Correct if you are referring to the _liquid_ level. The 'cake' floats on top. Would water running onto the top of the cake penetrate it? Dunno but the pumpers have to stir that up in order to suck it up.
Still leaves the problem of enough water making its way through small cracks to 'flood the the field'. Then someone else already mentioned the _fact_ that if ground water is entering the tank, the field is already flooded.
Harry K
Yeah. I forgot that there are precast tanks. The ones I have been associated with were the 'poured in place' type where the lids do just sit flat on top.
Harry K
Yep! The guy is full of it.
Harry K
harry k wrote: ...
Yes, but even if it didn't it would flow out the drain--it can't/won't "stand" above an opening unless it is blocked.
And, there are two (at least) compartments--the exit is separated from the inlet side by a baffle that reaches to the top so the solids are retained there leaving essentially only liquid in the outlet chamber. Otherwise the drain field would get clogged w/ solids almost immediately.
Doesn't necessarily follow (depends on relative amounts of input versus perc capacity of the field) but certainly large quantities of groundwater should be prevented from entering the tank.
--
I guess you are right, Why should I trust someone with 20 years in the business when I have internet experts.
on 6/22/2009 12:57 PM (ET) snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote the following:
We're not trying to sell you a cleanout.
Nobody was talking about selling anything. I just said not to leave the hole over the hatch open. Fill it in.
Nextime you dig down, Put down some extensions
And a flower pot over the hole? Sure makes it easier to find, later. Ring of copper wire, so you can find it with a metal detector. Near the surface.
So explain just how "larged quantities" can enter the tank dthrough very small unsealed openings. Seepage or maybe even drips are about all you can get.
Harry K
If you have a washtub sized hole full of water right over the clean out there will be a lot of water going into the tank if the only "seal" is the ragged edges of the concrete plug. If this also happens to be in the area where the roof drains off, that hole will stay full of water as long as it is raining. You would be surprised how well a foot or two of sand will stop sheet flowing water so this will not get to the drain field but you are mainlining it right into the tank.
So like several of us said- if he doesn't wanna shovel next time, add a prefabricated or improvised manhole with a lid, over the inspection/cleanout holes. Include freeze protection as needed by local climate. Several ways to do it, depending on local code requirements. Not rocket surgery, just a glorified outhouse.
-- aem sends...
I never said that was a bad idea. Peace out
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