As far as I know the plumber did resolve the upstairs sink problem.

And we just had a septic guy come by and he says the cesspool needs to be pumped. So, that's what we're going with.

Regarding replacing the cesspool, it's probably a very good idea, although the property must be grandfathered, and so it's not a legal requirement. Siting the septic will probably require running a lot of pipe (so, a back hoe). Oh, well.