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Post by wvterri on Jun 19, 2015 3:17:03 GMT
I hope the pic shows up. Well, that didn't work. Let me play around and try to get the pic posted so I can ask questions.  WooHoo, I got the picture here! Now for the questions. We were digging a trench for a drain when we came across the sewer line. It was only buried a couple of inches and when my uncle started digging around to find the septic, this is what he found. There was a huge rock covering this and the pipe, elbow, and the pipe at the top of the pic was all busted. Can I repair this without having to replace the whole system? This is to a building that I plan on using for a take out pizza shop. It will only be opened 3 days a week and will basically be water waste. I really don't have the money to put into a new system! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2015 4:26:56 GMT
Darn! Wish I'd seen this before my husband went to bed. He is a septic contractor.... Many times (here) the county environmental health department determines if it's a repair job or a replacement job. Permits are required for any new installations and in some cases for modifications as well. Wish I could be of more help  |
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on Jun 20, 2015 13:21:35 GMT
I'd repair (which is really "replacing") the broken sections, and cover it back up unless an inspector needs to see it first.
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Post by copperkid3 on Jun 20, 2015 22:13:05 GMT
The MAIN question to consider right now, is does (or did) the system work the last time it was used?
If it did, then the odds are probably in your favor that it will do so again and from what I can see,
there isn't that much that has to be replaced/repaired to make it functional again. Do the repairs,
do a load of dishes (or two or three other things that happen during the course of a good night) and
see how it responds. You'll know soon enough if everything works (or not.) Good luck on your venture.
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Post by wvterri on Jun 21, 2015 3:50:36 GMT
I just bought the building in Feb. I've not heard of there being any issues with the septic, but I do keep hearing how there's been a problem with water getting in the building and causing mold for the last 30 years. That's how we came across the septic-putting in a french drain. I'm glad to hear that others have a like mind about this...repair and cover it back up.  Thank you! |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Jun 22, 2015 16:49:22 GMT
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the photo was taken from the top of the ground looking down....right?
If so, then what I believe I see is the manhole cover to the top of the septic tank and two inspection pipes. The inspection pipes should be repaired to extend upward to the ground surface. The repair can be done with the correct lengths of Sch. 40 PVC pipe. Once repaired, you may cover it back up.
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Post by wvterri on Jun 23, 2015 3:56:36 GMT
Yes, Cabin, you are correct about the pic. In the upper left corner is the rock that was covering the pipes. Since it doesn't have a proper cover, should I do any backfill with gravel to keep the dirt out? What exactly do those to pipes do? Being that one is inside the other, how do they work for inspecting?
So, new pipe from the building attached to a new elbow, going into the bottom pipe and 2 elbows and pipe to bring the inspection pipes to ground level. Should I get a better cover?
Any advice on repairing a supply line from the meter to the building? My uncle apparently didn't hear me when I said where the supply line ran when he started digging. I've done all kinds of inside repairs/replacements. Is it safe to assume that this repair will follow suit?
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Post by Cabin Fever on Jun 23, 2015 14:11:23 GMT
A septic tank without a cover is very illegal in many states. We just had a child fall into an open septic tank in Minnesota and died. Chances are you will not find a concrete manhole cover that will fit the manhole opening properly. In such cases, I would suggest purchasing precast concrete rings to raise the manhole opening to flush with the ground surface as shown in the picture below. You can also buy a precast concrete cover to fit the rings. If you prefer, the same set up of manhole riser and cover are available in plastic.  The inspection pipes, also shown in the picture, go straight up to or above ground level. The purpose the pipes is to check the integrity of the septic tank’s inlet and outlet baffles, to check if either baffle is plugged, and to check the sludge and scum build-up in the septic tank. There are no elbows in an inspection pipe. It’s just a straight piece of pipe. |
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Post by wvterri on Jun 24, 2015 0:23:31 GMT
I think I have a redneck setup...sigh....
The pipe coming out of the water had an elbow and the pipe from the building was attached to it. From your diagram, it looks as if the sewage(or maybe a drain) was set up to go through the manhole. I have no idea what those pipe in a pipe are for then, as they are above the manhole and run horizontal with the ground about 1 1/2-2' below ground level. Using a stick to poke around in the water, I was able to determine that it's about 4" of h2o with a solid base all around.
This wasn't opened. We had to find and uncover it when we ran across a pipe coming from the building right below ground level. It was covered by a large rock and 1 1/2-2' of dirt over that, no openings anywhere.
Thank you all so much for your help!!!!
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Thank you!