We Found A Solution To Our Sewage Problem!

[@treedruid]

Nice to see Social Media being used for good and actually being helpful!

[@sheilabing9588]

Bamboo is a nightmare to get rid of. You’ve got to keep an eye on the area even after you’ve cleared it to make sure you get rid of any new shoots. Good luck!

[@Bunter.948]

You were lucky not to be hurt when you lowered the tank into the ground. It's easy to be wise after the event, but you have a digger that would have lowered it nicely. Very interesting project. I'm sure all your viewers wish you well.

[@thomasstambaugh5181]

Glad to see you're making progress.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! 😊

[@titan375484]

"Hey boss throw the ball to me please, instead of painting the garden!' ;-) Nice work guys, and what a massive roots you dig up!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! You can tell who’s really in charge of this project 🐶

[@martyb3783]

Looks like he had fun learning to use the digger! Great video!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

The digger was favourite bit of the whole thing so far!

[@Fleetwoodphil1]

You had the ideal piece of kit to place the tank in the hole, a couple of straps and the mini digger

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I know, can’t believe I didn’t think of it 🤦‍♂️

[@Fleetwoodphil1]

@@theoldstationrenovation hindsight is a wonderful thing 🤣🤣

[@moxielouise]

So exciting to have the digger! I hope you take advantage of it to widen your drive, scrape it and move all the compacted mud at the entrance.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I certainly it did, we’ve got the footage and I’m sure it will be put up in a video soon! 😃

[@lindaroyal8161]

Kudos to the viewer that suggested this option. It will work perfectly for your needs. You mentioned relocating it later on. I think leaving it installed and having it service your row of out buildings close by is an option. You'll probably add an outside bathroom to the out buildings and didn't you mention a quest area, would work nicely for those plans and a lot less work than relocating it. You'll probably need a larger, permanent septic for the station anyways. Just some thoughts. Another major project crossed off the list!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

We’ll definitely need a better permanent solution. This is great for our short term needs but long term we’ll have to have something that will last decades.

[@WonkoTheSaneUK]

An outdoor restroom is a great idea. When a friend of mine built his, he made it a wetroom by adding a shower unit. He also put an extra bolt on the outside of the door, so he could turn the shower on and shut his muddy dog in there for a couple of minutes before it tracked everything into the house.

[@abigailgerlach5443]

If anyone is considering planting bamboo as a screen in the garden, DON'T!!! You will spend ages trying to get rid the darned stuff once it gets established. It's invasive and a real pain in the neck if you ever want to get rid of it later on. Congratulations on an inexpensive and simple (relatively) solution to the septic problem. May all future problems work out so neatly! Blessed Be!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! I’m amazed that people think bamboo is a good idea, it’s an absolute horror!! 😱

[@justinstephenson9360]

@@theoldstationrenovation It all depends on the species of bamboo. Not all bamboo is invasive, the Fargesia species is a good example of a non-invasive species. If you really want an invasive species of bamboo, plant it in a pot. As always with gardening a little bit of research beforehand save a ton of work later. Having a bamboo garden was a late Victorian fashion statement

[@normamurray4450]

Things are coming together now for you, so happy for you.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you very much! 😊

[@philhermetic]

Never heard of these, sounds like an excellent solution! Remember not to put any bleach or toilet cleaners into your septic tank and to only use septic tank safe soaps and detergents otherwise you will kill the bacteria that makes the septic tank work and it will start to smell and fill up quickly! Phil

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thanks for this tip, it hadn’t occurred to me but makes perfect sense. I’ll bin the bleach!

[@philhermetic]

@@theoldstationrenovation you can get a starter culture of bacteria to add to your septic tank to give it a start up boost, there may even be one in your kit. Properly maintained a septic tank is a permanent solution and should only need emptying every 15-20 years. Phil

[@t3ck3r]

Here in the US, it's called Rid-x Septic tank treatment. It helps keep the bacteria going. Best of luck.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Excellent, thank you very much 😊

[@ruthbaird1646]

Apparently there is specific toilet paper for septic tanks too, although you might get away with ripping your toilet paper sheets into singles and then laminating them before using for the necessary cleaning. Good luck.

[@susanwhittaker865]

I am so glad I saw how invasive Bamboo roots really are. I knew they spread, but had no idea until I saw them, just how much. I will NOT be tempted to plant any in my new garden. So, thanks for the reality check. Keep on enjoying your reno. You are doing a great job 👏

[@theoldstationrenovation]

They are terrible, go really far down too!

[@jonny7491]

Only about 50% are invasive I’ve got the black bamboo Phyllostachys nigra it’s clump forming and been there for nearly twenty years I’ve just slit it and can wrap my arms around both clumps.

[@kdsgirly5573]

Bamboo is classed as invasive apparently. Also have you noticed the amount for sale at Garden Centres? Bulging out of pots. My neighbour planted some and it took us quite a few months digging up the shoots under the fence!

[@vickiefowler1429]

@@theoldstationrenovation... yeah... too bad about the bamboo. It's very invasive. You have to dig out every speck of root -- otherwise, it keeps coming back. Good luck with that!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

The roots of this bamboo are absolutely incredible, it’s everywhere! I don’t want to use chemicals if I can help it but they are just so pervasive it seems I’ll have to dig out every inch of earth to stand a chance of getting rid of it!!

[@Klingon2468]

loved that video, 2 things, 1 how much fun did Gil have playing with the digger and 2 why didn't you use the digger to lower the tank into the hole? ❤👍👍👍👍

[@theoldstationrenovation]

He had so much fun. Honestly didn’t think of using the digger, over excited I guess!

[@moxielouise]

He did a really nice job with the digger. I've also realized you could quickly install some french drains around the building to fix your drainage/mud issue

[@normataylor3124]

Looks like you found a great solution to your problem for now. A suggestion my in laws have a septic system and it may seem odd but they never put toilet paper down the toilet to keep down on the solids.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

That does make sense, I guess it saves on a emptying. We’re hoping that this system will only be needed for a year or so so it may be that we don’t need to empty at all or at least until it’s removed anyway.

[@trevormoat6919]

Tip for digging, dig the blade into the ground and this will help to stop the mini digger being pulled when using the bucket to dig holes, and you could have used the mini digger and ropes to lower the septic tank into the hole, work smart not harder....RESPECT for taking on such a big job and for keeping Railway heritage safe.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Can’t believe I didn’t think of using the digger for the tank! 🤦 Thanks for the digger tip, I’m pretty sure this won’t be last time we have one here👍

[@kimphilpin1062]

Wow, I use to play for hours in the garden,with my mums spoons which I would sneak out without her knowing after seeing that little digger I realised that I had a very sad childhood my parents should of seem my love of digging and got me one of those diggers. Lol. You have done more very impressive and important work again this week. Xx

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you very much, i used to love digging the garden when I was little but I must say that I’ve been living every little boys dream driving that digger around!

[@robertladue7647]

Very enjoyable, although hard for you both. Love to see the fur children so curious. They speak volumes to their dad in gestures and expressions. 😊

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! ☺️ It’s a big change for the boys so they are very interested in everything that’s going on. I’m happy to say that they are really enjoying their new home, much more ball throwing space! 🐶

[@bobsrailrelics]

That digger looks fun 😊 Glad you managed to get it in OK, hope it works.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

It was so much fun! I was very sad when they came to pick it up 😢

[@koolkar55]

So Happy 😁 to see you guys have finally got some mechanical advantage. So much more can be achieved in less time & effort. Billy J.... Queensland, Australia.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank Billy! And 👋 from south Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BLAZERSEAMS]

Strewth, you weren't kidding about the bamboo roots. Even your digger was having trouble pulling them up....

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I know!! I’d need a real tank to get this lot out!!

[@petercross8871]

Hi, you may recall I suggested you hire a temporary unit with a contract to empty it.... On average, two people will generate 50ltrs of waste per day, your tank is 1000 ltrs. . .the waste water will run off as you create it, the solids will remain. if memory serves me right you will need to have it emptied at 80%, so don't let it go more than three months before it gets emptied.

[@larrynelson8930]

Suggest pump interval is 12-18 months

[@petercross8871]

@@larrynelson8930 if they do it at 3 months, they can judge the density of the waste for future empties, if they leave it longer and the tank is solid it will cause issues with the discharge, always have a shorter period on the first empty and manage it from there,

[@jamesgause9546]

Bamboo roots can go 3 feet deep, terrible thing to plant directly into garden. Glad you found a septic tank. The one we have is been in ground d for 20 years. Just remember not to drive anything heavy over it. You’ll know where it is as grass will be greener there. Have a good week. M.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! The bamboo roots are incredible (and not in a good way), the digger had a hard time with them which just shows how tough they are!

[@SpanishEclectic]

LOL! No matter what Gil is doing, he really must stop to throw the ball! I was wondering what things might turn up in that soil. Where did the water come from at the bottom of the hole? I noticed an aqua blue pipe attached to the fence. Is that your temp water line? I'm so glad for you that one of the viewers could help with info on that tank. It's fun to share information, and you two are so positive in acknowledging suggestions.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Have to keep the doggo’s entertained!! The water at the bottom seems to be the trackbed, I’m guessing it doesn’t soak much further as it’s so tightly compacted from having trains running over it for 60 odd years. The blue pipe is the water for the caravan, seems to be working very well so far 🤞🤞

[@michaelray6439]

Hi guys just watched the vid with the new temp septic tank going in. 👍🏻 When you put the crate soakaway in don't forget to surround the crates with membrane to stop the crates filling up with dirt. Also remember, some 'solids' float so it might be worth putting a strainer/ filter on the output pipe to stop solid waste getting into the soakaway and backing up the pipe. Good luck and best regards Mick.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thanks Mick! It came with a membrane which we’ve put in. Also the out pipe goes into the middle of the tank so hopefully it will not end up draining the muck at the bottom or the scum on the surface 🤞

[@philippaking1732]

Wow. Impressive talent with that machinery. Great solution. I appreciate you two and this great reno.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you very much and thank you for watching, we’ve very grateful 😊

[@user-fk9mz3vu9k]

Happy to hear you have found a temporary solution for the sewage system problem. I would suggest doing your best to keep bamboo roots from growing into your new sewage system. Bamboo is fast growing and aggressive, always in search of food and water.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I know, it’s a nightmare! I think I got the worst of it out with the digger 🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@smavtmb2196]

I'm sure someone has mentioned you will need the correct (Septic tank Soakaway Crates) and (not) Rainwater soakaway Crates. Definitely make sure to get the correct one.

[@debbievogt9881]

Love the dogs reactions

[@seancoleman8528]

A really good solution to the problem, hard work but worth it

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Absolutely! 😃

[@HYUKLDER1]

Soakaways for effluent are subject to building regulations, so permission is needed before creating a new one for it to be legal. Replacing existing soakaways does not need permission.

[@57thorns]

Wonderful to hear that there was a solution.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you, it was huge relief! 😥

[@saintetienne755]

6:38 Snout inspection!! Very wise 😃

[@theoldstationrenovation]

😆 yes the inspection dog was hard at work!

[@kathytorres7816]

Wonderful that you found the perfect temporary septic solution. Just a step closer to moving in full time. Good job to you both.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you, we know this is going to be a very loooooong project but every step forward is a step closer 😊

[@JOHNKIRBY1000]

What a winning idea that tank is. Gil, you will be an expert digger driver at the end! Well done. PS I love those dogs!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you 😊

[@Cotters]

Glad you found the same company and kit that we used 😄 Mine is working 14 months later so you will be fine. Only thing i would say is my soil is sandy and good drainage, whereas yours looks waterlogged (may just be this weather!!) but you may need to bust through some of that compacted layer for the soakaway to work well. I also put a load of broken bricks/hardcore under my crates to help drainage. If you do decide to hammer through it and excavator won’t do it I can recommend the TITAN TTA572SDS 6.8KG ELECTRIC SDS from screwfix. Its been a great tool for on my project and comes with all the chisels and doesn’t break the bank.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Good to know it works well, so far it’s doing the business for us (excuse the pun 🤣)!

[@stephnewman1357]

Great solution to your toilet waste problem. Your hubby seemed a natural with the digger. To think bamboo is recomended as natural screening! I have a slow growing black bamboo but ive kept it in a planter and split it every few years into other planters.

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

Awesome solution to that problem. Excellent video too

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you very much, Laura works very hard on these videos so I’m glad you’re enjoying 😊

[@user-45xxr57htr]

Проект у вас огромный! И тяжелый….. Дай бог, вам сил и терпения. ❤😊

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! 😊

[@acsberean4092]

Translation - Your project is huge! And heavy..... May God give you strength and patience.

[@kaysherwood9178]

Do not put yourself down you are doing a great job.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@hildamoll1]

Bamboo roots are so so difficult to get rid of, takes years, just so that you know. The roots are underground creepers!!

[@irenebrown8363]

Hi busy busy time how are the chickens happy settling in

[@theoldstationrenovation]

They’ve settled in beautifully and are laying like machines! 🐓

[@nanetteilling7311]

Your top section is what we get for fire fighting on the property. Put on a trailer it's able to go anywhere and holds enough water to put out a small run if you are burning off. Mandatory with an adult on sight. That are recycled chemical cubes.. They can also be used for water storage in the garden far from the water supply. Great work enjoying the videos.

[@duanekc]

If you do have to move the tank later. put a couple of car tow straps through the metal guard and lift it with the digger arm. Good luck!

[@johndonlon1611]

Great video! Use the backhoe to finish clearing out the curbs on your driveway. You might find storm drains along there you can reopen to facilitate drainage. It would also be very wise to rent or buy a commercial-grade walk behind brush cutter to clear the rest of your land because you'll be using it frequently.

[@darrenashley126]

Just a tip: Always phone before you dig, this could save you a lot of time and money rather than hit a pipe or phone line etc.

[@tracybush8115]

So much work completed on the tank - good for you guys. How wonderful that a viewer helped out with the idea. Those bamboo roots are going to be easier to deal with now. Love how your dogs view every move you make haha, but when the rubber mallet pounding got too loud - off they dashed.

[@jonathanleonard1152]

Here in the USA this waste system is called a septic system. There would be bio degrades in the tank. These break down the human waste to what can safely be put in the ground. Be careful to never draw domestic water from with in a hundred feet of the soak away area.

[@footplate0]

Good job on the septic system, the only problem that I can see is that your soakaway wont soakaway as you have no downward penetration just sideways. The way to over come that is to dig down another 2-3 feet below the old track bed, use a kango or something like it to pierce the track bed. Once you have nibbled a bit out the rest will just peal away. I am an ex railway worker and on my railway path I used to have to dig out those beds by hand, the first 1-2 feet are solid but after that you will more than likely find coal ash or sand both of which provide great drainage. Boy am I glad that I move up the ladder quickly and left that job well behind me. A rock splitter on the end of your excavator would speed thing up no end. Thank for posting and good luck

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Hi, thanks for the tip! Because of the weight going over the trackbed for all those years I assumed it would be pretty impenetrable. Good to know we can get through it so I can have a deep end in the swimming pool 🤣

[@footplate0]

@@theoldstationrenovation Hi your in luck as the old track bed would have been laid with timber sleepers (very flexible and very absorbent with the weight). If the track was like the modern style with concrete sleepers you would have had a harder job. The concrete sleepers will (if the sleeper is allowed to move) crush the ballast into a fine powder which goes really hard. If you travel on the railway sometime you can spot these spots because the rail will have a light muddy coating. These are called wet beds and they make up for a lot of the rough ride of the train. The timber sleepers that you had don't produce that many wet beds as they are so flexible also the sleepers let any water evaporate.. So your track bed should be compacted just where the sleepers were, the space between them should be less compacted. I still recommend a machine to aid you, it will save you a lot of blood, sweat and tears and should be fairly cheep to rent. .

[@PaulKemble]

Enjoying watching what you are doing, quite envious. A thought on your soakaway, it is going to be taking your waste water hence using gravel to act as a filter. The baskets are good for rainwater as they give an extra area prior to soaking away, you really don't want that with waste water. You may also have a problem with it soaking away as seen when you dug the hole for the tank and that there is a pond the other end of the garden. Years of compaction won't help, maybe some bore holes through this layer would help.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thanks, the crates are specifically for waste soak away so hopefully will work well. At least it is temporary if we do have problems.

[@buskerjames]

Looking great thanks for a bit longer video keep them coming regards from Calgary Canada

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you and 👋 from south Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 😊

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

Good teamwork today! Got a lot done. Glad the Subscriber got the information about the cube tank to you. Good Digger Skillz!!! At least Spring is here and longer daylight.

[@samdriver9469]

Glad you left it full of water when not in use cause even though the ground should filter away rain water if it rained enough the tank could lift up in the frame and collapse. I used one of those tanks for water and didn't have a drain (thru clay ) for the rain water so the tank did squish in the frame but was lucky enough to drain the water outside the tank and use compressed air to pop the tank back into shape. Cheers from Canada

[@Kristina_Australia]

Wow I bet Gil was very grateful to have that digger on hand, those roots are terrible.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I certainly was!

[@nigelsproston7654]

I may be way of here as I have zero experience in this field but it does strike me as important to make sure that the intake of the tank is below the level of the outflow from the pipe and it did look like having the tank above ground it was to high.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Me neither!! The tank had to be tilted slightly with the intake end raised according to the instructions. I didn’t want it above the ground but the digger just wouldn’t go through the trackbed, thankfully it’s only a temporary solution.

[@jeanhawken4482]

I got rid of my bamboo by fertilising it and then each day going out with a weed killer mixture in a bottle and and an artists brush painting the tips for about three months. It worked wonderfully well.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I’m hoping that I’ve broken them with the digger but great tip, thanks ☺️

[@suecollado8696]

💕Those bamboo roots that were dug up with the soil need to be removed else they will send out shoots & reroot themselves & regrow💕My neighbour found this out when he dug up his roots once the sun warms up the soil they regrow luckily he spotted the shoots before they regrew💕

[@theoldstationrenovation]

We are trying, they go so deep! 👍

[@suecollado8696]

@@theoldstationrenovation 💕You just have to keep digging them up & cutting the roots out every time you see them then burn them if there’s no garden waste recycling centre where you are💕

[@maureentaphouse5206]

@@theoldstationrenovation Get a mattock under the roots so hopefully with the leverage you can snap the roots then you can pull out lengths. However as others have said you must remove EVERY bit you find (just like bindweed) and keep checking for new growth every week . It will be a long boring and frustrating process. Sadly no shot cuts unless you use weedkiller on every shoot but then that may harm your animals so not really an option.

[@georgewilliamtussler5475]

😊😊 What a great idea for a septic tank. Awesome job and video, guys.. Take care...❤😊😊

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you and thank you for watching, we’re very grateful ☺️

[@user-Tortured-soul]

❤Well both of you that looked like a lot of hard work. I never realised how invasive those bamboo roots would get,they look like a total nightmare. I admire you both for your fortitude determination and dedication.I can’t wait to see your next video.All the best is wished for both of you ❤

[@brendahaire8824]

You got a lot accomplished today. Can’t wait for the next one

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! 😊

[@EmbraceTheJourney]

a man of many talents.

[@kid_vs]

Just letting you know, you forgot to put the link in the description!

[@drew.evans001]

loving your channel so much - such a great project!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you! And thank you for watching, we’re very grateful ☺️

[@rosehughes599]

I'm amazed how small the tank is!

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Very ingenious ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Cowboy-in-a-Pink-Stetson]

great idea and a nice videonice video.👍 I don't mean to be negative but why didn't you use the digger to carry and lower the tank into the hole? You'd payed for it and it was just sitting there while you struggled. Bit of rope on each corner would have done the trick. 🙂 Next time, eh?

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Now you would think that we would have thought of that but, no, 🤦 also first time using the digger so moving the tank without breaking it or swinging it into something would also have been a challenge

[@Thunderer0872]

I had mentioned septic tanks in passing, but 'it was not me' I didn't know anything about those cube tanks. To be honest, I didn't know septic tanks broke down the nasty to allow the treated water to drain or that they only needed the solids left from the process to be pumped out every 2 to 3 years depending on size and family. I read up on it later. Anyway, good luck with this, as it seems like the best option for the caravan for now. Nice to see the doggies watching on again.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I have to say the cube tank is a great solution. I’m so pleased Laura found it. The dogs are playing the role of inspectors very well!

[@vaalrus]

Interesting how things work in different jurisdictions… I could never install a wastewater dispersal system anywhere with that high a water table… Here, primary treated effluent (basically anything that comes out of a septic tank of a proper size) where it goes into a soil based treatment area must have a minimum separation of 2m before it reaches any existing groundwater.

[@mistycrom]

I have just one very important question. Did Buddy's ball get thrown once Gil finished marking for the tank? And the green ball whilst he was in the hole? It is very good to see you're getting this important step done also. Seems you're about ready to be able to get properly stuck into the station again - and just in time for spring.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Of course, many times 🐶

[@Falney]

I dunno if you have the money for it, but you can get digesters that turn it into liquid fert, solid fert and natural gas. You can use the fert on non food crops and the natural gas can run cooking and heating.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Awesome thanks

[@janeising3585]

Bamboo roots are invasive, I know because one time we removed it and forgot a few roots. Guess what next spring, hello bamboo.😢 . I read in the comments about a temporary unit. Good idea. What you a building know is also one of the options.

[@lesthiele4921]

Hi guys, you are coming along nicely, with the tank in place you will be in heaven, Gill must have had great fun with the digger, did he let you have a try? Best regards from a Kiwi living in Melbourne Australia, Les

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I had great fun with the digger! Laura was happy to stay behind the camera 😃

[@erink4685]

If the soak away is in such boggy ground, will it soak away?? What an awesome septic system though. I’m telling all my tiny house on wheels people!!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

It should do, the ground is ok here it’s just a very rainy place. Glad you like the system, I can highly recommend it!!

[@douglasburch2320]

It might not be pretty, but at least you have plumbing! As always, thanks for taking us along on your journey.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you and thank you for watching, we’re so grateful! 😊

[@bobr9895]

Does anyone really envision how much work there is before they can get started the rehab work. Your doing great.😊

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Oh my goodness you’re so right!!! I don’t know what we were thinking 😆

[@robdeaton9910]

I remember mentioning about a portable tank for the septic, that is a really nice system you got there. Why did he paint next to the sidewalk? Bamboo is my bain right now invading from my neighbor. You have to dig them all up or they return. Great work looks like you get to move in soon. 😊

[@stewartmcardle8149]

Bamboo is a fine plant.....as long as it's not in your garden....as bad as Himalayan balsam!

[@theoldstationrenovation]

🤣

[@MrGazzaj]

Dont forget you can tie items to the bottom of the digger to lift or drop them into place as well. That would have saved you entering the hole and lowering the tank by hand

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Seems so obvious now you’ve said it!! 🙄

[@leannemayor5755]

Goodness lady you need to work on those muscles . You have a long build ahead I love seeing only unused buildings being brought back to life ,good job xox

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you so much! 😊 🚂

[@synicyst9925]

That tank is a great solution. As it stands a bit high will you put a mound over it? You will need to rototill that land a couple times to get rid of all the roots.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Yeah, we’ll build the earth up around it and grass over it. I have a feeling I’ll be fighting bamboo for years to come!

[@aliward790]

We had an earthen mound over our septic in Pennsylvania - very common due to blue stone and shale. Locally called a 'turkey mound' and, yes, we did get turkeys on it once in a while. Plant some pretty flowers too - it'll help with rain absorption...just no bamboo!!! 😊

[@peterholmesgavleman]

Gill, so much for the red line after the first scoop! Who buried those pesky roots underground?

[@theoldstationrenovation]

🤣 I know, let’s just say accuracy is not my strong point!!

[@williamwales6619]

Hello again. So we have a new toy. They are extremely useful did i say how much fun they are. When the ground is as hard packed as it is best bet is to use it to smash up the surface and then get the petrol tilling m/c to ready it for planting. BTW calling yerself a weakling ? I bet you are the brains of the operation. Remember you called yerself a planner a couple of vids back. Anyways good luck with the soak away.. Laters.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

😆 Laura really is the brains of the operation! I’ve enjoyed having the new toy, I’ll be very sad to see it go!

[@sandidp77]

The coolest thing would be if you could also get a hold of an old train to also restore so there’s a train back at the station

[@theoldstationrenovation]

That was one of the first things we thought of…. Then we saw how much people charged for old train carriages 😮

[@williamparker3765]

Well done for getting the tank installed, but although I know it's too late know but why didn't you tie a rope across the top of the tank and use the arm of the digger to lower the tank into the hole?

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I can’t believe I didn’t think of that! So obvious 🤦

[@garyashdown5376]

Sorry to be a party pooper but considering how quickly the septic tank hole filled with water i was wondering just how effective your soke away will be as the track bed is so hard that its trapping the water and not letting it drain away properly.. Gary 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@theoldstationrenovation]

The ground is all like that here, luckily as its only temporary and for a small building it seems okay, even with all the rain we’ve had.

[@andrewpowell6457]

Good luck with the crate sewer pit

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Thank you, so far so good!

[@richardstoc]

I wonder what they used to fill in between the old platforms and where did they had drains for that area before they filled it in because the platform most certainly had to have a drain to a close by area? What did you say you were going to use for the soaker field I didn't understand what that you said ? not pea stone or shingles, gravel ?

[@theoldstationrenovation]

It looks like they used earth and hardcore to fill in. I don’t know what the drainage would have been but I imagine after 50 years it’s blocked up pretty well by now. We’ve used the crates that came with the kit to soak the water away, we could have used gravel but the crates were easier and I like easier!

[@sandraengstrand2784]

What a perfect solution!!! Thank heaven for subscribers in the know!! 👍🏻💩🤣🤣

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I can’t tell you how much we’ve learned from comments! People are so helpful and we’ve so grateful! 😊

[@buffplums]

9:00 Also bear in mind the ballast will probably be still down there and would imagine there may be a good couple of feet of it all tightly tamped down

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Yeah, definitely. It’s packed so tight the digger couldn’t get into it!

[@motherfolkinrhymes3836]

Remember that your track bed between the platforms is not fully free draining and the water is going to go straight into your pond that is also captive between the same platforms. It will filter through the soil in the track bed so should be fine but just be sure to never let the tank overfill or flood into the soakaway as it will likely cause the pond to go green and smelly (someone local to me is having similar problems and it can really smell bad on a still day in the summer). Also, remember that whatever you put down the drain is essentially going into your pond so keep it as organic as possible and avoid chemicals that are toxic to plants and wildlife. The fact that the hole you dug filled with water tells you that you will need a larger volume of soakaway at less depth in order for it to work, it's no use sinking a soakaway into the groundwater because if your waste water has nowhere to go it will simply back up and overflow and spill foul water straight onto the surface. You should conduct a soakaway test hole (a hole dug to a known volume, fill with water and time how long it takes for the water to all soak into the ground) and plan your soakaway based on the results of the test.

[@llywrch7116]

Also shows just how close to the top of the ground the water table is. This might be typical for this part of Britain; where I live, IIRC the water table would be twice as deep.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

It is typical for here, plus we have had the wettest three months ever

[@Chrysologos]

Excellent advice, Mother.

[@jeffdayman8183]

Tanks for another great video. 8^) (sorry worst pun this week!) Cheers.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Haha great pun! It went over my head the first time I read it 🤦

[@jeffdayman8183]

@@theoldstationrenovation 😁

[@rontanser9369]

I have to say I was surprised how near you’ve put it to the caravan. I hope you don’t get any smells from it specially for the wind is in the wrong direction

[@theoldstationrenovation]

We did phone the company about this because I wanted to be sure but because it is all underground it should be fine 🤞

[@rontanser9369]

@@theoldstationrenovation wow that’s good news then

[@darkknight145]

Hopefully you're going to cover the top of that tank, they are not UV stable and will get brittle over time. You could have used the digger to lower the tank into the hole rather than manhandle it.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I didn’t think about UV! It’s all covered over now though. It didn’t occur to me to use the digger to lower the tank in, I feel a bit silly now 🤦

[@susiealexander1668]

You should just dig up the complete area before putting in the tank as the bamboo will keep growing ...

[@theoldstationrenovation]

I hope I’ve got most of it out out but without digging the whole area I can’t be sure. We should only be using it for a year so hopefully they won’t break into the tank!

[@lizstevenson7801]

I now understand why Bamboo is illegal to grow in Qld Australia😊💕🇦🇺

[@theoldstationrenovation]

That’s interesting…. I wish it was illegal here!!

[@amandastrobel2652]

If you add a couple tablespoons of yeast you shouldn’t have any problem with solid waste. I lived in the country with a cement waste tank and added yeast to it every 2-3 months. After we had lived there for a couple of years we thought we should have the tank pumped out. The contractor said it was a wasted trip as there were no solids to pump, the yeast had broken everything down and sent it thru the septic field.

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Amazing tip, that you so much! That’ll be a huge help 😃

[@poetryplace]

You had a digger on site, why didn't you use that to drop the tank in the hole?

[@theoldstationrenovation]

🤔 yep, why didn’t we 😂

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Didn’t think of it! 🤦‍♂️

[@A.Spolbil_AB]

Excuse the language, but what were you thinking when you bought a hundred-year-old train station? How many flushes does an IBC tank hold on a cubic meter with a hope it works the infiltration that an idiot came up with? The empties won't come cheap. If there are no shortcuts, you either dig up the old sewer pipe with the leak or reline the old sewer.

[@bealzibub4002]

I’d check local planning as you may not be allowed to use one of these if waterways are near or other factors

[@theoldstationrenovation]

Good point but there are no waterways and the area is sealed by walls on all four sides which go down to the trackbed.

[@billbahmuller4607]

So, if the track bed is nonpermeable and the walls around it are sealed, won't the whole area be one big cesspit? Especially with that high water table. Nothing about that system would be legal in the US.