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Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8313883
01/16/25 09:48 AM
01/16/25 09:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2017
PA
S
Snyde901 Offline
trapper
Snyde901  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2017
PA
Originally Posted by 330-Trapper
Originally Posted by Snyde901

This

meaning it should be dug up?

Yes, If it froze it wasn't done right in the first place, another possibility is it is just saturated. Either way a leach field needs sized for your usage, ground conditions, buried below frost line, and backfilled with adequate gravel bed with fabric to mitigate sediment infiltration. Jbyrds looks good except the straw, we use fabric that wont break down over time. Even done correctly they can still fail occasionally and need redone.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Shakeyjake] #8313895
01/16/25 10:10 AM
01/16/25 10:10 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
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J

Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
Originally Posted by Shakeyjake
If you don’t have mice, you will after toddling flax or straw on the field…..lol.
I’ve got an outdated system similar to that. To bring it up to code would likely be a $50k touch. Luckily it’s never frozen.


Dang i'll send my guy up there. I bet he'd do that for 1/3. I had anew distribution box put in at my tank outlet. They ran 75 feet of solid pipe around my house.. Put in 2 50 ft lateral lines in my front yard Covered resowed the grass. Gone for 3,000 !

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Trapper Dahlgren] #8313899
01/16/25 10:13 AM
01/16/25 10:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
T
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
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T

Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
Originally Posted by Trapper Dahlgren
if your septic tank is working right, there should never be more than a little water going out, and if it's working right, it should put out enough heat to melt the snow some above it, never have your tank pumped in the fall, you should have a tee pipe going in and out of your tank,


The way it was explained to me is that little trickle of water freezes. Then the next trickle freezes on top of last trickle until pipe is plugged.

Once tank is full, the amount that goes in, is the amount that goes out. If a trickle goes in, a trickle goes out. If you pull the plug on the bathtub, you’ve got a tub full of water going out.

I would put a heat cable or forced air heat in the first clean out. Then insulate it if you get it thawed.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8313928
01/16/25 10:59 AM
01/16/25 10:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Wi.
D
Diggerman Offline
trapper
Diggerman  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2012
Wi.
AS stated, start at Dbox. New systems can freeze if not used before cold weather, old systems can freeze if saturated and failing. The other problem could be an improprly installed pipe with a low spot holding water. If you find such a spot, get a couple bags of charcoal, place above the spot, light it . cover it with some tin and anything else to keep the heat in. The ground underneath will slowly thaw. Might work overtop of the Dbox also.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Trapset] #8314191
01/16/25 03:41 PM
01/16/25 03:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline OP

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline OP

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Joined: Dec 2006
Minnesota
Originally Posted by Trapset
Originally Posted by 330-Trapper
the leach lines ,some were missing caps


That’s the problem if you ask me. We just put a system in at our camp in Canada. I had inspection pipes planned for the lines and the plumber helping me talked me out of it. He said if they don’t get covered in snow right away the water will freeze before it drains, especially under inspection pipes. Each time the water hits the ice it freezes thicker and eventually plugs pipe.

Do I need a Pvc cover for the 7" hole in the Tank lid?


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314200
01/16/25 03:46 PM
01/16/25 03:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
T
Trapset Offline
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Trapset  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
Everything that lets cold air in needs a cover imo. Well everything in general needs a cover.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314203
01/16/25 03:48 PM
01/16/25 03:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Maine
Bruce T Online content
trapper
Happy Birthday Bruce T  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Maine
Dang.....I know the feeling.


NRA,NTA,MTA,FTA

#1 goal=Trap a wolverine
Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: jbyrd63] #8314210
01/16/25 03:57 PM
01/16/25 03:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Vinke Online content
trapper
Vinke  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Originally Posted by jbyrd63
Here’s why ours will never freeze. Got 12 inches of gravel under and on top of pipe then 12 +- dirt on that .
[Linked Image]


The straw was a bad idea…..
Use road fabric or weed fabric to keep the dirt out of the rock.
Straw seals up and won’t allow for evaporation…


Ant Man/ Marty 2028
just put your ear to the ground , and follow along

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Vinke] #8314285
01/16/25 05:21 PM
01/16/25 05:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
T
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
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T

Joined: Jan 2009
Nebraska
Originally Posted by Vinke
Originally Posted by jbyrd63
Here’s why ours will never freeze. Got 12 inches of gravel under and on top of pipe then 12 +- dirt on that .
[Linked Image]


The straw was a bad idea…..
Use road fabric or weed fabric to keep the dirt out of the rock.
Straw seals up and won’t allow for evaporation…


That looks a little deep for much evaporation in my mind. The guy that did my house tank 20 years ago went way shallow with the drain pipe. I questioned him and he said that’s how they do it now, especially along the river like we are. He said this way you’ll lose as much through evaporation as you do saturation. Still had 3’ or so gravel under the pipe though.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314311
01/16/25 06:08 PM
01/16/25 06:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
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Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
When I was installing in ground septic systems the PA Sewage Code wanted 12" of 2B crushed stone in the drain field. The 4" perforated pipe would go on top of 6" of stone then 6" more was added. Trenches were 24" deep at the low end of the grade and how ever much deeper they had to be at the high end of the grade. We normally tried to lay them out over a level grade as best we could while still being over the perk holes. A minimum of 12" of topsoil over the stone was required.


Eh...wot?

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314319
01/16/25 06:24 PM
01/16/25 06:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2011
Mn
M
mskrtman Offline
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mskrtman  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2011
Mn
A few years back we had a winter like this and many drain fields froze, the school in town even opened early and let people take showers. Thawing a drain field is not easy but I remember there were companies that would thaw them with a big electric blanket. It took awhile and was not cheap. Once thawed they were covered with straw till spring. I'm sure the frost is above and below the drain field, thats why the water trickling in froze, no way for it to seep in.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314499
01/16/25 10:13 PM
01/16/25 10:13 PM
Joined: May 2010
MN
S
Steven 49er Offline
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Steven 49er  Offline
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Joined: May 2010
MN
Jbyrds septic wouldnt always be below the front line here.

You guys that live in the banana belt just don't understand it.


"Gold is money, everything else is just credit" JP Morgan
Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314529
01/16/25 11:02 PM
01/16/25 11:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Manitoba
N
Northof50 Offline
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Northof50  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2008
Manitoba
You know when every ones field freeze up
The laundry matts are real busy doing all the weekly washes.
Another Alberta Clipper blowing some cold air down to the Banana belt

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314593
01/17/25 12:37 AM
01/17/25 12:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
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jbyrd63  Offline
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J

Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
330 the lid doesn’t have a cover? That’s 90% of your problem. Heat generated from bacteria working is going out the top. That heat even not a lot should keep the pipes moving if it stayed in the system. That’s the biggest issue. Cap every thing
You do know cold air falls. So it’s going in the open caps as well

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Steven 49er] #8314606
01/17/25 12:48 AM
01/17/25 12:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Vinke Online content
trapper
Vinke  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
NWWA/AZ
Originally Posted by Steven 49er
Jbyrds septic wouldnt always be below the front line here.

You guys that live in the banana belt just don't understand it.


But I do know septics…….
I can not tell from the pictures,,,,, but it looks like he is in dirty ground…… sealing the top is not good…


Ant Man/ Marty 2028
just put your ear to the ground , and follow along

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314630
01/17/25 02:00 AM
01/17/25 02:00 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
Vinke not sealing the top? What issues does that cause worst than not toilet until spring?

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314653
01/17/25 06:07 AM
01/17/25 06:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
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Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
Septic systems are not required to be below the frost line here in PA.


Eh...wot?

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Lugnut] #8314660
01/17/25 07:06 AM
01/17/25 07:06 AM
Joined: Nov 2017
PA
S
Snyde901 Offline
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Snyde901  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2017
PA
Originally Posted by Lugnut
Septic systems are not required to be below the frost line here in PA.

Code or not we always bury anything that can freeze below frost line to avoid problems like the OP & others have had. It also lets you drive over stuff without worrying about crushing.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: 330-Trapper] #8314706
01/17/25 08:16 AM
01/17/25 08:16 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2014
Ky
My pipe is about 18”deep 6 in gravel under it. They put chairs under it as they covered. Then about 8 inches of gravel then dirt. If your ground is freezing that deep you need to move! If your putting in lines above frost line then deal with the frozen lines. You wouldn’t wrap or not close up your crawl space in winter would you? A person knows pipes will freeze. Close up any vents that allows the cold direct contact with the water.

Re: Any real way to thaw out drainfield lines? HELP [Re: Snyde901] #8314720
01/17/25 08:37 AM
01/17/25 08:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
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Lugnut Offline
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Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
SEPA
Originally Posted by Snyde901
Originally Posted by Lugnut
Septic systems are not required to be below the frost line here in PA.

Code or not we always bury anything that can freeze below frost line to avoid problems like the OP & others have had. It also lets you drive over stuff without worrying about crushing.


The frost line for building in PA is 36" below grade. You'd never get an in-ground system passed here if you put it that deep or deeper.


Eh...wot?

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