Can i clean out my septic tank myself?

[tireshark]

Tank has 3.5 feet of material in it... looks like roughly a 4x3 square structure.

The top scum layer is like a foot thick, and it's almost physically impossible to break through it in some spots (its like a big heavy quilt). In the spots i was able to break through, i go down to the bottom of the tank and never feel a sludge layer.

It seems to me that the scum layer is blocking the inlet and pretty much preventing anything from getting to the bottom. The bottom 'feels' pretty much liquid under the scum layer.

I'm not afraid of sticking my arms down into the tank and pulling the scum layer out, if it would save me $400.

A. Is it feasible to just pull the scum layer out by hand?

B. If so, is there somewhere i can dispose of it? Like put it in big contractor trash bags or something and take it to the city dump or somewhere that would accept it?

 

[tireshark]

P.S.

I know this is probably an odd question, but it seems like it wouldnt be that difficult of a job. I bet i could have all of the scum layer out, and in trashbags, in about 30 minutes (unless im underestimating how difficult it would be). Disposing of it would be the trickier part, so thats why im wondering if there is a facility that would accept it, or if there is any other way to dispose of it.

 

[SHEPLMBR]

You are kidding right? Your tank cleaners pay a fee for proper disposal. Not to mention doing it the way you want to is like a major health hazard and you could potentially DIE.

 

[KULTULZ]

P.S.

I know this is probably an odd question, but it seems like it wouldnt be that difficult of a job. I bet i could have all of the scum layer out, and in trashbags, in about 30 minutes (unless im underestimating how difficult it would be).

You are kidding right? Your tank cleaners pay a fee for proper disposal. Not to mention doing it the way you want to is like a major health hazard and you could potentially DIE.

I don't think he is.

I guess once he picks the scum layer off, he will suck and spit the effluent out (or siphon with a hose - try not to swallow) so that he can dig the sludge out by hand...

 

[tireshark]

Kultulz, in my first post i talked about how there doesn't appear to be any significant sludge, if any. The only reason i would consider doing this would be if it was only the scum layer that needed removed, like it looks in this situation. That's just a matter of reaching down and pulling it out, heck i could have pulled a large portion of it out yesterday when i broke it up to check the levels. The only problem would be finding a place that will accept it from a homeowner, which might not be possible, i dont know.

I would not attempt to remove the effluent and sludge layers, as that would be a much more difficult task without the proper equipment.

 

[tireshark]

Ok, update.

Apparently i was only looking at one small section, and i thought that was all of it. I did some more digging, and realized there is a lot more to the tank. Now that i know that, im going to call a septic company. I feel like i could deal with the small section, but doing the whole thing would be way too much of a mess.

Here's a photo of the entire tank (at least i think that's all of it) uncovered. I was expecting to find another lid, or feel some sort of separation inside the tank... but when i probe around, it feels like it's just a big box with an inlet and an outlet. I'll find out more about the internal structure when its empty.

BTW, here is a short video of me poking the scum layer so you can get an idea of how thick it is. In the spot where the shadow is, i couldn't even break through... and where it broke through in the rest of it is because of me probing it yesterday.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqOZE5_JaQo&feature=youtu.be[/ame]

 

[frodo]

after you get her pumped out

pour a packet of bakers yeast in your toilet every mth.
buy scott septic safe toilet paper
do not introduce any chemicals into your tank

the tank is a funky little eco system with nasty looking bugs that eat stuff that is put into it.
it is very easy to kill the little bugs with chemicals.

when this happens, the crust on top gets hard "dead"
and the tank fills up.

keep your critters happy, feed them yeast, no chemicals

 

[KULTULZ]

Kultulz, in my first post i talked about how there doesn't appear to be any significant sludge, if any. The only reason i would consider doing this would be if it was only the scum layer that needed removed, like it looks in this situation. That's just a matter of reaching down and pulling it out, heck i could have pulled a large portion of it out yesterday when i broke it up to check the levels. The only problem would be finding a place that will accept it from a homeowner, which might not be possible, i dont know.

I would not attempt to remove the effluent and sludge layers, as that would be a much more difficult task without the proper equipment.

... Sorry. Thought you had an idea of going commando...

Is there an inlet baffle @ the inlet? This will allow flow into the tank if the scum layer blocks the inlet as yours is.

Read This- http://www.plumbingforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8859

Anyways, it is best to have a knowledgeable pumper to come out and give it a fresh start. No cover or inspection port @ the outlet is strange,

 

[Zanne]

Tireshark, I don't know what state you are in, but I'm pretty sure just about everywhere in the US it is illegal for anyone but a licensed septic sucking service to drain/clean a septic tank. If you don't know who is licensed in your area, you can acquire a list from your local dept of health/sanitation.

When you have someone come out and do it, make sure they drain EVERYTHING and do not leave solid waste behind. They can actually be fined for not draining tanks completely when they are hired to drain a tank. I had that problem with my former sewage sucker. He would leave stuff and I later found out he got fined for it.

The bacteria and gases from sewage can be extremely dangerous. It's not something you want to mess with. It can make you very ill. I recommend not messing with it yourself.

 

[tireshark]

... Sorry. Thought you had an idea of going commando...

Is there an inlet baffle @ the inlet? This will allow flow into the tank if the scum layer blocks the inlet as yours is.

Read This- http://www.plumbingforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8859

Anyways, it is best to have a knowledgeable pumper to come out and give it a fresh start. No cover or inspection port @ the outlet is strange,

Had it pumped and now that it's empty i looked at the inside. There are no chambers, it's just a big box. There is no baffle on the inlet, it's just a straight pipe in... however there is a large 90 degree fitting laying on the bottom, so i imagine that is the inlet baffle that broke off. The outlet has a cast iron baffle that extends a foot or so down. Not sure what can be done about the inlet baffle, because there is no way to reach it unless you are in the tank (or i guess you could bust up the concrete on the tank where it enters, but i dont know if people do that).

Guess i'll have to leave it as is? Unless i could don a full body tyvek suit/goggles/mask and go down in it and slap a baffle on it... but again, dont know if people do that or not.

When you have someone come out and do it, make sure they drain EVERYTHING and do not leave solid waste behind.

The bacteria and gases from sewage can be extremely dangerous. It's not something you want to mess with. It can make you very ill. I recommend not messing with it yourself.

He left a couple inches of sludge, and said that was normal... i didnt know if they were supposed to suck every last drop out or not, but i guess it's ok since it's only a couple of inches?

Also it was funny, these guys didnt wear any protective gear... they werent even using gloves.

 

[frodo]

you need the baffle..

 

[Zanne]

He left a couple inches of sludge, and said that was normal... i didnt know if they were supposed to suck every last drop out or not, but i guess it's ok since it's only a couple of inches?

Also it was funny, these guys didnt wear any protective gear... they werent even using gloves.

The health inspector here said the sludge is what they absolutely should NOT leave. The water can drain out, but the sludge needs to be removed so it doesn't build up and clog stuff. My former sewage sucker said it was normal to leave the solid stuff too, and turns out he was lying.
None of the sewage suckers I knew used gloves either. They said they are just so used to it that it doesn't bother them.
I miss the guy who used to drain m septic tank completely, but he passed away.

 

[KULTULZ]

My understanding is that the tank, once pumped, should be pressure washed to get as much as possible.

I need to go to the correct dept here in WV and find out exactly what is required.