drains backing up septic tank?

Question

Hi-toilet-shower-and tubs backup with yucky when flushing also this last time it did smell in one of the tubs. I have heard gurgling on occasion. I plunged all went down, but this is the third time this has happened. Manufactured home on septic that is only 3 years old and only 2 of us, I am very careful not to put garbage down the drains or to much water.
Can I snake it myself and if so do I go through the toilet or the drainpipe near the septic outside? (If I can get it opened) Also I was told it might be the filter underground by the septic and it might need changing or cleaning can I do this myself?? Please any help appreciated!

Answer 1

When was the last time you had the septic tank pumped? I'd start with that.

Hopefully the block isn't a drain field problem, not allowing the waste water to dissapate. Gosh, I hope not, that's an awful thought!

Another thought is your santitary stack system on the home isn't working......either it's clogged or was not properly installed. The stack is the little vent pipes up thru the roof. They are critical to proper drainage......you know when you open a can and pour from it how you need another hole elsewhere on the lid to aid in pouring, same principle.

I don't know about a filter. After 27 years on this system I've never heard our septic man utter "filter."

If it is clogged, it can be cleaned out by RotoRooter people who know what they are doing and won't break your pipe.

Answer 2

I would assume with a 3 year old tank it is a 1000 gallon tank. With 2 people using the system we would recommend that you pump it every 4-5 years. Septic tank filters have become popular in the last few years and there may very well be one on your tank. The septic tank filter is located on the outlet end of the tank (where the pipe exits the tank). Cleaning the filter is easy and can be done by the homeowner, I would explain but I don't know what type of filter you have. Contact the contractor who installed the system if possible for instructions on cleaning the filter.
Another possibility is a blockage at the inlet baffle (where the pipe from the house enters the tank) often toilet paper and material will collect there and restrict flow into the tank. After checking both of those I would uncover the septic tank and check the liquid level. There should be 8-10 inches of airspace in the top of the tank, if there is less then you may have a problem with the leach field, the distribution box or the outlet pipe and will need a contractor to correct the problem.

Hope this helps - feel free to contact me directly if you have more questions.

Answer 3

Hey, By now I am guessing your so overwhelmed with the information that you don't want to think about a septic tank or drain field...... You should not have water coming back in a tank....... I did not read how old the drain field is.. but it could be failing or has failed. Be careful about digging on top of the field lines,,,, once you uncover a line its tough to cover and seal again. It will take the least resistance. The failure can be close to the tank preventing it from entering the rest of the field. Its hard to tell with out looking at it. If possible locate any records of how and where the field lays out. If you have a distribution box. The blockage could be near the tank preventing the water from passing through to the field. Consider a root killer introduced into the drain field first,,,,,, You can do it yourself and its not to costly. Consider salt but there others that work faster. Find someone nearby in the business you feel good about and ask them to look at it..... just look. If you need a repair trust is a big deal. WIsh I could be of more help...... best of luck. Oldguy

Answer 4

I had same problem, a friend that is a plumber was willing to check. The area after my cutoff, the entire pipe had collapsed and there was also something blocking the entry way into the septic tank itself. He said a lot of plumbers dont work on septics. Thank God he did. I'm sure if you know how to dyi you could save $$$. Good luck. No amount of snaking worked after awhile. After the repair, just continue to use some sort of bacteria or check out the internet for something to help and to continue to clean out even the pipes of your house. I live in a doublewide myself and Good Luck

Answer 5

It sounds like you may need your Spectic Tank emptied. No, you can not do this yourself! Having a Septic System is a little different then just sending it all to the sewer. I do a monthly treatment of a Rid-X product. This adds bacteria to the sytem which "eats" up the solids in the tank, making it easier for the "liquids" to seep to the leach field.
The type of laundry soaps you use and other variables come into play as well.
As I said there is more to it then flush and go!
The site below has information and there are plenty more out there.
Good luck !

Answer 6

You should have your septic tank pumped out. Hopefully your leach field for the tank is still clear and this will solve your problems.
As you use the septic system after getting it cleared, realize that not only garbage flushed down, but also women's feminine products, and things like the soap you use (especially in the washing machine) effect the septic tank's effectiveness. I'd also add a box of ridex every month to replenish the good bugs used to breakdown waste in the septic tank.

Answer 7

Depending on the size of the septic tank, it may need emptying!