What are sure signs of leach line failure in a septic system?

Question

I think my leach lines are failing but I am not sure. Toilets have backup in both bathrooms and it seems that there is some ground pooling just downhill from where the septic tank is buried and we have been dying for rain here in Southern California.

The septic was pumped in May of 2004 to get a septic cert. while we were in escrow to purchase the property. It's a 750 gallon tank and it was my understanding that they should be pumped every 5 years. Should the pumping of the septic be more often such as every other year?

The pumper is coming out today 9/11/ 07. I will post the findings here once they have accessed the problem. Thank you everyone for your input. All the answers are very good.

Answer 1

You just listed the 2 BIGGEST indicators of your Septic Tank being full. Don't wait. Get a Septic Pumping Service to pump your tank ASAP! The additional damage can cost thousands of dollars to repair!!!

Answer 2

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RE:
What are sure signs of leach line failure in a septic system?
I think my leach lines are failing but I am not sure. Toilets have backup in both bathrooms and it seems that there is some ground pooling just downhill from where the septic tank is buried and we have been dying for rain here in Southern California.

Answer 3

Septic tanks should be pumped as much as they need to be, mine was pumped twenty five years ago, the leach field is very good.
If you have liquid pooling around your leach field I would suggest it's getting clogged. Get someone over and get some estimates for a new leach field.

I don't know about your area but, here in Michigan it would cost between 10 and 15 thousand dollars, if everything was O.K.
The entire leach field has to be dug up, hauled away and, a new one, complete has to be put in and, back filled. You may have to have a new tank also, so, get several estimates to make sure you being treated fairly.

Answer 4

You don't state your location but if you're in "frozen territory", your leach field may be frozen. It has been 10 years since we pumped our septic tank but we add bacteria to it weekly -- products like "Septobac" or "Ridex". This keeps the tank working and hot so that it is less likely to freeze. The fact that your toilets are backing up suggests the tank is not able to drain so you will need to have it pumped but if the field is frozen, the tank will just fill up again. I suggest you arrange to have a steamer truck come at the same time as the septic truck. When the tank is empty, the steamer can run steam into the leach lines which should clear up the problem. Also, be sure to add Septobac or equivalent to your tank after having it pumped to get the bacterial action going again. Good luck.

Answer 5

Have you had your system pumped? It needs to be pumped occasionally.If it doesn't get pumped and non-decomposing material spills over you could have serious problems.Don't run any more waste into your lines,no water, anything until you get a septic expert out to look at the problem.

Answer 6

Your tank has to be pumped first or at least checked. With a clear tank if you still have the same problem you more than likely need a new leaching system.

Answer 7

I think you guess correctly, make sure your man also pumps ouryou lines. If possible cut you kitchen sink in to another tank, the dish washer and the kitchen sink are death on septic tanks. Or rather the lines.

Answer 8

pls check if your sewer lines have adequate and properly installed (vstr) vent stack thru roof or vent pipes. Its absence will cause backflow.

If water from floor drains, lavatories, and sinks are discharge also to your septic tank, then it will fill your ST rapidly than expected.. direct water discharges directly to your local sewerage systems.

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