Septic tank problems!!! Any septic experts?

[fishanhunt]

I had a new septic system put in about 4 or 5 years ago. I had slow drains the other day and went and checked the septic system and it was full. I had a truck come pump and clean the tank and now a week later its full again. Is it possible the outlet piping is plugged up or am I looking at replacement again?

[Hart8]

FYI..I have mine done every 5 years..Twice,the guy said it didn't need it. Hope this helps.

[k9trainer]

has it been raining in your area?

[JDALEX]

Had same problem with ours last week, mine is an arobic system, had a bad switch in electrical box.

[ABroussard]

Is it an aerobic system or field line?

[CCRanch]

Does your septic system have a pump or just overflow field lines? If it is field lines, pour some muratic acid down the lines and it will eat up any roots that might be plugging up your lines. You can get the acid at Lowe's / Home depot.

[Codie]

we had the same problems in late 2009 when it rained a bunch for a week or so and our lateral field was saturated. We ended up adding a third (filter tank) and an additional 1500 feet of lateral lines. No problems since then

[DrenalinJunkie]

If you were in the path of all the rain, yes it may have gotten filled up with rain water and just hasn't caught back up yet.

It is also possible that with the super drought we had this year, that the ground dried so much it shifted and busted your line so now it isn't draining.

ALSO, tree roots WILL find there way into a pipe and clog it up.

I'm not a septic expert but, I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night

But I was a plumber and we ran into alot of the same issues with drain pipes.

Hope it helps.

[fishanhunt]

It's a field line system, not much rain here lately. When I had the new system put in 5 yearsago they added 50' more feet of panels. Not many trees at my place and the field lines are about 6' deep. Not sure if my catulpa tree roots go that deep. Can a plumber try and clean out the outlet pipe maybe?

[oneforthewall]

SOunds like a clog going out of the liquid tank. A properly maintained septic system should never need pumped. Divert as much soap and bleech/cleaners as possible to a grey water pipe. Add rid-x or buttermilk once a month and your solids tank will stay in good shape too.

[Draco]

When you say the tank is full, do you mean full of solids or liquid? Septic tanks are supposed to be full with liquid. I've never had ours pumped after 10 years and never had the tank pumped at the other house, even after 17 years.

It is possible to have them fill up if you have a garbage disposal though. You may have a clog in the line leaving the tank going toward the drain field. A plumber will most likely want to dig the line up where it hits the drain line and roto it back to the tank rather than try to roto it from inside the tank.

[fishanhunt]

Full of liquids like its not going to the drain field. I hope its just the outlet pipe and not the drain field. I guess I'll call a plumber.

[bassinking]

Does your septic system have a pump or just overflow field lines? If it is field lines, pour some muratic acid down the lines and it will eat up any roots that might be plugging up your lines. You can get the acid at Lowe's / Home depot.

I've done this before and it works. I would pour 2 to 3 gallons in it Be carefull pouring it in the tank