We take you with us on 3 septic system malfunctions. Some distressed homeowners looking at high field replacement costs, but we get things back to good order.
At least there was liquid in the distribution box. I've seen many tanks full of solids, both tanks to the distribution box, and then leach lines as well. That happened today matter of fact, shoveled out a distribution box full of solid waste.
It sure can. The d-box can get completely plugged and back fill the pipe leading to the septic tank and can cause back up into the home. Poor distribution can also cause sections of the field to receive the majority of the wastewater flow which can lead to surface breakout.
So if the D boxes NEED air flow ... To prevent degradation of the concrete....which I had no idea.... And those d boxes are under so much backfill like 5 feet under.... What is the fix to allow air to the D boxes to prevent them completely dissolving.... And WHY is the box made of something that can degrade from sewer gas. Why not POLLY OR SOMETHING??
D-boxes should always have a riser to grade. This is a key component in a gravity septic system. Over time there can be slight shifting, the balancing of effluent to each drainfield run is adjusted with speed levellers. Gases erode concrete over time especially without oxygen transfer. We use mostly Poly d-boxes now and if concrete d-boxes are preferred they should be to grade level. D-boxes should never have that kind of backfill, should be within arms reach to make adjustments
@@maddierosemusic Polylok and Tuf-Tite are the most common poly distribution boxes. As long as the boxes are bedded properly and sealed they can last a very long time. We don't have an extensive selection of poly boxes so I can't give a good case on which brand is best, I'm sure there are better options than the ones I mentioned.
Many in the past were quite similar and just about all in concrete. Today we have a vast selection of designs and materials. As long as the seal is water tight and there is access for maintenance it really doesn’t matter what type of d-box is installed. Many I have serviced have been in ground dozens of years before being exposed.
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 We were having sewer issues starting in Feb; We thought the field froze so we had the tank pumped. In early June I ran a snake 60ft and hit a dead end. And the pump did its job and we were happy until a couple of weeks ago, started to see sewage water coming out of the rhubarb patch. I tried finding the distribution box with a thin rod but could not hit anything solid. Never would have thought to go into the rhubarb patch. It has frozen some and will get colder starting tomorrow. I guess we'll have to get it pumped out for the winter unless you have a secret about the problem described. Seems like its a summer job, Thanks kindly, cliff
@@cliffleschyshyn1018 sounds like maybe that one drainfield line is getting hit the hardest. This often happens where there is quite a bit of build up in the d-box, that build up can clog the other outlet ports into the rest of the field. You can either chase the pipe leading out of your septic tank until you come across the box or chase back one of the field lines without breaking the drainrock bed. One good way is to use a utility locater to locate the pipe lines, then following them back towards one common area, that would be the d-box. This service shouldn’t be very expensive and it can save you considerable digging
Pre cast distribution boxes. These have always been buried well below surface so not much oxygen reaches the box. This keeps the gases trapped and breaks the concrete down over time at a faster rate then if it was closer to grade.
I don't know if this guy is working in the United States or Canada, but it's absurd to suggest that a Distribution Box be checked every time the Septic Tank gets pumped out. I don't know of any homeowners that would want to pay for that, because it's certainly not included in the cost of pumping a Septic Tank. As illustrated in this video, sometimes the D Box is buried 5 or 6 feet deep, and locating it is time consuming, which can be cost prohibitive for a homeowner. Not to mention, most homeowners don't have a copy of the Septic System Design or Septic Plan available... especially the "as built". As a result, it simply doesn't happen, unless a Septic System Inspection is being conducted for a perspective buyer, or if the homeowner is experiencing a problem that necessitates further investigation. To be clear, this could get very expensive, and easily end up costing a thousand dollars or more. In my state of New Hampshire, not all systems have Distribution Boxes. In fact, many of the newer Leaching Fields or Drainage Fields have manifolds instead of a D Box, or use Serial Distribution. The bottom line is this, I don't go looking for Distribution Boxes unless it's absolutely necessary, which is rare, and when I find Flow Regulators or "speed levelers" in the D Box, I usually remove them, because they impede airflow as well as prevent proper distribution of the Wastewater or Effluent. In my opinion and in my experience, not needed unless the D Box has settled or shifted out of level. Flow Regulators or "levelers" in Distribution Boxes is a relatively new thing, because 20 years ago, nobody really used them. Again, in my opinion, most systems don't need them, so I don't recommend them.
As per regulation in our province we have to have the distribution box accessible at all times. It costs nothing extra to have it checked when the tank is pumped. Get to know regulations before making assumptions.
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 You should make it clear in your video that you're in Canada, because in the United States we do things differently. Not to mention, the environmental rules and regulations are different in each state, which is why I make it clear that I'm in New Hampshire. As a result, my state requires that all 3 covers on a Septic Tank must be accessible year round, so if a tank is buried deeper than 12 inches, risers must be installed over all the covers. Also, if a Leachfield/Drainfield is deeper than 18 inches, it must be vented, which on most modern systems is automatic anyway. I'm sure you'd agree, that Oxygenation or Oxygen Transfer, is beneficial to the long term performance of any system, and Passive Airflow through a Candy Cane or Gooseneck Vent is the easiest way to accomplish it. In any case, many of the newer technology systems don't have Distribution Boxes, and use a manifold instead. It's also become very common to install a Leaching Field using "serial distribution" these days, so the Wastewater or Effluent, flows directly into the first row of tubes, chambers, or modules, it depends on the type of system. Unfortunately, most modern systems in New Hampshire are comprised of Large Diameter Gravel-less Pipes, which are usually 12 inch diameter Fabric Wrapped Tubes. These systems are constructed using only Septic Sand and are commonly known as "sand only" systems. Honestly, I don't like them, nor do I recommend them, because after more than 2 decades in business, I still think Stone & Pipe Leaching Fields are the best, and last the longest. At least, that's been my experience here in New Hampshire.
Plastic components pre 19&0’s we’re not common nor were they well designed until much later. Much of the septic components such as tanks and d-boxes were just about all made from concrete. These old components are now disintegrating and are replaced with more modern components.
Holding your phone over the D-Box while working on it. You are a brave man
Anything for a video…😅
Very informative, Thank you
You're welcome :)
This is great info.
Thanks
Thank you!
I can tell you how informative this was for me. I believe I will be able to fix my problem. Thank you
Cheers! Thank you 😊
At least there was liquid in the distribution box. I've seen many tanks full of solids, both tanks to the distribution box, and then leach lines as well. That happened today matter of fact, shoveled out a distribution box full of solid waste.
Easy to neglect what is out of sight out of mind.
Chamber system is FAILED
Nice video. How do you adjust the pipes at the DBox for even flow? Thank you
We use flow or speed levellers in the pipes leading out of the d-box. By spinning the levellers we can then adjust for even flow.
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 thank you
Does this cause backups into the home?
It sure can. The d-box can get completely plugged and back fill the pipe leading to the septic tank and can cause back up into the home.
Poor distribution can also cause sections of the field to receive the majority of the wastewater flow which can lead to surface breakout.
I guess the homeowner did not want to replace the d box in example #2 - YET. But he will :)
Always a good idea to keep the distribution box visible to maintain and to replace aged deteriorating ones. :)
So if the D boxes NEED air flow ... To prevent degradation of the concrete....which I had no idea.... And those d boxes are under so much backfill like 5 feet under.... What is the fix to allow air to the D boxes to prevent them completely dissolving.... And WHY is the box made of something that can degrade from sewer gas. Why not POLLY OR SOMETHING??
D-boxes should always have a riser to grade. This is a key component in a gravity septic system. Over time there can be slight shifting, the balancing of effluent to each drainfield run is adjusted with speed levellers. Gases erode concrete over time especially without oxygen transfer. We use mostly Poly d-boxes now and if concrete d-boxes are preferred they should be to grade level. D-boxes should never have that kind of backfill, should be within arms reach to make adjustments
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 What's the best brand of poly box? Great video.
@@maddierosemusic Polylok and Tuf-Tite are the most common poly distribution boxes. As long as the boxes are bedded properly and sealed they can last a very long time. We don't have an extensive selection of poly boxes so I can't give a good case on which brand is best, I'm sure there are better options than the ones I mentioned.
How old was the last sewer distribution box you repaired, are all disyribution boxes the same? thanks
Many in the past were quite similar and just about all in concrete. Today we have a vast selection of designs and materials. As long as the seal is water tight and there is access for maintenance it really doesn’t matter what type of d-box is installed. Many I have serviced have been in ground dozens of years before being exposed.
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 We were having sewer issues starting in Feb; We thought the field froze so we had the tank pumped. In early June I ran a snake 60ft and hit a dead end. And the pump did its job and we were happy until a couple of weeks ago, started to see sewage water coming out of the rhubarb patch. I tried finding the distribution box with a thin rod but could not hit anything solid. Never would have thought to go into the rhubarb patch. It has frozen some and will get colder starting tomorrow. I guess we'll have to get it pumped out for the winter unless you have a secret about the problem described. Seems like its a summer job, Thanks kindly, cliff
@@cliffleschyshyn1018 sounds like maybe that one drainfield line is getting hit the hardest. This often happens where there is quite a bit of build up in the d-box, that build up can clog the other outlet ports into the rest of the field.
You can either chase the pipe leading out of your septic tank until you come across the box or chase back one of the field lines without breaking the drainrock bed.
One good way is to use a utility locater to locate the pipe lines, then following them back towards one common area, that would be the d-box. This service shouldn’t be very expensive and it can save you considerable digging
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 Thank you very much, very helpful and that is the step I will take.
Where can I get those end cap adjust 🤔
Tuf Tite speed levelers.
Granite concrete mix?
Pre cast distribution boxes. These have always been buried well below surface so not much oxygen reaches the box. This keeps the gases trapped and breaks the concrete down over time at a faster rate then if it was closer to grade.
I don't know if this guy is working in the United States or Canada, but it's absurd to suggest that a Distribution Box be checked every time the Septic Tank gets pumped out. I don't know of any homeowners that would want to pay for that, because it's certainly not included in the cost of pumping a Septic Tank. As illustrated in this video, sometimes the D Box is buried 5 or 6 feet deep, and locating it is time consuming, which can be cost prohibitive for a homeowner. Not to mention, most homeowners don't have a copy of the Septic System Design or Septic Plan available... especially the "as built". As a result, it simply doesn't happen, unless a Septic System Inspection is being conducted for a perspective buyer, or if the homeowner is experiencing a problem that necessitates further investigation. To be clear, this could get very expensive, and easily end up costing a thousand dollars or more. In my state of New Hampshire, not all systems have Distribution Boxes. In fact, many of the newer Leaching Fields or Drainage Fields have manifolds instead of a D Box, or use Serial Distribution. The bottom line is this, I don't go looking for Distribution Boxes unless it's absolutely necessary, which is rare, and when I find Flow Regulators or "speed levelers" in the D Box, I usually remove them, because they impede airflow as well as prevent proper distribution of the Wastewater or Effluent. In my opinion and in my experience, not needed unless the D Box has settled or shifted out of level. Flow Regulators or "levelers" in Distribution Boxes is a relatively new thing, because 20 years ago, nobody really used them. Again, in my opinion, most systems don't need them, so I don't recommend them.
As per regulation in our province we have to have the distribution box accessible at all times. It costs nothing extra to have it checked when the tank is pumped. Get to know regulations before making assumptions.
@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 You should make it clear in your video that you're in Canada, because in the United States we do things differently. Not to mention, the environmental rules and regulations are different in each state, which is why I make it clear that I'm in New Hampshire. As a result, my state requires that all 3 covers on a Septic Tank must be accessible year round, so if a tank is buried deeper than 12 inches, risers must be installed over all the covers. Also, if a Leachfield/Drainfield is deeper than 18 inches, it must be vented, which on most modern systems is automatic anyway. I'm sure you'd agree, that Oxygenation or Oxygen Transfer, is beneficial to the long term performance of any system, and Passive Airflow through a Candy Cane or Gooseneck Vent is the easiest way to accomplish it. In any case, many of the newer technology systems don't have Distribution Boxes, and use a manifold instead. It's also become very common to install a Leaching Field using "serial distribution" these days, so the Wastewater or Effluent, flows directly into the first row of tubes, chambers, or modules, it depends on the type of system. Unfortunately, most modern systems in New Hampshire are comprised of Large Diameter Gravel-less Pipes, which are usually 12 inch diameter Fabric Wrapped Tubes. These systems are constructed using only Septic Sand and are commonly known as "sand only" systems. Honestly, I don't like them, nor do I recommend them, because after more than 2 decades in business, I still think Stone & Pipe Leaching Fields are the best, and last the longest. At least, that's been my experience here in New Hampshire.
but how did you "completely unblocked all the channels here" ?!!
Good old fashion gloves and garden shovel.
Backhoe 😉
Why not make them out of graphite or so.oid pvc? Daaaaa
Plastic components pre 19&0’s we’re not common nor were they well designed until much later. Much of the septic components such as tanks and d-boxes were just about all made from concrete. These old components are now disintegrating and are replaced with more modern components.
L.a.n.d.s.c.a.p.e c.a.m. m'o'd'e.