Locating a septic tank and clearing a clogged root bound sewer line
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- Опубліковано 19 тра 2020
- We purchased this property in September and the only plumbing running to the septic (built in 1974) was the toilet and bathroom sink (the shower was not yet functioning, and the kitchen sink has a seperate grey water line). Because it was getting relatively little use (we were only there on weekends), we didn't notice things were clogged until 3 months later when we got the shower working and it backed up on the first use.
I was unable to clear the blockage from the cleanout using a sewer rod, so I had to locate the concrete septic tank in the yard. I tried to locate it with a piece of rebar, but the ground is full of field stones, so it was hard to tell whether I was hitting rock or cement.
Eventually, I just dug holes and followed the line coming from the house until I found the tank. Upon opening the tank I found the outlet was very root bound. Fortunately, the main clog was close enough to the outlet that I was able to work through it, releasing a deluge of backed up sludge. I'm pretty sure none of the solid waste had been making it to the tank since we purchased the property, and possibly even before then (it had not been inhabited full time for many years before we bought it).
Later after the line was cleared, we ran a camera up the line and learned the thin walled pipe was in bad shape due to cracks/root infiltration. We've since replaced the end section of pipe with a temporary "patch" of pipe and will be soon digging up the entire line from the house and replacing it with schedule 40 pvc.
On the plus side, the cement tank and baffle all look to be in good shape. When we measured the sludge level on the bottom of the tank, it was less than 2'. There was little to no scum layer on top, which I'm thinking is the case because it had not been receiving soap/grease/etc. in many years. - Навчання та стиль
Where have you been all my life ? I do appreciate a person / woman who is willing to slip on her boots, then get a little dirty and get the job done . Great job and hope all your hard labor has paid off . You are amazing. Thank you ,tom
Thanks for watching!
Excellent job, we don’t know if we don’t try.
Bravo! 👏👏 Seriously, much respect for your job well done. Sometimes you just have to work with what tools you have. Yes it would be nice to have this or that tool, but real life is not always like that.
Awesome work! Just had my laundry grey water tank pumped after seeping started at the lid. Quoted $1400 to fix the distribution box which I though was weird since it's just grey water. Decided to just dig around the exterior of tank by outlet to check for issues. Drainfield line was crushed at the outlet valve and was clogged with dirt/roots! Just saved myself $1400 and was about 3hrs of time + $20 in parts
That was cathartic
Great job! Thank you!
Amazing! Thank you for your video 👍
And, I thought this was a man's job?. Nice work!
Nice.....I’m glad you won that battle.
I’m doing battle with mine too..... wish me luck 👍
I thought the good cleanout would make this job simple. Ohhh nooo. You needed an excavator and treasure map to find this one. Goid job, hard won.
Way to go.
Goes to show women can do this to, although drain addict is still king lol but good job
Two tools that might make this job easier
A snake, which you rotate and can snag obstructions
A hose jet, like the cobra bladder, that attached to a hose and expands to fill the line, then shoots out a jet of water to break up obstructions.
9:20 It's a gusher!
isnt there suppose to be a inlet baffle on that pipe ?
I thought the same thing too, but after doing some research I learned that on these older tanks the cement "wall" that's in front of the pipe serves the role of the baffle. Here's a diagram: www.realtyresourceguide.com/septics/septic_tank3.gif
Install a PVC inlet baffle. To prevent future clogs, every 6 months, pour Root Kill into pipe from toilet to kill roots. Root Kill is same as copper sulfate. (Buy cheap at eBay cheap)
Root killer is part of our seasonal maintenance schedule. 👍 On these old cement tanks the cement divider is the baffle.
Yum black sludge 🤤
Fun times, right? : )
IF it is an older tank the Cast Iron fittings deteriorate to a point FLOW is restricted and can cause back up or tank overflow......... guess how I know..... my tank is from '76
How much did you charge them for this job?
Was on my own home.
Good job but u busted the tile should of used a piece of pvc smaller than the pipe and stick it in then snake your pipe.
The pipe was super brittle - it was already breaking. We replaced the entire pipe with new PVC shortly after this clog fix.
Why was there steam?
The hose we were flushing with was coming from a hot water line
yep using arguer be better u ran the risk of breaking pipe up in side like the opening and then u up the shit creek
why are you shovelin?? used your toy...mini excavator