OL
New Member
Hi all - I've really appreciated this forum as a newish homeowner, especially as different parts of my house were built at different times (1870s, 1910, and 1969). In the old (stone foundation, very unfinished, basically crawl space) part of our basement we have what seems to be an open pipe connected to the septic/toilet plumbing. It wasn't pointed out by the home inspector and had assumed it was blocked off/inactive/not a
However, we just discovered that it seems to be overflowing/leaking. Nothing too crazy, there is no smell I can detect, and the basement down there is already pretty dank - but there are little bits of toilet paper around the pipe. I guess it is still connected after all, and wonder what should be done with this? We replaced the septic tank/field a year and a half ago, and I'm having the septic tank pumped tomorrow. I will also call a plumber, but wanted to get some advice/opinions so I know what I'm dealing with. What is this pipe for? Should this be a closed system? Can this be capped off or would this just move the blockage upstairs (where we -really- don't want it)? We are tight on funds right now and really can't re-do all the plumbing/piping in the basement.
(I've posted a photo as well.)
Thanks!
However, we just discovered that it seems to be overflowing/leaking. Nothing too crazy, there is no smell I can detect, and the basement down there is already pretty dank - but there are little bits of toilet paper around the pipe. I guess it is still connected after all, and wonder what should be done with this? We replaced the septic tank/field a year and a half ago, and I'm having the septic tank pumped tomorrow. I will also call a plumber, but wanted to get some advice/opinions so I know what I'm dealing with. What is this pipe for? Should this be a closed system? Can this be capped off or would this just move the blockage upstairs (where we -really- don't want it)? We are tight on funds right now and really can't re-do all the plumbing/piping in the basement.
(I've posted a photo as well.)
Thanks!