Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Folly's place]

If it's the drain, the drain guy can get to it through the clean-out valve, not through the septic tank. Or, worse, removing a toilet and cleaning from there.
It's all disgusting, sorry.
Mary

 

[aart]

If it's the drain, the drain guy can get to it through the clean-out valve, not through the septic tank. Or, worse, removing a toilet and cleaning from there.
It's all disgusting, sorry.
Mary

The main clean out is in the lower level of house and inaccessible at this time,
I would have to tear out a huge shelf assembly that's chock full of stuff.
I had another clean out added between house and tank(~8') when roots blocked tank inlet several years ago, clog should be reachable from there.
This clean out faces the 'wrong' way, but is pretty easily removed (it's held in place with fernco couplers) and turned around. That'll be the first, and hopefully successful, angle of attack.

 

[electrycmonk]

The main clean out is in the lower level of house and inaccessible at this time,
I would have to tear out a huge shelf assembly that's chock full of stuff.
I had another clean out added between house and tank(~8') when roots blocked tank inlet several years ago, clog should be reachable from there.
This clean out faces the 'wrong' way, but is pretty easily removed (it's held in place with fernco couplers) and turned around. That'll be the first, and hopefully successful, angle of attack.

So the plumber will be doing 2 things for you actually then huh? Flip the clean out the proper direction & then attack the blob and then all will be right at home?

 

[aart]

So the plumber will be doing 2 things for you actually then huh? Flip the clean out the proper direction & then attack the blob and then all will be right at home?

That's my theory.... hopefully he agrees and it's correct.
Will want to flip the clean out back around too.
Might depend on who shows up.
Dug it all out for him, at least I felt like I was doing something to address the issue, and it's not for naught. Dug it out when I had them add the cleanout too. Saves them some time and me some money, tho I think I'm on the books as a DIY'er, so higher rate. :|

There it all is in relation to the house, might clarify my earlier posts.
Am sketching up a schematic, thinks the venting kinda stinks on this system.

 

[Folly's place]

Ours is in the garage, 3' up next to a wall. Convenient, but still yucky.
Mary

 

[RaZ]

Right after I moved in to this house in the woods, I had the septic tank cleaned out by a pro. They left a brochure about dos and don'ts for a septic system. Good info as this is the first house I've ever had on a septic system.

They recommend a clean out every 3 - 5 years depending on use. Since it is just me here, I should be good for 5+ years. Also, I "water the trees" every chance I get. Cuts way back on flushing.

 

[1muttsfan]

Since it's the solids that cause the most trouble, flushing more often actually helps if you have low flow toilets.

 

[electrycmonk]

That's my theory.... hopefully he agrees and it's correct.
Will want to flip the clean out back around too.
Might depend on who shows up.
Dug it all out for him, at least I felt like I was doing something to address the issue, and it's not for naught. Dug it out when I had them add the cleanout too. Saves them some time and me some money, tho I think I'm on the books as a DIY'er, so higher rate. :|

There it all is in relation to the house, might clarify my earlier posts.
Am sketching up a schematic, thinks the venting kinda stinks on this system.

View attachment 2097857 View attachment 2097858

My gawd woman, that is some serious detailed, clean workmanship! The precise cut work space, all that dirt on the tarp for faster clean up. They better give you a discount for that level of prep work! The plumbers, well, electrical contractors we have either used or gotten quotes from have always said they give discounts for this type of prep work.

Heck I'd reached a point on several plumbing situations that I did the repairs once the trenches were dug to that level....

So, all that to say, yeah, I like it.

 

[bigmrg74]

Right after I moved in to this house in the woods, I had the septic tank cleaned out by a pro. They left a brochure about dos and don'ts for a septic system. Good info as this is the first house I've ever had on a septic system.

They recommend a clean out every 3 - 5 years depending on use. Since it is just me here, I should be good for 5+ years. Also, I "water the trees" every chance I get. Cuts way back on flushing.

Probably should get on Mom about having her septic cleaned out and inspected sometime in the near future. I don't think that its ever been done. I know Dad put in a huge leachfield when we put it in, and downhill a bit away from the house, but sooner or later the septic tank should be cleaned out right??

 

[electrycmonk]

Sadly that is such a subjective question. Some septic systems can fill fast one time and super slow the next for some odd reason. We have a Lakehouse with a smallish ~500 gallon tank and a unknown size and condition leechfield. Circa 1970! The soul around the lake is 'very well known' by all the septic companies that soil saturation can actually back fill folks tanks causing them to back up.... It has ours several times the last 2 years.