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A good lesson in septic systems learned the hard way

By Staff | Feb 18, 2015

To the editor:

Once again, I was taken advantage of by two contractors who took advantage of the fact that I had no knowledge of septic systems.

This happened to me just recently:

I own a single family home in Lehigh, built in 1978, which I rent out. It has town water and a septic system.

Before I get into my story I must say I knew nothing about septic systems, nothing at all.

The saga started about six months ago and ended a few weeks ago. I had the septic tank pumped out about six months ago on a weekend for $350. Then again (another $250), about two months ago when the operator told me the drain field was saturated. The smell was obvious. And I said, really?

The first thought which came to mind was there must be pipes leading into the drain field. I asked. He verified there were. Might they be blocked and can they be flushed out? Were my questions. He said no. It is the drain field. Since I knew nothing about this I took his word for it. I’ll call his company business A.

I called his office, for a quote. I was told I cannot get an accurate quote without the permit from the Board of Health. The permit cost $350.

Even my wife, who knows less than I about septic systems mentioned there might be a blocked pipe.

(In the meantime, I had to get the system pumped 3 1/2 weeks later for another $250. This time I walked onto the surface of the drain field. No smell, no sogginess. But the tank was full. The drain pipes didn’t transfer the liquid to the field. But what do I know?)

I asked for an estimate from business A high to low which was $4,500 to $5,500 if there were no complications which would be extra. I was shocked. I began calling companies in the yellow pages. The next company had been in business for decades, well-known.

The owner came out and verified it was my drain field. I mentioned blocked pipes. He said definitely not. But he did not dig exploratory holes to verify his claim. I accepted his word. He too said I needed a permit for an accurate quote which he volunteered to get for me based on measurements and recommendations I received from business A.

He suggested I call around get quotes and he would be the lowest. The quotes I received were outrageous: $6,000 to $7,000, $8,000 from one company, another $8,000, to as much as $10,000. One company was telling me I might need and electric pumping station and that could add as much as $1,500 to the bill.

After receiving the permit, I called companies again, business A: $4,500. The well-known company: $5,000. Another well-known company: at first $5,900. When I asked for a better price they came down to “no lower” than $5,500. And another at $7,000. I was stunned. Then I noticed an add in a local paper.

A septic system company advertised a discount price for pumping systems. I called. A fellow came out. I showed him the permit and he gave me a price based on the specifications or recommendations on the permit: $4,000. He located a drain pipe in the field, cut it open, and showed me it was filled with sludge. However, based on the permit, I needed the entire drain field replaced. I hired him on a Wednesday and the work was done by late Friday. Good job.

I watched the procedure and got a good lesson in septic systems.

I arrived on the property at 9 a.m. Friday. The hole was already open. What I expected didn’t happen. No foul odor, no sludge, no mud. Nothing to indicate the drain field was saturated.

I looked in the hole and saw fine beach type sand, the base for the drain field. I thought, that was fast, all that done already. Hmmmm … When a load of drain field sand arrived I asked what that was for. The foreman told me actually we don’t need that. He pointed to the sand in the pit and said that was already there. Clean as clean can be. All he did was “turn it over.” Now, I’m quite sure I’ve “been had.” He went to work and finished the job.

After paying him, I said to him, I’ve watched this whole procedure and never once smelled a foul odor. Let me ask you a question and please give me an honest answer. “Did I need a new drain field?” His reply: “No. If you called me first I would have checked your drain pipes and recommended replacing the pipes, the gravel bed below them, and turn over the drain field sand.” I asked how much would that would have cost? $1,200, he said. He described the type of a drain field I had, only two perforated pipes draining water into the sand, easy job.

I overpaid by $2,800, then add two extra pump outs.

Here’s what I learned:

Rarely does a drain field become so saturated that it doesn’t drain at all. A properly constructed field should last 20 to 25 years. This from the Internet and the fellow who did my work. Very important, there are different types of drainage equipment as in my case all that actually had to be done was replace two pipes, not put in 225 square feet of drainage equipment.

And very, very important, some pump outs are not necessary. You just might have a blocked drain pipe which can be unblocked or a faulty filter which can be replaced easily. Might cost $150 or less. I was told it couldn’t be done by two “reputable” contractors.

Most of us know nothing about septic systems. All we know is, “gawd it smells.” “My neighbors are complaining.” “What a mess in the house.” And we jump at the first company we call who says I’ll be right there. And since we are naive, he says, the damn drain field is saturated and has to be replaced. “When can you do it?” And the afterthought, by the way how much will it cost? The contractor sizes you up. If he thinks you have money, he will “upcharge” you. If he determines you have limited means he will be kinder giving you the price.

And all you can do is smell the foul odor. Get it done.

Please beware. Find out what type of drainage system you have. In older homes, like mine, have your system inspected. Might cost $150. It’s worth it. And, rarely, very, very rarely, do the concrete tanks have to be replaced.

The fellow who did the work for me, performed well. The inspection went well. I will have no problem recommending him to anyone.

Jim Sternowski

Lehigh Acres