Hi all,
Our Septic tank is located at the end of our front garden by the road, the garden is raised about 8ft from the road level. It is a concrete tank, installed around 1962....the problem :
A while ago we noticed that 'water' was leaking through the stone wall between the tank and the road, we duly had the Tank emptied so that it could be investigated. The chap who emptied it gave the main tank the OK, but noted that the smaller tank that holds the water as it drains into the soakaway had a couple of cracks in it where it joins to the main tank....caused by some fool planting a tree close by (not us) The tree has since been removed, but it's legacy remains.
He seemed to think that if I 'slapped a bit of mortar on the cracks' that this would fix it....
The area in question is slightly larger than a standard manhole cover, but about 5-6 ft deep, it has an outlet from the main tank and an outlet to the soakaway. There also appears to always be 4 inches of water in the area always that is below the level of the outlet to the soakaway.
Is mortar pushed into the cracks the best method of repair ? Ideally I would like the tank to not be out of action for too long !!! At the moment we are 'coping' by letting out the bathwater gradually.
I don't think that I could feasibly get into the 'chamber' and still be able to bend down to the level of the cracks to fill them, so it would have to be attempted from the surface....
I have found lots of companies who will empty the tank for a range of prices, but can't find anyone interested in repairing it !!! Our location is Cornwall, and septic tanks are not uncommon.
We cannot afford to have the whole lot ripped out and replaced with a Sewage treatment plant or even a newer septic tank....
Any ideas greatfully received
Our Septic tank is located at the end of our front garden by the road, the garden is raised about 8ft from the road level. It is a concrete tank, installed around 1962....the problem :
A while ago we noticed that 'water' was leaking through the stone wall between the tank and the road, we duly had the Tank emptied so that it could be investigated. The chap who emptied it gave the main tank the OK, but noted that the smaller tank that holds the water as it drains into the soakaway had a couple of cracks in it where it joins to the main tank....caused by some fool planting a tree close by (not us) The tree has since been removed, but it's legacy remains.
He seemed to think that if I 'slapped a bit of mortar on the cracks' that this would fix it....
The area in question is slightly larger than a standard manhole cover, but about 5-6 ft deep, it has an outlet from the main tank and an outlet to the soakaway. There also appears to always be 4 inches of water in the area always that is below the level of the outlet to the soakaway.
Is mortar pushed into the cracks the best method of repair ? Ideally I would like the tank to not be out of action for too long !!! At the moment we are 'coping' by letting out the bathwater gradually.
I don't think that I could feasibly get into the 'chamber' and still be able to bend down to the level of the cracks to fill them, so it would have to be attempted from the surface....
I have found lots of companies who will empty the tank for a range of prices, but can't find anyone interested in repairing it !!! Our location is Cornwall, and septic tanks are not uncommon.
We cannot afford to have the whole lot ripped out and replaced with a Sewage treatment plant or even a newer septic tank....
Any ideas greatfully received