Andrew J. Courts, Jr.,
Agent, Greensboro, NC
It sounds like you have a septic breakdown. Generally speaking, these can be fixed fairly inexpensively if caught early. Contact a professional as soon as possible to minimize the problem. Good to maintain open communications between you and your neighbor in order to help "keep the peace". The yellow pages are a good place to start a search for a septic company.
Web Reference: http://www.CrenshawJenkins.com
Rick Merrill,
Broker, Hendersonville, NC
Smelly septic effluent on the surface is a sign of either a break in the drainfield or failure of it. The local environmental health department will design a repair plan and issue a repair permit. They also have a list of approved contractors with experience in such repairs. Frankly it is a subsurface repair and not a surface barrier installation issue.
Typical drainfields are 4 inch diameter slotted pipe bedded in 3/4 inch washed gravel with a foot of soil cover. Sometimes during landscaping the surface cover is partially removed exposing the slotted pipe. This is usually an easy repair. Older (like 25+ years) drainfields may clog with suspended solids that have built up over time. That repair is replacement of the field. Having the septic tank pumped and using additives like Ridex on a regular basis is wise.
Typical drainfields are 4 inch diameter slotted pipe bedded in 3/4 inch washed gravel with a foot of soil cover. Sometimes during landscaping the surface cover is partially removed exposing the slotted pipe. This is usually an easy repair. Older (like 25+ years) drainfields may clog with suspended solids that have built up over time. That repair is replacement of the field. Having the septic tank pumped and using additives like Ridex on a regular basis is wise.
Constance Drury,
Broker, Hendersonville, NC
A properly installed drainfield will not have "horizontal seepage". It will be installed in a soil type that allows waste water to percolate downward rather than horizontally.
If there is "horizontal runoff "than it is in violation of code and the entire septic system would have to be reworked and inspected.
Constance Drury GRI,CRS
Keller Williams Mountain Partners
28739
If there is "horizontal runoff "than it is in violation of code and the entire septic system would have to be reworked and inspected.
Constance Drury GRI,CRS
Keller Williams Mountain Partners
28739
Glenda Marks,
Broker, Charlotte, NC
If there is run off from your septic tank/field, I would suggest calling a licensed professional to take a look at it. If you have a well, this could bloom into a bigger problem.
Web Reference: http://www.queencitygal.com
Stephanie Bagby,
Agent, 28792
Good question. In the twelve years I've been in real estate this has not been an issue I've experienced. However, I don't know of any barriers that are used. You usually know pretty quick if the septic is overflowing and the drain fields are shot. We do have repair fields in most newer homes. There are also alot of wonderful properties that are on city sewer so you would not have to deal with that.
