Probs with septic tank system! Help please!

Ccheidi

Hi my house about 45 years old! I living in house about 6 years! My outflow tank backed up again. Only 3 years since I got pipe unblocked! Only one person using system!
Who do I contact this time? Cost?
Why after all these years system giving trouble?
All suggestions much appreciated!

PaleRider

Hi
Is the pipe from the house to the tank blocked? Our the pipe from the tank to the percolation area - if a percolation exists.

Was the system ever up-graded?
Tank ever emptied?
Is there a tank?
Certain things should not go into tanks. Etc

More details would be better. Pictures?

Sewage systems need to be maintained. Checked/Emptied/Looked after.

Ccheidi

Have my own septic tank! Tank at other end of garden!
It's about 40 to 45 years old!
In the 6 years I living here Its never been emptied!
Know nothing about maintaining septic tank so all advise much appreciated!
If looking up some one on golden pages to sort out tank where would I look?
Thanks for your time!

haulagebasher

Ccheidi wrote: »

Have my own septic tank! Tank at other end of garden!
It's about 40 to 45 years old!
In the 6 years I living here Its never been emptied!
Know nothing about maintaining septic tank so all advise much appreciated!
If looking up some one on golden pages to sort out tank where would I look?
Thanks for your time!

Therein lies the nub of your problem. Even properly maintained a septic tank system has a lifespan. THe fact that you didn't bother to empty or maintain it didn't help either,
Septic tanks should be empties about once a year. There is a certain out of sight out of mind mentality in Ireland regarding STs and people only ever bother to look at them when they back up.

Anyway, the most likely thign is that your percolation bed has simply become clogged up with sludge. That happens eventually anyway even if maintenance is followed.
The proper solution to this will most likely involve complete removal of the existing set up and replaceing with a small aerobic plant and new percolation bed.

When I say proper, I mean that there are plenty white van man builders and "septic tank engineers" that will offer up all sorts of quick fixes such as pressure jetting the percolation pipes and extending the percolation beds. They may work as a quick fix but ultimately a clogged percolation bed is finished.

Ccheidi

haulagebasher wrote: »

Ccheidi wrote: »

Have my own septic tank! Tank at other end of garden!
It's about 40 to 45 years old!
In the 6 years I living here Its never been emptied!
Know nothing about maintaining septic tank so all advise much appreciated!
If looking up some one on golden pages to sort out tank where would I look?
Thanks for your time!

Therein lies the nub of your problem. Even properly maintained a septic tank system has a lifespan. THe fact that you didn't bother to empty or maintain it didn't help either,
Septic tanks should be empties about once a year. There is a certain out of sight out of mind mentality in Ireland regarding STs and people only ever bother to look at them when they back up.

Anyway, the most likely thign is that your percolation bed has simply become clogged up with sludge. That happens eventually anyway even if maintenance is followed.
The proper solution to this will most likely involve complete removal of the existing set up and replaceing with a small aerobic plant and new percolation bed.

When I say proper, I mean that there are plenty white van man builders and "septic tank engineers" that will offer up all sorts of quick fixes such as pressure jetting the percolation pipes and extending the percolation beds. They may work as a quick fix but ultimately a clogged percolation bed is finished.

Any idea what this solution would cost? Any grants available?
As a temp solution would emptying tank help for a while?

haulagebasher

Ccheidi wrote: »

Any idea what this solution would cost? Any grants available?
As a temp solution would emptying tank help for a while?

For a full replacement system you could be looking at between 6-10k. Not sure about grants.

A tank emptying would keep you going for 2 or 3 weeks maybe tops. You'd have to keep doing it.

Poor Uncle Tom

haulagebasher wrote: »

Even properly maintained a septic tank system has a lifespan. THe fact that you didn't bother to empty or maintain it didn't help either,
Septic tanks should be empties about once a year. There is a certain out of sight out of mind mentality in Ireland regarding STs and people only ever bother to look at them when they back up.

While I agree in principal with what you have posted above I have to disagree that a septic tank being used by one person has to be emptied every year. The fact is that until we know the exact use the system gets nobody can advise on how often the tank should be de-sludged, it should never be emptied.

haulagebasher wrote: »

Anyway, the most likely thign is that your percolation bed has simply become clogged up with sludge.

This is total guesswork. You cannot even say with certainty that there is a percolation area present in this situation, it could be a soakaway which would have been common 40-45 years ago.

haulagebasher wrote: »

The proper solution to this will most likely involve complete removal of the existing set up and replaceing with a small aerobic plant and new percolation bed.

When I say proper, I mean that there are plenty white van man builders and "septic tank engineers" that will offer up all sorts of quick fixes such as pressure jetting the percolation pipes and extending the percolation beds. They may work as a quick fix but ultimately a clogged percolation bed is finished.

Talk about being lost in a world of your own!
Until the site has been assessed by a professional, there is no need to scaremonger anyone into paying for a complete replacement of the sewerage system.

The Local Authority will have a list of Indemnified Site Assessors, it would be wise to ring a few of them, and explain the situation to them asking for a quotation to come along and do a report on your existing system with particular emphasis on present defects.

Ccheidi

Could it be just that system needs to be desludged?

The last 2 occupants of house 6 years ago never had any trouble with system! All started after I moved in! Doubt they desludged tank often!

The thought of spending that much money sends shivers done my spine!

Poor Uncle Tom

It could be a case that it needs to be de-sludged, it's where I'd start if it hasn't been done in so long, €100 is better than €10,000.

Since you didn't see the present system being put in place it would be wise to get a professional to do a report on it for you. €250 - €350 would be well spent, imo.

Maggie 2

Get it emptied. Should get a number in Golden Pages, or ask a neighbour to recommend someone. Make sure they clear pipes also. New regulations will decide if you need an upgrade or more regular emptying.

Ccheidi

Under what category do I look up in golden pages?
Thanks for your advice!
Will get it desludged and pipes cleaned as should been done anyway!

Maggie 2

Just Google septic tank emptying in your area. It'll give you a few options, or try googling it on Golden Pages. We get ours emptied once a year by a local agricultural contractor, but I think this will stop too once the new regulations are enacted!

Ccheidi

Thanks Maggie 2!
Your a star * *

Steven81

If there is a farmer in your area ask him if he knows anyone, he might do it for cheaper