Happiness is getting your indoor plumbing back

Finally after 5 days of a backed up sewer lines unable to wash dishes using the sink, take a shower or simply flush the toilets, which has made it really gross around here, we finally got the frozen sewer pipe opened. It was between the basement pipe inside and the septic line going outside. I now have a whole new respect for the modern convenience of indoor plumbing. We'll probably still have to invest in a new septic system this year but at least we currently have running water throughout the pipes and into the now-pumped-out septic tank. Christmas and Thanksgiving are holidays that apparently are hard on your drains. According to recommendations you should encourage your guests (ok, I say just tell them straight out but nicely) to wait a minimum of 10 minutes between showers/baths so the pipes can drain out. If not, you may be dealing with a congested septic system. The other night when we had out-of-town guests for the weekend, we got in a hurry and didn't wait because we didn't know this 10 minute rule between showers. Grant it, we already had an overtaxed septic system with all the guests from Christmas and a nearly full septic tank at the time, which we were unaware of. Other than being concerned about running out of well water, neither of us thought about the septic system.

To resolve our current situation, we first had to get the septic tank pumped out at the tune of $180 and this still did not resolve our issue because something was blocking the flow into the empty tank. Second, the septic tank specialist told us he would have to get someone to dig up the outside lines so they could assess the situation. They also told me to flush a few times, resulting in an overflowing toilet, more gurgling in the shower and kitchen sink and a real mess on my hands as I'm running around with beach towels and a mop trying to sop up the overflowing toilet. Meanwhile the bathtub in one bathroom and the shower in the other bathroom are both backing up again with even more sludge than the last time.

It is at this point I have to express my gratitude that I married a smart man!!!! My husband did not go for that idea of digging up anything outside until we first tried some other options on the inside. He also knew that there are specialists like Roto-Rooter that have a fiber optic sewer line inspection camera to evaluate rather than digging up the lines. So my hubby went to town for some large plastic buckets and a giant funnel. Then came the nasty job of removing the cover inside the house that runs through to the septic tank outside. Opening the pipe very slowly, we began catching the nasty waste water with a 5-gallon bucket hanging from the pipe. With liquids come solids, right? So, yes, we dealt with poop but at least we could clearly see the problem – a large round blockage of ice. Everything before the blockage has now been drained into buckets. We then have to carry them outside and around the house to transfer it into the septic system using the giant funnel. Next, with much difficulty, we were finally get a plumber that can come out and break up the blockage of ice with a huge machine. It worked well. In less than an hour, we were now free of ice blocking the drain and we are free to flush again! We can take showers again!!! We can do dishes again!!! It was such a relief.

Lesson for the day: Be smart, do your homework and don't jump at an expensive suggestion without doing some research.


There is no place like home and home is where the heart is.