Looks like time for new septic drain field

[Matthew Paul]

Always on a holiday weekend . I get a call from a tenant , they said their is toilet paper in the yard .  I ask where and they say near the septic tank . I know this is not good , I head over this morning and sure enough tank is overflowing . I walk the yard and its wet over where there is ivy growing . Never would have noticed that since who walks in the ivy beds . Now I have to get things flowing . I go to my shop and grab my small backhoe and start digging near the wet spot . First I dig a 3 by 6 ft deep hole , then I cross the yard to intersect the drain field pipe . I hit the pipe after about 4 feet , and woosh , the grey water is flowing , fill the hole in no time . I grab a piece of plywood and cover the hole . The tenants are back able to flush .

This week I will rent a mini ex , have the plumber pull a permit and install new drain field . Drain field lasted 24 years . Crappy job ahead . But it wont cost me more than $1500

[Joe Splitrock]

Originally posted by @Matthew Paul:

Always on a holiday weekend . I get a call from a tenant , they said their is toilet paper in the yard .  I ask where and they say near the septic tank . I know this is not good , I head over this morning and sure enough tank is overflowing . I walk the yard and its wet over where there is ivy growing . Never would have noticed that since who walks in the ivy beds . Now I have to get things flowing . I go to my shop and grab my small backhoe and start digging near the wet spot . First I dig a 3 by 6 ft deep hole , then I cross the yard to intersect the drain field pipe . I hit the pipe after about 4 feet , and woosh , the grey water is flowing , fill the hole in no time . I grab a piece of plywood and cover the hole . The tenants are back able to flush .

This week I will rent a mini ex , have the plumber pull a permit and install new drain field . Drain field lasted 24 years . Crappy job ahead . But it wont cost me more than $1500

 A properly maintained septic can easily last 50 years. Are you having it pumped regularly and are the tenants careful with what they are putting down the drains?