Septic Questions

[silentcrow]

I didn't want to hijack the other thread, so figured I'd start a new one.

My mom had me dig up the septic to be pumped. I'm guessing it's about a 500 gal. It reminds me of a concrete grave vault in size and shape.

The problem is, one of the pipes (maybe the ONLY pipe) to the leech bed is damaged. It's leaking near the surface, near an old apple tree. My dad was supposed to repair this years ago, before it got this bad. I told her the tree, and maybe another, have to come out. There is no smell, just lots of icky water and green weeds/grass at the leak.

I know all areas are different, but could the damage be repaired? If things ended in a worst case scenario, would we be able to put a new septic and leech bed in? I'm not sure if PA allows it, or requires a sand mound. We have very good drainage through our soil. Any ideas on cost? My mom has limited funds, but something needs to be done. I can't fix the pipe because of laws and lack of knowledge. She keeps asking all these questions and I'm getting stressed out! Thanks for any info/advice.

[cfabe]

There's no way you're going to get a definite answer to this one online. It depends both on local regulations and on the nature of the failure in the system. If water is coming to the surface because a pipe is broken, due to tree roots or whatever the cause, it may be repairable. If it's coming up because the drain field is plugged with solids, it's not repairable, a new drain field will need to be installed. Also must take into account local regulations and whether you're comfortable operating under the law if necessary. Where I was at in ohio, we were not allowed to do any work on our own septic systems, only a licensced contractor, and if a system failed like yours is it had to be replaced with a current code system which usually meant an aeration tank and/or sand filter system. Up here in michigan the regulations are much less strict and a failing system can often be repaired rather than completely replaced.

[tiogacounty]

[QUOTE=cfabe;3028438]. Also must take into account local regulations and whether you're comfortable operating under the law if necessary. QUOTE] This is the most important information you will get on this subject. The bottom line in PA. is that the very, very, strict and expensive requirements of the state sewage code can bury you financially, if you allow the local SEO (sewage enforcement officier) to get involved. Repair work can be difficult to do, as the system is geared toward forcing the homeowner to replace an "obsolete" system. A cheap sand mound, here in N.E. PA runs $10,000. The vast majority of new, and replacement, systems require elevated sand mounds. If you were my neighbor, I would quietly give you the name of an excavator who will show up on a Sunday morning, quickly solve the problem, and happily accept the cash you hand him. Hopefully you can arrange such a situation. The second choice is to grab a shovel and fix it yourself. It can be done, and it may save your mom ten to fifteen grand. I would make it clear to your mom that she needs to find a sympathetic plumber or excavator, and that she should NOT contact the local township or municipality about the problem. I recently had a neighbor who was smart enough to call me, even though his wife was insistant that they needed to call the township, and get "help" from the sewage office. It cost him $400 to extend his in ground leach field and repair the problem. It was absolutely illegal. It was pefectly logical, eliminated a health hazard, and prevented him from being forced to spend tens of thousands he didn't have. But, that doesn't sit well with big brother and his puppets. Good luck.