Septic Problems from Heavy Rains

Doc has to take some quick actions due to heavy rains saturation the septic drain fields. If you have drain fields that are holding standing water this needs to be addressed as it can have an impact on how the septic system will perform.

[@midgeta6864]

Thanks for telling us about some of the downsides to watch for in these systems!,!

[@CH-xo8ss]

Thanks for the info Doc! Hope your troubles have gone down the drain now !

[@davidkendrick3158]

Just down the road from you and it’s been pouring here all day. My yard is like a wet sponge! Fortunately, we’re on sewer so I don’t have to deal with this, but it was a common occurrence when I lived in FL…everyone in the family knew where the cap to the septic tank was we had to have it pumped so often!

[@g.dennisrobertson4970]

I am very sorry for you;I have followed your site for years,watched the whole build of your home and property including the brand new oversized septic system and for this to happen was unforeseen due to heavy rains.Hang in there I know you will overcome this problem like others that have popped up from time to time!

[@wesleyhamer152]

Side note.. the grass looks amazing! 😊 I hope you got it lined out.

[@bensexton254]

Doc, I feel your pain. Our septic system acts similarly when we get four inches of rain, then a long period of below freezing temps, followed by another four inches of rain. Unless your septic field flows straight downhill, it can happen to anyone!

[@jimmymiller4732]

Looking forward to seeing how you are going to handle this property as its more realistic of what most of us have then your old home. The home I live in is pretty much at the bottom of a gorge complete with hills, oaks, a creek and a pond with areas that's impossible to grade and lay sod due to all of the might oaks. This week I had three Bradford Pear Trees and the Red Maple in my front yard removed because of all the roots growing on top of the ground,

[@CC-ll5fe]

Hi Doc thanks for the information. After seeing this video just had my septic tank serviced and drained. Good luck with you hope for the best for you. I live in Bartow county Ga.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Good decision... poo water in the showers and tubs is a horrible thing.

[@dylan8285]

I presume this is part the reason here in the northern states septic systems are commonly a mound that stick out and bc frozen saturated ground is a problem

[@adamghazal9204]

Good luck! So over all this rain. Thanks Doc!

[@laurabyrd9903]

Praying for you!!

[@Lentuttle]

Doc, I just gotta tell ya, I love ya man! Of all the channels I sub to, you're my tops. Your genuine attitude and invaluable info that you share here with us is SO appreciated. I recently purchased 42 acres in NE Arkansas and in the process of developing my homestead layout (septic/well placement) and you're insight is appreciated more than you even know. Keep em coming, I learn a ton from you!

[@HowTowithDoc]

Just glad I helped some. Enjoy the journey

[@WhittyPics]

I never had to deal with these issues

[@bensexton254]

Be thankful!

[@HunterTN]

Our field has multiple lines, 2" perforated pipe running perpendicular to the line coming out of the settling tank. I've not seen a large diffuser line like you have. I guess you just mound the dirt over the line, maybe put in a french drain on the uphill side to catch runoff and send it through the mound to dump into that bottom. It's always something and it's usually a pain in the ass to fix the right way lol.

[@HowTowithDoc]

The black large half circle drain field pieces are shown in a the old septic install. Pretty cool. No pvc pipes

[@mr.brightstartesting]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MaribelMata-zi2wf]

Thank!!!Very helpful video 👍

[@deananderson473]

Hey Doc, with all that water coming out of that drain pipe it’s a perfect place for a small pelton wheel. Hook it up to some storage batteries. Start your own power company.

[@BigJohnson1566]

Maybe one day you can get the Bermuda rolling again like the old house.

[@cordell73]

Im experiencing the exact same issue right now. Please post an update video once you are sure its fixed

[@HowTowithDoc]

Will do

[@larrysmith2481]

Here in NW Alabama we got 7+ inches of rain and after 5 inches of snow and ice...these people don't know how to drive in snow and most of the area was closed for the entire week...

[@jfnuyen]

This is why I love my township sewer and water lines. No septic tanks or drain fields for me. They are eventually a real pain in the rear. Oh yes, and I don't have either clay sewer pipes or cast iron sewer pipes involved any more either. No roots can get through those plastic sewer pipes.

[@HunterTN]

Hate to burst your bubble but they can 100% get into PVC lines. We had a willow tree near our tie in to the city sewer line, it managed to get in through the fittings and in some places essentially strangle the line until it cracked. Then the roots worked their way 20 feet back up the line towards the house.

[@jfnuyen]

@@HunterTNWell, a tree root "invasion" can happen if the PVC joints were not properly sealed and there are some trees growing nearby. I am much older than you most likely (76) and I always remember my dad having the typical drain field problems that are shown here. He told me way back then in the 50's to get city water and sewer when I bought a house. Of course, I failed to listen to him and bought one (older home) that was not connected to the local sewer. In the spring, the toilets would not flush because of the high ground water table situation that happens here in Michigan in the spring due to the rapid snow thaw that occurs. Of course, in a very short time, I connected to the village sewer system and the problem was gone from then on. I lived in that house for 40 years with none of those septic tank and drain field problems. However, I did eventually incur a very nasty leak from a rotted out cast iron sewer pipe in the basement (that I failed to notice in a timely fashion) which caused me a lot of consternation. Now I have a much newer house that is up to date (connected to village sewer/water) in a township and there are no trees growing near the sewer lines. I don't intend on planting any trees by those lines either. Anyway, I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad, I was just seeing my dad's and my problems (from the distant past) in my mind’s eye when I watched this video and I knew I was not likely to ever have those issues again.

[@thomaskibsgaard4692]

personally i would just do the emergency drain. and do it proberly in the spring. You can do alot more damage by mushing around in the mud to mutch

[@HowTowithDoc]

Letting it dry for a few days and then will work it.

[@mourbonaventure7475]

It's crazy, my in-laws septic system in GA has been there for 30+ years. No maintenance... They don't even know where the leech field is. The home was built by their parents. I'm like... you should at least find out where it is haha...

[@HowTowithDoc]

I show the old cement system in an older video. It was 30+ years old

[@wm005]

Doc, what a mess U have but I know you will get it all pretty again. Some days you live the dream, some days U don't...

[@schroer111]

Sorry for your septic issues! Got a unrelated question… I put down Dimension in early Jan. It rained within 12 hours but I feel like it washed away the Dimension. Should I respray it?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Wait for your spring app if that's what your on schedule for.

[@BermudaBrian]

what is that at the in of your pond's dock? It looks like a tree

[@HowTowithDoc]

Christmas tree that is now down.

[@zacd7094]

Doc do you think it makes since to buy a skid steer? I’ve really wanted one alone with land

[@HowTowithDoc]

I can only use one with the joysticks and those are about $50k for a good used one. So for me it's much cheaper to rent a few times a year and not worry about repairs.

[@tommybennett737]

I have a failing leach field and have no idea what to do. 6k to replace it in not an option . Any budget friendly options that work? So much snake oil out there idk what to do

[@feliciad.hutchins4507]

It applies to me. I am trying to grass a lawn in a bottom.😂😂😂😂 Alabama clay ain’t no joke😢 My septic sinks like a grave in an old cemetery…SHM.😂😂😂 😢

[@joshkeller1533]

Hey Doc. didn’t know how to contact you. i live in San Antonio TX. i’m going to having bermuda sod placed and gonna purchase Mclane. which is best bermuda sod to purchase in your opinion

[@HowTowithDoc]

The new basic GR I did a video on is a good one to get. No need for anything more just get a 25"

[@joshkeller1533]

@@HowTowithDoc i meant any particular bermuda sod you purchase? i know there are several sod choices with bermuda. which do you recommend

[@wadesmith9165]

Aerobic system

[@davidroberts4219]

I'm going to tell you all something to never do from experience. Never buy a home in a neighborhood that uses a community septic system. It has all the disadvantages of septic/sewer and no upside. If the drain field has problems there is not much you can do to resolve it and the people who maintain it can charge whatever they want for sewage service.

[@mikeo8890]

When you're hooked up to the city you're paying for sewer service, but it's not that much, the cost over several years might work out the same.

[@ronaldgrosland648]

You speak of your soul is clay. Clay does not drain well at all.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Correct

[@bensexton254]

@@HowTowithDoc Maybe TerraLift would help? I'm looking at having that done here on our property.

[@CC-ll5fe]

Ga clay is no joke.