Living in an area that does not have a city-based sewer system can be troublesome sometimes. In that case, you may have to rely on the septic tanks. A septic tank is a part of your sewer system because it separates the solids from the sewerage water and decomposes the wastage to the extend it is possible.
The septic system may not be as smooth as the city-based one, but with some homemade treatments, you can fight against all the clogs, odors and sogginess yourself. Following our guidance, you can keep your septic system running smoothly and also can make it last longer. Furthermore, these DIYs can save you bucks that you have been spending behind all that commercial one.
Possible problems that you may face:
Here are few most common septic tank problems that the users face and the probable cause of them:
Clogged Drains
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The clogged drains might be the problem that you face frequently. However, the solution is simple, use drain unclogger liquid.
Any obstacle that is trapped between the pipes can cause clogged drains. A pressure is formed between the trapped object and the walls of the tube. Suppose your kid drops his plastic toy in the toilet, and it gets flashed. If the plastic toy is big enough, it will remain stuck in the pipe. That can cause clogging.
Dislocating the materials like a barb, pipe fragment, root can cause debris to stay.
See More: The 10 Best Shower Drain Hair Catcher in 2021
The Unbearable Odors
The sewer odors can be your clear indication that your septic tank needs some attention. Some possible reasons include blocked vent pipes over the roof and build-up of sludge in the tank.
The purpose of these vent pipes very your roof is to pass the gases from your sewer system. It is crucial to maintain air pressure to keep the airflow running. The blockage in the vent pipes can make the whole sewer system break down. The air that is coming from the drain can cause stinks.
Another issue comes in when you leave your septic tank unattended for a long time. This can create sludge at the top and the bottom of the liquid that is stored in the system.
The aerobic bacteria that are not decomposed in your system can end up, resulting in sludge. If left unattended, the mud keeps going deeper and, eventually, will overflow. When the solids go to the drain field, after a while, the drain fields stop its functions.
Then, the lower scam tries to release the liquids and pushes them upwards. This also causes solids in your drain fields. Finally, a tank with a dense layer of sludge can clog the influent part. This whole scenario can be a cause of bad odors coming from your tank.
Soggy Yard
If your septic tank has drain field problems, you may have a soggy yard. A wet yard indicates a septic tank drain field problem. A conventional gravity drain field involves gravity distribution from the septic tank to a gravel-filled trench, the soil will not be operating, and nothing much can be done. But if it is a drip dispersal drain field, the leakage in the drip pipe can be fixed.
It is vital to keep an eye over your drain field to prevent these unexpected guests. Regular maintenance can help to a prolonged extend.
Now that we are aware of the most frequent septic tank problems and the possible reasons, it is time to have a look at the solutions that can save you hundreds of bucks and time.
Dry Yeast at your Service
The ingredients are probably already laying in the kitchen for your house. You will need:
Water: half gallon
Sugar: two and a half cups
Cornmeal: two and a half cups
Dry Yeast: four packages
The process: At first, you need to get the water boiled. Add half-gallon water into a pot and add two and a half cups of sugar into it. Stir to make the sugar dissolved and boil it properly. After that, cool it down. The temperature of 95 degrees is the best. For active dry yeast, it is 105-110 degrees.
Once the liquid is cooled down, add two and a half cups of cornmeal. Give the mixture a few minutes to get set.
Add the dry yeast and give it a nice stir to get everything together.
Now, finally, pour the mixture on your tank and flash it. Repeat the process if the tank gets filled. Leave the toilet for 6 to 8 hours and do not press the flush valve. This natural process can be a game-changer.
Another opinion sets out the recipe of just flashing half a cup of yeast directly into your tankless toilet, followed by flushing. At first instance, it may seem to be a lot easier. However, the question arises regarding its efficiency. The sugar and cornmeal solution tends to be a lot more effective, as it produces a lot more bacteria, providing a better chance of a great result.
Get Rotten Tomato Into Work
The old rotten tomatoes, laying in the corner of your kitchen can be a great hack to cure your septic tank problems. All you need is garbage disposal and few rotten tomatoes.
Smash up the tomatoes properly and make sure the water is running. Flush one or two rotten tomatoes at once. If you do not have a garbage disposal, don’t worry; we got your back too. You can simply put a few rotten tomatoes in a bag which you used to store the tomatoes. Crush the tomatoes in the bag and make the small parts of them. Now flash in the toilet and don’t use any bleach.
It is vital to keep in mind that your toilet is not capable of flashing big chunks. Make sure that the pieces are small enough to get flashed. Otherwise, you may have to deal with the clogging.
You can use this remedy every three months. This is an excellent example of using the wastage and getting an efficient result at no cost.
Bonus Tips:
Done with the DIYs. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you to prevent any future trouble and avoid horrors:
- Avoid using the fluffy toilet tissues, although they may look great in the television commercials. There have been many cases where these toilet tissues failed to dissolve and resulted in blockage. Instead, try to get yourself the 100% virgin fiber tissues like the Scott tissue; that dissolves quickly and doesn’t create a mess.
- Do not try to flash the meats, whether cooked or raw, into the toilet, or through garbage bags. The bacteria available in the meats can make it a lot worse.
- Do not let the oils, fats, and greases get into your septic system. That cooking oils, bacon fats and greases from your beef can make the whole system clogged.
- Make sure that there is nothing else rather than your wastes and tissue papers flushed in your system. Keep an eye at your children so that they do not drop their rubber duck or plastic toys there. Dispose of your pads and tampons in the right manner. Keep the baby diapers, paper towels away to avoid any unwanted scenario.
- You can make a mixture of 50% scalding water and 50% white distilled vinegar. Before going to bed, simply pour it into the toilet and flash. Flash again in the morning. The water and vinegar help to dissolve the fats and greases. This helps to keep the pipes healthy and gives you a well-functioning septic system. You can repeat this process one in a month.
- Pump out the septic tank regularly to avoid the problems.
- You can measure the deepness of your sludge by digging up the lid with a long stick and sticking it down at the bottom. You can repeat this process every year to know when to pump the tank. It is necessary to pump it before getting too deep.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals and paints in your toilet. Keep an eye on what gets flushed down there.
These simple tricks and tips can bring a noticeable change in your whole septic system. Whereas many of the people prefer simple home remedies to treat these septic tank troubles, there are contrasting opinions on the other side of the coin.
Septic System Treatment Guide on YouTube
Conclusion
According to some, all these treatments are unnecessary, as the septic system is capable enough to maintain its balance, naturally, itself. The money and effort are useless, as the system already has enough bacteria as they live on whatever goes inside. At most you can do is to collect a sample sludge that is already available at your neighborhood and flush it at your system.
These were the remedies and the tips to make you cure and prevent the troubles and make your septic tanks long-lasting, without spending hundreds of bucks and hours of effort. And the best thing is, all of the ingredients are probably already at your home. Natural remedies always got your back, of course, better than the harmful chemicals. Stay natural and stay healthy.