Mountain Jack
Shangri-La,Mountain in SW OR, above the Gold Creek
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Joined: 09/19/2001
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If it absolutely needs to be replaced i would have it done when the grass isn't growing. About 5 lustrums ago i had a 1500 gallon concrete septic tank put in 300' below my basspond & home, gravity flow . It's never been a problem. During the growing season it's a meadow covered with wild flowers & lilac bushes.....................
Good Luck Pard.................
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Step one is to "Sod cut" the grass.. Cut a bit deep, and move the sod to a place where it won't be killing whatever is under it,, Keep it properly watered while thework is being done.
Last step is return the sod.
Ideally I'd like to see this done at the start of the growing season but frankly I think you still have time. But don't be wasting time.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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canadian eh?
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Joined: 12/04/2005
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Thanks for the replies everyone, as for some of the previous comments that were made. The septic truck driver (who used to work as a septic repair specialist before his pumping business really picked up) pointed it out. We knew about it from when we had it inspected last year or the year before.
Pete, we've got the old fashioned type with no air pump. We put the tank in 15 years ago when we built the house (it's a cement one), so we thought it was slightly odd that it would need fixing already, but what can you do. We even made an extra large septic field to try and avoid any problems with it not being able to handle enough liquid waste (especially with 5 people living in the house).
It was Thanksgiving Day up here so we couldn't accomplish too much today, but we did get the tank pumped and things cleaned up (we had a tiny bit of backflow), thankfully the guy we called had another call out this way so he only charged his regular rate to pump the tank, not the "holiday Monday special" price of $300 
1999 Winnebago Chieftain 35U
F-53 Ford with a Triton V-10
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Benntexas
Texas
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Joined: 06/18/2008
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Personally, ASAP,now, in the fall and winter , the grass will come back. I am in that situation myself,, well I have to PUT in one, going with a perk system (think that is the name) no pumping out,, it breaks it all down and pumps the chlorine treated water out through a sprinkler system ..
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PY
S.West Louisiana
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Joined: 02/12/2002
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It sounds to me that you are experiencing trouble in your field lines and not the tank itself. I cannot see any reason why a cement tank installed 15 years ago would need to be changed out, unless it is a very small one. Most for homes in my area are 500 gallon tanks. There are no moving parts in that tank. It is no more than a large cement pipe in the ground standing on end with cement ends... Your waste flows into the tank in a down spout where the solids will/should settle out to the bottom of the tank the liquid flows from the tank to the field lines. If the tank is too small with 5 people you could be filling it with solids...but that is unlikely. Does your washing machine drain into this system too?
I still think your problem is in your field lines. Do you have a lot of trees on your property? Tree roots will clog up field lines. Do you know if the field lines were installed with a gravel bed under them?
One other thing I would do before I would lay out the bucks is get another contractor to check it out for you. In the mean time if you are certain it is solids filling your tank you can put a covered trash can in the bath room for all paper waste. That will help. Not the most pleasant thing but it would take some pressure off of your tank.
I hope I have helped and not confused you. Pete
There are people who come into our lives for a season. Although the friendships, associations, bonds and commitments fade in time, the influences gained by these moments never expire. They continually help us grow into the men and women we should be.
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