Septic Sludge

[brokenknee]

Just had my septic tank pumped. We have been in the house about 2 1/2 years now and this is the first time we had it pumped. I do not know how long it had been since the last pumping. The only access for the pumper was a 4" PVC pipe. I was at work when it was pumped, the guy told the wife we had a buildup of sludge he estimated to be 12 to 18 inches thick. He told her I would need to take the cover off and break up the sludge and he would come back to pump it out. He also said the sludge would float to the top. To me this does not make sense that it would float.

I took the tractor and dug down to the cover, the holding tank is a single compartment round tank about 5 and 1/2 feet in diameter. I do not believe there is a concrete bottom on it. When I opened the cover (3 piece heavy concrete) I noticed there were no baffles on either the inlet or outlet sides. The pipes I believe have been replace as they were 4" PVC on both the inlet and outlet. I will add a T with downspout on both inlet and outlet.

My question after this long post;

1. Has anyone had a similar problem and how did you break out the sludge?

House was built in 1965, county has no records of any work being done on septic. I purchased this home knowing it had issues was just hoping not have to replace the septic just yet. Estimate for a mound system (which county almost always requires now) $8,000.

For those that are curious, it is $115 bucks to have my tank pumped, he said it was 900 gallons. I will have to figure it out now that I know the diameter, just need to get the depth.

 

[Rock knocker]

$115 for a pumping is dirt cheap.

Why would you need to replace the tank, let alone the leach field?

 

[Cub 7274]

A real deal just paid $225 for mine with no sludge

 

[PRF]

Usually they have a long handled shovel to break up the sludge as its pumping.. If its too thick they'll shut off the pump and let liquid back into the tank and repeat until its cleaned out... The sludge on the bottom doesn't float, the soap scum does... The liquid in the middle is what you want to go to the leach fields...

I dread having to build a raised system, so I have my tank cleaned out every two years.. $260 for an 1100 gallon tank here..

 

[brokenknee]

I guess I am a little spoiled, it was only $65 to pump at my last place just three years ago. For some reason the septic guy thought my tank may be bad, after pulling the cover off the tank itself it looks sound.

I was having some problems flushing the throne on occasion. Septic guy thinks it may have been sludge blocking the outlet, he thought the baffle may be bad. I know now no baffles were ever installed on the system. With only a four inch access hole he could not do a proper inspection.

 

[mudcat47537]

I just had mine done last month first time in 20 years right at $100.

 

[murphy1244]

Did mine this summer 300$ for twin tanks

 

[atgreene]

I install septic systems and tanks. Sludge is not uncommon if it isn't pumped regularly, even more common if you have a garbage disposal or send grease and excess detergents/cleaners into the system. It floats on top and will usually break up with a few back-flushes from the pump truck. I've got a store here in town that usually ends up with over 18" or more of solid sludge every year due to washing greasey utensiles etc.... Employees are terrible about wiping stuff off first before throwing it in the sink.

As long as you have a T on the discharge with about a 2' drop on one side and open on the top and the discharge is taking grey water you should be all set. Do not put a T on the inlet. Let it flow in naturally. A T there will only collect debris and cause you issues later. Pump it a little more often, tell the family not to put bacon grease etc.. down the sink and you should be all set. The last owners may never have pumped it.

 

[2458n]

It sounds to me like you were looking into a leach type area rather then a septic tank. The guy that pumps mine has a stick with a hinged type flap. the flap goes to 90 degrees and when it hits the top layer of scum he can tell how deep the layer is. He wants the tubs in the house full so you drain these and flush the toilet a couple of times to make sure everything is flowing I guess. Second generation. they are number one in the number two business.

 

[randy41]

they are number one in the number two business.

this is the slogan on their trucks? it should be.