The placement and construction of a cesspool on a land plot largely depends on how it will be cleaned. This question should be puzzled already at the planning stage. It is necessary to evaluate your capabilities for proper care. After all, untimely pumping and overfilling of the pit can cause significant harm to the ecology of the surrounding area and to people - cause the development of harmful bacteria and the accumulation of toxic substances. What pumping methods exist, in which cases they can be used, and how to determine the time of the procedure?
How to understand when it is time to pump out a hole
Pumping time depends on the type of cesspool itself:
- If the tank is built according to all the rules of an autonomous sewage system: it consists of two interconnected tanks connected by an exhaust pipe (one sealed and the second with a filter layer). In this case, in order to determine the pumping time, it is necessary to check the level of deposits in the pit with an ordinary wooden stick. The stick, the length of which should be at least the height of the tank, must be lowered to the bottom, then get out and visually determine the level. It should be no more than 1/3 of the depth. The operation of the sewer system is possible without restrictions. Exceeding the level of dense masses reaching almost to the exhaust pipe is an indicator for stopping the use of a septic tank and its cleaning.
- A sealed container requires cessation of operation when fully filled. This can be determined visually by simply looking into the tank.
Pumping frequency
The frequency of the procedure depends not only on the type of pit, but also on its volume, as well as the degree of load. For example, a small tank located on a summer cottage, which is very rarely used, can be cleaned every 6 months. A small pit of constant use, it is recommended to pump out every month.
There are frequent cases when the filling speed begins to increase, and pumping is required more often. The reason may be:
- inadequate maintenance of the sewer system: rare cleansing, which leads to the formation of a massive layer of solid deposits;
- siltation of the drainage layer;
- winter period - freezing of soil, the reservoir itself;
- spring-autumn periods - rising groundwater level.
The most common cause is siltation, which results in water accumulating in the pipeline. It is possible to determine the pollution of the cesspool, the need for pumping out, not only by increasing its filling, but also by the unpleasant odor that has appeared on the adjacent territory.
The problem with filling the cesspool can be solved by pumping out accumulated sewage, washing the walls and bottom, treating with chemical agents or replacing the drainage layer.
Pumping Methods
Do it yourself
Pumping a cesspool can be done on its own. The problem of self-cleaning consists in the large amount of time spent and the need to remove waste to specially designated places for disposal. To transport the contents, you must purchase a sealed barrel with a lid, which you will have to take out on your car or order another car.
Manual way
Requires minimal cash costs, takes a long time. The procedure is not pleasant, therefore, it is necessary to prepare unnecessary clothes that you do not mind throwing away later (or a protective suit), rubber gloves, a respirator to protect your breath. And you will also need a bucket with a tied rope and a container into which the waste will merge. Using a bucket, the contents of the pit are poured into the prepared tank.
This method is possible only for small tanks. It is used in summer cottages remote from the centers, with periodic residence. This is the most “ancient”, unpopular method. Unpleasant work, which once done, they try to find more acceptable options.
Special pump
Manual cleaning of the cesspool using a bucket does not completely eliminate waste. It is possible to pump sewage to the bottom using special pumps.
The following types of equipment are allowed:
- Water pump. It should be used very carefully. It is not intended for pumping solid particles. Therefore, it is recommended to install an additional filter in order to protect the equipment from overload and maintain its performance.
- The fecal pump. Manufacturers offer a variety of models, from low-power semi-automatic to automatic units equipped with chopper knives that are able to cope with a large volume of large solid particles.
If the pit is small, it quickly fills, then it is worth giving preference to an automatic pump, which does not need to be removed to the surface. Such an aggregate does not require human involvement; it can be constantly kept in a pit. When the contents of the pit reaches a certain level, it automatically begins to filter and pump out waste.
Pumping is carried out in a prepared tank for storage and further removal of sewage. After that, the drain hole is poured with water and pumped out again. This is necessary to completely clean the walls and bottom.
Before pumping, it is recommended to dilute the contents of the pit to facilitate the operation of the equipment. This is especially true when using a water pump. For this, chemical or biological preparations are used that accelerate the decomposition process:
- Chemicals decompose feces in a very quick time, turning it into a liquid. A sharp decrease in the total mass of deposits occurs.
- Biological products contain bacteria that feed on organic waste. They break down organic matter into water, carbon dioxide and a small amount of sludge, which settles in a small amount to the bottom. The constant use of these drugs can significantly reduce the number of sewage pumpings.
Cesspool machine
The simplest, most demanded and expensive way to pump out a cesspool is the service of sewage service workers. The sewage machine is equipped with a tank, pump and a long hose, with the help of which fast and high-quality cleaning of the sewer tank is carried out. Preference is given to this method due to the mass of advantages:
- Convenience: the call of special equipment is carried out by phone, at the right day and time. The owner of the house only needs to provide access to the cesspool, and to monitor the quality of pumping. When working with the same cesspool company, making sure of the quality of the services provided, even the need for control may disappear.
- Comfort: the owner of the house is spared from participating in a complex of lengthy and unpleasant work.
- Speed: depending on the volume of the cesspool, the prescription of the previous pumping, the necessary time for cleaning takes from 15 to 30 minutes.
- Possibility of pumping large volumes: from 3 to 16 m3.
- Flushing the pit is also possible with the help of a machine, by back injection of liquid.
- There is no need to take care of the disposal of sewage. Sewage companies must have agreements with disposal sites.
It is impossible to use the services of a sewage machine only in cases where there is no access to the sewer hatch. It is also worth considering that the hose of the machine must reach the very bottom, otherwise it will be impossible to completely clean. Therefore, it is recommended to position the septic tank so that the equipment can drive as close to the pumping site as possible.This method can be costly for owners of sites located at a remote distance from city centers where companies providing services of this special equipment are located.
Many owners of country cesspools of small volume also use the services of calling special equipment. But to save the budget, this method is combined with manual cleaning, accumulating waste in tanks. To accumulate a sufficient amount, sewage pumps pump out sewage not only from the pit, but also from the storage tank.
