Problem with sewer - Need advice

[skydivr]

Ok, any professional plumbers out there?

I was out in my back yard, digging a post hole for my daughters new play set I'm going to build her. On my second hole (the first one was fine at 36 inches) at 16 inches the hole starts filling with water - sewage water. It appears to cover the bottom of the hole but not filling up or anything. I hear a plastic sound at the bottom, so I've hit a pipe, hoping on the field side, not the fill side. I'm a good 60-80 feet from the house; not a hint of gravel before hitting the pipe which surprised me. I know my septic tank is out there somewhere, but I would not have thought it was where I'm digging at. I think while I may have pierced the pipe, I didn't dig a big hole in it or anything not a hint of gravel (all clay) before hitting the pipe which surprised me.

Questions are:

1) Did i hit the fill side or the (drain) field side? Would (how) could I tell? I would think if I had hit the fill side, the pressure would make the hole fill and run out the top.

2) Can I just fill the bottom of this with a little gravel and maybe some concrete in the hole, then set my post over the top of it, or have I really screwed myself up?

Would appreciate the advice from someone with professional knowledge of the subject. I've got two more post holes to dig, and now I'm nervous about it.

Thanks!

[Powers739]

That's pretty crappy!

[Mr Bogus]

That's pretty crappy!

you didnt just say that...

[mrninja9]

they didnt always put gravel down to bed the tile. what i think you should do. locate the pipe exiting the house, find you septic tank then you will know where your at with the pipe..i would change the location of the play house...to be on the safe side of the deal...but pm me if you need some more help used to be a plumber in the military
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[SAMBUSA]

Alot of the answer depends on how old your place is and what type of sewage system you have. Like Chris said, you really need to find out where the pipe originates from.

[djsin]

what a shi@ty deal

[dadofthree]

You need to do as advised. I have about 80' of solid pipe before it breaks into four separate french drain lines for the drain field. Not an expert but you might be able to flush a toilet and see if you see increased pressure/flow at the hole

[skydivr]

House is 4 years old. Playhouse is on top of existing one that I'm about to tear down, but it is on the only flat spot carved into my back yard (which may be flat because it's on top of the tank....). I'm pretty sure I'm not on the fill side of the tank. Will post a pic here in a few.

[Pardini]

Here's a simple test. Have corn for dinner tomarrow use the facility and give her a flush. Run out and check the hole. Do you see corn? No corn the pipe is tank to dry well. Corn in the hole means pipe is between the house and the tank.

My step dad had a keen septic sense. He hit the pumbing or the power every hole he dug. Even built a horse stall right on top of the tank.

[Strife]

Why not clear the "Crap" away with a little garden shovel and see what kind of "Sh*t" you getting yourself into? If you broke something you going to have to fix it anyways or you mind end up in deep "Sh*t"

Seriously though clear away with a smaller shovel or use the one you have and go slower and easier. See what you might of hit.

Just remember that when you poking at holes around back you bound to hit some....(sorry have to take one more poke for fun)!

[mrninja9]

they make i die to run in the septic tank...to see where it will flow. cause it isn,t a pressurized system they make a coupling called a ferco. just expose it...pretty easy actually...bit ot is only corrigated pipe. you could get a small section cut a slice all the way down it so it opens up and make a strap clamp basically use some good sized hose clamps cheap easy fix man if your not sure my number is in my sig line call me
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[rubbersidedown]

they make i die to run in the septic tank...to see where it will flow. cause it isn,t a pressurized system they make a coupling called a ferco. just expose it...pretty easy actually...bit ot is only corrigated pipe. you could get a small section cut a slice all the way down it so it opens up and make a strap clamp basically use some good sized hose clamps cheap easy fix man if your not sure my number is in my sig line call me
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If anybody can help you with shi7 its mr ninja.

RSD.

[ktw88q]

[ks-waterbug]

Ok, any professional plumbers out there?

I was out in my back yard, digging a post hole for my daughters new play set I'm going to build her. On my second hole (the first one was fine at 36 inches) at 16 inches the hole starts filling with water - sewage water. It appears to cover the bottom of the hole but not filling up or anything. I hear a plastic sound at the bottom, so I've hit a pipe, hoping on the field side, not the fill side. I'm a good 60-80 feet from the house; not a hint of gravel before hitting the pipe which surprised me. I know my septic tank is out there somewhere, but I would not have thought it was where I'm digging at. I think while I may have pierced the pipe, I didn't dig a big hole in it or anything not a hint of gravel (all clay) before hitting the pipe which surprised me.

Questions are:

1) Did i hit the fill side or the (drain) field side? Would (how) could I tell? I would think if I had hit the fill side, the pressure would make the hole fill and run out the top.

2) Can I just fill the bottom of this with a little gravel and maybe some concrete in the hole, then set my post over the top of it, or have I really screwed myself up?

Would appreciate the advice from someone with professional knowledge of the subject. I've got two more post holes to dig, and now I'm nervous about it.

Thanks!

1) This really depends on which type of septic and who did the install... You should be able to locate the cover for the tank itself (where it gets pumped). This should give you a pretty good idea as to IF your at the field end (Lateral) of the tank system or not.
2) I'd be a little concerned that at only 16" down your getting the results you are... Sounds like your system was/is either clogged (grease, cotton products, or not maintained) Or worse yet not up to code!

I would NOT use this location to install the kids playground equipment! Without first getting this looked at... Not a healthy environment my Brother for your pride and joy (Daughter)

[chrisjp]

wow now that is some darn luck sounds as bad as 2 weeks ago i was rototilling my garden and hit the (once thought) buried power lines to my house at a amazingly lazy depth of 3 inches. thats what i get for not doing it myself and buying used!!!!!!!!

[UncleSteve]

see below

[UncleSteve]

Ok, any professional plumbers out there?

I was out in my back yard, digging a post hole for my daughters new play set I'm going to build her. On my second hole (the first one was fine at 36 inches) at 16 inches the hole starts filling with water - sewage water. It appears to cover the bottom of the hole but not filling up or anything. I hear a plastic sound at the bottom, so I've hit a pipe, hoping on the field side, not the fill side. I'm a good 60-80 feet from the house; not a hint of gravel before hitting the pipe which surprised me. I know my septic tank is out there somewhere, but I would not have thought it was where I'm digging at. I think while I may have pierced the pipe, I didn't dig a big hole in it or anything not a hint of gravel (all clay) before hitting the pipe which surprised me.

Questions are:

1) Did i hit the fill side or the (drain) field side? Would (how) could I tell? I would think if I had hit the fill side, the pressure would make the hole fill and run out the top.

2) Can I just fill the bottom of this with a little gravel and maybe some concrete in the hole, then set my post over the top of it, or have I really screwed myself up?

Would appreciate the advice from someone with professional knowledge of the subject. I've got two more post holes to dig, and now I'm nervous about it.

Thanks!

Fill the hole in, go in the house, lock the door, pull the shades and never dig in your yard again. Put a 4 sale sign in the front yard.

Seriously, check for a free service to check for buried cables before you dig.
We have one here, you may also.

You have a hard line between the tank and the house and another hard line before the lateral lines. Depending on your land, the drainage, amount of rainfall, water table level and where you drilled the hole. There may be nothing to worry about.
First thing is to find out if you are right near or on top of a lateral line.

Good Luck plumbing is a pain in the neck.

[skydivr]

Ok, here are the pics. Playset from my back deck. Note it's location near the trees and the ditch where the water runs. I don't see how the tank could be this far out. The other two holes I've dug are dry the holes are for a 10x12 square which will basically sit in the same spot. The only outside spot I can see that might be the sewer line is in the bottom patio. Last pic is standing on that cap in a direct line to the playset.

I've never seen anything in the yard to tell me where the tank is. The water level in the hole is only about 2 inches deep, and that's not changed any since yesterday (showers, toilets, etc.).

My question is, if that's the field side, why couldn't I just pour a little gravel and some quickcrete into the hole and let it set up, wouldn't that seal it?

Thanks!

[skydivr]

And guess what, here is the septic layout I just found it....I'm on the field somewhere....gotta be near the end of one of the field lines....

[skydivr]

Ah ha, "Large Diameter Gravelless Pipe"; explains why i didn't hit gravel!