This started thanks to a thread from 2015 by papadave. I decided to do a maintenance pump, and after trying to find the tank found that most of it was under a 21x16' deck less than 4" off the ground. I managed to hand dig 1 of the end lids and upon opening pumper guy said the system definitely wasn't working. Mind you that was likely the first pump in 35yrs on this tank. Now I've removed the deck and taken down a huge oak so prior to deck rebuild want to make sure everything is in order before rebuilding. This time around it's a bit easier digging
I lifted that far lid after no luck in finding an outlet pipe. There is a black funnel shaped piece on the far end that goes down 18". Happy to report the tank is not slap full like before it's a good 6-7" below the lids.
Deck needed rebuild anyways, pretty good sag from center posts rotting off and the oak tree had grown into it and shifted it 2-3" out of plumb.
Plus the spigot under the deck leaks and had no way to be removed. 4" frost free faucets should be here this week Always need 6-8 things going on at once otherwise I'd be sane and sober.
Are you replacing the tank, or field, or the deck only (with better access for pumping if needed?) Yummy septic tank
I plan on adding risers and hopefully determine condition/construction of the leach field. The tank is really going to cut into deck space on that side and I'd like to add a covered porch section if the roof line and pitch will work.
I think I remember that week for me, very boring. Hope the septic gets straightened around for you. No good when it doesn't work.
I should reiterate for those coming aboard this thread, The leach feild or whatever is out there functions normally - never had a backup. Then again this is just the two of us most of the time, and has likely (from previous owner history) only been a two person residence, but 3 bedrooms. I don't want to build a masterpiece deck & cover(the first for myself, built many for others) and have to deconstruct in the future if the leach field decides to quit with no access.
Why not build the deck so that you have trap door access to the septic? Course all depending on local codes and such.
Pumper guy couldn't make today so... Ran a hose test today after cleaning some gunk from the funnel. My suspicions are confirmed- NO Leach field The outlet of the funnel over flow tee just goes into the formed opening in the tank, into which some pieces of asphalt have been jammed. The tank just filled up no draining.
uhhh,, you'll be waiting on the deck build until after you run a proper drain field. be thankful if you don't need a lift pump. when our house was transacted, the previous owners had to "correct the problems". they replaced every inch of the entire system from the foundation out to the last run.... never heard how much it was, but i'm sure it realllllly ate into their profit from the sale
If you have to add a leach field anyway, you might as well replace a tank it's only the additional $500. Move the tank pass the deck and put the Riser on it so it's the ground level and build the deck you want!!
Or get a large vault and get it pumped? And it looks like the pool is close, will have to run leach pipes around it
