Distribution Box Fail

This septic distribution box had been failing for some time. It was causing a short circuit which drifted wastewater into only one lateral of the drain field.
The drain field was in a failure condition causing an environmental concern.

[@ya472]

We just had our 34 year old system checked, and tanks (2) pumped. Original concrete d-box collapsed and previous owner had not searched and fixed it. But rather a second tank was installed and effluent pumped to a second field. We bought 9 years ago and 7 years ago I found the original d-box and installed a new one. Field pipes were perfectly clean. Current inspector was impressed at pipe elevations and also impressed at 20 minute dissipation test. Second pump-up system considered a backup. We are happy owners.

[@garyduran1]

Great video thanks. Waste water is bubbling up from I think my distribution box. I think the DB is very shallow, I will dig it up today to check to see if it’s clogged. My system is 31 years old. Thanks again.

[@maddierosemusic]

Great video. You saved that homeowner thousands of dollars.

[@sunshine5349]

wow that was buried deep. I'm trying to find mine how far away is the distribution box typically located from the tank? My discharge pipe is over 4 feet under ground. the ground slopes toward the south so maybe it was dug deeper to account for the land sloping.

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

Typically yes, the drainfield should be no deeper than 3 ft for proper function. It may take a camera scope from the septic tank outlet with a transmitter to find your distribution area.

[@rollandelliott]

top of my distribution box is 42 inches from surface. Even if I put a 24" riser above it, my arms are not long enough to reach the top and pull it off. Seems better to make the riser only about 2 feet tall and put a lid and marker above so I can dig down 2 feet and then take off the lid to access it.

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

The real key is knowing exactly where it is so you can conduct maintenance on it every year.

[@rollandelliott]

@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 you just inspect it every year right? make sure it's not clogged. do I need to add rid x or other chemical treatment?

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

@@rollandelliott no treatment needed, just clean out the d-box of solids and residue buildup. Keep the debris from going into the field lines and you’ll be helping the drainfield distribute more evenly

[@arnulfoaguirrejr3060]

what do you do if your box is that deep ? so far ive put in a clean out that was about 3 1/2 feet deep and now will look for our distribution box but I don't want to rebury it again .. what would you recommend to make it accessable for future

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

Thanks for the question Arnulfo, use risers and a lid to bring the access point up to grade. Source a Poly lock riser from about 24”-26” diameter, they come in 1 ft and 6” rises and you can purchase a lid as well. When maintaining your distribution box place fluid levellers on the outgoing pipe openings from the d-Box, this will help each run of the field get an even flow. Hope this helps

[@arnulfoaguirrejr3060]

t@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 thank you for info

[@bradreading7122]

Think you missed one of the biggest problems. With that much sludge in the D-box that tank obviously hasn't been pumped out in years. This whole situation could have been avoided with regular maintenance with the septic tank. Any health department will tell you to have your tank pumped at least once every five years.

[@mmtenyakov]

Could this cause an issue of water backing up in the house when tsking shower or flushing toilet?

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

Depending on the grade of the system, if your lot is flat most certainly, I have seen it many times. If the distribution box is downslope from the home, then the effluent would surge out of the top of the box if the field lines are clogged. I have also seen effluent leak out of the tops of septic tanks as well before backing up into the home if the components are at lower elevations.

[@nathandaniel3982]

the pipes from my d box to laterals seem to be just a tad bit different elevations. how can I fix without digging the pipes up and resetting the d box? my thoughts are I can fix it by blocking the flow to the pipe that's taking all the water by a quarter inch.

[@groundstonewastewaterservi5066]

Hi Nathan, you can use what is called speed levellers, try sourcing Polylok on line. You might be able to order online for the size lateral lines running out of the distribution box. You might also try your local distributor for local pipe, sewerage supplies, irrigation etc. as they might carry the levellers as well. These are dials that you can turn to adjust the flow in the lines and we use them on every gravity system we install.

[@nathandaniel3982]

@@groundstonewastewaterservi5066 thank you for the valuable information and quick response!