Problem with septic tank risers. Need advice

[wilburn cox]

I have (2) 500 gallon septic tanks with concrete risers sitting on top of the tanks for access to the clean out plugs. We have had a lot of rain and run off water is going under the risers and into the tanks. I have had the tanks pumped twice in the past (3) months.
Is there a way to seal around where the risers sit on top of the concrete tanks? I don't think any kind of seal compound of such was placed between the risers and tanks during installation.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks and have a fantastic New year.
Wilburn "Red" Cox, Stephenville TX

 

[johnjk]

Might want to try a polyurethane foam sealer or something similar to the flexible sealer they use on cracks for a concrete driveway. I have Tuf-Tite plastic risers and they are sealed to the tank at the base plus there is a seal on the lid at ground level.

Not sure how well this would work on a wet surface. Another possible solution would be hydraulic cement. I've used it to fill and seal holes in the foundation where a PVC waste line exited the house. Worked great.

 

[dirtydeed]

Yes, there's a black sticky rope that is sold at home improvement stores. I think it's called butyl rope that is approx 3/4" in diameter.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Had that issues as well. I took the top off my 1000 gallon tank (has steel U shaped lift eyes in the concrete with my Kubby, cleaned the lip carefully on the lid and tank (holding my nose of course) and applied the butyl rope caulk around the entire edge in 2 stringers, set the lid back on and allk has been good for at least 5 years now.

Do it in cool weather, less smell. I did mine in July, big smell...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

2 easy options:
Polyurethane spray foam
Butyl tape / rope / caulking

 

[D2Cat]

I think the real challenge is how tall the risers are (or how deep the tank is set). You really need to get to the top of lid (bottom of the riser) and clean and seal there.

 

[Dexter]

We have used this hydraulic cement in leaky manhole risers and it has worked well. Im sure there is a supplier near you that has a similar product.

https://www.farrellequipment.com/60-lb-pail-farrell-hydraulic-cement-farrell/

 

[ArticiferTom]

If it is a true septic tank , it must always remain full to work . As fluid enters it exits to drain field after dropping solids . If a holding tank ,then different story , and my apologies .

 

[Eldubya]

If it is a true septic tank , it must always remain full to work . As fluid enters it exits to drain field after dropping solids . If a holding tank ,then different story , and my apologies .

Agreed! I was advised by a septic specialist that even after pumping out a tank, it should be filled with water (to prevent it 'floating'. ) Again, if it's a holding tank, that's a different story.

 

[bxray]

The tank needs to be full. Do not pump them out if it is just water. The problem is high water turn over. It keeps the solid eating bacteria from growing. Add some tank bacteria helper.
And plug up the leaks.

Ray

 

[skeets]

This is a real smelly thread

 

[wilburn cox]

Might want to try a polyurethane foam sealer or something similar to the flexible sealer they use on cracks for a concrete driveway. I have Tuf-Tite plastic risers and they are sealed to the tank at the base plus there is a seal on the lid at ground level.

Not sure how well this would work on a wet surface. Another possible solution would be hydraulic cement. I've used it to fill and seal holes in the foundation where a PVC waste line exited the house. Worked great.

Thanks John, I have read some about Tuf-tite risers. How are they sealed at the tank and are there different heights available. Red Cox

 

[wilburn cox]

Had that issues as well. I took the top off my 1000 gallon tank (has steel U shaped lift eyes in the concrete with my Kubby, cleaned the lip carefully on the lid and tank (holding my nose of course) and applied the butyl rope caulk around the entire edge in 2 stringers, set the lid back on and allk has been good for at least 5 years now.

Do it in cool weather, less smell. I did mine in July, big smell...

Thanks SidecarFlip; I understand about the top cap, however, my problem is the water is going underneath the concrete risers where they sit on top of the tank. Rain water is going down the sides of the risers where the soil is around the outside. If I use the butyl rope between the top of the riser and the cap will I be able to remove the top cap later when time to pump the tanks? thanks again for your response and have a fantastic day. Red Cox

 

[wilburn cox]

I think the real challenge is how tall the risers are (or how deep the tank is set). You really need to get to the top of lid (bottom of the riser) and clean and seal there.

Thanks D2Cat; I'm not sure how tall the riser are. Will have to measure. You are on the right track. The problem is really between the top of the tank and bottom of the risers. The water does not seem to get high enough to go between the top of the risers and the riser tops.
Thanks for your help and have a great day. Red Cox

 

[SidecarFlip]

Thanks SidecarFlip; I understand about the top cap, however, my problem is the water is going underneath the concrete risers where they sit on top of the tank. Rain water is going down the sides of the risers where the soil is around the outside. If I use the butyl rope between the top of the riser and the cap will I be able to remove the top cap later when time to pump the tanks? thanks again for your response and have a fantastic day. Red Cox

Absolutely but you my have to replace it if, it becomes torn from the compression of the weight of the lid. I have 2 access ports in the top of mine to access the 2 side of the tank. Each fit into a taper cast in the lid. Wasn't hard to make either. Just used some light gauge sheet metal and formed the holes to match the existing covers. I don't take mine off, at all. Just pull the access covers.

 

[wilburn cox]

If it is a true septic tank , it must always remain full to work . As fluid enters it exits to drain field after dropping solids . If a holding tank ,then different story , and my apologies .

No apologies necessary ArticiferTom; There are (2) tanks installed by a licensed installer and certified by the County inspector 10 years ago. In heavy rains, water is getting under the concrete risers sitting on top of each tank and filling both with water. the first tank is the entrance for all household wastes and then the water goes into the second tank and from there to the 1500 Sq Ft leach field. I'm not sure I understand what a "Holding tank" is. Thanks Red Cox

 

[Freeheeler]

Your first tank is the septic tank, should always be full. The second tank is the holding tank that either gravity feeds to your field or is pumped to the field. If it has a pump, it should never get full, only fill up to what ever height they have your pump settings at. If it fills, your pump is bad. If it's gravity feed, it should fill up only to where the exit pipe is. The problem with rain water getting in either tank is that you end up processing rain water thru your field which can cause a soggy yard and premature failure of the field.
To fix, you will need to dig out the risers to make a clearing on top of the tank. Use whatever sealant you prefer (I'd recommend the butyl rope) then replace the risers and back fill with dirt. If you have concrete risers, you may want to consider trashing those and get the plastic ones, they are easier to replace/repair and can be purchased easily.
Good luck and stay clean.

 

[johnjk]

Thanks John, I have read some about Tuf-tite risers. How are they sealed at the tank and are there different heights available. Red Cox

They are secured to the tank with a collar that goes over the riser pinching the butyl seal between the riser and the concrete and held there with screws. You can stack them to varying heights and I believe mix/match heights to get what you need. The tops are held on with 8 or 10 screws and the lid has a seal as well.

Did not think of taking any photo's closer than these

 

[ArticiferTom]

No problem Red .. A holding tank is one that waste is dumped in until full . Then clean by septic service .
If your system was installed and inspected by authority having jurisdiction they maybe be responsible for this . Unless damaged by others . In Pa . I understand each individual system is part of the whole waste management . This could vary by state .

 

[shootem604]

My parents had some similar trouble years ago at a property they owned that was on the bottom of a slope next to a creek. The neighborhood's water all ended up in their yard and flooding their system. They were first sold a larger fancy treatment system but the problems continued. When the groundwater was identified as the problem they were able to install drainage lines around the yard with sumps that collected the rising groundwater in wet seasons and it was drained off to the creek.

You may be able to do something as simple as some trenching and install of perforated pipe around your tank or the area, just below the level of the top of the tank and run it off into a rock pit?