How To Find My Buried Bull Valve For My Septic Tank? (Solution found)

  • In most cases, septic tank components including the lid, are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. You can use a metal probe to locate its edges and mark the perimeter. If you do not find the lid by probing, shallow excavation with a shovel along the tank’s perimeter should reveal the lid.

How do I find my septic diverter?

The D-box will at or near end of the drainfield area that is closest to the septic tank. Look at the site layout for where the D-box could possibly be located. For example, if the drainfield site is level and rectangular, the D-box would typically be at or near the edge of the drainfield closest to the septic tank.

How do I find a buried septic tank lid?

You can locate the lid of your septic tank by poking the ground every few feet with a metal probe. Lids can be buried up to a foot deep on average, so be sure to investigate any bumps that may indicate something is buried underneath.

Are septic tank locations public record?

Contact your local health department for public records. These permits should come with a diagram of the location where the septic system is buried. Depending on the age of your septic system, you may be able to find information regarding the location of your septic system by making a public records request.

How do you find a metal detector with a septic tank?

6 Steps to Locate a Septic Tank

  1. Find Your Main Sewer Drain Line. Sewage from your toilets, sinks, and showers collects into a main drain line.
  2. Check Permits and Public Records.
  3. Determine Septic Tank Material.
  4. Time to Dig.
  5. Mark the Location for Future Maintenance.

How far is my distribution box from my septic tank?

It’s usually somewhere near the edge of your drain field on the end that’s closest to your septic tank. Distribution boxes are usually only about 6 inches to 2 feet deep. This narrows your search, but you’ll need some other clues to help you find the exact location.

How do you tell if your septic tank is full?

Here are some of the most common warning signs that you have a full septic tank:

  1. Your Drains Are Taking Forever.
  2. Standing Water Over Your Septic Tank.
  3. Bad Smells Coming From Your Yard.
  4. You Hear Gurgling Water.
  5. You Have A Sewage Backup.
  6. How often should you empty your septic tank?

Should septic tank lids be buried?

In most cases, all components of the septic tank including the lid are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. Unless the septic tank has special risers that position the lid at ground level, you’ll have to dig for it.

What size are septic tank lids?

Available in 12″, 16″, 20″ and 24″ diameters. Green only. 12″ Tall Riser – For septic tanks.

How do you find a septic tank in an old house?

Look for the 4-inch sewer that exits the crawl space or basement, and locate the same spot outside the home. Septic tanks are usually located between ten to 25 feet away from the home. Insert a thin metal probe into the ground every few feet, until you strike polyethylene, fiberglass or flat concrete.

Do I have to change my septic tank?

Under the new rules, if you have a specific septic tank that discharges to surface water (river, stream, ditch, etc.) you are required to upgrade or replace your septic tank treatment system to a full sewage treatment plant by 2020, or when you sell a property, if it’s prior to this date.

What is OWTS?

An Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) is a privately owned and maintained sewage disposal system. They are commonly referred to as septic systems. All OWTS have two basic components: a two-compartment septic tank and a disposal field.

How do you test a septic drain field?

Walk over the drain field and make a note of any place you detect sewer odors or feel squishy ground. Both are signs of a leak and reasons to call a septic pro. You should see one or more pipes sticking vertically out of the ground; these are risers that were installed so you can check the drain system.

How far down is a leach field?

A typical drainfield trench is 18 to 30 inches in depth, with a maximum soil cover over the disposal field of 36 inches.

Zoeller Outdoor Pre-Assembled Sewage System

In most cases, the Zoeller outdoor sewage pump system is employed in situations where the ground elevation makes it impractical to construct traditional gravity flow drainage systems. It is possible that the septic tank will be situated higher than the home elevation, making gravity drains impossible and a sewage pump system the best option in some situations. This Zoeller sewage pump system is equipped with a high-performance sewage ejector pump. Because of the non-clogging vortex impeller design, this pump is capable of passing materials up to 2 inches in diameter.

While servicing the sewage basin, the check/ball valve combination allows you to prevent backflow from flowing back into the sewage basin.

This basin, which is suitable for outdoor burial, has a 2″ discharge on the side and is equipped with a 4″ intake pipe seal hub.

The centerline of the hub is positioned 10-1/2″ below the surface of the basin’s top.

Total Dynamic Head/Flow Per Minute
Models 264 (4/10 HP) 266 (1/2 HP)
Feet Meters Gal. Liters Gal. Liters
5 1.5 90 341 128 484
10 3.0 60 227 89 337
15 4.6 23 87 50 189
20 6.1 10 38
Shut-off Head: 18 ft, (5.5m) 21.5 ft. (6.6m)

23 Best Septic Tank Tools for 2022

It is necessary to have the proper equipment to perform septic system inspection, maintenance, and installation in order to keep customers’ household waste systems clean and in excellent functioning condition. Aside from being protected against infectious illnesses, hazardous gases, and electrical shock, septic tank service professionals must also be protected from a variety of other health concerns. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, septic systems are used by more than one in every five residences in the United States to treat their wastewater.

To see a demonstration, please click here.

The Septic Tools List

First, take a look at the list of the 23 top tools for septic tank service providers, which you can find here. We’ve provided further information on each below so that you may go deeper into the facts and determine what your septic service still need in order to be successful. Locator for Septic Tanks

  1. Metal detector, flushable septic tank locator, electronic septic tank locator, plumbing cleanout snake, ground-scanning radar, and a variety of other tools are available.

Septic Probes are used to test for bacteria in the intestines.

  1. Soil probe rods, steel probe rods, and septic tank probe rods are all options.

Septic Inspection Instruments

  1. A long wooden pole or a sludge judge may be used. Inspection of baffles, tees, and walls with a visual inspection
  2. The use of video inspection equipment

Cleaning Equipment for Septic Tanks

  1. Pump truck, high-capacity vacuum, sewer jet, or high-velocity water jet are all examples of equipment. Muck rake, Wayne ball, Wrecking bar, and power rodding are all useful tools. Riser pipes for septic tanks

Products for Septic Tank Maintenance

  1. Alarms and control panels
  2. Effluent filters
  3. Vent pipe odor filters
  4. Septic business software
  5. Effluent filters

Septic Tank Locator Tool

Sewage holding tanks or separation chambers, which are often buried underground and composed of materials such as concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene, serve as a holding tank or separation chamber for wastewater that is drained down drain pipes. Solid debris sinks to the bottom and congeals to produce sludge, whereas fats, oils, and grease rise to the surface and congeal to make scum. In a drain field, the liquid effluent that remains after the tank has been emptied. Some visible signs, such as snow melt, rectangular depressions in the soil, regions of reduced grass growth or areas of lush growth, or pipes poking out of the ground anywhere from 10 to 20 feet from the residence, can serve as a basic septic finder.

The number one newsletter for professionals in the trades. Assuming visible indicators are ineffective, it’s time to turn to more sophisticated septic tank locator technology. For example, consider the following methods for locating a septic tank using a metal detector:

  • Septic tanks and septic tank covers that are made of metal might be discovered with the use of a metal detector. A concrete septic tank may be located by utilizing a metal detector to find the steel reinforcing bars that support the tank’s concrete shell. It is possible that your septic tank does not contain enough metal to be detected, in which case you will need to use a plumbing cleanout snake to snake the sewage line. When the cleanout snake reaches the septic tank, it comes to a complete stop, and you may use a metal detector to find the end of the snake.
See also:  What Is The Farthest A House Can Be From The Septic Tank? (Solution)

Other choices for a septic tank finding equipment include the following:

  • In order to trace the signal from an electronic septic tank tracker, you must flush it down the toilet and track its whereabouts using a receiver. Generally speaking, you’ll locate the septic tank wherever the strongest signal from the septic locator transmitter may be found. Ground-scanning radar, which is frequently employed by industries to discover subsurface oil tanks, may also be used to detect the presence of septic tanks. Just keep in mind that this service may come at a higher cost to clients.

An important point of caution: When utilizing metal detectors or electronic septic tank finding equipment, be in mind that older properties may have several hidden cables and pipes, which can cause misleading readings. Also, be cautious not to excavate using backhoes, wrecking bars, or jackhammers in locations where potentially dangerous utility lines are buried, or in regions where septic tank failure has deteriorated the ground.

Septic Tank Probe

When septic professionals inspect a customer’s property, they will often utilize a soil probe rod or a ground probe rod to discover underground drain lines. An experienced septic contractor will locate the drain lines by placing a thin metal rod or steel probe rod into the ground 10 to 15 feet away from the home’s foundation and digging down to the sewer pipe exit point. Then they’ll follow the lines all the way to the underground septic tank to finish the job. The tank may be located with the use of an electronic probe in some instances.

A septic probe may also be used to determine where septic tank field lines are located, which is useful information.

The presence of luxuriant vegetation, soft spongy ground, a sewage stench, or effluence at the surface are all indicators of a likely septic tank failure.

Septic Inspection Tools

As soon as the tank has been discovered and gained access, the liquid levels in the tank are measured before any cleaning equipment is used to clean the tank. Inserting a long wooden stick into different parts of the tank will allow you to determine the levels. Depending on how much sludge and scum is on the wooden pole as you take it out, you can determine how much cleaning is required. For approximately $75, you can purchase an asludge judge (a long hollow plastic tube with a check valve at the bottom), which will serve the same purpose.

It is necessary to pump the tank, according to EPA guidelines, if the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet.

The condition of the baffles and tees (which prevent sewage from backing up into the inlet or outflow pipe) as well as any evidence of cracks in the tank’s walls are all checked during a septic tank inspection.

Depending on the company, video inspection technology may be used to check the tank and other septic system components in great detail.

Septic Tank Cleaning Tools

Septic tank service companies remove waste from septic tanks with the use of a pump vehicle equipped with a high-capacity vacuum. To clear obstructions or access hard-to-reach sections of the tank, they may also utilize various septic instruments such as a sewage jet or high-velocity water jet, among other things. Other septic tank instruments that are commonly utilized on the job include as follows:

  • When pumping, muck-rake is a long, hoe-like implement that is used to break up scum and sludge that has accumulated. In septic pipe cleaning, the Wayne ball is a spirally grooved, inflated, semi-hard rubber ball that is used in conjunction with a hydraulic jet action. Septic tank lids are normally opened with the use of a wrecking bar, which is a long steel bar. Rodding using high-pressure water is a high-tech variant of the traditional drain snake. When threaded through pipes, it makes use of a flexible, thin metal wire that does not put undue strain on sensitive plumbing
  • Septic tank risers are pipes made of plastic, fiberglass, or concrete that are used to construct a vertical gateway from the ground level to the septic tank above. Contractors frequently recommend installing this type of septic equipment in order to facilitate access for their septic tank pumping equipment.

Septic Maintenance Products

  • The alarms and control panels of a septic system govern and monitor all of the functions of the system, including warnings for high water, air pump failure, and submersible pump failure. Effluent filters are devices that are attached to the outputs of a septic tank and are used to minimize the amount of particles that flow out of the tank and into the drain field. In order to reduce or eliminate odors from septic tanks, activated carbon vent pipe odor filters are utilized.

Septic Business Software

Better productivity and higher customer service are achieved via the use of septic service software in your company’s everyday business operations. Using online scheduling and dispatching, as well as mobile estimates and billing, you can make running your septic treatment business a lot more organized endeavor. Additional ServiceTitan solutions, such as Marketing Pro, Phones Pro, and Pricebook Pro, assist septic firms in increasing their lead generation and increasing their net profit margins.

Business Valuation Calculator

Do you want to discover how much your septic repair company is worth right now? Use the freeServiceTitan Business Valuation Calculator to uncover crucial criteria for tracking growth and profitability, as well as to determine how much your local septic business could be valued if you decide to sell it.

Invoice Generator

Distribute to your septic team a mobile tool that allows them to quickly and conveniently produce and save bills, then email or text them from the field with ServiceTitan’s free Invoice Generator Tool. Reduce paperwork, expedite invoicing, and provide consumers with a quick, professional digital invoice that they can pay online or on the job site by eliminating paper-based processes.

Labor Rate Calculator

With ServiceTitan’s free interactive Labor Rate Calculator, you can see how much each person really costs your septic service company and figure out how much to charge clients. Plugging in essential variables, such as overhead expenses and ideal net profit, allows you to calculate the billable hourly labor rate necessary to pay the costs of running company while also maximizing profits.

Pipe Volume Calculator

By utilizing the freeServiceTitan Pipe Volume Calculator, you can determine how much liquid waste a piping section can carry as well as how much those pipes weigh when they are completely filled. A septic tank professional can quickly and effectively convert pipe volume and mass using six distinct measurement units, allowing them to save time, decrease waste, increase accuracy, and certify that the pipe size is adequate for any septic operation.

ROI Calculator

With the help of our online ServiceTitan ROI Calculator, you can ensure that your septic firm can fully benefit on all of the capabilities offered by ServiceTitan’s field management platform and generate a favorable return on investment. Increase your earning potential by increasing your average ticket size and increasing the number of daily calls, scheduled appointments, estimates, and jobs sold.

Service Business Grader

The Service Business Grader Tool from ServiceTitan allows you to evaluate the success of your septic service company.

You may find out how your septic tank service techs and dispatchers are doing in less than a minute by comparing average ticket sales and other critical indicators with those of your competitors.

Mobile AppTablet

Create a mobile tablet application that allows clients to easily order, purchase, and pay for your company’s septic services with a single tap, click, or swipe on their mobile device. Techs provide tiered estimates in the field using the ServiceTitan Mobile App, which includes bright photographs, manufacturer videos, and full product information, allowing consumers to browse and purchase at their own leisure, much as they would when buying online. Make it possible for your electrical clients to receive the mobile-driven service they desire by including ServiceTitan’s Mobile App in your technicians’ toolbox.

  • With just a few taps on their mobile tablet, techs may have access to all of the information gathered by CSRs, including customers’ names and addresses and contact information
  • Outstanding estimates
  • Job histories
  • Property data
  • Past bills
  • Call recordings
  • And comments. Adding your own forms and pricebooks to the ServiceTitan cloud-based system makes it simple to manage pricing and product adjustments across the whole system. Job automation is a term used to describe the process of automating a job. Automate the appearance of particular forms as the project advances, so that technicians are aware of the procedures they need to do at each stage—from diagnosis and repair to billing and requesting a customer review
  • Make mobile payments more efficient by scanning checks and credit cards using the mobile tablet’s camera, or by using a credit-card swiper in addition to the camera. In the event that clients choose to pay in cash, techs may take it as well and instantly document payment while on the job site.
See also:  What To Do With Septic Tank After Hooking To City Sewer? (Perfect answer)

How to Clean a Septic Tank

Article in PDF format Article in PDF format Getting your tank filled is something you should prepare for. You may rely on us to assist you with the cleaning procedure! Unless properly maintained, septic tanks can get clogged with solids that are incapable of being broken down by bacteria, which can result in a costly systemic collapse. In order to maintain your tank clean, it is necessary to have frequent inspections and pumps performed on a regular basis. We’ll teach you how to uncover and clean your tank in this post, however you’ll need to hire a professional to pump the trash out.

  1. 1 Locate your tank. It is best to begin with the sewage pipe at the lowest level of your home if at all feasible. Follow the path it takes out of the house after it’s out of the house. It’s possible that your tank is buried in the ground. Identifying the tank now will save you time and money later on, regardless of whether you or an inspector clean the tank. 2 Remove the tank’s top by digging it out. It’s possible that your tank is buried underground. Take a shovel and clear away the dirt from around the top of the tank before the examination begins. Your tank will have an access port lid, which should be sturdy and well-secured when closed.
  • Risers can be placed on top of the tank for increased stability. These assist you in locating and gaining access to the tank without the need to dig. These can be added by septic system pumpers.
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  • s3 Cracks should be checked on the tank. Damaged areas should be checked all the way around the tank, including the inside. Cracks must be fixed by a professional once the tank has been pumped in order to prevent the system from failing. Keep an eye out for any corroded or damaged sections on the inlet and outlet pipes that are necessary for drainage. If your tank is equipped with a distribution box or a pump chamber, make sure everything is in working order.
  • In order to determine whether or not water from your home, such as from the toilet or washing machine, makes it into your tank and subsequently drains effectively, it is helpful to run some water from your home.
  1. 1Make a slit in a pipe. Begin with a ten foot (3 m) length of PVC pipe. Separate it into two sections: a six inch (15.24 cm) segment and a nine and a half foot (2.9 m) section, using a saw or PVC cutter
  2. 2 Glue the pipes together as a group. PVC cement should be poured into the elbow joint. Using the cement and joint, attach the smaller pipe to the top of the bigger pipe. A straight pipe will protrude straight to the right or left in a “L” configuration
  3. 3cap both ends of the pipe. PVC caps may be purchased at the same hardware shop where you purchased the pipes, cement, and cutters. 4 Attach the caps to the pipes so that they are tight and prevent water from flowing through them. Insert the stick into the hole as far as it will go. Assemble the scum stick by holding it in a “L” form with the smaller pipe at the bottom and facing out to one side. Reduce the pipe’s diameter until it can be held against the top layer of septic tank waste without breaking through
  4. 5 lowering the pipe Make a mark on the stick. Make a mark on the scum’s top point with a marker or a piece of masking tape. When the pipe is resting on top of the scum layer, make a mark at the point where the pipe spans from the ground to the very top of your tank
  5. 6Push through the scum layer until the mark is no longer visible. Push the stick all the way through the muck. Some people find it necessary to twirl the stick so that the pointed end bursts through. When you get to the bottom of the scum layer, you’ll see that the stick is traveling through water rather than through the resistive fat and oil layer. Continue to hold the stick against the bottom of the scum in the same manner as you held it against the top of the scum, keeping the smaller pipe flat and off to the side so that the stick takes on the shape of a “L”
  6. 7 Make a second mark on the stick. Once again, a marker or tape should be used to designate where the scum layer terminates. Make a note at the point where the pipe crosses the ground and enters the tank’s very top
  7. Eight Measure the distance between the markers. Carefully remove the stick and place it on a tarp to catch any drips. Make a note of the distance between the two marks you created and use a tape measure to measure it. This represents the depth of the scum level. When the fat and oil layer reaches barely three inches (7.62 cm) above the bottom of the exit pipe, the tank must be pumped to remove the remaining liquid. Advertisement
  1. 1Make a slit in a pipe. Partition a ten-foot (3-meter) length of PVC pipe into five-foot (1.5-meter) portions. In order to construct a secure two-part stick, glue the pipes together as shown in the diagram. Connect the two pipes together using a straight adaptor or a threaded coupler from the hardware shop, as shown. PVC cement should be used to secure the ends in the connection
  2. 3cap each end. PVC caps are also available at your local hardware shop. Put one on either end of your stick and twist them together. It should be tightened so that no sewage may enter the pipe
  3. 4 Wrap a piece of white cloth around one end of the stick. A white cloth, towel, sock, or Velcro can be used to make a mark on the sludge to indicate the level of the sludge. Wrap the material around one end of the pipe for up to three feet (.91 m) or the whole length of the pipe, whichever is shorter. 5Push the stick through the scum hole after securing the material with the Velcro backing, tape, or string. You can drill a hole in the top layer of the tank with a stick designed for testing its scum depth if you haven’t previously done so. Then drop the sludge stick through the opening until you feel it hit the bottom of the tank
  4. 6remain in position for three minutes while you do this again. Allow for a minimum of three minutes of resting time on the stick. The longer you keep the stick in your hand, the more likely it is that the sludge will stain your white material
  5. 7Remove the stick from your hand. Continue to bring the stick back up, keeping it steady as you pull it up through the hole you formed earlier in the process. You will not discolor the stick as long as you do not move it. Prepare the stain by spreading it out on the ground where it will not be ruined and where you will be able to wipe the stick afterwards
  6. 8Measure the stain. Make a note of the length of the stain starting from the bottom of the stick with a tape measure. In order to prevent the sludge or scum from occupying more than one third of the tank’s depth (approximately 12 inches or 30.48 cm high), the tank must be pumped. It is necessary to pump the tank if the sludge layer is within six inches (15.24 centimeters) of the bottom of the output pipes. Advertisement
  1. 1 Remove the cap from the tank. During your yearly checkup, lift the tank’s lid to have a better look inside. Remove the lid and look for the pipes that lead to the waste tank and the pipes that lead to the water supply. The baffles are contained within them, and they keep scum and sludge in place.
  1. 2Remove the filters from the machine. Put on a pair of rubber gloves for protection. Reach inside the outlet baffle using your hands, a rake, or a hoe to remove the obstruction. Take the filter out of the machine. Even though it may be brightly colored and have a handle on the end, if your tank has one, it will be located inside the outflow baffle. 3Rinse the filter thoroughly. Holding the filter over the intake side of the septic tank and spraying it with a hose or dipping it in a pail of water are both options. Check to see that all of the solids have fallen back into the tank or bucket. Fill the tank with any waste that has accumulated once you have done rinsing
  2. Inspect the filter for signs of wear and tear. Examine the filter for any cracks or particles that may be obstructing it. When the filter is not cleaned on a regular basis, it becomes clogged and ceases to function. It is recommended that you replace the filter if it is not cleanable or looks to be damaged. Looking around the edges of the filter is important whether you are putting the old filter back in or installing a new one. It’s possible that the filter has an arrow on it. Ensure that the filter is correctly installed so that the arrow points downwards into the drainage system. When the filter is securely seated in the baffle, replace the tank’s lid with a firm grip. Advertisement
  1. 1 Pump the tank once every several years or as needed. Many individuals make the mistake of assuming that the tank does not require treatment as long as the piping looks to be in working order. It is possible to save thousands of dollars in costly repairs by doing regular maintenance on your tank before sludge builds up and liquid drains cease to flow. Every one to three years, or whenever the sludge and scum levels have occupied approximately one-third of the tank’s volume or have approached the exit pipe, this should be performed.
  • A) Every several years, drain the tank Several individuals make the mistake of assuming that the tank doesn’t need to be treated so long as the piping looks to be in proper working condition. You will save thousands of dollars in costly repairs if you maintain the tank before it becomes clogged with sludge and liquid stops draining. Every one to three years, or whenever the sludge and scum levels have occupied approximately one-third of the tank’s capacity or have approached the exit pipe, this should be performed.
  1. 2Clean up the garbage. Pumping is accomplished by the use of a cast-iron pump that can be turned on and off. The pump takes out the particles that are unable to be broken down by bacteria and transports them to a holding container, such as the inside of a tanker. If you remove the sludge and scum, there is no need to add bacteria or water into the system. Waste disposal for septic tanks. Even if you attempt to pump out the tank on your own, you must dispose of the trash in accordance with local regulations. The trash must be transferred by tanker to a place determined by the government that is distant from water and locations where people congregate. As a result, it is preferable to leave it in the hands of a specialist. Advertisement
See also:  How Far Does Your Septic Tank Have To Be From Your Well? (Question)

Create a new question

  • Question For what reason is it risky to clean up a septic tank? David Balkan is a licensed professional plumber who also serves as the CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service and the President of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning, among other positions. With over 40 years of experience as an active owner of these businesses, David is well-versed in the challenges that arise with water service lines, sewers, and drain lines. David has served on the Executive Committee of the Sub Surface Plumbers Association of New York for more than 30 years and is now the Chairman of the Master Plumbers Council’s Committee on Plumbing. As a result of his expertise and solution-oriented approach, Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service has grown to become the biggest and most trusted sewer and water main service in New York City, and the recipient of the 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award. Answer from a Professional PlumberExpert Sewer gas, which is prevalent in septic systems, has the potential to be lethal. It’s a quiet murderer that kills in a matter of minutes, therefore I strongly warn homeowners never to attempt to repair their own septic system. Employ the services of a professional to ensure your safety.

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  • Every one to three years, have your tank examined and pumped out by a professional. A little amount of money spent on regular maintenance is preferable to dealing with a septic system that isn’t functioning properly. Higher water use, such as when numerous people reside in the house or when you use a hot tub, causes the tank to fill up more quickly. Non-waste items such as baby wipes and grease should not be disposed of. These clog the system and cause it to malfunction.

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  • Children have been seen to fall into tanks. Make certain that the lids are robust and that they are securely fastened. Septic tanks are extremely risky to enter and operate. The wastes in the tank emit very toxic vapors, which fill the tank. Work with a companion and keep a safe distance from the entrance

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Things You’ll Need

  • A shovel, two ten-foot (3-meter) PVC pipes, a PVC cutter or saw, PVC cement, a PVC elbow joint, a PVC connector, and four PVC end caps A white cloth, a sock, or Velcro is recommended. Tarp, measuring tape, hose and bucket, baffle filter, etc.

About This Article

Summary of the ArticleX Maintaining the cleanliness of your septic tank will save you money on costly repairs down the road. Annual filter cleaning and tank pumping are required to keep your septic tank in good working order, but you may save money by doing it yourself. Generally speaking, your filter will be positioned in the tank’s exit baffle and will be brightly colored. Cleaning it is as simple as spraying it with water from the tank or submerging it in a pail of clean water for an hour or so.

The sludge and scum levels in your tank should be pumped out every one to three years, or whenever they reach a third of the total capacity.

Continue reading for additional information, including how to measure the sludge and scum depths in your septic tank.

Thank you to all writers for contributing to this page, which has been viewed 69,242 times so far.

Did this article help you?

In my septic tank, there is a diverter valve, a 4″ NDS 575, that may send effluent to either or both of two leach lines depending on the situation. I feel the valve is sending everything to one of the two lines, and I need to switch positions to the other line in order to relieve the overworked line. Is this correct? The issue is that the valve will not turn. I wriggle a few degrees, but I can’t do the 90 degree quarter turn I need to get anywhere on the track. He advised me to lubricate it and force or perhaps just remove or drill out the valve’s internals to enable free flow to either line, as instructed by the tank pumper.

The tank was in fine condition, and I did not send any incorrect materials down the line.

It is difficult to grasp the handle of the valve because of its location and construction, and it is not robust enough to withstand significant torque.

I think I could create a better handle out of 2x6s, which would allow me to impart more torque to the vehicle. However, if I do not come up with a better means to free it first, I may end up breaking it. NDS is not making any of their employees available. Do you have any suggestions?

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