Living in Lackawaxen, PA, or anywhere in Pike County offers a specific kind of beauty. We have the Delaware River, the dense forests, and the quiet privacy that makes the Poconos special. But ask any local homeowner about the flip side of that beauty, and they will likely point to the ground.
Rocky terrain, high water tables, and freezing winters.
These geological realities make septic systems and pump stations in our area uniquely prone to failure. If you own a home here, you aren’t just dealing with standard plumbing; you are likely managing a complex engineering feat involving “Turkey Mounds,” grinder pumps, and dosing tanks.
At Triple J Services, we don’t just fix these systems; we live here. We understand why the soil in Pike County breaks generic septic advice. This guide covers the most common septic and pump problems in our region and exactly how to fix them.
The “Turkey Mound” Reality: Why Gravity Isn’t Enough
If you look around your property and see a large, grass-covered hump in the yard, you have an elevated sand mound, known locally as a “Turkey Mound.”
In many parts of the country, septic systems rely on gravity. You flush, and it flows down into a tank and then out into the soil. But in Lackawaxen, the bedrock is often too close to the surface, or the soil percolates (drains) too slowly. If we installed a standard gravity system, untreated wastewater would hit the bedrock and run straight into our groundwater or the river.
Common Sand Mound Problems
Because Turkey Mounds rely on effluent pumps to lift wastewater up into the sand for filtration, they introduce mechanical points of failure that gravity systems don’t have.
1. The Dosing Tank Overflow
Your mound system has a second chamber called a dosing tank. When the effluent pump inside fails, that tank fills up.
- The Sign: You might hear a high-pitched alarm buzzer or see a red light on a box near the house.
- The Cause: Often, the float switches (which tell the pump when to turn on) get coated in grease or sludge. In other cases, the pump motor simply burns out from age or overwork.
- The Triple J Solution: We specialize in Effluent Pump Service & Replacement. We don’t just swap the pump; we clean the floats and check the electrical draw to ensure your new pump lasts.
2. Biomat Clogging (The “Soggy Mound”)
If the sand mound isn’t dosing correctly—or if you haven’t pumped your main tank recently—sludge can escape into the mound. This creates a black, tar-like layer called “biomat” that stops water from draining.
- The Sign: Spongy, wet grass on top of the mound or sewage breaking out of the sides.
- The Fix: This often requires High-Pressure Drain Jetting to scour the lines, or in severe cases, a Leach Field Repair.
Grinder Pumps: The Unsung Heroes of Lake Life
For many homes near Lake Wallenpaupack or the river, the house sits lower than the main road or the septic field. You can’t fight gravity, so you need a grinder pump.
Think of a grinder pump as a garbage disposal on steroids. It shreds waste into a fine slurry and pumps it under high pressure to the sewer main or septic tank. When these fail, they fail hard.
Why Grinder Pumps Fail in Pike County
- The “Flushable” Wipe Myth: Let’s be clear—there is no such thing as a flushable wipe in Lackawaxen. These wipes wrap around the grinder blades, jamming the motor.
- Grease Buildup: In the cold Pennsylvania ground, grease solidifies instantly. It creates “fatbergs” that clog the float switches.
- Frozen Lines: If the check valve fails, wastewater can drain back into the pipe and freeze during our sub-zero January nights.
Triple J Services offers 24/7 Emergency Grinder Pump Repair. We carry the parts to fix the most common brands found in our area, getting your system running before a backup occurs.
The Freeze Factor: Winter Septic Woes
Winter in the Poconos is beautiful, but it is brutal on plumbing. One specific issue we see frequently is pipe freezingcaused by lack of use.
Many homes in Lackawaxen are vacation properties or second homes. If a house sits empty for weeks in January with no warm water running through the lines, the shallow pipes leading to the sand mound can freeze solid.
Prevention Tip: If you are a seasonal resident, consult with us about winterizing your system or installing insulation over shallow lines. If you are already frozen, we have the excavation capabilities to access and repair damaged lines quickly.
Drainage: The Invisible Septic Killer
Water is the enemy of your leach field. This sounds contradictory since the field processes water, but surface water is the problem.
If your property has poor drainage, rain and snowmelt will pool over your septic system. This saturates the soil, meaning there is no room for the wastewater leaving your tank. The result? Backups in your basement.
The French Drain Solution
We often solve “septic problems” that are actually “drainage problems.” By installing French Drains & Drainage Solutions, we divert surface water away from your tank and mound. This lowers the groundwater table around your system, giving it a chance to breathe and function properly.
Why You Need Triple J Services
You have choices when you search for “septic repair near me,” but Triple J Services offers something different. We aren’t a franchise; we are your neighbors.
1. Excavation Expertise
Septic work almost always involves digging. Because we are full-service excavation experts, we handle the entire job in-house. From Utility Trenching for new lines to grading the land around your new sand mound, we control the quality from start to finish.
2. 24/7 Emergency Response
Septic alarms rarely go off at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday. They happen on Thanksgiving morning or at midnight during a storm. We answer the phone when others don’t.
3. Integrity-Driven Pricing
Our owner, John Dreizler, built this business on family values. We will never sell you a new system if a repair will work. We believe in fixing it right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Septic Problems
Q: How often should I pump my septic tank in Pike County? A: generally every 3 years. However, if you have a garbage disposal or a large family, you may need it every 2 years. Regular pumping is the only way to protect your expensive sand mound from sludge damage.
Q: My grinder pump is humming but not pumping. What should I do? A: Turn off the power to the pump immediately at the breaker panel to prevent the motor from burning out. Then, call Triple J Services. You likely have a jam in the cutter wheel or a frozen line.
Q: Can I drive over my sand mound? A: No. Driving over the mound compacts the soil and can crush the PVC pipes buried just beneath the sand. This can lead to a total system failure costing thousands to replace.
Don’t Wait for the Backup
In Lackawaxen, your septic system is the most expensive utility you own. Ignoring a buzzing alarm, a slow drain, or a wet spot in the yard is a gamble that usually ends in a costly disaster.
Whether you need a Septic System Inspection for a real estate transaction or emergency service for a failed pump, trust the team that knows the terrain.
Triple J Services is ready to get your hands dirty so you don’t have to.
Contact us today or call (845) 750-5222 for 24/7 service.
For More Information
- Pennsylvania DEP: On-Lot Sewage Systems – Official state guidelines on maintaining septic systems in PA.
- EPA SepticSmart Homeowners – A valuable resource for understanding how to care for your system and groundwater.
