bio unit problem

happywithlife

not sure if this is the right place to post but hoping it is

so new house, 3 yrs old and we have a bio unit in place

had it serviced after one year and it was working fine ...

came back from hols this year to notice the pipes were getting blocked so thought we had better empty it - which we did but since then it has blocked twice in the past month ....

is my percolation (sp?) area blocked? or is the bio unit not working properly? it just seems to filled with mainly water and it doesn't seem to be emptying ..
i am completly useless at this kinda stuff as you can guess and need advice ...

what is likely to be the problem and what is the usual solution to that?
thanks for any help ...

martinn123

happywithlife wrote: »

not sure if this is the right place to post but hoping it is

so new house, 3 yrs old and we have a bio unit in place

had it serviced after one year and it was working fine ...

came back from hols this year to notice the pipes were getting blocked so thought we had better empty it - which we did but since then it has blocked twice in the past month ....

is my percolation (sp?) area blocked? or is the bio unit not working properly? it just seems to filled with mainly water and it doesn't seem to be emptying ..
i am completly useless at this kinda stuff as you can guess and need advice ...

what is likely to be the problem and what is the usual solution to that?
thanks for any help ...

When you say, ''Bio Unit'' is it Biocycle, or another system.
If it is you should have a maintenance contract, in which case they will call out as part of the service contract.
I had the same problem last year and the pump needed replacing, took less than an hour at no cost.

If its another system post details, I am sure someone will help.

happywithlife

martinn123 wrote: »

When you say, ''Bio Unit'' is it Biocycle, or another system.
If it is you should have a maintenance contract, in which case they will call out as part of the service contract.
I had the same problem last year and the pump needed replacing, took less than an hour at no cost.

If its another system post details, I am sure someone will help.

thanks for the reply
as i mentioned i am useless at this stuff
i've only ever called it a 'bio unit' ... it has a kind of hub or dome shaped green cover and a pump which i think pumps air into it ...
there is a maintainane contract which i am paying the cost of now because it states to continue to be covered i need to service it annualy -- well i did service it the first year but just didn't have the 200euro last year and never got around to it after that so i presume my 'contract' is now null and void..
i am just wondering, if it is the outlet pipes that are blocked (which my uneducated guess is telling me is the problem) ... what do i do? i am hoping to get in a digger anyway to dig a trench to plant a boundary hedge (am going for an interview in the morning and hoping to C**** i get the job ) .... can i dig the percolation area and then what..... lay new pipes? release a build up of **** ? can i clear the existing pipes?
sorry i know the educated of you out there are probaly spilling their coffee onto the laptop with the laughing at my ignorance but i really haven't got a clue and would appreciate any advice ...

Poor Uncle Tom

First off, you need to identify the problem. The percolation area could be fine and the pump/blower could be skipping or have packed in, or the pump/blower could be fine and the percolation area could be blocked up.

You do need to have the system looked at as it hasn't been checked in a long time, doing this should give you some answers. Also you should not be paying €200 for an annual service/check of the system. €125 I think is the go of it, around the South anyway. Also check with any good local AT, they might be able to steer you to someone who specialises in servicing/checking those units. Usually, your service contract only has to be with the initial supplier for the first 12 months after that you can change.

Good luck with the job interview.

happywithlife

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

First off, you need to identify the problem. The percolation area could be fine and the pump/blower could be skipping or have packed in, or the pump/blower could be fine and the percolation area could be blocked up.

You do need to have the system looked at as it hasn't been checked in a long time, doing this should give you some answers. Also you should not be paying €200 for an annual service/check of the system. €125 I think is the go of it, around the South anyway. Also check with any good local AT, they might be able to steer you to someone who specialises in servicing/checking those units. Usually, your service contract only has to be with the initial supplier for the first 12 months after that you can change.

Good luck with the job interview.

thanks for that .. i am in the south .. so will check out prices asap
when you say 'AT' what do you mean?

Poor Uncle Tom

Architectural Technician, Architect, Engineer, etc.,

Whoever got planning permission for the treatment system and percolation area to begin with.

martinn123

If the tank is full of water, and the pipes back to your house are backing up, it sounds like the pump is not working. As the house is 3 yrs old, It seems unlikely that the percolation area is the problem, so early in the life of the home. But as PUT says get it checked out by someone who is familiar with the type of system you have.

To clarify.

Poor Uncle Tom wrote:

Also you should not be paying €200 for an annual service/check of the system. €125 I think is the go of it, around the South anyway

I have a contract with the Co I mentioned above, it costs 250.00 p.a which includes 1 service visit, any number of visits if the system fails, and all replacement parts and labour, so more of an Insurance Policy.
For 125.00 I assume you will only get an annual service.

Hope the interview went well..

happywithlife

ok thanks guys
appreciate your responses
interview only okish but am off to ring the service providers now to arrange a visit by them ..fingers crossed things work out ok