Septic Question

[wombatcat]

DH must've accidentally plowed into one of those pvc things with the cap on that come up out of the drain field. (He was using the 4 wheeler to plow a path alongside the drainfield a couple of months ago. I'm sorry I have no idea what they're (the pvc things that stick up out of the ground) called. The cap shattered, and so did the PVC pipe under it. I can't find anything out about what these do, so here's my question....we got a new cap at the hardware store, but I have no idea how the PVC needs to be repaired. It appears that all the damage is above-ground, if that helps. Can someone please give me some been there, done that, advice?
Thanks! (sorry if I sound stupid, when it comes to septic tanks, I know to get them pumped, and don't drive on the drain field, and that's all I know!

[tamsam]

I would dig down a little to see if the pipe is damaged below ground. Get the correct size of it and go to the hardware and get a short peice of pipe or a union that will fit over the pipe. Get a peice the size of the broken pipe, glue it all together and presto you have it fixed. Or just get a peice that will fit over the broken one and glue it so that it sticks up loke the others and cap it. I hope that makes sense. Good luck. Sam

[beaglebiz]

What Sam said. My dh has broken these more than once

[NostalgicGranny]

Here in my part of Texas the PVC is a different color for sewage.

[The Paw]

It's called a clean-out.

And what TamSam said. Dig down a little, saw it off level, add length of new pipe with union joint, glue with recommended glue.

[watcher]

When you got to the store tell them what you want the PVC pipe for. PVC for sewage (usually called foam core) does not (is not?) rated for any working pressure whereas PVC for water is. Foam core is cheaper because of this.

[Cabin Fever]

The pipe coming up out of your drainfield trench or mound system bed is called an "inspection pipe." Its only purpose is to be able to see if your drainfield trench or mound bed is saturated with wastewater. In other words, in the event of a wastewater backup, one can dip a stick into the inspection pipe and determine whether the soil absorption area is waterlogged. If the stick comes back dry or with an inch or so of wetness, then the problem is upstream of the drainfield or mound (such as a clogged or frozen waste pipe). If the stick shows six or more inches of wetness on it, the soil absorption area is saturated (ie, water is not infiltrating into the soil probably due to never having the septic tank pumped.)

As others have suggested, you can simply dig up the soil around the inspection pipe then glue on a pipe coupling and the necessary length of pipe to bring it back to the surface.

[wombatcat]

Very cool! This sounds like something I can do myself!!! Thanks everyone, especially Cabin Fever, who explained to me what they are--that always helps!!!

[Sawmill Jim]

If you ever want to check the water level in it use a slip x female pipe thread of the proper size then screw a male pvc pipe plug in it . The fome core i think is sch 40 there is s& d pipe too it should tell on the side or take a short piece with you A hand saw cuts it pretty good . If i remember right S&d is measured od and sch 40 is measured i. p. s or id Clear as mud ??

[Wolf mom]

I got a couple of those immitation pre-formed hollow rocks from Home Depot & put over the inspection pipes. A couple regular rocks & a few perenials added made mini gardens. Much nicer than the pipes sticking up & a lot easier to see.

[o&itw]

er..........don't glue the cap on!