[MrFink]

First, basic information on the home:

House built in 1956, interior completely redone (looks brand new) - plumbing, not too sure
Single-Story House on Slab Foundation
1320 sq.ft
1 Bath
Well
Septic (Checked and Pumped - Oct. 2007)
Located in Michigan - Metro Detroit


The issue(s):

To sum up our water situation briefly, the well water here is horrible. Extremely high iron, extremely high sodium, and sulfur to top it off. A water softener just wasn't enough. We found this out conveniently after purchasing and moving into the home. After moving in, we had another filtering device installed to take care of the sulfur and some of the iron. This is called an OxyCatalytic Filter, is about the same size as a water softener, and basically runs under the same principle. However, when it regenerates, it uses about 3-4x more water... which leads us into the issue.


Our problem was discovered in the past month. Up until then, keep in mind, we have not had any drainage issues or other signs of trouble. The water softener and catalytic filter both regenerate into the laundry tub in the utility room. The Catalytic Filter was regenerating one night when I heard the toilet gurgling. I got up to check on that, and just happened to walk to the utility room to see what was happening. When I walked in, there was water coming up from the floor drain in the utility room. The laundry tub was about 3/4 full (which was actually typical while the filter was regenerating), but water kept rushing up through the floor drain. When the water came up enough to contact the base of the wall, I shut off the water to the house. Up until this time, I'd never experienced this issue. Only sign was the toilet making a *bloop* *bloop* *bloop* noise. No other drains backed up either. This happened a couple times, and only happened when the Catalytic Filter regenerated. (Regeneration on this thing uses about 8 gal/min for approx. 20 min.)

Since then, I have punched a hole in the wall and ran the lines for the softener and Catalytic filter outside until a permanent resolution can be found. Since doing this, the floor drain has not backed up in the utility room. However, when I shine my flashlight down there, I can see standing water, and it will rise from time to time, for example, when the washer drains into the laundry tub. But it hasn't overflowed.

Now, every time the dishwasher or washer drain, the toilet gurgles. Every time, after it gurgles, it can't be flushed. The water just rises up and swirls, goes almost up to the rim, then slowly goes down. If there is TP in the bowl, you can see a little of it slowly work down through the hole. Like it is slowly draining out. If you wait about 30 min. it will flush normally again.

We had a plumber come out and snake the drain from inside the house and check the cleanout outside. Still no difference.

Finally, many have mentioned the possibility of a clogged vent pipe. So I borrowed a 25ft. Snake, got on the roof and ran the snake down the vent pipe. (I only saw one vent pipe on the roof). I didn't really feel any restriction in the line. At one point though, while snaking, I could hear sloshing water in the line. My first thought is that sloshing water is a bad thing, but again, I didn't feel any restriction. Still had the same issuesafter snaking the vent pipe. Toilet still gurgling when washer or diswasher is drained. Sometimes even after taking a shower.

Sorry for the long message, but I could really use any advice in this matter. I am just about ready to go insane with this new (old) house.

Thanks!

[ballengerb1]

OK I am going to tell you about venting but don't think it is your issue. Your vent pipe may be connected to 2 or 3 other vent pipes in the attic. Plumbers don't always run a vent to the roof for every vent so they revent and connect them in the attic. Only one hole through the roof. In this case you just rodder one of 2or 3 vent but not all of them. I think your real issue is that filter regeneration. Septic tanks and fields can only handle a certain amount of water per day, every gallon down the drain means a gallon must soak into the fiel. If you run 100 gallons into a septci it will overflow and back up into the house. Your new, probably illegal drain is likely a cure. Check with your local plumbing building inspector to see if they allow this gray water to go to a cistern or french drain.

[MrFink]

OK I am going to tell you about venting but don't think it is your issue. Your vent pipe may be connected to 2 or 3 other vent pipes in the attic. Plumbers don't always run a vent to the roof for every vent so they revent and connect them in the attic. only one hole through the roof. In this case you just rodder one of 2or 3 vent but not all of them. I think your real issue is that filter regeneration. Septic tanks and fields can only handle a certain amount of water per day, every gallon down the drain means a gallon must soak into the fiel. If you run 100 gallons into a septci it will overflow and back up into the house. Your new, probably illegal drain is likely a cure. Check with your local plumbing building inspector to see if they allow this gray water to go to a cistern or french drain.

Determined last night that the issue is in the Septic System. Now to determine exactly what the issue is:

Last night, I looked around the Septic tank area and noticed that there was a lot of solid ice on the surface of the yard in that area. The exposed ground near this was spongy or soft when I stepped on it.

After taking a shower later that night, I went outside to confirm my concern; there was a nice big spot where the snow and ice was melted and 2-3 inches of standing water took its place, steam coming off it and everything.

The odd thing is, the water is not pooled up over the septic field, but rather the tank itself. And the puddle is not over the cover. It seems like its over the area where the outlet of the tank would be, but not 100% sure. I don't know exactly where the outlet is or where the distribution box is (if there is one).

Have a Septic Company coming over tomorrow to look over this situation. Probably going to have them clean out the tank to get rid of this standing water situation, then check and see what the problem is. Not sure what is going on or what to do really. Pretty much broke with the new mortgage and all the other crap I've purchased for the house... can't afford to have major work done with this septic. :(

Any advice or info is welcome.

[ballengerb1]

Ask your septic guy his opinion of how many gallons per day your septic can handle. Still thinking your foilter is saturating the field and that does back up to the tank. Spetic tanks are not 100% water proof, the lids are not totally sealed.