percolation problems

taka

I recently checked my outlet pipes in my percolation in my holiday home and noticed that 2 of the 4 pipes were full of water. I checked them a day or 2 after rainfall went away and all the water drained away from these pipes and I want to know is this normal.

A few days ago I dug a drain to connect all these pipes together with some petcolation pipe and washed stone but all its done is rain heavy last few days snd now the drain is full of water but this should drain away in a day or 2 once the rain stops.

When this percolation area was constructed I didnt use any washed stone. All I done was dig 4 trenches and bury some pipes in 2 of them which where cut with a grinder on bottom and used land drainage on the other 2 trenches and it seemed to have held up well untill now.

I was thinking of selling this holiday home this year or next so and want to know what is a good time for the water to drain away and whats not because if what im doing doesnt drain awzy in time, im going to have to dig another 4 trenches and fill with new pipes snd dome washed stone.

Im on here just for some advice and want to know what would be the going rate for washed stone, pipes snd the geotex matetial for above the pipes and can someone tell me what the geotex stuff is for.



on phone, will tidy up later.

PaleRider

Sorry to hear your having trouble. There is a lot more to percolation areas than adding a few pipes. If your selling you should hire a Site Assessor - Lists from your local co council. As this is an important check these days. You can be sure you will be asked about system installed and how it was maintained.

There are many reasons for percolation area giving trouble. High water table/poor drainage/poor maintenance of system.

How long is system in? Who installed system/designed? Get a site assessor to have a look over. What you proposing may not work. Installing designing percolation is a art & science. You need sound advice on the ground. If you want to post some photos and we all will do our best to advice. But in your case advice on the ground in what's needed.

taka

the system is in about 8 years and wasnt really designed by anyone. I applied for planning, got people into build it and hired a digger out and put the pipes I mention above into the ground. The petcolation area is about 2 meters of the road as the house and garden is on a small hill. Its very suprising that its even holding water seeing as its so high up. I think that if I do go with 4 new trenches and stones then this should do because 2 of the pipes are already draining good and have done for years. To be honest, I dont have the money to start grtting people out to look at it and pay them to tell me to do what ive said above.

muffler

taka wrote: »

and used land drainage on the other 2 trenches

Thats one basic mistake that was made. Land drainage piping is for taking water in.

taka wrote: »

The petcolation area is about 2 meters of the road

:eek:

taka wrote: »

I dont have the money to start grtting people out to look at it and pay them to tell me to do what ive said above.

Thats a load of nonsense.

I assume you will have the money to "fix it up" now only to have to rip it out again when the Phil Hogan gang hit town? Be it upon your own head (not literally now)

rayjdav

taka wrote: »

the system is in about 8 years and wasnt really designed by anyone. I applied for planning, got people into build it and hired a digger out and put the pipes I mention above into the ground. The petcolation area is about 2 meters of the road as the house and garden is on a small hill. Its very suprising that its even holding water seeing as its so high up. I think that if I do go with 4 new trenches and stones then this should do because 2 of the pipes are already draining good and have done for years. To be honest, I dont have the money to start grtting people out to look at it and pay them to tell me to do what ive said above.

Not been smart but why come on here looking for exprienced advice when you are not going to go down the proper road and take heed of the professional advice you are asking for? You want someone to tell you what yo want to hear. After Hours =>
Wasting yours AND our time.

A fella called fish

Is this a joke?

sydthebeat

Taka, may i remind you of the forum charter, specifically:

1.4 Disclaimer . Whilst advice might be sought/given, posters should make every effort to verify advice expressed herein by the appointment of an independent and knowledgeable third party.

This forum is not to be used as an alternative to real on site advice.

taka

muffler when you say land drainage pipe is the reason for the intake of water but why wouldnt perc pipe take inwater when it has holes all over it also.

When I say about the perc areA being 2m of the road I really meant 2m in height. THE actual area is 50m back from the road.

taka

Ive also phoned the engineer who I used for the planing for the house and hes calling out later today or early tomorrow to adbise me on what to do.

muffler

taka wrote: »

muffler when you say land drainage pipe is the reason for the intake of water but why wouldnt perc pipe take inwater when it has holes all over it also.

And this is precisely the reason why you need expert advice (on site) because you clearly dont understand how the system works. Im not having a pop but just merely pointing out that if you dont know the type of piping to use then you need to engage someone who does as it will save you money in the long term.

Percolation pipes should have holes on the underside only and not "all over"

taka

Is there much difference in price between perc pipes and pipes without. If there is ill be better of just buying the cheaper pipe and drilling holes in the bottom. Can anyone tell me what sort of money I should be paying for a machine plus driver and a dumper for the day. Ill be away working for awhile at the end of the week and want to know can this type of work be done in this weather.

taka

Nice wee bill for 250euro to be told exactly what i said was to be done. Note to self - dont always listen to advice on the internet. Ordeed 40ton 25mm washed perc stone and sewer pipes. There was a difference of 10euro per pipe between these and the perc pipes so i went with the sewer pipes and drilled holes in each one. Saved myself 120 euro and it only took me a few hours though ive a sore back to show for it.

muffler

And you will now register (maybe you have already done so) your septic tank in full confidence of it and the percolation area passing all tests that are coming sailing down the line?

A fella called fish

taka wrote: »

Nice wee bill for 250euro to be told exactly what i said was to be done. Note to self - dont always listen to advice on the internet. Ordeed 40ton 25mm washed perc stone and sewer pipes. There was a difference of 10euro per pipe between these and the perc pipes so i went with the sewer pipes and drilled holes in each one. Saved myself 120 euro and it only took me a few hours though ive a sore back to show for it.

Presumably you've seen the BRE Digest and EPA requirements indicating diameter and spacing of the holes to be drilled in the pipe?

taka

muffler wrote: »

And you will now register (maybe you have already done so) your septic tank in full confidence of it and the percolation area passing all tests that are coming sailing down the line?

This is one of the reasons why im getting the work done

taka

A fella called fish wrote: »

Presumably you've seen the BRE Digest and EPA requirements indicating diameter and spacing of the holes to be drilled in the pipe?

Forgot to mention i bought one perc pipe so i could copy exactly where the holes where. Even if i didnt, i cant see the pipes failing if i just drilled alot of holes on bottom of pipe.

taka

muffler wrote: »

And you will now register (maybe you have already done so) your septic tank in full confidence of it and the percolation area passing all tests that are coming sailing down the line?

Just out of curiousity, how do they even test your perc area muffler.




I opened up the trenches today and before i done this i run a hose pipe into my perc box and stood there for an hour and it never filled up so the perc area is draining away ok. When i opened the trenches up the reason why the 2 pipes where holding water is that there was a big kink in the pipes and alot of clay'ey soil around the pipe(havent a clue where the clay came from because its all gravel/soil on my site).

I was just going to fix this small problem and have done with it but i just ended up digging the trenches and filling around all the pipes with the percolation stone just how its supposed to be done for any potential buyers.

rayjdav

/

taka wrote: »

I was just going to fix this small problem and have done with it but i just ended up digging the trenches and filling around all the pipes with the percolation stone just how its supposed to be done for any potential buyers.

This part, have you got anyone to actually certify that your DIY:eek: job is actually up to scratch? For someone who didnt have the foggiest clue a week ago to installing a "competent" system in that space, fairs dues.

Few sane people would part with scarce cash now for a house without all certs in place.

taka

rayjdav wrote: »

/

This part, have you got anyone to actually certify that your DIY:eek: job is actually up to scratch? For someone who didnt have the foggiest clue a week ago to installing a "competent" system in that space, fairs dues.

Few sane people would part with scarce cash now for a house without all certs in place.

The engineers fee was 250 for watching it get redone and a cert is 400 when ever the house sells.