[danno50]

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!

[massplumber2008]

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

[Fr_Chuck]

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?

[speedball1]

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