How to Remove Grease From a Septic Tank
The natural process that occurs in a septic tank breaks up and dissolves most solid material. Grease, however, is not a substance that readily breaks up in the anaerobic system. In fact, the build up of grease in the septic tank will eventually degrade its efficiency, plugging the septic tank lines and reducing the absorption rate of the drain field down stream. Although this topic concerns removal of grease from a septic tank, the following point should be made: it is much more cost effective to keep grease out of the septic system than to remove it once it is in there. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Locate the service lid for the septic tank. Using a four-foot steel rod, penetrate the ground around the tank's suspected location. The top of the tank is generally located no further than 1 or 2 feet below the surface. After locating the tank, remove the lawn and soil above the tank to provide access to the tank’s service lid.
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Schedule a septic tank service truck to remove the tank’s contents via a pump truck. Not only will this accomplish the grease build-up removal, but a complete maintenance cleaning of the tank.
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Pump the tank down to the lowest point possible with the pump truck. With the tank empty, inspect the interior of the tank for signs of build-up along the walls of the tank.
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4
Wash off, or scrape with a garden hoe, any build-up that is found. Rinse the interior thoroughly with a jet stream from a garden hose and have the pump truck remove the bottom sediment.
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Refill the tank with tap water to allow the anaerobic bacteria a head start on waste matter that will soon displace the water.
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Reinstall the septic tank service lid and recover the area with soil and sod.
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Tips & Warnings
Never pour grease or oil down the sink drain. Build a water tight cover over the septic tank for easy access in the future.
Never leave an uncovered tank unattended.
References
- Photo Credit man´s hands with a spade image by svehlik from Fotolia.com
