Septic tanks are used to collect waste water from toilets, baths and sinks. These systems are made up of two basic parts, the tank itself and the drain lines. The drain lines are also known as the soil absorption area. Waste water passes through the drain pipes to the tanks.
Fixing an overflowing septic tank is a big job for anyone, but it can be done if you have the right tools and know how. This can take a day or more for someone with limited knowledge of this type of work. For the more adventurous do it yourself homeowner, here are the basics to fixing an overflowing septic tank.
Tools Needed
•Backhoe
•Black sheathing
•Cinders
•Leach Lines
The length of the leach lines and sheathing will be determined by the length of the trenches and the distance from the house to the tank. The same is true for the cinders as well.
Directions
•Find a suitable area away from the original leach line and use the backhoe to dig a trench in which to lay the new lines. The trench should be at four feet deep. It is recommended that the leach lines slope at 1/8 inch per foot. Two trenches should be dug.
•Line each trench with 4 inch cinder blocks. The leach lines should be placed on top of the cinders. Once this is done, the sheathing should be used to cover the leach lines.
•Finally, use the dirt you dug up to fill in the trenches and press down gently. Too much pressure may damage the leach lines and cinders.
In the long run, it is sometimes better to get an expert to do the job. This way, they can identify if there is an underlying reason for the overflow in the first place. Plus, in some areas, there are building codes that require that you hire a professional to repair your septic tank.
Preventative Maintenance
One way to prevent the trouble and expense of dealing with an overflowing septic tank is to be proactive. This means you should have a maintenance schedule in place and follow it. The first step in maintenance and caring for your septic tank is to be careful about what gets into the system via your toilets and drains. Some waste is bad for septic tanks, such as food scraps, grease and oil, and even chemicals used for cleaning. Some chemicals will kill the bacteria that live in the tank and which work to break down waste matter.
Other things to do to help protect your septic tank are:
•Fix leaks as soon as they appear. Excessive fluids to the tank and leach field can lead to overflow and improper drainage of waste water
•Do not dispose of items in the septic system that can be disposed of in other ways, especially solids and semi solid material
•Avoid planting trees near to your leach field as roots can cause obstruction and damage to a septic system.
Finally, make it an annual event to have your septic tank professionally checked so that problems can be caught early. Also set a regular schedule to have the tank cleared of sludge and other solid junk that accumulate over time.
Author Resource:
Environmentally friendly advanced septic system manufacturer provides residential, commercial and mobile septic systems. When doing research for wastewater treatment, consider Pinnacle Environmental Technologies INC. http://www.cleanwatercanada.com
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