by Hey! Do you know how to clean septic tank filter? Septic system filters are extremely important, but most people don’t have much information about them.
A lot of homeowners neglect maintenance and cleaning of septic systems and therefore don’t think too often about septic tank filters either.
Nevertheless, having clean filters is crucial for the long life and proper functioning of your septic system, keeping your home safe from potential dangers.
It’s important, however, that you are using the right materials for your septic tank. If you are using bleach to clean your septic tank it should be avoided at all costs.
It might kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms but at the same time, it is also going to damage your pipes and the whole tank itself.
We’ve all seen the commercials where they are talking about cleaning septic tanks. They have us believing that it is a simple thing and something that we should do regularly. Some companies offer to clean your tank once per year.
But, if you have seen these commercials you know that the companies are not always being truthful.
Table of Contents
Why need to clean the septic tank filter?
Septic tank systems are one of the best ways to dispose of human waste. A septic system is a small and simple sewage treatment system that can be used in rural or suburban areas where there is no public sewer system. The septic tank is buried underground and contains a primary sedimentation chamber, followed by a secondary treatment chamber.
Septic tanks are designed to treat sewage from homes with up to three bathrooms and only a few people living in the home. Septic tanks can only handle so much waste before they become overloaded and unable to effectively break down waste into water and solids.
The goal of septic tank maintenance is to remove solid waste from the liquid portion of wastewater so that it can be disposed of safely on land rather than in a municipal sewer system or waterway.
This process also helps prevent groundwater pollution by removing most pathogens from wastewater before it is discharged back into the environment.
To protect your family, pets, yard, and property, you should regularly inspect your septic tank and keep it clean so that it continues working properly.
A septic tank is a water filtration device that holds the wastewater from your home until it is treated by bacteria and broken down into fertilizer. It has a removable sediment filter that catches large particles in the wastewater before it goes into the tank. Over time, this filter gets clogged with sludge and must be cleaned out periodically.
What is needed to clean the septic tank filter?
It is important to know that you should never use bleach to clean your septic tank system. That is because chlorine will bleach out the good bacteria in the tank, making it unable to break down waste, and then it will start to smell bad.
- Sanitary waste disposal pail or cart
- Toilet paper or cloth dampened with a disinfectant solution
- Bleach solution
- Laundry detergent or liquid soap
- The water hose is long enough to reach the tank bottom
- A ladder or step stool
- Several gallons of water and detergent mixture (1 – 3 gallons)
How many types of septic tank filters?
There are six basic types of Septic Systems:
- Gravity Tank – This is a simple system with two chambers: a sedimentation chamber, and a final treatment chamber. The wastewater enters the system when a home has two or more bathrooms and drains into the tank. As the wastewater fills up, it is gravity-fed to the sedimentation tank.
The tank contains a perforated plate that allows treated water to flow down into the final treatment chamber, where sludge is separated from liquid waste. The final treatment chamber is also known as the effluent trench or outfall.
- Pumped-Sludge Tank – This system is recommended for homes with four bathrooms and up to a foot of sludge in the sedimentation tank. The wastewater enters the tank via a gravity-fed pipe. The septic tank may also have secondary treatment chambers, where sludge is separated from liquid waste.
- Fiberglass Tank – This septic tank consists of two separate chambers interconnected. One is used for settling, and a second chamber is pumped to remove the settled solids. A high-capacity septic tank with an in-ground system can hold up to five septic tanks. The fiberglass tanks are normally made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP).
- Septic Tank with Hydraulic-Pumping System – This septic tank is recommended for homes with a large amount of sludge and waste. It consists of two chambers that are hydraulically pumped to remove the settled solids. The hydraulic-pumping system is controlled by a turbine in the septic tank.
A pumping station has two chambers: a settling chamber and an effluent chamber. The settling chamber allows sludge to settle and separate, while clear wastewater flows into the effluent chamber.
- Septic Tank with Recirculation Pump – This septic tank is also known as a “messenger” septic system. It works just like a gravity-fed tank, with only one chamber. A septic tank collects the effluent, but the wastewater is recirculated to the pretreatment stage, where it is cleaned and deodorized before it is pumped out.
- polyethylene septic tank- A polyethylene septic tank liner is an effective way to reduce and prevent odors in your home. An odorless, durable, and easy-to-install liner that can be installed right into your existing septic tank. It provides an effective means of odor control and has many other benefits as well.
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What is the best septic tank filter?
There are many different types of septic tank filters on the market today, but they all serve the same purpose. The best septic tank filter is going to be the one that can effectively and efficiently remove or separate any solid waste from your wastewater.
To find the best filter for your septic system, you are going to need to ask a few questions about the type of system you have. The following is a list of factors that can help determine the best filter for your septic system:
- How many toilets do you have?
- Are they all connected to the same tank?
- Is there a buildup of sludge or solid waste?
- How many years have you had your septic system?
- How long has your current filter been in service?
- Are you experiencing any problems with odors, fumes, or other issues caused by a poorly performing septic tank filter?
- Did your septic company recommend a specific type of filter or brand?
- Did you research what type of septic tank filter is best for your system?
- Do you have access to a septic system service company to help you install the new filter?
- A septic tank service company may be able to provide ongoing maintenance.
You can use a polyethylene septic tank liner to prevent odors in the home.
The liner is made of a durable polyethylene material that is resistant to most household chemicals and is odor-neutralizing. The unique technology used in the manufacture of the liner eliminates or significantly reduces the occurrence of any odors normally associated with septic tanks.
The liner’s outer layer acts as a permeable barrier that allows liquid to pass through it, but not any septic tank odors! There are internal pockets on the liner designed to trap and hold onto any odors that may still be present.
How to clean a septic tank filter in 7 steps?
- If your septic tank has a lid and it is not tightly sealed, remove it. You may now see the removable filter.
- If possible, let the waste from the septic tank be emptied by a company licensed to perform this service. They have the knowledge and experience needed to do this safely and correctly. Collect water samples before emptying your tank so that you will know if there is anything hazardous in your wastewater.
- Prepare your safety equipment and clothing. You are going to be working with wastewater in a confined space, so don’t forget to wear gloves, a face mask, and eye protection. Coveralls or a heavy-duty rubber suit will offer better protection than ordinary clothing.
- Use the water hose to remove some of the water from inside your septic tank.
- Pour a large quantity of water and liquid detergent into the septic tank. Add enough to make pretty good suds, but not too much so that it will overflow.
- Place the toilet paper or cloth in the septic tank and cover it with clean water to soak through the material. This will help rinse off some of the waste that is causing a smell in your drain field.
- Use the ladder to climb down inside your septic tank. Wearing rubber gloves, you can scrub the filter with a brush and hot water or have someone above help you pour hot water into the tank so you can wash off any sludge that is on the removable filter.
Once you have removed as much waste as possible, flush it out with a hose attached to your outside water faucet.
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How much does septic tank filter cleaning cost?
When determining the cost of septic tank filter cleaning you must determine what type of septic system you have. The septic system in your home is going to be different than the one being cleaned.
There are different types of tanks, requiring different equipment and techniques to clean them.
How to properly clean a septic tank filter without detergent?
- Add chlorine or bleach to the septic tank drained into a sewer line.
- Add approximately 1-3 gallons of water and detergent mixed in a septic tank. This can be done by pouring it in through a hose attached to the water faucet located near your home’s septic system drain field.
- Using your pressure tap, allow the water to flow through the filter until the water drains from the hose.
- Once all the water is drained out, close the drain valve and turn off your hose until you need to use it again.
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Frequently asked some questions about how to clean septic tank filter
How do you clean a filter on a septic tank?
There are many different ways that you can clean a septic tank filter. The type of filtration system on your septic tank and the level of maintenance that has been performed will help determine which method is appropriate for you.
Check the filter and remove any waste from it once a month or as needed. If your system has a permanent filter, this may be done by simply turning it over to empty it and replacing it once monthly or when necessary.
Do you need to clean the filter on a septic tank?
It is often recommended that you clean your septic tank filter at least once a month, or as needed. This can be done by turning the filter over and ensuring that the bottom of it is cleared of any solid waste that may have accumulated.
Just like any other part of your septic system, if the filter on your tank gets clogged with solid waste, it will block the flow of wastewater through it and will eventually cause it to fail; an expensive problem to fix.
How often should I change the filter on my septic tank?
How often you replace your filter depends on some factors. To find out more about the recommended maintenance of your septic tank, check with your local septic service company.
Changing the filter on your septic tank every month or twice a year will be adequate for most homeowners. This will vary based on how much solid waste is present in your tank and how often it is being pumped out.
Why does my septic tank filter keep clogging?
There are some reasons why your septic tank’s filter may become clogged:
- Over time, sediment and debris can settle on the bottom of your septic tank due to gravity. This will continue to accumulate on the filter. If it is not removed before the next usage, it will be pumped into your home’s drainage system and cause problems there.
- If your septic system is over 15 years old, it may need to be pumped once a month or as necessary to help keep the filter from clogging.
- Over time, the filter can become so clogged that it needs to be replaced and cleaned more frequently.
Watch the full video to know how to clean septic tank filter properly.
video credit: Top Homeowner
Conclusion of how to clean septic tank filter:
The septic tank is more important for your home than you realize. Cleaning a septic tank is a dirty job but it can be done easily with the right tools and knowledge. When you have to clean out your septic tank, remember that it is not a dirty job.
