Septic Horror Stories

Septic Horror Stories
Do You Need A Septic Repair?

Are you experiencing any of the following?

These are all indicators of a septic system failure:

yard has wet spots and odour.
sewer backup problems.
slow drainage: sink, toilet and bathtub.

A Christmas Langley Septic Disaster Story

My wife and I had just moved into our house we had recently purchased in Langley. Knowing the house was on septic I of course wanted to make sure the septic tank was pumped immediately and in good working order.

As the septic contractor was over pumping the septic tank, our new neighbour came over and introduced himself. He was very curious to know what we were doing to our septic tank…since he also had a home on septic.

I explained to the neighbour that all septic tanks must be pumped regularly. Depending on the size of the homes’ tank and number of people in the home. He said, ”OH really I did not know that?” “I have lived here for the past 22 years and have never pumped mine.” I then explained to him how important it is to properly maintain your septic tank and field.
The neighbour replied, ”I really will have to get that done as soon as possible.”

Two months later…it was Christmas morning. My new neighbour was knocking on my door. He was in a complete panic. He explained to me that his basement floor is covered with sewage backup. “Sewage is coming up through all the drains in the floor, bathtub, sink and toilet.”

I immediately went to the neighbours…diagnosed the problem. A completely plugged septic system which the septic tank had never been pumped and the overall septic system had never been maintained. Unfortunately, the neighbours whole septic system needed to be replaced.

I was able to help my neighbour Christmas day…It was the neighbourly thing to do. We gave the keys to the basement of our home so they were able to use the washroom or shower. Needless to say, my wife invited them to our home for Christmas dinner and we all had a good day regardless of the unpleasant circumstances.

Boxing day we started a complete new septic installation. Hopefully, customers will keep a good septic maintenance program and catch any possible small septic repairs/upgrades. Therefore, they would not have to completely pay for a whole new septic tank and installation.

Brian Warner

Construction Site Disasters

Being the second excavation contractor on the construction site can be a challenge.

Received a call from a customer that they recently had a backhoe contractor on their 7 acres: re-sloping, re-doing existing ditches throughout the property that were not functioning anymore.

The previous backhoe contractor showed up for one day…was suppose to return the next morning and complete what he had started. That contractor never showed or called to tell the customer that he was not intending on returning.

It was clear that the backhoe was not the right machine for this type of job. I had to separate weeds and branches from the big multi piles of dirt all over the property. The backhoe machine was not able to clear this land properly, re-sloping and creating proper drainage.

Customers, make sure the contractor has the proper equipment. Ultimately, it can end up costing customers more to hire a good company to come in with good excavation and bobcat skills. To re-do or clean up the mess the other contractor left. Meet the contractor at the construction site and go over what your needs are. As, it is very difficult to get a good estimate over the phone.

Brian Warner

Is It Just A Plugged Toilet?

I receive many calls from customers that their toilet is plugged! Their toilet is bubbling…a bad smell is coming from it! It is not flushing properly!

MANY times a simple plugged toilet is the sign of a much bigger problem:

The toilet is just plugged with too much paper or a toy fell in?
The septic system is about to backup because the system is completely plugged. Due to, the customers been flushing fat down the drain and toilet.
The septic system has never had any maintenance, small septic repairs or upgrades.
The septic system is too old and now needs a complete new septic field and tank system installed.

It is so important for the customer to understand how to use and properly maintain their septic systems. Call for a septic inspection by a septic contractor to properly diagnose the problem and perhaps a small septic repair is all that is necessary, rather than a completely new septic installation.

Brian Warner

Septic Horror Stories