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I recently had my septic tank pumped out and some repair done. Apparently the inspection pipe (4″ pipe between house and tank, with a cap) had broke off at the tank. A sewer company came out and “repaired” the pipe, then cut a hole in the septic tank lid so a 6″ pipe could be installed to pump out the tank in the future without digging up the lid again.
Since that time I have begun having problems.
The washing machine and kitchen sink pipes are seperate from the toilet and bathroom sinks and showers. They meet, outside the house, where they then go into the tank.
Now, when the washing machine is discharging water, there is a gurgling sound coming from the BATHROOM and toilets, then the toilet water disappears! Only once did water back up into the kitchen sink.
I have pumped out my lateral fields and have snaked the pipes from both inside the house and out without finding any obstructions.
I have had someone flush the toilets while looking down into the inspection pipe, and instead of seeing the water run through, as it should, it will start backing up. When looking down into the septic tank itself I can see nothing happening. As stated earlier, I have run a snake into the tank from the inspection pipe and found nothing.
I am frustrated as I do not know where to look next and I am hesitant to get the sewer company out again (THIRD TIME!!!) and paying for a job that should have been fixed the first time.
I apologize for the long message, but I wanted to give all of the details.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I can be e-mailed at cad@nothnbut.net, and I thank you all in advance!!!
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Apparently the repair was incomplete. If you can look into the cleanout next to the tank and see the water backing up there is at least partial blockage at the tank. The lid needs to come off and the L shaped pipe inside needs to be checked for damage or blockage. If the original repair did not include that section of pipe, especially if the pipe broke at the entrance to the tank, then I suspect a collapsed pipe at the point of penetration. Should be no charge to you for that if they missed doing the complete job in the first place.