How to route a washer drain pipe into septic tank?

Question

My washer drain line has previously had it's own drain field under my driveway from previous owners.Now it backed up my husband found the clog and cut the pipe and found about 3 feet of roots in the pipe.He pulled them out til it would flow again.I would like it to be ran into septic tank. He says he can but he is going to break a whole in the side of septic tank then he said buy 3 bags of concrete to repair it. Does this sound right I am getting worried since my husband is a mechanic not a plumber.Does this sound correct?

Answer 1

I dont think people normally run a washer into a septic tank as the detergents and bleaches want to kill off all the friendly enzymes in there. I could be wrong.

Answer 2

The drain should be put into the pipe going into the septic from your other sewer drains.  There are saddle fitting made that clamp onto the pipe and give you the necessary fitting to connect the washer drain into.  Be careful, the sewage is bad for your eyes, etc. and the gases are explosive.   Why do you want it into the septic? Good luck.

Answer 3

First of all Ive been plumbing for over 20 years, I have a masters degree in plumbing and a bachelors in engineering.according to the uniform plumbing code 2006 edition. ( which as of january 2008 has become standard) your plumbing for your washing machine should be tied into your main sewer line.It used to be OK to run sewage down in creeks and off the sides of hills and things of that nature, but as people have discovered they have been contaminating the ground around them. It is the law that waste water be properly disposed of properly and any changes to a sewage system be brought up to code.If you go to the authority having jurisdiction,let them know your delima, usually they can help explain what you need to do.In many cases you will need a permit to do the work.If you live way out of anyones jurisdiction and are not worried about contamination its up to you.just remember if your on a septic tank your probably on a well and its your  water that's being contaminated,as well as anyone else that feeds off that underground stream. to fix the problem I would need more information as to the location of the septic tank and the location of the position of washer.if its a straight line. your easiest resolve is to run a 2" sewer line from the trunk line or th main line going into your septic tank to the washer. be sure you have one fourth inch of fall per foot of horizontal line.you can get the proper connections from almost any plumbing supply.talk to the rep at the supply house and he or she should know exactly what parts you need. Use a long turn 90 to bring your 2" up in or at the wall between 6" and 18" above the floor you will need a 2x2x11/2 santee run the 11/2  uperwards so you can vent the fixture above the roof.put a 4" long piece of 2" pipe in the '  side of the santee and a 2" P trap on that above your  P trap put an 18" to 36" pipe and that is where your washer will tie in. To avoid all this you can just clean out the existing pipe with a snake that will cut out the roots. and replace the damaged piece with a new piece of pipe that is marked DWV schedule 40 grade minumum with a propper sized nohub band on each end. as you would only be repairing an exzisting pipe you would not have to worry about the code.

Answer 4

The gentleman that answered earlier is correct, you DO NOT want to run your washing machine or dishwasher water into your sceptic system! for one, you will overload the system as well as kill the microbes that are required for a sceptic system to work properly.

Answer 5

Keep the lines as they are. Do not put any more water into the septic field as I have a feeling that the field may be in the same shape as the washer disposal field. Breaking a hole into the tank is one alternative but if you do go with this most all septic tanks for 40 years or more have spaces for other 'knockouts' that can be safely knocked out from the exterior to not compromise the structural integrity of the tank itself. Try not to just knock a hole in it. Use that option as a last resort. It can be done though. The better option would be to tap into the sewer line with the correct couplings if at all possible. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Do not run your washer to the septic. The chemicals in washing detergent are a detriment to the microbes in your septic tank. Simply attach a flexible hose to your line with an elbow and drain to an area that is not in regular use. Try to identify an area that drains well on your property and route it there.

Your husband's plan is sound, you just want to avoid putting the washer water into your septic.