Cleaning out a DIY septic tank
Sorry if im not using the correct term. We have an RV dump setup. Years ago i was told its (2) 50 gallon drums welded together with holes drilled in it. Worked great for over 10 years. I think we ...
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wopachop wrote:
Turns out the darn thing is 15 years old. The fella who installed it carved 7/04 into the concrete.
The clog is recent. Didnt seem to happen gradually. I hear what people are saying about a metal drum rusting away. But if that was the case wouldnt the liquids absorb into the ground after a month? Its in very very loose sandy soil. Maybe he used plastic drums.
You do not really have a true "septic system" which IS the problem.
Barrels with holes drilled to allow liquids escape in is nothing more than what is called a "dry well". Works fine for LIQUIDS ONLY, cannot put SOLIDS in it.
Septic systems however are a hole nuther thing, they have a tank which can be divided in two or two tanks connected in series (out of first tank goes into the second tank). First divider or tank takes in liquid and solids, mainly liquid should got into the second part or tank. THEN the tank MUST have a DRAIN FIELD to allow the liquids from the second part or tank to run off and be absorbed.
The main difference is a real septic tank holds a certain amount of liquid to allow microbes to digest and convert not just liquids but much of the SOLIDS into a form which now drains out of the tank. This is important because without that microbe action ALL of the solids will not get broke down enough to drain out. Without the microbe action, the result is a clogged tank full of solids (which is what you now have).
EVENTUALLY however with a septic tank system you DO have to have the remaining solids which were not digested left in the tank pumped out. How long you can go before pumping depends on how much the system is used and how large the tank is.
You "tank" needs to be "pumped" OR you will need to make a new "tank" in a NEW location.
You basically have nothing more than a fancy "outhouse" or "privy", dig hole put outhouse over then rinse and repeat once that hole is full (yeah, I had an Uncle when I was a kid that would constantly be moving his outhouse around the yard every few years).
You ARE lucky you got 15 yrs out of it putting solids in it, with no solids most likely would work for 50 yrs more as long as the barrels don't collapse.
