Poor drainage out to septic

7 years ago

I've had occasional water in basement, coming up from floor in drain in quasi-wet room. The first time this happened, I had the septic pumped as it was time, water immediately drained out that time.

It is now repeating on occasion - not as bad as that first time, but regularly, roughly connected to higher water usage in the house. Perhaps a half-inch, and it drains away over time. No sign of issues at the septic system which seems to be at the normal level. I have snaked the main sewage line from the floor drain out to the septic twice, with no difficulty or obvious snags (although the snake is centimeter diameter roughly, smaller than the pipe). This does result in water immediately draining out. I've not yet been up on the roof to check the vent stack, but all plumbing fixtures are draining properly, and no signs of sewage odour or other issues.

Any suggestions? The only things I can think to do next are have the main drainpipe out professionally cleaned/snaked and/or inspected in case there is a partial blockage (that my snaking didn't fully clear, like some build-up in pipes). I'll check the vent stack but doubt there's anything there. The only other thing I can think of is that the septic system has multiple tanks and I suppose it's possible the pipe between tanks is partially clogged, conceivably causing (temporary) higher level as water drains from tank to tank. (Note the final tank out is definitely working properly, it has a pump out and is working normally).

Thoughts welcome.

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Comments (4)

pima74
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I would assume that the pumping included cleaning the filter but who knows! The first tank (if a 2 tank system) probably has a filter at the outlet to the second tank (or if 1 tank at outlet to the septic field). This is could well be gunked up with nasty stuff and severly blocking the out flow. If you know where the tank access covers are, you can remove them and find the filter and clean it. Just had to clean the filter after our son stayed with us for 5 months and we had problems.. Without him our flow into the system was so small that the clogged filter still let water flow slowly into the 2nd tank where it is pumped into the field.
armoured
Original Author
7 years ago
Turns out misdiagnosed on my part - the problem wasn't the water going out, but a periodic leak at a fitting to the cold water inlet of the hot water heater. I've jury rigged a hose for now to a floor drain and will get someone in to replace the fitting.
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armoured
Original Author
7 years ago
The cold water inlet (also the drain on this model) has this fitting just before the tank itself, can anyone identify or give me some info? Water seems to be leaking from the black part on the lower left, which also conveniently works to jam a hose in there leading to the floor drain (my temporary solution).
armoured
Original Author
7 years ago
Just in case of interest to anyone: the part in question was a pressure relief valve (I think proper term) on the pipe into hot water tank. The cause was that the control to the pump from well was not working properly and hence water pressure was too high. Both parts replaced and all now functioning.