Septic tank maintenance

How to clean a cesspool

This article covers the task of how to clean a cesspool. The cesspool is a term that has received numerous feedbacks of disgust and utter distaste. It is one part of your property that you would never want to frequent if given the choice. The mere idea that a cesspool is underneath your home often send shivers down the spine of many homeowners. But this kind of attitude towards your cesspool will not help you gain the best service that it offers. The cesspool is a living organism that treats the wastewater that comes from your home. Through this system, you and your family are safe from the toxins and pathogens that are contained in the wastewater. Like the conventional septic system, the cesspool recycles the wastewater into a form that is usable and environment-friendly.

Your cesspool is different from the usual septic system because of the holes around it and the absence of the outflow pipe. The holes serve as the outflow pipe, enabling the pre-treated effluent to be absorbed into the surrounding soil absorption system. Proper maintenance and care should also be provided for such an efficient server. The cesspool should be regularly inspected and pumped out. But how exactly does one do this? What are the steps that you should remember in cleaning a cesspool?

1)       Locate the lid or the opening of your cesspool. You could ask your septic expert or consult the blueprint of your property. The septic expert can also explain how to clean a cesspool.

2)       Remove the lid of your cesspool with the use of a crowbar and a metal bar.

3)       Protect yourself well before you start cleaning. Don an extra layer of clothing, goggles/face shield, and think gloves.

4)       Any form of filter should be unscrewed.

5)       Hose down the filter away from you.

6)       Return the filter and replace its lid.

7)       With the help of your septic professional, the cesspool will be pumped. The special, enclosed truck will contain the sludge that is pumped out from your cesspool.

8)       You could then hose down the sides of the cesspool to make sure that there are no significant amount of sludge that still clings on.

9)       The water from the last hose down will again be pumped out.

10)   The septic professional will administer a bacteria- and environment-friendly additive that will optimize the number and performance of the existing bacteria in the cesspool.

11)   The cesspool’s lid is replaced and covered.

12)   The septic expert will give a report containing the information about the success of your cesspools clean up.

13)   If the septic expert has a disposal certification, only then would he be allowed to properly dispose of the sludge that he collected.

The care for your cesspool doesn’t stop in cleaning. The effort would be much more effective if you make sure that you do the right things after the actual cesspool cleaning. Small things like making sure that no vehicle or no construction will be placed over your cesspool; not dumping grease, strong chemicals, antibacterial agents, and non-biodegradable materials will be dumped into the toilets and drains; installing a dry well to lessen the cesspool’s water load; making sure that no rainwater runoff will reach your cesspool area; and not planting any woody rooted plants and trees over your cesspool area. These are things that you have to remember after each treatment or pump out. This is like resetting the life span of your cesspool to a brand new start.

How to clean a cesspool is a lot to undertake. It may not be easy to accept this kind of responsibility at first because this does need your time, attention, and budget considerations. But think about the long-term benefits of having a smooth –running cesspool system. You may be looking at decades of continuous cesspool function if you care for it properly. It is not something that you should take very lightly because the moment you do not fulfill your end of the deal, the cesspool will malfunction or fail. And you will be left with much regret and a large hole in your pocket.

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