Check out some similar questions!

quadzilla69 · Jun 13, 2011, 06:21 AM

Hello everyone,

3 weeks ago, I had my main septic tank and the two dry wells drained. The system is 30 years old. It had been a while (over 7 years) and I figured I better get it done. Well it was a big load and not cheap as all three tanks were nearly full (main tank and both dry wells) .

Yesterday I noticed that my main tank had water coming out of the top of the main tank. I checked the two dry wells and they were empty with no water coming into them.

When the septic guy came out (just the guy that drains the tanks, not the guy that estimates a big job), he said that there was likely a clog somewhere, prob in the pipe leading from the main tank to the distribution box or in the box itself since neither drywell was getting any water.

He said that they usually don't even bother to try to clear a clog or "roto router" the pipes. They would just come out and rip out my dry wells and replace them with a drain field. This sounds very pricey and I'm really in bad shape now financially (like most in this country). I lost my job a while back, was out of work for several months and ended up taking a job where I make less than half of what I did before and I now have a ton of debt and no savings.

But enough of my sob story. Will some companies try to unclog or replace the pipes or is everyone going to want to replace my dry wells with a drain field?

Thanks so much! ;-)

Fred

ballengerb1 · Jun 13, 2011, 08:04 AM

Clogs after the tank at the distribution box are most frequently caused by an over filled tank allowing solids out into the pipe. Your distribution box can be dug up and repaired for about $20,000 less than a new field. Call for 3 estimates

quadzilla69 · Jun 13, 2011, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Clogs after the tank at the distribution box are most frequently caused by an over filled tank allowing solids out into the pipe. Your distribution box cab be dug up and repaired for about $20,000 less than a new field. Call for 3 estimates

Yes, I HIGHLY suspect that this is the case, because I let it go too long before getting it pumped and I even saw solids in the dry wells (beyond the main tank). So I'm almost certain that the pipe leading to the junction box or the junction box is clogged. Thanks so much! At least I'll know to shy away from them try to sell me on getting everything torn out and replaced!

I'll reach out to 3 or more local companies.

quadzilla69 · Jun 13, 2011, 08:50 AM

Anybody else have an opinion?