What do these two situations mean concerning the immediate area around a septic tank?

Question

condition 1: The grass is dead.

condition 2: The grass is growing faster and taller than the surrounding grass.

I'm getting standing water in the shower, my toilets gurgle, and the grass around my tank is 90 feet tall within 2 weeks. (I live in florida). Could this be a clogged distribution box? Or more likely, I need a new drainfield? My tank was pumped one year ago. The tank was installed in 1975.

Answer 1

my grass grows faster over septic because of chemical reaction in tank throws out a Little more heat snow melts in winter much faster over tank you have a main drain problem with the standing water

Answer 2

Which is it; Tall or dead grass??

Each one has it's own reason

Tall grass...Is an indication of nutrients reaching the roots of the grass(from the leach field)or just enough water saturating the lawn. Some of this is normal on older systems. ( my grass is always in the the best condition in this area and I don't do a thing to it).

Dead grass...Could be due to the fact it's staying wet for long periods of time(leach field not draining properly). It could be from too much drain cleaner. You would need to be putting down allot of it to get the dead grass results. (like a bottle each week)

Regardless; unless you know the dynamics of a septic system and have access to a backhoe I'd recommend calling  at least 3 different septic companies and get their professional opinions and estimates.

To me from what you have explained it sounds like the leach field is not draining as it should thus the drains(entire system) backing up. You may also be experiencing the drain pipe to septic tank being clogged as a reason for the drains backing up.

There are many reasons for this to happen. Higher than average wet weather, blocked lines from roots, age of system, compaction of soil, etc...If the septic was pumped only a year ago I would guess it's the field. Just because you get it pumped(emptied) does nothing to reverse whats going on in the leach field.

This can get expensive; and fast. Call the pro's

Answer 3

Sounds like your drainfield is blocked. The worse thing you can put down in the septic tank is soap and soap powders. They block drainfeild pipes. Fabric softeners are bad too. Looks like you got some digging to do. If your shower waste pipe is higher than the mushroom on the septic tank it should be over flowing there rather than it building up in the shower.

If you have used a drain cleaner and it's killed the grass chances are you've stopped the tank bacteria working as well.

Answer 4

Had a similar situation once when I lived in California. The problem turned out to be roots growing through the drain pipes. They too were old. I must say though if you actually had grass growing nintey feet tall you could sell it for hay.

Answer 5

Sounds as you have a restriction in the drains. The water backing up could be due to drain pipe to septic tank being clogged. The grass growing around the tank is because the field line is also stopped up. If you have had lots of rain this doesn't help the soil absorb waste water as well either.

Have you used drain cleaner, it may kill the grass. Inside the tank should be a baffle on both inlet and exit lines to prevent solids from stopping up the lines. They may have been knocked off when it was pumped out and not replaced.