# Septic tank problem, possibly legal issues **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2017, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127 "2017-06-29T12:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/41 "2017-07-07T11:15:19Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > I may have missed it but, are you sure there is waste at that spot? When the plumber “plunged” the line, the ground rose up right over the area where the inlet of the tank is. Nothing entered the tank when water was entering the line. I’m assuming there will be waste at the leak site since it must be somewhere. Excavator is potentially going to start today, right after he finishes work next door. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/42 "2017-07-07T18:19:40Z")
Who closes up a plumbing job without verifying liquid flow? I’d think that would be standard practice. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/43 "2017-07-07T18:47:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Who closes up a plumbing job without verifying liquid flow? I’d think that would be standard practice. I assume it failed at some point after completion. There was material in the septic tank, but nothing going in when the plumber checked 11 months later. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/44 "2017-07-11T16:52:02Z")
The plumber/excavator working next door is almost finished and will begin our job in a day or two. Meanwhile, I’ve been talking about my situation with everyone I meet. This led to a neighbor calling the septic people and voicing their outrage. The septic people explained that they are a separate entity, not in business with the excavator, but merely recommended him. Neighbors said too bad, they were taking their septic business elsewhere. Neighbors then took up my situation as their cause (they are retired and like activism) and now at least twelve other people have called the septic people, saying that they will be dealing with someone else in the future. Over the weekend, the septic people called _me_, asking what they could do to make things right. I explained that the excavator they recommended has fucked me over and I’m unhappy. I asked that they not contact me again. Additionally, a friend who I discussed all of this with, has pulled some strings/called in some favors to get _his_ employer to stop doing business with the excavator. Somehow my friend’s boss mentioned my name to someone and I think the excavator heard what is happening. This morning I got a call from the original excavator. He is pissed off and threatened to kick my ass! After he ranted a while I told him that I’m sorry he’s upset, because I’ve only just begun what will be my life’s work from here on out. Then I hung up. So, we’ll see. I told a few people about his threat and ideally he will show up in person and take a swing.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/45 "2017-07-11T17:18:59Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Meanwhile, I’ve been talking about my situation with everyone I meet. Neighbor: Oh my god - HIDE! Here comes **kayaker**. I’ll bet he’s going to start ranting about his shit again! Thank you, friend. Because as lousy as any given day of mine might be, I get a little lift from the awareness that somewhere in western PA, you are continuing your ongoing dedication towards dealing with your shitpool! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/46 "2017-07-11T17:21:32Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Neighbor: Oh my god - HIDE! Here comes **kayaker**. I’ll bet he’s going to start ranting about his shit again! > > Thank you, friend. Because as lousy as any given day of mine might be, I get a little lift from the awareness that somewhere in western PA, you are continuing your ongoing dedication towards dealing with your shitpool! 🆒 And I avoided using “shit hits the fan” in my post! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/47 "2017-07-11T17:23:54Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Neighbors then took up my situation as their cause (they are retired and like activism) and now at least twelve other people have called the septic people, saying that they will be dealing with someone else in the future. Over the weekend, the septic people called _me_, asking what they could do to make things right. I explained that the excavator they recommended has fucked me over and I’m unhappy. I asked that they not contact me again. > This morning I got a call from the original excavator. He is pissed off and threatened to kick my ass! After he ranted a while I told him that I’m sorry he’s upset, because I’ve only just begun what will be my life’s work from here on out. Then I hung up. “…_asking what they could do to make things right_…” when they do this it is time to swallow your anger and get them to fix it for free. And that they never use that excavator company again, if you like. Do you want revenge or this fixed? Because it is not impossible that the word will get out and contractors will stop doing business with you. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/48 "2017-07-11T17:51:44Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > “…_asking what they could do to make things right_…” when they do this it is time to swallow your anger and get them to fix it for free. And that they never use that excavator company again, if you like. > > Do you want revenge or this fixed? Because it is not impossible that the word will get out and contractors will stop doing business with you. They do not have the means to fix the situation. They suck out septic tanks, but do no excavation, etc. When I initially recognized we had a problem, I called them. They looked into the septic tank and told me all was well. Meanwhile, a plumber who came out ran water and saw that none was entering the tank, leading to a “diagnosis” of the problem. The septic people are offering too little/too late. As for other contractors, we have an excellent relationship with the people who did our roof, siding, windows, fencing, etc. In fact, when our roofer ran into problems that he hadn’t foreseen (due to him not properly investigating the chimney) we had to twist his arm to get him to accept additional payment. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/49 "2017-07-11T18:11:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > They do not have the means to fix the situation. They suck out septic tanks, but do no excavation, etc. When I initially recognized we had a problem, I called them. They looked into the septic tank and told me all was well. Meanwhile, a plumber who came out ran water and saw that none was entering the tank, leading to a “diagnosis” of the problem. > > The septic people are offering too little/too late. They can hire contractors just like you can. This is not their fault and you are unnecessarily hurting their business in some quest for revenge. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/50 "2017-07-11T18:25:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > They can hire contractors just like you can. This is not their fault and you are unnecessarily hurting their business in some quest for revenge. Their history of choosing contractors frankly sucks. They recommended one for the installation of my septic tank and he turned out to be a dick. They also fucked up troubleshooting my problem, getting it wrong and leading me to spending more money to diagnose the issue. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/51 "2017-07-11T18:29:16Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > They do not have the means to fix the situation. They suck out septic tanks, but do no excavation, etc. When I initially recognized we had a problem, I called them. They looked into the septic tank and told me all was well. Meanwhile, a plumber who came out ran water and saw that none was entering the tank, leading to a “diagnosis” of the problem. > > The septic people are offering too little/too late. > > As for other contractors, we have an excellent relationship with the people who did our roof, siding, windows, fencing, etc. In fact, when our roofer ran into problems that he hadn’t foreseen (due to him not properly investigating the chimney) we had to twist his arm to get him to accept additional payment. > [@DrDeth](#): > > They can hire contractors just like you can. This is not their fault and you are unnecessarily hurting their business in some quest for revenge. **kayaker** , I’d suggest you give the septic people a chance to find a contractor to fix this themselves. Some contractor will have to fix this, you’ll be out the money to someone until you get the septic company to pay you back somehow, which could be anywhere from a long time until never. Revenge can be expensive, but I understand if you’re willing to risk it, some things are priceless. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/52 "2017-07-11T19:54:28Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > **kayaker** , I’d suggest you give the septic people a chance to find a contractor to fix this themselves. Some contractor will have to fix this, you’ll be out the money to someone until you get the septic company to pay you back somehow, which could be anywhere from a long time until never. Revenge can be expensive, but I understand if you’re willing to risk it, some things are priceless. This has been dragging on for way too long. I’ve hired an excavator/plumber and have paid him some money up front to guarentee we are the next job he works on. In addition I’ve hired a videographer. My long term goal is to get my problem fixed so I can take a shit and flush without holding my breath.🙂 I’ve been taking our laundry to a fucking laundromat for a month and taking “whore baths”. Revenge is something I’ll use my home line of credit for, if needed. Cost stopped being an issue a few weeks back. We are filing a civil suit against the excavator, assuming fault is found at the inlet. The septic people are in the clear; all they did was recommend a shitty excavator. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/53 "2017-07-11T23:12:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > … In addition I’ve hired a videographer. Now we have it - the OP envisions himself an auteur, with a documentary expose in the making! > [@](#): > > …taking “whore baths”. A week or so my wife and a friend were getting into an argument as to whether the term was “whore bath” or “whore shower.” I guess I can now say that the bath is a W. PA thing. (See, I figure that the fact that someone somewhere upwind is finding amusement in your disgusting misfortune should lighten your mood. Is it helping? ;)) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/54 "2017-07-12T11:02:47Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > (See, I figure that the fact that someone somewhere upwind is finding amusement in your disgusting misfortune should lighten your mood. Is it helping? ;)) It is, indeed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/55 "2017-07-12T17:01:37Z")
> **[Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor](https://books.google.com/books?id=nFdOG5JxWZoC&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=I%27d%2Brather%2Bhave%2Bmy%2Bgrievance&source=bl&ots=m0r09XKZEb&sig=NiJrdRG-Exem_-YTcPl77HMmT3I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjl-ZGXnITVAhUBZT4KHddzDxgQ6AEIMDAC#v=onepage&q=I'd%20rather%20have%20my%20grievance&f=false)** > > "Here is a lifetime harvest of Isaac Asimov's favorite anecdotes, jokes, puns, and scandalous verse--640 selections in all. Everything is included, from the original shaggy-dog story (in mercifully truncated form) to famous put-downs from ancient... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/56 "2017-07-12T17:12:56Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Neighbor: Oh my god - HIDE! Here comes **kayaker**. I’ll bet he’s going to start ranting about his shit again! > > Thank you, friend. Because as lousy as any given day of mine might be, I get a little lift from the awareness that somewhere in western PA, you are continuing your ongoing dedication towards dealing with your shitpool! 🆒 The OP’s name and thread are uniquely joined. A kayak might be needed before much longer. Gotta watch out for the brown wave. Glad to hear help has been arranged. It shouldn’t take long to correct the problem. Now that a plumber with an excavator has been retained. Hope life get back to normal for you soon kayaker. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/57 "2017-07-12T18:25:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > [Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor: A Lifetime Collection of Favorite Jokes ... - Isaac Asimov - Google Books](https://books.google.com/books?id=nFdOG5JxWZoC&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&dq=I%27d+rather+have+my+grievance&source=bl&ots=m0r09XKZEb&sig=NiJrdRG-Exem_-YTcPl77HMmT3I&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjl-ZGXnITVAhUBZT4KHddzDxgQ6AEIMDAC#v=onepage&q=I'd%20rather%20have%20my%20grievance&f=false) Wut ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/58 "2017-07-12T18:38:17Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Wut \*Jones, a wealthy financier, had on many occasion in the good old days, when trains were flourishing and coaches were the last word in technological luxury, crossed the continent by Pullman. He was well known and well served and was accustomed to every convenience, particularly when dining. Imagine his exasperation, then, when it turned out that the chef did not have tutti-frutti ice cream. “No tutti-frutti?” He shouted. “I always have tutti-frutti.” “I’m sorry, sir,” said the waiter, soothingly. “We have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, black walnut, cherry, mocha almond --” “I want tutti-frutti,” cried Jones, banging the table and turning red. “I have always had tutti-frutti and I won’t have anything else.” For miles he muttered, scowled, growled, and snarled at everyone, so that every train employee on board had visions of angry reprisals. Finally, the train stopped at a station; a word to the conductor kept it there while the crew scoured the town for tutti-frutti ice cream. A whole pint of the dessert was found and all of it was presented to Jones, with huge gobs of cherry sauce on it, together with a sliced banana and a swirl of whipped cream. “Here is your tutti-frutti ice cream, Mr. Jones,” said the quaking waiter. Jones looked at it with a scowl, then with a sudden swipe of his arm hurled it to the floor, shouting, “I’d rather have my grievance!”\* ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/59 "2017-07-12T18:44:13Z")
Yes, I’m literate and was able to read the story. I just do not see how it applies to my situation. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127/60 "2017-07-14T12:30:14Z")
So? What’s the outcome? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/septic-tank-problem-possibly-legal-issues/790127.md?page=4)