Septic Issues...

[datejust24]

So this is completely unrelated to watches but I figure I would get some of you guys' opinions on the matter because I simply don't know..

My wife and I closed on our home that was built in the late 50's on July 7th I believe of '12 and didn't move in until mid September. This past Sunday, while walking around picking up sticks etc. in the back yard I noticed a considerable amount of water near my distribution box riser so I lifted the lid off of it and it was completely full...to the point of running over. I immediately called my father in law who owned a plumbing company for quite some time. He came over and we pumped it out to see if we could find any obvious blockages or what not and of course we didn't. We then purchased a product that I believe is called Rid-X to clear out any potential roots etc. that may have blocked a line in my leech beds. This product takes a few days to work so right now im just kind of waiting it out to see if that makes any difference.

I found an invoice from some work that had been done by a local company from right before we purchased the home that stated 2 of my leech bed lines were jetted and my septic was pumped. Turns out the guy who owns that company that did the work knows my father in law very well...This mans name is Ed and Ed called me this morning to let me know that basically not all by A LOT of people that live on my side of the street are having very similar issues and there are a couple alternatives to try before we move forward with replacing the whole septic system...to the tune of about $35,000....having just purchased this home less than a year ago, I do have a warranty on the house...not really sure what all that covers but I just wanted to get some of your opinions. Please keep in my that I just got this news less than 2 hours ago so I haven't had a chance to look through any of the home warranty paperwork etc. and I am extremely worried to say the least...any input is very much appreciated.

[Kingair]

Nice surprise . . . $ 35 K . . .

Hope you get it arranged with your warranty

Good luck

HAGOne

[Lisa]

Sorry for your troubles.... can't offer much technical advice but I do know that after a few decades, the tanks or the lines leading out of the house can cave in and cause backups inside the home. This happened at my mom's house.

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Sorry for your troubles.... can't offer much technical advice but I do know that after a few decades, the tanks or the lines leading out of the house can cave in and cause backups inside the home. This happened at my mom's house.

Thanks Lisa, luckily my back yard is just a hill so I haven't had any backup into my home...and I hope to hell that doesn't happen (obviously) but I would think the home warranty would take care of this but I just dont know enough about it to say for certain that it does. Like I said I haven't had any time to get home and pull the warranty paperwork from my files as I just got this news as I was walking into work...not a good way to start the day :/

[Tools]

At the worst you may only need a new leachfield.. There is likely a certifying/specialist licensed by your state for septic systems and it may be worthwhile to get a professional opinion before you do anything drastic..

Check your local building codes to know if you can do anything at all.. Many locales today require abandonment if you are close enough to a hook-up.

Look for blockages at both the inlet distribution box and at the leach-bed outlet and check the water table in your area.. If the water table this time of year saturates your area, the leach-field will not function.

Septic systems take some care and cannot be overloaded with excessive clothes washing, long showers, proper waste (tissue etc.) and dishwashing - big water users

[GerardoG]

PM sent.

[Angrypuppy]

As well as the warranty, follow up with the prior owner. Did the property disclosure alert you to anything unusual? Ask the neighbors if the previous owner was aware of the issues and didn't disclose it.

We went through a lengthy lawsuit on a house we sold due to disclosure problems. If the fix is 35k and they didn't disclose a known problem it is probably worth your time to follow up with an attorney.

By the way, we were in the right and we won our lawsuit. But it cost us a lot of money.

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by Angrypuppy

As well as the warranty, follow up with the prior owner. Did the property disclosure alert you to anything unusual? Ask the neighbors if the previous owner was aware of the issues and didn't disclose it.

We went through a lengthy lawsuit on a house we sold due to disclosure problems. If the fix is 35k and they didn't disclose a known problem it is probably worth your time to follow up with an attorney.

By the way, we were in the right and we won our lawsuit. But it cost us a lot of money.

the real ass kicker about this whole situation is that this was a for sale by owner sale and the owner died 2 months ago of cancer....and no he didn't disclose anything leading us to believe there was a major septic issue...otherwise we definitely wouldn't have purchased the home...im worried sick over this and it pisses me off something awful to know he sold us a home with a known septic issue..

[mannyv11]

I just bought a house that was built in 54 (closed on feb 28th). Now after reading this I'm all kinds of worried =(
it has a septic tank was pumped in december and passed title 5.

So hopefully things are A-ok for me

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by datejust24

the real ass kicker about this whole situation is that this was a for sale by owner sale and the owner died 2 months ago of cancer....and no he didn't disclose anything leading us to believe there was a major septic issue...otherwise we definitely wouldn't have purchased the home...im worried sick over this and it pisses me off something awful to know he sold us a home with a known septic issue..

You can still sue the estate and as cold as it seems you should if deception was involved. Lawyer lawyer lawyer!

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

I just bought a house that was built in 54 (closed on feb 28th). Now after reading this I'm all kinds of worried =(
it has a septic tank was pumped in december and passed title 5.

So hopefully things are A-ok for me

Manny,

You think your worried? I damn near shit myself when I was told this info to me...AS IM WALKING INTO WORK!!

Not a good way to start the day my friend...Right now im so scatter brained I dont know what to think honestly..

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by datejust24

Manny,

You think your worried? I damn near shit myself when I was told this info to me...AS IM WALKING INTO WORK!!

Not a good way to start the day my friend...Right now im so scatter brained I dont know what to think honestly..

I feel you and I truly hope everything works out for you. I am also sorry that you have to go through this after just purchasing a house.

Hopefully in the end things work out in your favor

[gulfstream69xr7]

You can have a septic company perform a dye test.

We had that done five years ago and our field failed. The tank and lines were fine, but we had to replace the field.

Where are you getting the $35K number?

We spent $4K on a new field in order to sell our home.

The house we moved into had to have the complete system replaced. Three tanks, pumps, lines, distribution, and a 1200 by nine foot deep field for a 3800 sft 3 bath four bedroom residence.

Total cost was $19K plus the site drawing (which I think was less than $1K).

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by gulfstream69xr7

You can have a septic company perform a dye test.

We had that done five years ago and our field failed. The tank and lines were fine, but we had to replace the field.

Where are you getting the $35K number?

We spent $4K on a new field in order to sell our home.

The house we moved into had to have the complete system replaced. Three tanks, pumps, lines, distribution, and a 1200 by nine foot deep field for a 3800 sft 3 bath four bedroom residence.

Total cost was $19K plus the site drawing (which I think was less than $1K).

Well $19k is much better than $35k...thats for sure...I got that quote from my father in law and from the gentlemen that own's the septic company...

[Renoir]

Definitely get multipe bids/quotes. When I had mine done 2 years ago, I was originally quoted $35,000 (must be a starting point they all use). In the end I found a septic company that replaced everything, plus added another field for under $10,000.

Good luck!

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by Renoir

Definitely get multipe bids/quotes. When I had mine done 2 years ago, I was originally quoted $35,000 (must be a starting point they all use). In the end I found a septic company that replaced everything, plus added another field for under $10,000.

Good luck!

Wow! now thats what I like to hear..its funny that you were quoted $35k as well though..where the hell do these people come up with these numbers anyway? I understand this isn't a small task but damn...thats a considerable amount of money to drop on something no matter what it is..

I appreciate everyone's input on the matter..

[SUBversive]

Sorry to see this. But as others have said....lawyer up. It's an issue of disclosure. That form is key hope you have it. Also did you have a home inspection? Good luck.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Tools

check the water table in your area.. If the water table this time of year saturates your area, the leach-field will not function.

Septic systems take some care and cannot be overloaded with excessive clothes washing, long showers, proper waste (tissue etc.) and dishwashing - big water users

This was my first thought as well. It's possible that you could just need some much cheaper drainage in your yard. You definitely want to dig up the warranty and see what's excluded.
If there was an existing known problem that was not disclosed ( sounds like it) you could also go after the old owner's estate.
Good luck. Sounds like a real crappy situation.

[KirkWilfred]

Part of my buisness is septic installation. $35K is not realistic. It sounds to me that you just need a new leach field. Your leachfield is probably old and will no longer leach the grey water anymore. You either have a bed system if the there is an issue of high water table or a deep trench system. Get quotes to replace your leachfield. I would estimate that this would cost approx 4-6K at best. To help prolong the life of your septic system, do not use powder detergent, liquid only, and do not use a garbage disposal. Have your tank inspected when the leach field is replaced to insure that the tank is in good operating condition. If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. Good luck

[Widows Son]

I grew up in a house with a well, septic tank, and oil heat, never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by KirkWilfred

Part of my buisness is septic installation. $35K is not realistic. It sounds to me that you just need a new leach field. Your leachfield is probably old and will no longer leach the grey water anymore. You either have a bed system if the there is an issue of high water table or a deep trench system. Get quotes to replace your leachfield. I would estimate that this would cost approx 4-6K at best. To help prolong the life of your septic system, do not use powder detergent, liquid only, and do not use a garbage disposal. Have your tank inspected when the leach field is replaced to insure that the tank is in good operating condition. If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. Good luck

This sounds to me like excellent advice. I would additionally suggest, a consultation with counsel, to see if an estate has been opened and if so, what the listed assets are......the seller failed to disclose a material condition at the premises, which is fraud by material omission, and is actionable.
Your damages will be the cost to cure. I am certainly hoping Kirk is correct about you needing minimal (although expensive) work. Replacing an entire failed system is a nightmare. I've done it, including when a bulldozer ran over
a water drainage line running under the house(they did that in the '60's) causing a huge flood in the basement, and finding out that for floods caused by outside leakage, there is no homeowner's coverage...only for internal breakage causing leaks...yep, standard exclusion.

SO, I would do both: get competitive quotes and spend $200 or so, to have counsel find out if there is an estate worth suiing.

Good luck! Let us know what happens...

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by Widows Son

I grew up in a house with a well, septic tank, and oil heat, never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I must have bought your house.

[Mike 75]

Did you have a septic inspection before you bought the house? Its SOP here in my neck of the woods (CT) because of the very situation you find yourself in.