Need Septic tank advice please!

[KBAJ]

It's been raining in Oklahoma for the last 25 days! I noticed that my toilets weren't flushing well and thus, had the septice tank pumped (to the tune of $200). The guy says that the tank has been filled a third to half with dirt. He can't pump it the dirt out. Only option he gave was to take the whole top off the tank and have it manually dug out to the cost of $850.00. Meanwhile our tank capacity is minimized and we feel we can't even do laundry. Of course part of the problem has been all this rain which has caused the ground to be saturated. But does anyone have any advice? Where did the dirt come from? the lateral lines? Does this mean they may be damaged? Should I just bite the bullet and pay the $$$? Thanks, I need to get this take care of very soon!

[Gary Slusser]

I wouldn't dig until I knew for sure where the dirt came from. The tank could have settled and the inlet/outlet pipe is busted, it could be from the leach bed pipes, it could be the lid is unseated, or the seal is bad, or the tank is cracked. That's all the guesses I can come up with just now... Checking where it's coming from probably would have to be done when it's raining hard, like now, or tomorrow but not after the ground starts drying up.

[Rancher]

He can't pump it the dirt out.

This doesn't sound right, if they can pump out the solids, sludge... what's the difference?

Get a second opinion.

Rancher

[KBAJ]

Thanks to all who have read and given advice. I did get a second opinion. The new company states it is NOT dirt, just sludge and they can pump it out with a bit of effort. Will start first thing tomorrow am at 7:30! Keeping my fingers crossed. If it works, I'm thinking of writing a letter to the first company, requesting at least a partial payment back and/or maybe the Better Business Bureau as well!

[Gary Slusser]

So what happened?