Causes and signs of siltation
Sludge accumulation occurs in treatment systems of all types: septic tanks and cesspools with an open or closed bottom. Sludge is formed as a result of settling and processing of wastewater by bacteria. Signs of siltation are unambiguous: the layer on the bottom and walls of the septic tank increases and becomes denser. In this case, the water leaves slowly or stops leaving completely.
When a local environmental disaster becomes a reality, and the septic tank or cesspool quickly fills up; what to do is a question that requires an immediate response. To ensure that the situation does not repeat itself, it is useful to understand its causes; there may be several of them:
- Choosing an unsuitable septic tank design or errors in its installation . The trouble is that the critical level of siltation does not occur immediately, but after several years. There are only two options: either frequent pumping and cleaning, or replacing the septic tank.
It is better to entrust the installation of a septic tank to professionals Source ytimg.com
- The treatment system has not been used for a long time . The number of bacteria decreases, the remaining ones cannot be processed, and sludge accumulates.
- A lot of chlorine gets into the drain along with household chemicals . He uses scorched earth tactics and kills all microorganisms, including beneficial ones that utilize waste.
Self-made and temporary structures, in addition to silting, have their own reasons for overflow. If the water does not drain from the cesspool, the question of what to do is solved in a similar way, but the reasons are different:
- The amount of wastewater has increased, the volume of the pit is not enough.
- Soil characteristics : high clay content or periodic rise in groundwater level (during prolonged rains or melting snow).
- Severe frosts lead to freezing of the soil and freezing of drains, and the filling of the container is disrupted.
It is necessary to carefully calculate the possibility of installing a septic tank in clay soil Source landshaftdesign.org
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in sewerage and water supply
How to understand when it’s time to clean your cesspool
The cesspool is often made in the form of a sealed tank. Accordingly, all the contents of the wastewater are retained inside this container. To prevent the contents from overflowing beyond its limits, the design includes inspection doors and wells. Pumping can also be carried out through them. According to the standards, it is allowed to fill the container to two-thirds of the total volume.
In addition to visual inspection, there are three signs that indicate the need to clean the tank:
- the flow of water from plumbing equipment slows down;
- a gurgling sound appears in the sewer pipe;
- There is an unpleasant smell in the yard, and sometimes in the house.
In absorption-type pits, the drainage partially passes through the bottom, as well as through windows in the walls and goes into the ground. However, over time, the holes become clogged with solid particles, fats and silt. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly check how full the pit is and carry out cleaning in a timely manner.
Primary cleaning methods
When a smell appears, a layer of sludge is visible through the inspection hatch of the septic tank with the naked eye, and the drainage pit quickly fills, there is only one answer to the question of what to do: clean. There are several stages in dealing with overflow and siltation.
Call for service
A sewer truck is the first step to restoring the normal operation of the septic tank (pit). Before dealing with sludge, you need to empty the container of the liquid fraction of the wastewater. To make the task easier, it makes sense to arm yourself with a hose and try to wash away the silty deposits with a high-pressure jet.
If the deposits are dense and cannot be removed, they can be softened using a pole or metal pipe. If you have time, and the sanitation workers have the desire, you can arrange a repeat pumping. To do this, you will have to fill the container with clean water again; this will take time (only if you do not prepare barrels of water in advance).
Pumping out a septic tank at the dacha Source 2gis.com
Mechanical cleaning
It, like any medicine, is not the most pleasant, but effective remedy if the cesspool has silted up; the answer to the question of what to do lies on the surface, literally and figuratively. The task is simple: use a shovel to remove a layer of sediment from all surfaces. The silt is lifted in buckets and transported outside the site (outside the outskirts). The recycling problem is easier to solve in rural areas.
Mechanical cleaning is an effective folk remedy with many advantages: it does not take much time, does not require financial investments and allows you to forget about overflow for a long time.
Mechanical cleaning works well when a hole dug in clay soil overflows. Additionally, you can perform the following operations:
- If the clay layer is not thick, deepen the hole until it ends.
- Use a drill to make several holes in the bottom to improve drainage.
- Install grease filters in the kitchen drain.
Household plastic grease trap for sink Source stroikairemont.com
How to dilute soda to flush sewer pipes
The products are available in three forms: powder gel and liquid. Dry “Mole” sold in hardware stores is strictly prohibited from being poured into a pipe; it must first be diluted. To do this, you need to take 3-4 kg of table soda, a spatula and a container made of material that is resistant to aggressive environments.
It is recommended to work with rubber gloves and safety glasses. The powders are mixed in a large container, and then 7 liters of water are poured into them. The composition is thoroughly stirred with a spatula until completely dissolved.
