Not really a "I need prayers" guy, but....

Chuckman

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I do not usually reach out for prayers. In this case I am. We are facing a $16,000-$20,000 septic repair. That's a lot of green. While we will not be left destitute, homeless, or hungry--for which I am enormously thankful--it will essentially wipe out our savings. So while I am OK with no vacations in 2017, no shooting, etc., that also means if either vehicle craps out, any other house issue comes up, etc., we will be in a pickle. I would appreciate any prayers y'all would life just asking that we get through it and the subsequent rebuilding of our finances OK.
 
You will get through it....Prayers your way.
 
What happened to your septic system? Hope it all works out for you, I will send up some prayers for you.
 
I guess you've gotten several estimates and explored all your options? I know many folks always avoid debt, but is a Home Equity loan possible? If you paid 50% down and financed the rest, you'd be able to keep some cash on hand for other possible emergencies.

Just a thought. I'll still keep you in mind and prayers.
 
Based on the price tag, it sounds to me like your drain field has failed and there isn't a suitable area to put a replacement and now your looking at an above ground system.
 
You've got it chuckman... And I also wonder about the home equity loan idea mentioned above. Is that an option for you?
 
You've got 'em sir. Windini 's post above sounds like a good plan.
 
So, some details. We do have a home equity line of credit. Helpful, as we paid off our 30-year mortgage in about 6 1/2 years. We have some savings. Part of the need for prayers is to have clarity about which to use and how much of each. A judicious plan will be helpful; there are pro's and con's to what we can do.

We have been "blessed" (I refuse to use the word "cursed") in that, according to the county and state guys, our yard has some of the "most unique soil composition" in central NC. Our field is shot, and the only system the county would permit involves a manifold pressure pump.

Of course, these things never happen at a good time...one vehicle needs tires, kids' birthdays coming up, blah blah blah. I am thankful for what we do have and thankful for the blessings we have....we will eat, we will not be homeless, we are not sick (we have a good friend with pancreatic cancer), etc. That said, we do need everything to break our way so things don't get worse than they are.
 
Chuckman;n42577 said:
We have been "blessed" (I refuse to use the word "cursed") in that, according to the county and state guys, our yard has some of the "most unique soil composition" in central NC. Our field is shot, and the only system the county would permit involves a manifold pressure pump.


I can't help but get irritated with crap like this. Your case may be different but I have run into septic situations with cities and counties that defied all logic. Had a couple one time that wanted to enclose their garage and make it a master bedroom which meant adding a bathroom. City planning said the septic tank wasn't big enough. Inspector came out and said that the soil didn't perk and that they should have never been allowed to put a house there or that septic tank in.

Now that house had been there for 40 freaking years with the same septic system. It had never had an issue. There was no logical reason to resize the system in the first place since it was an elderly couple with no kids so an extra bathroom would not increase output.

They appealed until they ran out of options then they cancelled the permit application and we went ahead and did the work with no permit.
 
Chuckman Keep your head uo and stay strong things will work out!!
 
I have a roof and 2 heat pumps to replace this year....these big ticket items can be a very difficult nut for the hard working family. Best of luck brother, it will work out OK. The big man upstairs has your back if you ask for his help. I will pray for your family.
 
When it rains, it pours. I wish the best for you, and hope your wife is alright. Is it wrong to pray for someone to have uninsured driver insurance?? Best of luck in turning a bad situation around!
 
Chuckman;n42644 said:
The other shoe dropped. I am headed to Raleigh, my wife's van has been hit in hit-and-run, likely totaled.

Dang man! Sorry to hear. I hope your wife is okay.
 
Knee mail sent. The Lord will not hand you ANYTHING you cannot overcome. It may not seem like it at first, but you will be a better person in the end! Sorry to hear about the wife and her van. Keep us posted on how shes doing.
 
Chuckman;n42644 said:
The other shoe dropped. I am headed to Raleigh, my wife's van has been hit in hit-and-run, likely totaled.

Crap.

Stand tall, be strong. This, too, shall pass.
 
Chuckman , that is a bit of a punch to the gut. First the septic, then the accident. If I remember right you are pretty close to my neck of the woods. We will keep you in our prayers.
 
Might want to talk to a soil engineer. Sometime county guy takes the easy way ( for him) out
 
Prayers to you. You'll get thru this, but it sucks big time.
 
Payers going up. I'm glad you can see your blessings in the midst of the storm.
 
Wishing you well. I've had a crappy year or so and all I can suggest is stay positive, hug your family and don't go to bars in bad neighborhoods. It will all work out in the end. You've been smart this far.
 
Prayers will be sent, hope the wife was ok. We paid about 5k this year for septic as well. I'm just hoping our 2 heat pumps can limp thru the winter. But, He has always provided for us; in His time, every time. I'm trusting Him and I believe you are, too.
 
Chdamn said:
Chuckman;n42577 said:
We have been "blessed" (I refuse to use the word "cursed") in that, according to the county and state guys, our yard has some of the "most unique soil composition" in central NC. Our field is shot, and the only system the county would permit involves a manifold pressure pump.


I can't help but get irritated with crap like this. Your case may be different but I have run into septic situations with cities and counties that defied all logic. Had a couple one time that wanted to enclose their garage and make it a master bedroom which meant adding a bathroom. City planning said the septic tank wasn't big enough. Inspector came out and said that the soil didn't perk and that they should have never been allowed to put a house there or that septic tank in.

Now that house had been there for 40 freaking years with the same septic system. It had never had an issue. There was no logical reason to resize the system in the first place since it was an elderly couple with no kids so an extra bathroom would not increase output.

They appealed until they ran out of options then they cancelled the permit application and we went ahead and did the work with no permit.
I never ask for permission...
 
toddje;n43617 said:
Prayers for you!

I'm curious, as I'm about to buy a house with a septic system and have not owned one.... what happened? Do they just get old and die to the tune or $20K?

Our house was built in the mid-70s, so the septic just ran to the end of it's life. They do have lifespans (I did not know, either, until last April when all of this started and I became a septic expert). Add to the 8 people using it, a yard with very unusual soils, and voila, a shot system.

My advice to you: do the regular PM (emptying, etc)., get a map of your field from the county and file it away. If your house was built after the mid-80s by law you have to have a separate area for a new field, so you actually have more options should you have problems.
 
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Update: Family is OK, front end of van was torn off. The adjuster emailed, said he couldn't get to it until late today or Monday (dimes to donuts after the weather this weekend it'll get pushed back even more), so we won't know extend of damage or if it is totaled until then. The van is 10 years old with about 112K, so if it is not totaled, it has to be close. The PD saw security camera footage of the incident, but could not get a license plate of the van which hit my wife. So now I wait.

Thank you, all, for your prayers and support.
 
It might be expensive, but could you have dirt trucked in that would give you a suitable field? At work here they're trying to get rid of tons of the nice red clay that would be perfect.....they need the kind of dirt you have I suspect.
 
noway2;n43754 said:
It might be expensive, but could you have dirt trucked in that would give you a suitable field? At work here they're trying to get rid of tons of the nice red clay that would be perfect.....they need the kind of dirt you have I suspect.

That's a great idea; the permit says the trenches need to be 48" deep and filled with sand, old soil trucked out. New dirt/soil won't help, but I do appreciate the suggestion.
 
Prayers sent. Glad the Ms. is o.k. Material stuff can be replaced.
 
Update: Van not totaled, but the repair price is pretty close, $2,000. The body shop won't get to it for "a couple weeks" given their volume. $1,000 deductible because it's a hit-and-run and they do not have anyone else to go after to pay. So we get to pay a grand for a van that we'll have for another year or so before it goes tires up.
 
Unfortunately, shit seems to happen in threes. I sincerely hope you're done at this point.
 
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