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Example septic tank dimensions, adapted from Antigo Block Co., Antigo WI Tel: 715 623 4837 (C) InspectApedia.com & ABCSeptic Tank Sewage Level FAQs-2
Q&A on levels in septic tanks

Septic tank sewage level Q&As set #2.

This article series explains the significance of sewage levels inside of the septic tank and what the overall sewage level indicates about the presence of leaks into or out of the septic tank.

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Septic Tank Sewage Height or Level Q&A

Aerobic ATU Septic Dosing Tank (C) Inspectapedia.com WeeksJRecent questions & answers about the sewage levels in septic tanks, posted originally

at SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE

On 2020-02-19 - by (mod) - WhiteWater DF50 Aerobic Treatment Unit flooding problem diagnosis & cure

I agree that if your collection tank level is above the outlet into the 80 you then there must be a clog in that location.

I thought at first that perhaps the ATU you had also been flooded which caused the collection tank to flood and then subsequently the ATU pump was able to get ahead.

But that wouldn't explain why the collection tank wouldn't drain down to a normal level into the ATU unless salads are floating scum are blocking the outlet.

Regardless we need to find the rest of the surface water leaks into those tanks and fix them. In addition to ceiling the obvious leak points you need to direct surface runoff away from that area.

On 2020-02-19 by Joel Weeks

Third Photo...dosing tank. - shown above

Second photo... ATU

ATU Aerobic Septic flooding problem (C) InspectApedia.com WeeksJ

On 2020-02-19 by Joel Weeks

I have a three-tank system that is giving me absolute FITS when we have a rain event (and lately we've had far too many).

Flooding aerobic septic tanks (C) InspectApedia.com WeeksJMy system is comprised of the original concrete septic tank (1000 gallon), which discharges into a WhiteWater DF50 Aerobic Treatment Unit, which in turn gravity feeds into another 1000 gallon dosing tank.

Last weekend I thought I had resolved the continuing high water alarms in the dosing tank as I found and fixed three infiltration sites (inlet and outlet of the original septic, now the collection tank), and at a joint in the riser to the dosing tank.

After I had sealed these water intrusion spots, the effluent pump managed to actually pump the level down where the on/off float actually turned the pump off (first time that's happened in all the time I've lived here (7 months).

However, we had in excess of an inch of rain today, and when I got home from work, we had another HWA. The level in the dosing tank was not overly high (tank about 2/3 full), but the collection tank was COMPLETELY full (up to the rim), and the cone in the ATU had a significantly higher amount of floating solids and smelled worse than it normally does.

My concerns, in order:

1. Why wouldn't the collection tank continue to drain into the ATU, which should lower the level in the tank,

2. Is the ATU becoming overloaded and that's why there is more than normal amount of smell and floating solids?, and

3. What's stopping the ATU from draining into the dosing tank? It's almost like the excess groundwater is stopping the system from flowing like it should.

The elevation of the drains in the house is about 6" higher than the elevation of the top of the collection tank, but I'm concerned that given we are expecting two more days of rain, I may wind up with sewage in the house.

I've attached three photos, working through the system.

First is the collection tank, showing where the water level is (very high), second is the ATU cone, showing excessive floating solids, third is the dosing tank. Please provide some pointers!! Thanks

On 2020-01-08 - by (mod) - Is it possible to add too little water to your septic tank?

Consider that an older toilet sends about 3.6 gallons of water into the septic tank along with urine or any solid waste at each toilet flush, and that even a new low-flush toilet sends 1.6 gallons of water along, that'd normally be enough.

Just have your septic tank service company open the tank and check its sewage level and check the scum and sludge thickness levels. As long as the tank has adequate net free area (not-solid, not scum) then it can work properly; the fact that you discharge less clarified effluent into the drainfield lightens the load on that component.

So needing more water in the septic tank would be unusual.

On 2020-01-08 1 by Joe

We have a grey water system in addition to the septic tank. Is it possible to add too little water to your septic tank since it only gets water from the toilets and kitchen sink/ dishwasher?

On 2019-11-07 - by (mod) -

Sam

Well it's true that some building occupants may send an unusual amount of toilet tissue down the drains; but as long as the tank baffles are properly sized, installed, undamaged, they should protect the system from ruin by keeping the solids, including paper, in the tank rather than letting it go out to clog the drainfield or back-up to clog the sewage inlet pipe from the house.

Stirring up the tank is a terrible idea as that increases the risk of sending solids out into the drainfield. The ONLY time it makes sense to stir up the solids, scum, sludge, floating crud in a septic tank is during the actual process of pumping the tank out. At that time the pumper breaks up those solids so that they're removed from the tank during pumping.

On 2019-10-22 by Sam

I had my septic tanks replaced 1.5 years ago.
Recently the toilets have been backing up so I checked the tank closest to the house. It has a scum layer that is actually about 3 inches of toilet paper. The baffle seems to be working. I called the contractor, he has never seen anything like this. Once the toilet paper layer was broken up, my toilets started working.

Oddly, the lid to the tank does not let you view the inlet area like my old system.
Have you ever heard of this? Toilet paper layer blocking things up ? Same tp We used for 20 years with the old system and no problems.
I don’t believe it is normal or safe according to the health department to have to stir my tanks free of this weird build up of toilet paper.
Any thoughts?

On 2019-07-06 - by (mod) - impact of septic filter on effluent level in the septic tank

JH

RE: impact of septic filter on effluent level in the septic tank

The filter on a septic tank outlet tee ought not affect the waste level in the septic tank one iota unless the filter is clogged. The top of the liquid level in the septic tank, if the outlet and fields are not clogged, ought to be the same as the bottom of the outlet pipe.



JP:

RE: Low effluent levels in the septic tank

IF the tank was very recently pumped out
OR
IF the tank was pumped and the building's plumbing system has remained out of use since then

THEN the waste effluent level in the tank could be below the bottom of the outlet pipe.

OTHERWISE
a low level in the tank sounds like there's a leak in the tank - it's damaged; as your tank is concrete there might be a crack.

That's a separate issue from the condition of the drainfield.

On 2019-07-06 - by (mod) -

JH

The filter on a septic tank outlet tee ought not affect the waste level in the septic tank one iota unless the filter is clogged. The top of the liquid level in the septic tank, if the outlet and fields are not clogged, ought to be the same as the bottom of the outlet pipe.

On 2019-07-05 by jhammit

am trying to understand how the outlet filter affects the tank level. Guy pumping the tank said the level should have dropped when he removed the filter to clean, and this indicates a possible problem in the drain field. Does the filter offer resistance to the sewage level, and when it is removed, the level reaches some sort of equilibrium?

On 2019-07-05 by JP

During the buyer inspection of a septic system, the water level was found to be very low, while the effluent pipe was corroded and blocked to less than a one inch opening. The septic tank is single tank concrete and believed to be original to the 1970 house. The inlet baffle was not present and the outlet baffle needs to be replaced. I’m addition to replacement of the effluent pipe, am I correct to be suspicious of the tank itself leaking and drain field failure as well?

On 2019-01-09 by (mod) -

Deeps

Thanks for asking about a condition that confuses lots of people who are new to septic systems.

If you have a conventional septic tank and drainfield, it is normal for the septic tank to be full, right up to the bottom of the tank outlet pipe.

When you flush a toilet the volume of wastewater entering the septic tank at its inlet end pushes an equal volume of effluent water out of the tank's other end and into the drainfield.

In the article above on this page you'll see more details about normal vs abnormal waste levels in the septic tank.

Usage of household cleaners at normal levels ought not harm the septic tank as they're diluted into the much larger total wastewater volume.

In the ARTICLE INDEX found near the end of the more-reading links at the end of the article above you'll find our TOILETS DON'T FLUSH LIST of stuff you ought never flush down drains.

On 2019-01-09 by Deeps

We just purchased a house with septic system and it is our first experience living with Septic T. It was emptied just before we bought it in September and I fear it might already be full. Considering it is only 4 months passed, is that even possible?

We are family of 4. 2 adults and 2 kids. Had 2 guests over for couple of months. The reason why I suspect the septic T might be full is because there is a small drain pipe opening in my house near HVAC unit, and it has started giving foul smell.

Also, I have been using normal bleach containing toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners etc, could they have damaged the septic system bad enough to quit working? what are some recommended brands of cleaners for a house with septic system?

On 2019-01-09 by (mod) - we had the septic tank emptied and now it's already almost full - what's wrong?

Deeps

Thanks for asking about a condition that confuses lots of people who are new to septic systems.

If you have a conventional septic tank and drainfield, it is normal for the septic tank to be full, right up to the bottom of the tank outlet pipe.

When you flush a toilet the volume of wastewater entering the septic tank at its inlet end pushes an equal volume of effluent water out of the tank's other end and into the drainfield.

In the article above on this page you'll see more details about normal vs abnormal waste levels in the septic tank.

Usage of household cleaners at normal levels ought not harm the septic tank as they're diluted into the much larger total wastewater volume.

In the ARTICLE INDEX found near the end of the more-reading links at the end of the article above you'll find our TOILETS DON'T FLUSH LIST of stuff you ought never flush down drains.

On 2019-01-09 by Deeps

We just purchased a house with septic system and it is our first experience living with Septic T. It was emptied just before we bought it in September and I fear it might already be full. Considering it is only 4 months passed, is that even possible?

We are family of 4. 2 adults and 2 kids. Had 2 guests over for couple of months.

The reason why I suspect the septic T might be full is because there is a small drain pipe opening in my house near HVAC unit, and it has started giving foul smell.

Also, I have been using normal bleach containing toilet cleaners, bathroom cleaners etc, could they have damaged the septic system bad enough to quit working?

what are some recommended brands of cleaners for a house with septic system?

On 2018-11-11 22:38:56.875223 by (mod) -

Jim,

If solids and grease from the floating scum layer are entering the septic T and the rapidly clogging a septic filter I suspect the scum layer is too thick. That happens if the septic tank is not being pumped at a sufficient frequency or if the pumping is not being correctly done such that the pumper is actually leaving the scum and solids in the tank.

That can happen if the pumping company is trying to clean the septic tank but only has a small access opening.

On 2018-11-11 18:32:55.081576 by Jim Joyner

I am experiencing clogged filter on my septic system in less than 90 days. I just pulled and cleaned a fully clogged filter after 85 days.

This has been going on for a long time eg years, since the time the filter was installed 12 years ago. Frrequency of cleaning has shortened. Seems the scum level is flowing into the outlet directly? Your ideas.

On 2018-04-24 by (mod) - blue sludge in toilet bowl

Blue sludge or blue staining in plumbing fixtures is typically from copper in the water supply, or copper leaching from copper pipes if the water is corrosive, or in a toilet, someone left a deodorant block in the toilet or toilet tank.

Flush and wash.

On 2018-04-24 by Carrie

Purchased home with septic system. Home has been vacant for most of year. The toliet has a blue colored sludge in bowl. What might this be?

On 2018-02-23 by (mod) - flooded drain field means septic failure

Sure, Andy.

if a drain field is visibly flooded then it is in Failure. That means it cannot treat the sewage effluent that it is trying to dispose of. It's contaminating the environment, violating health code, and risks a sewage backup into the home. Most likely you need a drain field replacement and possibly a raised bed septic.

It's possible that a smaller problem such as a blocked line exists. But that would not be likely to flood the entire field area it would just create a wet spot. It's likely that significant costs will be involved.

On 2018-02-23 13:49:15.348654 by Andy

I'm buying a house just had a sewer inspector fail an inspection he said there was 1 1/2 of water in the drain field which concerned him more because no one is living in the house at the moment he said it could be from all the rain we have been getting but he did 2 house's near by that were fine. Can you help me understand what all this means

On 2017-12-01 02:13:54.466497 by (mod) -

No scum at the top North sludge at the tank bottom would be unusual unless the tank had been pumped fairly recently. If that was the case perhaps your tank did its need pumping.

Another possibility, which would be uncommon, would be a septic tank that is continually very agitated such that the sewage is continually mixed and not settling out. If that's happening the problem would need to be corrected otherwise we're destroying the drain field.

On 2017-12-01 02:12:22.305260 by Ruby

Today we had a company come out to pump out the septic tank. It didn't have any scum or sludge in it. Just brownish water up to the bottom of the outlet pipe. Is there a problem with it or the drain field?

On 2017-11-20 07:47:14.369958 by Brenda

Why are most septic tanks tilted at the bottom

On 2017-09-17 by (mod) - amount of gravel under and around the perforated pipe in a septic drainfield or soakaway,

Rancell,

regarding your question of the amount of gravel under and around the perforated pipe in a septic drainfield or soakaway, please see the detailed specifications for gravel trench septic beds at

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic-Drainfield-Size.php

Where you will see specifications and sketches showing that gravel extends below, along the sides, and over the perforated pipe. Failure to respect those specifications for a conventional gravel-trench septic design means short life, early failure, big costs.

Excerpts from that article:
Septic drainfield gravel specification: typically, washed gravel, 3/4" to 2 1/2" (pretty big) gravel is placed for a depth of 12" under the drain line piping ("septic drain tile" in some references).

The pipe is then covered by additional gravel to a depth of at least 2" over the top of the septic drain line before backfill is added. Some septic installers place a geotextile over or around the gravel and pipe to reduce clogging by dirt infiltration from the septic trench backfill.

Alternatively there are "gravelless" or "no-rock" or "no-gravel" septic designs that we discuss as well

at GRAVELESS SEPTIC DESIGN CRITERIA

On 2017-09-17 by (mod) - H. polaria bacterial infection?

Randell,

Thank you for reporting a bacterial infection traced to unsanitary toilet operation and what sounds like open sewage where you lived. Other readers will note and take sewage exposure seriously.

However we do not agree that there are magic potions available via internet sale that are more effective than consulting with your doctor, and such self medication can be dangerous, even fatal, even though you feel it worked well for you.

I researched the medical effects of "extra virgin" oil made from pine nuts. (Extra virgin simply means oil from the first pressing of an oil source).

It is true that certain nut and olive oils are important sources of healthy fats and antixoidants. Pine nut oil is also considered to have other beneficial health effects. See the research I'll cite below.

Watch out: however. While any diet that improves general health is by definition good for us, and while improving general health might indeed help us fight off a bacterial infection, by no stretch of even the most active imagination would we expect a trained, qualified medical doctor to agree that pine nut oil from South Africa is an adequate substitute for a serious or even life-threatening bacterial infection.

I was unable to find any scholarly research citing a bacterial infection named "H Polaria" and would much appreciate if you can give us more specifics on that. Perhaps there's a spelling error?

On 2017-09-17 02:11:13.425032 by Randell

I was living in a mobile home park I ended up catching h_polalria bactria infection because when you flushed the toilet it would settle in the top of the drain I had major plumbers they told me that the drain has to be totally rebuilt the gave me an invitation noticed made me move and the still will not rent that spot out . But I had to order this extra virgin pine nuts oil from South Africa because the anti biotics would not fix my problem I ate the penasilin for three months and it was killing me my love was black after dring one table spoon for one month it killed it immediately. Thank God for the internet I could of died before the doctors found a cute I got on the net it gave me everything I needed so I told every pharmacy I go too now they all carry it.

On 2017-09-17 01:57:47.804800 by Rancell

Hey wondering before you install your leach field pipe do you have to put in gravel six inches all the way around the pipe before filling in with dirt

On 2017-08-31 18:13:45.172121 by (mod) -

Jennifer,

It should be pretty much without question that if sewage is showing up outside on the ground surface OR if a failing septic system or sewer system causes backup of sewage into the building, both of those are serious health hazards.

Furthermore, outside sewage on the surface is in most jurisdictions going to violate local health codes. If a landlord refuses to provide safe sanitary housing in response to written notice of those conditions you might have no choice but to ask your local health department for help.

At HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS we expand on this advice.

Keep me posted.

Moderator

On 2017-08-31 by Jennifer

I live in Florida and have noticed something I figured I'd ask about.
The landlord recently had to get the septic pump replaced as the toilets were bubbling & gurgling, couldn't flush without them trying to overflow, etc.

It was explained to me we have a septic tank in the ground that drains into another large tank in the ground (that has a manhole cover on it) that holds the pump... When the liquid level rises high enough the pump comes on and pushed the liquid into the drain field.

However here's the issue..
The drain field has its own probelm being when the pump runs you can see (and smell!) sewage water pumping to the surface of the ground. It isn't in one place but 5 or 6 places. They're all in line with each other. This sewage water only comes up when the septic tank pump runs.

As it's running and the water is being pumped above ground it's ending up back over by the manhole cover part and goes back in there. Endless cycle. Pump runs and pushed the liquid through the pipe, pipe pumps water above the ground (you can see it coming up almost like a a small fountain), it runs a across ground and ends up back in the system.

My electric bill has gone up 50-70$ minimum due to this happening.

Add in all the rain we have gotten recently and it's a huge problem. Difficulty even flushing toilets much less doing laundry, showering, etc. We don't consume a lot of water on a daily basis (no more than average I'd say... No excessive consumption... Water bill averages 22$ a month).

My question is this... Isn't this a health hazard? I mean this is effluent and untreated water from a septic system being pumped through a presumably failed drain field line.

I rent and my landlord knows about it... Her solution? Just don't let anyone in the back yard and keep kids away from the areas.

The smell alone is a dead giveaway there's a problem.

Add onto that the beep alarm noise from the pump due to the level of effluent water in the 2nd (manhole covered) tank.

This is a duplex unit with one unit being empty for the past couple months. A new tenant is due to move in (with the septic system being on that side of the yard).

I'm dreading what's gonna happen.

Basically all that is to ask.... Is this illegal with the landlord failing to repair it?

Isn't this a health hazard with it ending up on the surface of the ground?
Is there anything that I as a rent-paying tenant can do?

On 2017-05-08 by gmelch79

Two weeks ago we had a septic system installed. We have now discovered the cement tank was not placed level in the hole. It sets 4" higher on the inlet side. What if any are the future reprocussions of not having this properly leveled? Thank You

On 2017-08-31 by (mod) - what to do if landlord is ignoring open sewage spills & leaks

Jennifer,

It should be pretty much without question that if sewage is showing up outside on the ground surface OR if a failing septic system or sewer system causes backup of sewage into the building, both of those are serious health hazards.

Furthermore, outside sewage on the surface is in most jurisdictions going to violate local health codes. If a landlord refuses to provide safe sanitary housing in response to written notice of those conditions you might have no choice but to ask your local health department for help.

At HEALTH DEPARTMENT HELP for RENTERS https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Rental_Unit_Health_Safety.php we expand on this advice.

Keep me posted.

On 2017-08-31 by Jennifer

I live in Florida and have noticed something I figured I'd ask about.

The landlord recently had to get the septic pump replaced as the toilets were bubbling & gurgling, couldn't flush without them trying to overflow, etc.
It was explained to me we have a septic tank in the ground that drains into another large tank in the ground (that has a manhole cover on it) that holds the pump... When the liquid level rises high enough the pump comes on and pushed the liquid into the drain field.
However here's the issue.

The drain field has its own probelm being when the pump runs you can see (and smell!) sewage water pumping to the surface of the ground. It isn't in one place but 5 or 6 places. They're all in line with each other. This sewage water only comes up when the septic tank pump runs.

As it's running and the water is being pumped above ground it's ending up back over by the manhole cover part and goes back in there. Endless cycle. Pump runs and pushed the liquid through the pipe, pipe pumps water above the ground (you can see it coming up almost like a a small fountain), it runs a across ground and ends up back in the system.

My electric bill has gone up 50-70$ minimum due to this happening.
Add in all the rain we have gotten recently and it's a huge problem. Difficulty even flushing toilets much less doing laundry, showering, etc. We don't consume a lot of water on a daily basis (no more than average I'd say... No excessive consumption... Water bill averages 22$ a month).

My question is this... Isn't this a health hazard? I mean this is effluent and untreated water from a septic system being pumped through a presumably failed drain field line.
I rent and my landlord knows about it..

Her solution? Just don't let anyone in the back yard and keep kids away from the areas.
The smell alone is a dead giveaway there's a problem.
Add onto that the beep alarm noise from the pump due to the level of effluent water in the 2nd (manhole covered) tank.

This is a duplex unit with one unit being empty for the past couple months. A new tenant is due to move in (with the septic system being on that side of the yard).

I'm dreading what's gonna happen.

Basically all that is to ask....
Is this illegal with the landlord failing to repair it? Isn't this a health hazard with it ending up on the surface of the ground?
Is there anything that I as a rent-paying tenant can do?

On 2017-08-06 by (mod) - shorted-out effluent pump, possible leaks

David,

I'm not sure what blew the motor: pumping against a frozen line or something else. I'd start by replacing the motor, since I'm not sure what pressure your system uses nor what pressure your garden hose delivers.

Then I'd be sure any control valves are opening as they should,

Then I'd pull the closest spray head to see what happens.

Keep me posted.

On 2017-08-06 by David Aldridge

Hello. I have an Aerobic 2 tank system. The effluent pump has shorted in the clean tank. There is 4" of sludge in the clean tank. The effluent pump is above the sludge level, and the filter was not clogged.The motor casing was burnt black, and the motor is locked up and reads a direct short. I noticed, last winter after a very hard freeze for a few days the sprinklers were spraying less than a 1/4 of what they normally did.

Upon removal of the pump and connecting PVC, I held a standard garden hose at city water pressure tightly up to the in the inlet to the sprinklers {approx. 50 PSI}.

Again, the sprinkler heads barely popped up and very weak spray. Is it likely there is a clog/break between the clean tank and the 1st sprinkler head? I haven't noticed any soft or muddy area between them. Thanks.

On 2017-06-21 by Bob

Very good information shared here, except I can't deduce whether my "normal" operating level is at or above the outlet because I can't tell (can't see nor do I have any as-built information) how high the outlet pipe is. So let me ask this way: the water seems to be right up to the bottom of the riser of the access cover. System was built in 1961, and at times with a prior elderly couple owning the place, was subjected to running toilets...

Thanks for any thoughts.

On 2017-06-01 by (mod) - which way does the effluent filter face?

Depending on the septic filter design and shape it may indeed have a recommended Direction. The arrow would be intended to show you the direction of flow through the filter. So I'm assuming that if your filter is at the tank Outlet the arrow would be pointing to the tank exit

On 2017-06-01 by RPerry

Just cleaned effluent filter- put it back and noticed it had an arrow printed on top- when I took it out I didn't notice which way it was pointed -toward the exit pipe or away? Can you install filter backwards?

On 2017-05-17 0 by (mod) - Thanks a lot.

Thanks for the nice comment, Gino. We work hard to provide researched, unbiased information so I'm really pleased when a reader finds it helpful. Though it can be more painful, we also welcome criticism and of course content suggestions and questions.

On 2017-05-17 1 by Gino

Very informative. Thanks a lot. You saved me some $$$. :]

On 2017-05-15 by (mod) - problems if the septic tank is tilted

Lee it's a bit scary if we were to pretend we could see, by e-text, all of the site conditions that would permit a certain answer to many questions that appear here; but in general the guidelines I cited below, plus an inspection of the tank inlets and outlets should answer the question.

On 2017-05-15 by Lee C

This is a two chamber tank where water filling the second tank is pumped 300 ft to a drain field, The tank itself appears to be tilted to the second (Water chamber) by about 2 and a half to 3 inches. The system is in a cabin and will not be used like a normal home. Should I be concerned?

On 2017-05-15 by (mod) - does the septic tank have to be perfectly level?

Absolutely perfectly dead level, no.

Not a septic tank that is tipped significantly can cause serious operating problems. So what is significant? I would say that if a tank is tipped so that the level of the bottom of the outlet height is higher than the inlet in the tank is sloped backwards and you're likely to have clogged and malfunction

Because the bottom of the outlet pipe in a perfectly level septic tank is normally well below the bottom of the inlet pipe if you have the condition that I just described that would be a very tipped septic tank.

On 2017-05-14 by Lee C

during installation does the tank need to be perfectly level?

On 2017-05-14 by (mod) - septic pumping chamber is being flooded.

F

Best if you can get the contractor on your side of this matter. Keep us posted. Daniel

On 2017-05-14 6 by fernbri

thanks for the quick response. Contractor will be getting an irate caller first thing Monday morning. First time it happened they put another layer of risers on the two tanks but clearly groundwater is working its way to the tanks.

Thinking of putting a swale in to divert the runoff water down and around the septic tanks. I will pump it down for 10 minutes in a few to hopefully last the night. Need some sleep after being up every 2 hours last night!

On 2017-05-14 by (mod) - septic pumping chamber is being flooded, alarm keeps going off

Fern,

From what you describe, it sounds as if a septic pumping chamber is being flooded.

In a new septic system installation that suggests to me that something is wrong with the installation.

Groundwater or roof runoff need to be kept away from septic tanks and drain Fields precisely to avoid this problem.

So you need your septic contractor to open and inspect the septic tank and the distribution box for signs of flooding in wet weather.

If that's happening, the water source is going to need to be identified and kept away from the septic components.

If water is leaking directly into the septic tank but not the drainfield it may be possible to repair the problem with a combination of sealing the septic tank pipe connections and cover and redirecting surface runoff.

Let me know what you're told as what you learned will help her other readers.

On 2017-05-14 by fernbri

We have a new septic system in a new house. Everytime there is a hard rain the interior alarm goes off followed shortly by the exterior alarm.

I have to manually pump to get the alarm light to go off but it sounds again 2-3 hours later for up to 24 hours after it stops raining. When this happens we basically stop using water in the house. Is it possible for that much ground water to leak in or infiltrate the tanks?


...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Septic Pumping Procedure & Pumper Truck Operation Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC TANK SEWAGE LEVEL FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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