Was yours not done correctly so when the house was built?I have a septic tank (Biocell) with a pump in it which pumps the treated waste water uphill to a percolation tank (100 feet or so away from septic tank).
Only advice is that if you’re investing in a pump, do spend a few extra quid for a decent one. (€200 should do it).
Also, make sure the distribution box (which I assume feeds the electricity supply to the pump) is 100% watertight, or better again away from exposure to the elements as if that gets wet, it’ll trip your electric trip switch. We use a sealed cabinet similar to the esb meter box.
I speak from bitter experience and expense, having had septic tank and flood/soakage issues for the past year. Though I think you’re probably operating an older septic tank system. My house was built a few years ago only, hence Biocell and Percolation tank system. .
In percolation system a distribution box is like this: https://delaneyconcrete.ie/wastewater/distribution-boxes/Also, make sure the distribution box
Just remember, you need planning permission if changing from whatever your current system is. You can repair / replace a percolation area, but to install one for first time requires planning permission, soil test, etc.I know a few friends that had percolation areas specified in planning but only. Did a hole in the ground job
We thought it was done correctly until the area surrounding the septic tank started to flood in heavy rain. I’ve no doubt it was done according to plan and in compliance with regulation. But here we are.Was yours not done correctly so when the house was built?
I know a few friends that had percolation areas specified in planning but only. Did a hole in the ground job. I want to do this once now and forget about it for good then lol.
Have you installed a grease trap anywhere
I stand corrected.
No idea I’m afraid.ave you installed a grease trap anywhere
So it sounds like the tank is working ok but gets flooded by the soakaway? If that is the case have you looked into a non-return valve between the soakaway and the septic tank?
If it comes to doing a big job on the septic tank, have a look at the new grant scheme that came in last year. I don't know the ins and out but I think they've made it easier to get a grant for a non-performing septic tank.
Can you get a non return valve in that position?
I hear ya. Its worked away for 20 years so so I'm guessing it's detergents etc and all that blocking it. The builder himself built the house to sell it and judging by the stingness of sockets etc in the house I'm guessing he spent as little as possible on the soakaway too. It fills quite quickly though with us not putting much in at all trying to be careful. I'm assuming the soakaway is full and is draining back in. The drain guy mentioned the other slight possibility is a spring has sprung in the soakawayHonestly I don't know if it would solve the issue entirely but if it was possible it would be a cheaper solution and would protect the septic tank.
A lot of the time with the soakaway it's the gradient of the pipes as oppose to the receiving soil. It's a skill to get the effluent to spread evenly across all pipes. If it's not done correctly you get saturation at some points and dry soil at others.
Our house was built in 2000 and we moved in in 2009. Two adults and one child in the house. Drains have worked away fine since. One blockage before spectic tank a few years ago I cleared with rods but nothing else. Tank passed County Council inspection around 2016. Rainwater goes to separate soakaway and toilets, showers, sinks, machine etc to septic tank.
First tank empty in 2016 and again in early 2020. In 2020 guy said he thought there might be an issue with the soakaway
He's proposing to install a drainage field with distribution box, pump etc. I don't know for certain but Im pretty sure what's there is a hole in the ground with stones type soakaway.
ThanksSo it worked well for 20 years. That suggests the percolation area is fine, there is an issue with the piping, possibly it has become blocked. If that is the case a no-return valve will not help for long.
Dig up the percolation piping and repair or replace it. This is a days work for one man with a machine, with negligible materials cost.
If the original system failed after a few years this might make sense, but if it worked well for 20 years you just want to repair it as it was.
Thats my thoughts
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