Common Septic Tank Problems

As a general rule of thumb because there are no moving parts, there are only a certain number of things that can go wrong with septic tanks.  Below is a list of common problems that can go wrong with your septic tank.

Below is a list of common Septic Tank Problems.

Septic Tank Baffle Collapse.

On certain style onion shape septic tanks, they have inside them a baffle.  The baffle is like an inner skin generally made of black rubber or plastic.  The baffle is held in place at the neck of the septic tank by hooks or some other means of attachment.  The septic tank baffle acts as a separation between the liquid and solid waste.  Over time the baffle can tear, buckle or become dislodged from the attachment point.  If this happens then there is no separation and the solids will be discharged into the soakaway.  If this starts to happen then it only a matter of time before the septic tank soakaway becomes clogged up with sludge and will stop working.

In most cases a collapsed septic tank baffle cannot be repaired or replaced.  However there are some alternative methods of repair such as a septic tank filter kit, that can be attached to the outlet pipe on the septic tank.  This kit serves as an alternative to the baffle and is a lot cheaper that having to replace your septic tank.  For more details and advice please call us on 0800 907 0051 or please visit www.theseptictankshop.co.uk

Septic Tank T Bar or T Pipe

The septic tank t bars are basically t shaped pipes that are fitted internally into the septic tank, one attached to the inlet point and one attached to the outlet point.

Septic Tank T Bars

These t bars have been on septic tanks for hundreds of years and served as a basic way to stop solids exiting via the outlet point into additional chambers or the soakaway.  Until the last 25-30 years these t bars where made from hardened clay.  The problem however was that over time due to there brittleness the t bars would crack, break or fall off.

If this happens then there is no barrier and the solids will be discharged into the soakaway..  If this starts to happen then it only a matter of time before the septic tank soakaway. becomes clogged up with sludge and will stop working.

In most cases a collapsed septic tank t pipes can be repaired or replaced.  However if not there are some alternative methods of repair such as a septic tank filter kit, that can be attached to the outlet pipe on the septic tank.  This kit serves as an alternative to the t bar and is a lot cheaper that having to replace your soakaway.  For more details and advice please call us. On 0800 907 0051.  Or alternatively please visit www.theseptictankshop.co.uk

SEPTIC TANK SMELLS

Many customers contact me about terrible smells coming from their septic tank, or coming from the area of the septic tank soakaway.

Let me first address this by saying that a healthy septic tank does not smell.  As discussed in a  previous article septic tank bacteria when existing and active in a normal sewage environment breaks down the waste as it should do, naturally.

Bad smells are generally the result of the demise or death of the healthy bacteria.

Because of the detergents used in modern living such as bleach, washing powders, soaps, washing up liquid e.t.c these kill the healthy septic tank bacteria.

Once the healthy bacteria die, the smell results from gases emitted from the break down of the rotting waste.

The solution for bad septic tank smells is to reinstall healthy bacteria into your septic tank.  This septic tank bacteria can be purchased from us at www.theseptictankshop.co.uk.  It is easy to reinstall into your septic tank.  The bacteria we sell comes in powder form and can be simply poured into your toilet and flushed.  Within days the bacteria will start multiplying in the septic tank, and the smells will disappear.

The other solution is to change your household cleaning products, good alternatives are available from the supermarkets.  The products I recommend are made by a company called Ecover and they are made from plant derivatives. They produce virtually all types of household cleaning products, and most importantly of all they are good for your septic tank.

For more advice on septic tank smells please contact us on 0800 907 0051.  Or alternatively visit www.theseptictankshop.co.uk