How to Clean a Septic Tank?
A septic tank is one of the most important components inside a home. It features a large underground tank that processes and treats wastewater that comes out from home. These tanks are made out of durable and rust-free materials like plastic, fiberglass, or concrete.
Since they remove all kinds of waste from the water, they get clogged up due to years of scum and sludge. Over time, the tank doesn’t drain as fast as the substances continue to build up inside it, and it requires thorough cleaning at this point.
If you think your tank needs more cleaning, you can also use drain cleaners for septic tanks to flush out the tank, as well as the pipes completely. Also, consider using the best toilet paper to use for septic tanks for best results.
If your home’s septic tank is also clogged, here is how you can clean it thoroughly.
1. Preparing the Tank
Start by finding the location of your tank, and you can do this by following the sewer pipe beneath your house. Since the tank is buried underneath, you will have to dig it out with a shovel. When you remove the dirt from the top, you will find its access port lid.
Before you remove it, do check the sides of the tank for any cracks or leaks. While you are at it, also check for rust or damage on the inlet and outlet pipes. If you find any, you will have to call a Professional Septic Tank Cleaning to get it patched.
A wise thing to do is to run some water from your house, i.e., flushing 1-2 toilets, and checking whether the water reaches the tank and drains or not.
2. Measuring the Scum Depth
The next step involves finding out the depth of the scum or sludge inside the septic tank. For this purpose, you will need an L-shaped PVC pipe, which you can prepare with a 9.5’ and a 6” section. Join the two together with an elbow connector and glue them in place.
Next, cap each end, and lower the pipe with the smaller side at the bottom. Keep lowering it until you reach the top layer of the scum. Grab a piece of tape and apply it to the pipe that lines up with the access lid.
Then, turn the pipe clockwise and push it in deeper, trying to penetrate the scum layer. When the pipe reaches the area that has water, wrap the tape around the pipe that is lined with the lid.
Next, remove the pipe and place it on a tarp or cloth that you can throw away later. Use a measuring tape and measure the length between the two tapes. If the length is equal to or less than 3 inches, you will have to pump the tank.
3. Testing the Sludge Depth
The next step is to test the sludge depth, which can be done with the help of two 5’ PVC pipes that are joined together to make a 10’ stick. Cap each end of the pipe and wrap tape or cloth around one end. Then, you have to push the taped end inside the scum hole of the septic tank and let it push through until you feel the bottom of the tank. Hold the stick in place for a couple of minutes so that the white tape or cloth is stained properly. Then, you can remove it and use a measuring tape to measure the length of the stained area. If this length is six inches or less, you will need to pump the tank.
4. Cleaning the Baffle Filter
The baffle filter is placed inside the pipe that brings waste into the tank and pushes the water out of the tank. You need to wear protective gloves and pull out the baffle filter by reaching into the outlet pipe.
The filter has a handle that makes it easier for you to remove it. Grab a high-pressure garden hose and rinse the filter properly so that all the solids are removed completely. You can put the filter back into the tank, but only after ensuring that it isn’t damaged. Otherwise, you will have to replace it.
Make sure that you have put the baffle filter back inside the outlet pipe correctly. Otherwise, it might continue to let waste get pumped out of the tank.
5. Pumping the Tank
The last step is to pump the tank properly, and this needs to be done every one to three years. For this step, you will require a cast-iron pump with a large pipe that goes into the septic tank.
When the pipe is submerged into the tank completely, switch on the pump and remove all sorts of waste, solids, bacteria, sludge, and other substances from the tank. You can get the septic waste pumped out inside a government-approved waste processing facility.
That is everything you need to do to completely clean your tank.
