Septic tank help URGENT please...
Discussion
Hi all,
Spoke to the missus yesterday (i'm away at the moment), and she said the bloke who came to empty the septic tank reckoned it was full because the pump is not working.
I will get home today and have a look but have no idea where the switch for the pump is?
Also, the missus asked the bloke for some advice but said he didn't know anythng about it?? So if the people who empty the tanks don't know how to fix them, then who does?
Please help, i'm away to the states at the weekend so really need this sorting.
Spoke to the missus yesterday (i'm away at the moment), and she said the bloke who came to empty the septic tank reckoned it was full because the pump is not working.
I will get home today and have a look but have no idea where the switch for the pump is?
Also, the missus asked the bloke for some advice but said he didn't know anythng about it?? So if the people who empty the tanks don't know how to fix them, then who does?
Please help, i'm away to the states at the weekend so really need this sorting.
t at the bottomlambysdad said:
Also, the missus asked the bloke for some advice but said he didn't know anythng about it?? So if the people who empty the tanks don't know how to fix them, then who does?
i would hazard a guess and say from some of the replies that he has proved he doesn't know anything about them.i have had several mates with them and none of them have ever had pumps its all gravity to get it in, and nature does the rest.
Like others have said, a septic tank should be full at all times. If it's an old design it has two tanks, separated by a wall which doesn't come right to the top. The poo goes in one half and sinks to the bottom, where it decomposes. The liquid cascades over the top for secondary settling. On a healthy septic tank there should be a nice crust over the whole lot, and it shouldn't smell bad.
The most important thing with a septic tank is to make sure you don't use nasty bleachy type chemicals down your toilet. If you do, the chemicals will kill all the bugs, the decomposition cycle won't work, it will fill up with horrible muck and stink to high heaven.
The most important thing with a septic tank is to make sure you don't use nasty bleachy type chemicals down your toilet. If you do, the chemicals will kill all the bugs, the decomposition cycle won't work, it will fill up with horrible muck and stink to high heaven.
As others have said, no pump in our cess pit although we did have to put in a soakaway with some of those crate things as we live near the sea and can have trouble with the water level. As far as I know water should be at a constant level with the solids underneath being eaten, although my mum has a habit of using bleach etc in the toilets so we have to encouage the bugs with a pot of natural yoghurt!
Ok, got home last night so managed to have a look through the paperwork.
It's a Titan Biotec sewerage treatment plant, with a Ebara submersible Electropump.
I've been out there this morning and lifted the inspection hatches to have a look. Looks like the pump is in the main tank and is operated by a float on/off system. i.e. float rises with level until it reaches the on position and the pump kicks in, pumps out until level goes down and float reaches the off position. Seems a simple enough design.
Found the breaker switch in the garage, flicked it off and on (as you do), haven't noticed any change.
Managed to find a local guy who installs/maintains sewerage systems, he's gonna pop round tomorrow for a look.
If it turns out i need a new pump, any ideas on how much i'm looking at with installation/commissioning?
Thanks for all the reply's, and as someone mentioned, I know bugger all about this
It's a Titan Biotec sewerage treatment plant, with a Ebara submersible Electropump.
I've been out there this morning and lifted the inspection hatches to have a look. Looks like the pump is in the main tank and is operated by a float on/off system. i.e. float rises with level until it reaches the on position and the pump kicks in, pumps out until level goes down and float reaches the off position. Seems a simple enough design.
Found the breaker switch in the garage, flicked it off and on (as you do), haven't noticed any change.
Managed to find a local guy who installs/maintains sewerage systems, he's gonna pop round tomorrow for a look.
If it turns out i need a new pump, any ideas on how much i'm looking at with installation/commissioning?
Thanks for all the reply's, and as someone mentioned, I know bugger all about this
Surely you can buy a submersible pump from B&Q etc.
If you have a pump, then it will only be to move the liquid from the chamber and these pumps should be easy to replace.
The 'er' solids stay there until there is sufficient to pump out.
If it is full of solids, then get it pumped out anyway. If full of liquid, then maybe pump that out first before getting the solids pumped out.
However, if it's done cheaply by a local farmer, then maybe get the whole thing emptied by him so that you can have a good look.
If you have a pump, then it will only be to move the liquid from the chamber and these pumps should be easy to replace.
The 'er' solids stay there until there is sufficient to pump out.
If it is full of solids, then get it pumped out anyway. If full of liquid, then maybe pump that out first before getting the solids pumped out.
However, if it's done cheaply by a local farmer, then maybe get the whole thing emptied by him so that you can have a good look.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff