Grey Water Pit?

[Brett Sanders]

Hi All,

I have an interesting setup for my plumbing. I'm on septic which our single bathroom feeds to. The kitchen sink, sump pit and washing machine (which drains to the sump) all feed into a cement grey water pit (if that's what it is called) that I think flows to my septic tank, at least that's the direction of the outlet pipe. In the past it has overflowed but I just snake the outlet and it seems to fi it. Post winter now it overflows every load of clothes washing and snaking it does nothing. Snake doesnt seem to hit an obstructions either and toilet is flushing fine no other apparent septic issues. All that to say:

1. What is this setup actually called?
2. Any idea what the problem might be?
3. How should the grey water setup be?

In the attached pic the pipe opening you can slightly see is the outlet pipe. The inlet would be on the bottom side of the picture.

 

[Reach4]

I think the term "grey water" is used to indicate water that you plan to reuse, such as laundry water that you will then use to flush toilets.

If the water only came from the washing machine and the sump pump, it could be that that water discharges into what is called a "dry well" instead of the septic tank. The dry well would be buried out in the yard. That pit you uncovered -- not sure what you would call that. A kitchen sink should normally not go into a dry well-- especially if there is a garbage disposal. Try "dry well" as a search term.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Brett Sanders]

Yeah no disposal on the kitchen sink. House was built in 1957 and we purchased from the original owner. The pit or dry well is in the concrete slab right in front of the back door to get into the back yard.

 

[Reach4]

Yeah no disposal on the kitchen sink. House was built in 1957 and we purchased from the original owner. The pit or dry well is in the concrete slab right in front of the back door to get into the back yard.

The dry well that I suspect would not be the thing in your photo.

 

[Fitter30]

Grey water tanks have filters and a pump for pressurised discharge pressure and a over flow. Google grey water tanks. Have you looked at YouTube for homemade systems? Solids will build up on inside of the tank everywhere that the flow is lessen. Sure you have seen rain water flowing down a hill digging out a small culvert and the dirt ends up on the sides. Water does stratified in a tank unless like a water heater uses a dip tube to push the cold to the bottom to mix.
Water feeding a toilet through the flush valve would need to be filtered. Don't need a little piece of solid holding the valve open or fill not closing.
See your in MI tank doesn't look like it's below.the frost line.