We hired McCandless Septic Systems to come to our home find our septic tank and clean it out. We are going on our third year in our home and had no idea when it had been cleaned. However, the drains were slow draining and the spring rains were comming so we decided to have it done.
A 2 men came to our home and began probing the yard. They were having trouble finding the tank. At one point he thought he had it and dug only to find a clay pipe. He put a hole in it decided that was not what he needed filled it in with rocks and covered it with the dirt. When asked about the hole he said it did not matter and would not cause a problem. Then he began probing again. He did eventually find the tank next to the side of the house with concrete on top. But even then he was not sure it was the septic tank.
So he dug under the concrete and put a hole in the side of the tank. When asked about that hole he said he would use a concrete patch to repair it. He informed us that he did not bring anything to break through the concrete and we had one of two choices he would either have to leave and get something or we could go rent a jack hammer and he would not charge us the additional fee.
Money being tight we oppted for the latter called the local hardware store he talked to them told them what he needed and we went and got it. He put two large holes in the concrete and emptied the tank. Then it came time to cover the holes. He told us he could use concrete blockes we already had to cover the holes. We asked him about the smells and things falling in. He told us there would be no problems with that.
We asked this question several times due to the fact there are nine childred in our home (two 3 year olds, two 5 year olds, 6,7, 8,10, and 15) and we did not want to take any chances. He assured us there would be no problems and so we agreed. He finished the job and we wrote a check; however, as we were writing it he told us it was his dad was out of town and could we please write the check to him so he could cash it and have money to empty the truck. We agreed and he gave us a company reciept.
The first day we figured the smell was due to him emptying the tank. Then it began raining for days and days. When it stopped raining and we were able to let the kids out we covered the area with a tarp and put the grill there so the kids would stay out of the area. Then more rain. When it cleared up for a few days we let the kids go out and play. They complained about a smell and we assumed they were smelling the river. The next day I was outside and realized the smell was from the septic tank. Later that evening I started hearing noises and pulled up the tarp and saw water bubbling out of the areas he had put the holes. So Monday I called McCandless Septic Service back.
I left a message and the son called me back about an hour later. He said it was because my latterals were bad and he told me this. He did not. As a matter of fact he told me in 2 1/2 to three years we would need to have it cleaned out and just give him a call. I asked him to at least come look and see what was going on. He said he would be there around 1pm he had another job that morning. I agreed. About an hour later his father called to see what i needed.
I explained the situation to him and told him I had talked to his son and he was comming out around 1pm. The father then informed me He knew nothing about the situation and did not even know the son had been to my home. He could not understand why his son would tell me he was doing a job because he was at the hospital due to an aunt having surgury. However, he would get with his son and find out what was going on. I heard nothing back despite making numerous calls.
The next morning I began calling again. This time I talked to his wife. She said they would be out around 10 am. All day again despite numerous calls I saw no one.
The next day I called again. Again I left a message. The father called me and I explained in more detail exactly what his son did when he was at my home. The father said he would come out with his son. At 1pm I called again and left a message. He finally showed up around 3pm.
He looked at what had been done and agreed it was wrong. We told him they needed to fix the problem. We were told it was not his problem we could try and get his son to do it. We told him his son workes for his company it is his problem and they needed to fix the problem or we would be talking to a lawyer. He said it aint got nothing to do with me. And then tells me latterals have to be replaced every 20 years and because the tank had concrete over it it was not even a real sektic tank and left.
I called the better business burea and filed a complaint. I am also looking for a lawyer. I called another company and explained the situation to them. You see I know have a tub that will not drain, a kitchen sink and washer that drain in the tub, several people who have not had a bath in days and dirty dishes that can't be washed. My toilet is flushing for now but the water is going in my back yard. The owner of the other company refuses to come out and help because he says he has had to repair so many jobs McCandless has messed up and that McCalister drags it out so long in court he no longer workes on any jobs McCalister has touched.
So now what! I guess I have to fix my own septic tank. A word of advice "Stay Away from McCandless Septic Service!!!"
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