How to break down fat in a sump

A cesspool is one of the most important elements of the communal system of a country house. Sewer pipes are suitable for it, through which sewage is discharged. Wastewater goes into a container and is divided into several fractions: water, mud and sludge. Also in the drain there is a proportion of fatty suspensions that come from the kitchen and bathroom.

The danger of fat

Experts advise cleaning the cesspool at least once a year. Otherwise, fat can accumulate on the walls of the tank. This is fraught with dangerous consequences:

  • Clogged drain pipes. All sewage, together with water, enter the cesspool through the drain pipe system. In septic tanks, there is also an additional pipe that removes excess liquid into the ground from the tank. If these components are left unattended, a normal blockage will form. The pipes will stop letting in liquid and it can go into the house.
  • Reducing the useful volume of the tank. Rare cleaning of the sump can lead to a strong solidification of the layer of fat and sludge. In particular, the fatty layer will accumulate on the walls of the container, and it will no longer be possible to wash it off or remove it with a suction machine. This will cause the sump to fill up faster. The owners will have to turn to the services of sewers more often.
  • Accumulation of bacteria and unpleasant odor. Fat is an excellent breeding ground for microorganisms. If residents rarely clean a septic tank or cesspool, then sooner or later they will feel an unpleasant smell.

These are the main troubles that can arise from an irresponsible attitude towards cleaning a cesspool.

If you do not want to get the described consequences, do the cleaning of the cesspool yourself. It can be done in two ways.

Chemical cleaning methods

The chemical method is the simplest and most affordable. With the help of chemistry, cleaning can be performed without the involvement of third-party specialists. To clean the cesspools, chemistry is used based on:

  • nitrates;
  • ammonium compounds;
  • acids;
  • formaldehyde.

The latter component is used less frequently due to its high toxicity. Experienced vacuum cleaners prefer nitrate products as the most affordable and safe.

This cleaning method is based on a chemical reaction in which fat is broken down into simple components. The entire workflow can be divided into several stages:

  • Reagent preparation. It is necessary to carefully dilute the product according to the instructions. Do not make too concentrated a solution, in the hope that the contents of the tank will dissolve faster. The rich product can not only eat away at the fat, but also damage the container or oxidize the pipes.
  • The resulting solution is poured into the main tank and closed with a lid. It is important to leave a small hole for the air to escape. Otherwise, excessive pressure is formed in the cesspool, which can lead to the destruction of the walls of the pit, as well as deformation of the pipes.
  • The pit is left closed for 3-4 hours. If the volume of the tank is more than 2 cubic meters, it is worth increasing the operating time of the reagent to 6 hours. It is advisable not to approach the pit for this period. During a chemical reaction, harmful substances can be released into the air. It is also worth leaving children and pets in the house.
  • After the expiration of the term, the pit is opened. The resulting liquid is pumped out using a drainage or fecal pump into a prepared container or pit.

Observe safety precautions during cleaning. Wear a respirator and protective gloves. Before buying chemicals, calculate the amount of substance you need based on the volume of the cesspool.

Mechanical cleaning methods

The gold-gold method or mechanical cleaning implies that all the work of removing fat from the walls of the tank will be done by a person. It is desirable that he was not alone, since alone the speed of work will decrease by an average of one and a half times.

For mechanical cleaning you will need:

  • drainage or fecal pump;
  • long hose;
  • hard brush;
  • shovel or metal scoop;
  • a tank for draining sewage or a pit;
  • bucket.

Mechanical cleaning method step by step:

  1. From the cesspool, water with sewage is pumped out using a fecal pump. The liquid is poured into a prepared tank or pit. It is best to use a fecal pump with a chopper. It will cope better with the task and will pump out more dirt than a drainage device.
  2. A man with a bucket and a brush descends into the "dry" reservoir. All fat, as well as sludge, is removed from the walls and put into a bucket. He is handed over to his partner on the street. He takes the bucket to the place where the sewage is buried. Or drains it into the pit.
  3. After the first cleaning, the pit is filled with running water. The whole process is repeated anew, until the required degree of cleanliness of the tank. Usually, fat deposits on the walls of the pit are scraped off 2-3 times.

To enhance the effect, you can use chemistry. That is, alternate between chemical and mechanical cleaning methods. This way you can achieve better results in fewer cycles.

Problem prevention

To prevent cleaning the cesspool from becoming a headache, do regular reservoir maintenance:

  • Open the lid every two months and assess the visual condition of the pit. If a layer of fat more than 0.5 is visible on the walls, then it's time to clean.
  • Occasionally flush the drain pipes with a blockage cleaner. Such prevention will not only protect the drainage system, but also dissolve some of the fat deposits in the sump.

You can also use regular baking soda and vinegar for prevention. Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into the drain hole in your sink or bathroom and pour 100 grams of vinegar into the dry powder. It is important to immediately plug the hole with a rag or stopper, as a strong pressure is generated from the chemical reaction and foam will go. The solution will literally boil. It needs to be directed in the right direction, namely, into the drain.

The listed methods will help to extend the service time of the cesspool and save the tank from excessive fat accumulations.

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Add a comment

  1. Michael

    Going down to the cesspool do not forget that it is deadly. With my own eyes I saw the bodies of folk craftsmen being pulled out. And yet, the fat from the wall cannot be mechanically cleaned off, it gets smeared. Before giving advice and fantasizing, try it yourself.

    Reply
  2. Gregory

    I was especially amused by the advice with vinegar and soda!

    Reply
  3. Zhastlek

    Everything is simpler. Put the machine machine last on the pipe from the septic tank and that's it. Draining the warm detergent solution perfectly removes all grease and some inorganic deposits. Well, for the originals - heated exhausted Coca-Cola in the amount of a couple of hundred liters into the bathroom ...

    Reply

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