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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It very well might have a DIY outlet baffle. I know I said it's a barrel with holes drilled. That's the story I was told years ago. Asked the homeowner again if metal or plastic and she didnt know. So maybe the holes are not true.
I tried air pressure. Around 3psi. Not enough to register on a cheap pencil tire gauge. Air was leaking out the cap. It was just a quick test. Added teflon tape. Hit it again with a quick blast. I heard movement in the tank. Waited about an hour and unscrewed the cap. It was like holding your finger on a straw. Cap came off and water and air rushed down. Tank was full and overflowing when I screwed on the cap. Its clean looking water. No odor at all. I had filled the tank with hose water.
I hear everyone that it's time for a new one. It takes around 20ish gallons and there is no time rush. So for now we can dump which isn't very often. Just means doing it in stages a couple times a day. It's weird how the 20 gallons will become available in half a day. Maybe it takes 20g at first and then only 10g after. Either way it seems to drain a small portion off rather quickly for something I think is absorbing into close to saturated soil.
I'm still hoping enzyme and air pressure might clear out a soft clog if indeed its holes drilled in a barrel. Again no rush for the liquid to drain. So even 1 or 2 holes cleared lower in the barrel would help regain some capacity. Unless the barrels have disintegrated and filled with sand. I will sacrifice my cheasy endoscope at some point and feed it down the hole.
To answer a fellas question there is no RV dump into the main septic. City water, no wells.
Thanks to those with the helpful pics and info. I've been wanting to install a valve stem in the cap for months. People telling me no was the inspiration to finally do it!!
Giving the enzyme a few weeks and then will test capacity with a 5gal bucket. Fill it to overflow and then try air pressure again. Wait another time period and check again.
I think the endoscope would help answer lots of questions. Looking down the hole it's a double wye.
I tried air pressure. Around 3psi. Not enough to register on a cheap pencil tire gauge. Air was leaking out the cap. It was just a quick test. Added teflon tape. Hit it again with a quick blast. I heard movement in the tank. Waited about an hour and unscrewed the cap. It was like holding your finger on a straw. Cap came off and water and air rushed down. Tank was full and overflowing when I screwed on the cap. Its clean looking water. No odor at all. I had filled the tank with hose water.
I hear everyone that it's time for a new one. It takes around 20ish gallons and there is no time rush. So for now we can dump which isn't very often. Just means doing it in stages a couple times a day. It's weird how the 20 gallons will become available in half a day. Maybe it takes 20g at first and then only 10g after. Either way it seems to drain a small portion off rather quickly for something I think is absorbing into close to saturated soil.
I'm still hoping enzyme and air pressure might clear out a soft clog if indeed its holes drilled in a barrel. Again no rush for the liquid to drain. So even 1 or 2 holes cleared lower in the barrel would help regain some capacity. Unless the barrels have disintegrated and filled with sand. I will sacrifice my cheasy endoscope at some point and feed it down the hole.
To answer a fellas question there is no RV dump into the main septic. City water, no wells.
Thanks to those with the helpful pics and info. I've been wanting to install a valve stem in the cap for months. People telling me no was the inspiration to finally do it!!
Giving the enzyme a few weeks and then will test capacity with a 5gal bucket. Fill it to overflow and then try air pressure again. Wait another time period and check again.
I think the endoscope would help answer lots of questions. Looking down the hole it's a double wye.
