Slow drains and toilet?

[RedRaven]

Hey fellas -

Our house is '72 vintage and uses a septic tank and leach drain as we're on a hill and not close to the council sewer. We've only been in the house 4 months but no idea when it was last emptied.
Our drains work, but they're a bit slow:

Drainage problem symptoms:

Our loo cistern mechanism flushes properly but often we'll end up with a bit of paper or a Bondi Cigar left behind. All-Bran challenge jokes aside this hasn't happened (often) at any other house I've lived in. :U

And... although the water in the loo appears to drain quick enough, other sink drains in the house are a little slow - you can easily put more water into the sink than is draining away, and...

Too much water use in a short time causes a smell in the back yard. We haven't found the source yet. I can't see a breather/pipe for the septic tank, although I know the tank/s are under the rear patio. Somewhere.

The block is sloping, on clay/boulder soil over solid granite (hence no sewer). There are no trees within 10m of any drain - except the loo - however the tree, a white/ghost gum is 3m below the loo level, 8m away. I don't think its an issue (if it was a liquid amber, rubber tree or a willow thats different).

Any suggestions? Partly blocked pipe? Full septic tank?
Is it likely to cost much to get it checked?

[Brickie]

Any suggestions?

Dont use the bog or run any water.....:?

[davo2310]

g'day redraven,

You could have a couple of things going on, first with your toilet, you may have the wrong size cistern, hence the fact that things are left. Im only guessing mind you but the cistern may have been replaced for selling looks, you may have the old 9 litre pan with a new 3/6 ltr cistern.

secondly when you say the sinks are slow, is it all basins or just the kitchen. if its mainly the kitchen and laundry tub, then you may need to clean your grease trap ( which u would want to do anyway ) which normally would be directly outside your kitchen, these lines if only just the kitchen should run direct to the grease trap and then to an absorption pit.

If its the basins, maybe the traps need cleaning, which you could do yourself, use a plunger on one if it makes a difference, that may be all it is. If your house line was blocked up you should notice gurgling and surcharge, which doesnt sound the case.

Basically, try a few things as suggested, it just might save you a call out.

Regards
Davo

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

I'd also be inclined to get the septic pumped out now, regardless of how full it is. Then you'll know you have a nice, clean... strike that... nice, empty tank and a few extra years before you have to do it again. (May that be many years away. :;)

Also, if your house lines are blocked/grunged up, it's easier to run a router up the line with low tank levels.

[manoftalent]

I agree with what Skew said, better to get them cleaned now ....

[RedRaven]

No worries fellas - yeah I think giving the system a flush/clean and pump out the tank is the best way to go.

Davo:
The loo is original, yep 9L pan and cistern. Duck egg blue with blue floor tiles. Joy!

All three sinks, kitchen, laundry and bathroom are a bit slow. When the washing machine emties, it fills the laundry tub 1/2 full, so I suspect its not getting out as fast as it should be.

There's a metal plate in the patio between the laundry, kitchen line and the septics, so I guess thats where the grease trap will be. Maybe thats what's causing the smell too? Is the laundry and kitchen really likely to just run to the leach/french drain? (I thought everything went to the septic?)

Better get some gloves. Maybe a hazchem suit would be better.

[davo2310]

the grease trap doesnt normally run through the septic. It could well do in your case.
I found a little reading material for you, its from victoria, but It will give you a few clues as to what you need to do regularly.




http://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/documents/communityissues/septictankwastewaterdisposalsystem.pdf

[RedRaven]

Thats a gem, Davo, thanks!

Hmm, according to that I'd better get the system checked out asap.

The grass is a little greener over the absorption trench but its not going berzerk or anything.

Fingers crossed I won't need to re-dig the trench. Ouch. :(

[davo2310]

anytime mate, I'll post the consultation fee shortly.

[rsser]

.. won't tell you about my brother who sank into a septic run-off soak.

In his suit, on other brother's wedding day, as best man, while backing up to take pics of the bridal party and family. LOL.