Island Septic Service
 

We have a pump-up leach field on Welch. Recently we noticed some surface effluent about where we think that the distribution box is located. Looking for someone to diagnose the issue so repair can be scheduled for early spring.
ISS does not do this type of work but Chip suggested Island Service Company (ISC). I called ISC however they can’t do anything this year. (As an aside ISC pumped our tank last summer but failed to inspect a pump chamber issue as they had promised. On the pumping invoice was a note saying that they would be back to do address the pump chamber. However shortly after my check cleared, they said that they would not be able to come back).

Calls to Lamprey Septic two days running have not been returned.

An email to Winni Island Services was answered, they are booked for the rest of the year.
Any suggestions?

Alan

P.S. I do have a soil probe on order if we have to resort to DIY.

Island Construction
 

We've been using Island Construction (487-4992) for everything from docks to plumbing and electric. I think they're working on my dock this week if you want to walk over and meet them. Probably not the same crew that does other types of work.
I think Ross Bagley built several of the septic systems on Welch. He may be able to help. 293-4994.

Is Island Construction the company name? A search for the specific name in NH as well as a search for 487-4922 did not show specific results.

Thanks,

Alan

P.S. will send a PM relative to Ross

Island Construction
 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Island-Cons...18158121552713
Web site is being develop[ed
Phone goes directly to Ben. 603.387.4992. I talked to him a couple minutes ago--he's on a barge with materials for Bear and will be at Welch today or tomorrows. Yes, they do septic work.

Phone correction
 

Island Construction phone is 387-4992

I just talked to Ben at Island Construction. He will stop by tomorrow to take a look.
Thanks,

Alan

Ok
 

Glad to hear it. To paraphrase,
: "We don't need no stinkin' septics"

The good news is that Ben at Island Construction did stop by and located the distribution box. He uncovered and opened the box and lifted out a semi solid mass of fine tree roots. So the bad news is that the 50 year old leach field is in an end of life phase. Ben is going to give us a proposal for replacement of the leach field in the spring. The positive review by Descant is encouraging.

It would be good to have a 2nd bid for comparison however I have not had any luck so far. Island Service Co, Winni Island Services and Ambrose Marine Construction are all booked for next year. Diversified Marine and Lamprey Septic have not returned calls or email. Any other suggestions?

How about....
 

How about treating with Root X? It was recommended by our septic provider.

Dave

Call Dave Farley's cell phone (Diversified). I can give it to you if needed. Island Services is booked out for a long time. Try Ross Bagley as well. You can start the process by having a new design done if needed, which it probably will being that old.

Thanks, I did have a recent experience with Ross.

Thanks, as I said, no return call or email reply from Diversified. Dave has done breakwater work for us in the past so I tried him first. Must be booked. Island Construction will try to get a plan done this fall. A new perc test will probably be required which will require a small excavator on inland.

Reduce flow
 

I guess you can limp along by reducing flow--take laundry to the mainland for example. My friend in Maine has a sign that says
"In this land of funand sun, we don't flush for number one.
If you do it, and it's brown, go ahead and flush it down"

I don't know anything that rhymes with clivus multrim or incinerator. Ben did replace our 60 year old toilets with new low flow toilets this year to help reduce flow. This idea came from NH Lakes "Lakesmart" program survey. www.NHLAKES.org

"If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush in down".
Yes we are on to that:D

Slickcraft,

I had the exact same situation with my septic a couple of years ago. My pump was running much longer than normal. I don’t know how long it was doing it but after opening up my D Box it was clear the problem had been building for some time. The DBox was packed with the same fine roots you describe (Looked like spaghetti). Larger roots had been growing for some time in the chamber flow lines. Two days of cutting and pulling the roots out and my system is functioning fine. Do yourself a favor and google Copper Sulfate. I buy the crystals on Amazon. They soften and eat roots until they are gone. I put them directly in the pump chamber at the end of the season right before I close up.

BT

Thanks BT. I got some Rootx (same chemical different brand) today at Lowes to dump into the pump chamber. They also had a copper sulfate product and was wondering about any pump damage from that. Sounds like you have had good luck with the CuSO4.

Alan