septic tank pumping recommendations/price

[knieft]

Thanks Chas,

Turns out, since there isn't much going out the leach pipes (probably full of roots) the accumulated liquid in the tank is more shower than $hit). Ended up just pumping it out and there was no appreciable smell. Don't want to say exactly where we pumped it...

Todd, at Uncle Tilo's (who I mentioned previously regarding the quantum water filters) suggested a pound or so of salt flushed once a week. It will kill any invading roots. And perhaps eventually clear the leach tube roots. He said he would pop for a camera tour cause he likes to know exactly what is going on in there. I'm thinking salting the system is the solution to whatever a camera finds, which would surely be invasive roots anyway. Who knows.

Cheers,
Kirt

[Chas]

Wonder if it's possible to "snake" it, like you would a drain.

[knieft]

Wonder if it's possible to "snake" it, like you would a drain.

The first snake got stuck, barely got it back out. Second attempt with a heavy duty grinder cleared it, but it was just to the tank…

Cheers,
Kirt

[Obie]

You need to use copper sulfate on an annual basis.

ACE has this brand in stock in Pahoa. Rooto Crystal Root Killer 32 oz.

You can probably get pure copper sulfate crystals on Amazon and save some money.

[garymatt]

I wanted to add my recent experience. This thread seems to be the best place.
For a few months the drainage at several spots in our house has gotten slower. The downstairs toilet (the closest thing to the cesspool tank) took it's time flushing clear. This was extremely noticeable if the washing machine was running AND someone was showering at the same time. It was not safe to flush.
Finally things came to a head (a little Navy humor) a couple of days ago. The toilet not only backed up instead of flushing, but the upstairs toilet - on the same drainage pipe - when flushed caused the toilet bowl downstairs to overflow.
This was a NOT a clean event that put 'water' over a quarter of our basement. That is what we call our downstairs, the cement slab. We live upstairs.
Christmas day seems to be a focal point for us for such things. Of course we knew we could not call anybody till Tuesday.
Based on all things logical it appeared our cesspool was full and not draining.
After calling several places, we decided on Judd at Big Island Drain Cleaning 808-443-6356. He said he would come out in a few hours - about 1 pm.
He charges $300 (cash or 314 credit card) to use a snake as well as put a camera in the line and scope out the cess pool itself. Our pool was in back and overgrown horribly. I could not even prove/find the cemented flat area. With a hedge trimmer and lots of OOMPH we got close enough to hear the snake. The snake by the way made no difference to improve drainage. The camera came next. It had a handheld counterpart that let us pin-point its location after it had cleared the pipe and entered the pool proper. Note that this handheld was used 3 feet above the ground because the overgrowth kept us from getting closer.
This whole process included Judd and I partly clearing bits to even get near the tank. We never did properly uncover it.
That man was right next to me moving greenery. Judd had a 6 foot metal pole to leverage stuff out of the way while I trimmed, lifted, and pushed.
Judd explained that many cesspools just plain stay 3/4 to practically full all the time never having a problem as long as the drainage was good.
If it really turned out the cesspool required to be pumped it would cost a thousand plus. THAT price was pretty much what the other places I called said.
We lucked out.
It barely makes sense though.
Running the snake did not fix or cause the line to drain again.
Clearing the overgrowth and heavy dirt away from several parts on, near, and around the cesspool appears to have for lack of a better description let it breathe again. The water started draining.
Keeping the area cleared enough to not be 'sealed' in by a significant amount of dirt and foliage MIGHT be enough of a solution to keep things working another few years. BTW, Judd said that $300 covered him coming out 1 more time to run the snake.
Later this day our household had the shower running, the washing machine going, and flushing all at the same time ON PURPOSE, while carefully watching the clean-out and toilet bowl. It showed all was clear. YAY!
I told Judd I would share how this went and his number on Punaweb.

[randomq]

Sounds like you may be lacking a vent. Even in a non-clogged system lack of air pressure can cause toilets to back up. Your main drain pipe stack should be vented through the roof, and many folks have a vent on their cesspool/septic as well.

[kalakoa]

I was able to get by with an AAV as my primary vent. Not code or recommended, and you may have to order the AAV online (I could not find one in town).

[Obie]

You should never use an AAV on a toilet. It can't admit enough air and will allow an adjacent sink trap to be sucked dry of water.

Your cesspool is in the last stages of complete failure. Now that you have loosened up the soil enough so that the liquid can get out it is going to pond in the area around the cesspool and it is going to get really stinky. Save your money up to pump it as soon as possible.

[terracore]

This is all education for me. I've looked into our cesspool maybe 4 times in 12 years including recently and it looks brand new. It's just a big huge empty capped hole in the rock.

[kalakoa]

You should never use an AAV on a toilet.

Mine worked fine despite the "should never". I have no idea why.