ChakaRaka
New Member
Hi,
Our house is on a septic system so our laundry grey water drains into a seperate Seepage Pit. We recently had our (existing) laundry Seepage Pit back up and start flooding out of the washing machine drain pipe. The laundry room sink also stopped draining. After 2 nasty days with a 50' electric snake as well as 2 chemical treatments recommended by a professional, I have conceded defeat. I was able to snake 46' down the laundry drain before I hit something I could not pass, likely a sharp 90 degree or maybe even collapsed pipe. Based on what the old guy who built the house has told me, I believe that the original Seepage Pit is just completely overwhelmed and unable to drain anymore (based on the small size of it and because it is now 25 years old).
So I am going to abandon, cut off and cap the old line that goes down under the foundation of the house. I will build a new seepage pit with more viable dimensions, shorter run and less twists and turns. I think I have most of the fundamentals of that well in hand, but what I need some confirmation or pointers on is the in-house plumbing.
Here is what the original plumbing looks like:
Yes, I am well aware that this is a poster for "what not to do", this photo is just here for background and to provide some "why" context to my redesign. The original pipe was all 1-1/2". There was no proper laundry standpipe, it was just jammed in the upper wye where the cap is currently.
Now here is what I have designed for the new system:
I retain the 1-1/2" vent stack and partial run from the sink, the rest is 2" until it exits the wall. From some of the research I have done, I have been led to believe that I need to add a vent pipe connection between the high point of my laundry drain (just to the left of the P-trap) and the vent stack. Is this correct? Does the rest of my drawing look correct? I am handy being a mechanic, but I am certainly no plumber.
My other concern was with plumbing through the foundation wall. Is hydraulic cement the correct thing to use to seal this hole, as I plan to at least either insulate, if not backfill around it? I don't want any water to be able to penetrate the foundation where this hole is. I am open to suggestions but am stuck with what I have here. If anyone can offer some pointers or revisions to what I have come up with, I am all ears. We live in Vernon, BC, Canada so the weather is not drastically cold but where the pipe emerges from the wall, it must be somewhat protected from the cold.
I guess one last question would be whether I should step up to a 3" or 4" waste pipe from the beginning of the trench to the Seepage Pit. I had 4" in mind, but once again am receptive of any feedback or suggestions.
Thanks so much everyone.
Our house is on a septic system so our laundry grey water drains into a seperate Seepage Pit. We recently had our (existing) laundry Seepage Pit back up and start flooding out of the washing machine drain pipe. The laundry room sink also stopped draining. After 2 nasty days with a 50' electric snake as well as 2 chemical treatments recommended by a professional, I have conceded defeat. I was able to snake 46' down the laundry drain before I hit something I could not pass, likely a sharp 90 degree or maybe even collapsed pipe. Based on what the old guy who built the house has told me, I believe that the original Seepage Pit is just completely overwhelmed and unable to drain anymore (based on the small size of it and because it is now 25 years old).
So I am going to abandon, cut off and cap the old line that goes down under the foundation of the house. I will build a new seepage pit with more viable dimensions, shorter run and less twists and turns. I think I have most of the fundamentals of that well in hand, but what I need some confirmation or pointers on is the in-house plumbing.
Here is what the original plumbing looks like:
Yes, I am well aware that this is a poster for "what not to do", this photo is just here for background and to provide some "why" context to my redesign. The original pipe was all 1-1/2". There was no proper laundry standpipe, it was just jammed in the upper wye where the cap is currently.
Now here is what I have designed for the new system:
I retain the 1-1/2" vent stack and partial run from the sink, the rest is 2" until it exits the wall. From some of the research I have done, I have been led to believe that I need to add a vent pipe connection between the high point of my laundry drain (just to the left of the P-trap) and the vent stack. Is this correct? Does the rest of my drawing look correct? I am handy being a mechanic, but I am certainly no plumber.
My other concern was with plumbing through the foundation wall. Is hydraulic cement the correct thing to use to seal this hole, as I plan to at least either insulate, if not backfill around it? I don't want any water to be able to penetrate the foundation where this hole is. I am open to suggestions but am stuck with what I have here. If anyone can offer some pointers or revisions to what I have come up with, I am all ears. We live in Vernon, BC, Canada so the weather is not drastically cold but where the pipe emerges from the wall, it must be somewhat protected from the cold.
I guess one last question would be whether I should step up to a 3" or 4" waste pipe from the beginning of the trench to the Seepage Pit. I had 4" in mind, but once again am receptive of any feedback or suggestions.
Thanks so much everyone.
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