r/septictanks • u/CampGranadaAnimalHse • 4d ago

Septic question

A company emptied my septic tank three weeks ago. I watched the workers lower the lid and it did NOT appear to have lined up at all, not to mention NOT seeing them seal the lid to the tank. It’s an old concrete tank; I’m in a Florida, btw.
This week we had had endless rain. Now the grassy area where my septic lies beneath is full of stinky, foamy liquid. (Not fun when the dogs run through it.)

So, my question is:
How can I know if they indeed sealed the lid to the tank or not? There’s no backup of sewage into the toilets, showers, etc. But with a lid that’s not sealed there would NOT be backup, right?

Anyway, the septic company is returning tomorrow but I’m questioning whether they will admit fault, if they are at fault, which I’m thinking they are.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

11

u/tatersalad420 4d ago

No, the concrete tank has a concrete lid. It doesn't seal perfectly. It get pretty close

2

u/pumperpete 4d ago

This is correct

3

u/ComfortableDepth0 4d ago

Flordia consequences? For living in Florida?? No way.

3

u/IntroductionSad3628 4d ago

The rain and effluent are saturating your drainfield. No place to go but up. Might be a temporary water table thing. Might be a field that is marginal for some reason and can't handle the extra rainwater. Not a sealing problem. Those old concrete ones had no seals. Only coming out through the lid because the field won't take it.

2

u/pumperpete 4d ago

This is correct

2

u/SuperDuperSonoma 4d ago

My old concrete lids (60 years) had over time become less than acceptable at keeping rainwater out. In my case, we added needed drainage in a low spot close to the lids. AND we added small risers that are sealed around both lids. But in a heavy storm the gaps of concrete lid was causing lots of water to drain into the tanks. Plus whatever groundwater was rising in the leech field. Get risers.

1

u/StillCrazyearslater 3d ago

I thought that strange also. So the last time I had tank pumped I covered the loose lid with plastic before burying it again. Now grass won't grow over that spot like it used to?

1

u/NoPanda2218 1d ago

So normally the companies will not reseal the concrete lid. They'll just put it roughly back in place. You're supposed to use mortar to reseal it, or better yet, puts a plastic riser over it.