Septic tank to leach drains junction cover advice please.
Hi all.
I searched for a DIY channel and this was the closest I could find.
In my area we had a really nice wet winter and my septic tanks are backing up into the house. I've checked all the inspection points and cleared the pipes, however the leach drain junction was blocked with sludge and had sand entering. It was haphazardly covered the last time my plumber was here and we used some kind of stone which has literally been dissolved by the chemistry. As well as some plastic. I guess it worked fine for a decade like that but I'd like to build a more suitable cover that won't dissolve and will stop the entry of sand.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thank you!
muffedtrims @lemmy.world - 3mon
Have you considered stopping pooping?
4
WaterWaiver - 3mon
Where do those three pipes go? Is one from the septic tank and two into the leech field?
I am not aware of a PVC fitting that is the correct shaped Y for that junction, which makes me think this is intentional. Perhaps all the junctions look like that and a slab was laid across the top? I don't like that, I can't see it surviving soil ingress well, but I could be wrong.
we used some kind of stone which has literally been dissolved by the chemistry. As well as some plastic.
Stone what? Plastic what? Photos or diagrams please.
Thanks, there was originally a concrete surround and a valve to switch leach drains but it failed, the concrete walls were still there and we just removed the valve and covered it with plastic and rocks to get it running again.
My plumber arrived today after I posted this and will be making up some formwork to pour a new concrete surround to fix it.
Thanks for your input.
3
WaterWaiver - 3mon
Ah so the three pipes in this junction are:
From septic tank
To leech field #1
To leech field #2
A valve instead of a Y-junction would explain the pipe layout, gotcha.
we just removed the valve and covered it with plastic and rocks to get it running again.
Yeah that would clog up again. The "overflow" out of the septic tank has very low (almost 0) water pressure, so soil will happily ingress in through any hole. You will want everything sealed till it gets to the leeching pits; and in those pits you will want controlled size holes & controlled aggregate/fill around them to avoid soil pushing its way in.
2
Gnugit - 2mon
So, my plumber installed some rudimentary formwork and poured the concrete with instructions for me to pull the formwork out gently after one day. The formwork wouldn't come but when it did the whole structure crumbled. It was Sunday and my septic tanks are close to full so it was about to get all wet again. I went to bunnings and got some fittings and a storm water junction and glued a PVC solution.
I hadn't spoken to him since Friday and he arrived to finish off his job today while I was out. He has been uncontactable so I assume he's pissed that I smashed his handiwork as I haven't had a chance to explain.
I feel much better with my solution than his though, that rudimentary formwork was shocking and I wasn't confident that it wouldn't just fill with earthworms in a few weeks.
Gnugit in ausrenovation
Septic tank to leach drains junction cover advice please.
Hi all.
I searched for a DIY channel and this was the closest I could find.
In my area we had a really nice wet winter and my septic tanks are backing up into the house. I've checked all the inspection points and cleared the pipes, however the leach drain junction was blocked with sludge and had sand entering. It was haphazardly covered the last time my plumber was here and we used some kind of stone which has literally been dissolved by the chemistry. As well as some plastic. I guess it worked fine for a decade like that but I'd like to build a more suitable cover that won't dissolve and will stop the entry of sand.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thank you!
Have you considered stopping pooping?
Where do those three pipes go? Is one from the septic tank and two into the leech field?
I am not aware of a PVC fitting that is the correct shaped Y for that junction, which makes me think this is intentional. Perhaps all the junctions look like that and a slab was laid across the top? I don't like that, I can't see it surviving soil ingress well, but I could be wrong.
Stone what? Plastic what? Photos or diagrams please.
EDIT: Also note: septics need desludging every few years; they're not 100% processing systems, they retain most of the solids. Checkout https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Easy-septic-guide.pdf .
Thanks, there was originally a concrete surround and a valve to switch leach drains but it failed, the concrete walls were still there and we just removed the valve and covered it with plastic and rocks to get it running again.
My plumber arrived today after I posted this and will be making up some formwork to pour a new concrete surround to fix it.
Thanks for your input.
Ah so the three pipes in this junction are:
A valve instead of a Y-junction would explain the pipe layout, gotcha.
Yeah that would clog up again. The "overflow" out of the septic tank has very low (almost 0) water pressure, so soil will happily ingress in through any hole. You will want everything sealed till it gets to the leeching pits; and in those pits you will want controlled size holes & controlled aggregate/fill around them to avoid soil pushing its way in.
So, my plumber installed some rudimentary formwork and poured the concrete with instructions for me to pull the formwork out gently after one day. The formwork wouldn't come but when it did the whole structure crumbled. It was Sunday and my septic tanks are close to full so it was about to get all wet again. I went to bunnings and got some fittings and a storm water junction and glued a PVC solution.
I hadn't spoken to him since Friday and he arrived to finish off his job today while I was out. He has been uncontactable so I assume he's pissed that I smashed his handiwork as I haven't had a chance to explain.
I feel much better with my solution than his though, that rudimentary formwork was shocking and I wasn't confident that it wouldn't just fill with earthworms in a few weeks.