13930 WA-9, Arlington, WA 98223
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Diagnosing and Restoring a 1977 Septic System in Marysville, WA
A homeowner from Marysville, Snohomish County reached out to Septic Solutions LLC after noticing gurgling sounds and a persistent foul odor coming from beneath his porch. The distribution box — or D-Box — of his septic system was installed directly under that porch. The system itself dated back to 1977 and, by the homeowner's own account, had never been serviced in its entire lifetime. Up until this point, it had never caused any serious problems.
Marysville, WA (Snohomish County)
First Visit: On-Site Inspection, Diagnosis, and Pumping
Our technician arrived the same day. After pulling up a few floorboards from the porch, he found saturated soil and a strong sewage odor. The picture was clear: liquid waste had overfilled the septic tank, backed up to the concrete lid of the D-Box, broken through to the surface, and soaked into the soil beneath the porch.
The first order of business was pumping out both compartments of the overloaded septic tank and clearing the lines. Once that was done, we were able to run a telescoping camera scope through the system and visually inspect the drain line from the inside.
What the Camera Revealed — and Why It Happened
The camera traveled through the main pipe from the D-Box and ran straight into a dense wall of tree roots that had completely penetrated the drain pipe. It wasn't hard to explain: the backyard had eight large trees whose root systems had, over the years, worked their way directly into the drainage.
Art Nikolin, founder and lead specialist at Septic Solutions LLC:
"Tree root intrusion is one of the most common causes of drain system failure on properties with mature landscaping. Homeowners often have no idea it's happening until the system stops working altogether. Routine inspections catch this kind of thing long before it turns into an emergency."
The first order of business was pumping out both compartments of the overloaded septic tank and clearing the lines. Once that was done, we were able to run a telescoping camera scope through the system and visually inspect the drain line from the inside.
What the Camera Revealed — and Why It Happened
The camera traveled through the main pipe from the D-Box and ran straight into a dense wall of tree roots that had completely penetrated the drain pipe. It wasn't hard to explain: the backyard had eight large trees whose root systems had, over the years, worked their way directly into the drainage.
Art Nikolin, founder and lead specialist at Septic Solutions LLC:
"Tree root intrusion is one of the most common causes of drain system failure on properties with mature landscaping. Homeowners often have no idea it's happening until the system stops working altogether. Routine inspections catch this kind of thing long before it turns into an emergency."
Full System Flush — and an Unexpected Discovery
Following the initial diagnosis, we decided to perform a full high-pressure hydro flush of the system. That's when it became clear the root intrusion wasn't the only problem.
As pressurized water moved through the lines, it began surfacing in one section of the yard — a clear sign of a pipe breach. When we excavated that area, what we found was hard to anticipate: the pipe had been crushed by a significant external force. The most likely explanation is that during the original installation back in 1977, an excavator backfilling the soil drove over the pipe's burial location and collapsed it under its own weight. As a result, nearly half of the drain field had been functioning improperly for decades — slowly but steadily moving toward complete failure.
A Temporary Fix While Permits Were Processed
Repairing damage of this nature requires modifying the system design and getting those changes approved by the Snohomish County Health Department. While the paperwork was being processed, we implemented a temporary technical solution that allowed the family to continue using their plumbing without interruption.
As pressurized water moved through the lines, it began surfacing in one section of the yard — a clear sign of a pipe breach. When we excavated that area, what we found was hard to anticipate: the pipe had been crushed by a significant external force. The most likely explanation is that during the original installation back in 1977, an excavator backfilling the soil drove over the pipe's burial location and collapsed it under its own weight. As a result, nearly half of the drain field had been functioning improperly for decades — slowly but steadily moving toward complete failure.
A Temporary Fix While Permits Were Processed
Repairing damage of this nature requires modifying the system design and getting those changes approved by the Snohomish County Health Department. While the paperwork was being processed, we implemented a temporary technical solution that allowed the family to continue using their plumbing without interruption.
Final Repair: New Lines, a New D-Box, and a Service Riser
Once all permits were in hand, the Septic Solutions LLC crew returned to complete the full restoration.
The trench was excavated to the required depth. All old drain lines were replaced with new ones, fully up to current county standards. A new D-Box was installed.
We also added a modern riser — a surface-accessible service port that allows for future maintenance and inspections without having to dig up the yard every time.
Art Nikolin:
"Systems built in the 1970s were designed to the standards of that era. Without regular servicing, they have no way to signal that something is going wrong. In this case, the combination of root intrusion, a hidden mechanical failure, and decades of zero maintenance led to an outcome that was predictable — and entirely preventable. The system is now fully restored, and with proper care, it should hold up for many years to come."
The trench was excavated to the required depth. All old drain lines were replaced with new ones, fully up to current county standards. A new D-Box was installed.
We also added a modern riser — a surface-accessible service port that allows for future maintenance and inspections without having to dig up the yard every time.
Art Nikolin:
"Systems built in the 1970s were designed to the standards of that era. Without regular servicing, they have no way to signal that something is going wrong. In this case, the combination of root intrusion, a hidden mechanical failure, and decades of zero maintenance led to an outcome that was predictable — and entirely preventable. The system is now fully restored, and with proper care, it should hold up for many years to come."
Project Cost and Payment Options
Out of respect for our client's privacy, we don't share the exact cost of the work completed in this case. That said, based on our experience, a full-scope repair on an aging, never-serviced septic system — covering diagnostics, pumping, drain line replacement, a new D-Box, riser installation, and county permitting — typically falls in the range of $8,000 to $15,000. The final number depends on the scope of work, system layout, and the extent of coordination required with the county health department.
We know that kind of expense can catch homeowners off guard. That's why Septic Solutions LLC offers flexible financing options — get the work done now and pay over time in manageable installments. Give us a call and we'll walk you through what's available for your situation.
We know that kind of expense can catch homeowners off guard. That's why Septic Solutions LLC offers flexible financing options — get the work done now and pay over time in manageable installments. Give us a call and we'll walk you through what's available for your situation.
Outcome
With all work complete, the system is fully operational. The overflow issue has been resolved, the odor is gone, and the drain field is functioning as it should. All completed work is covered under warranty.
The homeowner thanked the team for their responsiveness and professionalism — in particular for making sure his family wasn't left without working plumbing during the permitting process. He's currently weighing whether to enroll in our routine maintenance program. That decision is still ahead of him — but the important part is already done: the system works, the problem is solved, and Septic Solutions LLC has gained a new loyal client.
The homeowner thanked the team for their responsiveness and professionalism — in particular for making sure his family wasn't left without working plumbing during the permitting process. He's currently weighing whether to enroll in our routine maintenance program. That decision is still ahead of him — but the important part is already done: the system works, the problem is solved, and Septic Solutions LLC has gained a new loyal client.