Many private houses are not connected to the central sewerage system, and this creates certain inconveniences for living. The owners of such houses are forced to use a cesspool. A cesspool is an autonomous installation for draining all waste from the residents of the house. Over time, the accumulated impurities in it form an unpleasant odor and pose a potential threat to human health. It is possible to eliminate such a problem if the work on cleaning the cesspool is carried out in a timely manner.
When is it time to clean the pit
In order for such an installation to serve for a long time, it is best to carry out cleaning activities every year. Do not wait for the autonomous system to be full.
Typically, cleaning is carried out when the sewage is 60 percent of the size of the container. If this is not done in time, the accumulated silt at the bottom of the sewer system will lead to clogging.
Sump cleaning methods
You can clean an autonomous structure yourself. There are the following ways to clean the cesspool:
- chemical method;
- biological method;
- pumping method;
- folk methods.
Chemical method
- formaldehyde;
- nitrate oxidants;
- ammonium salts.
Formaldehyde preparation is the cheapest, but due to its strong toxicity, its use can cause cancer. Therefore, it is practically not used for cleaning work.
Chemical preparations based on ammonium salts are capable of high-quality cleaning of a cesspool. But their use requires caution and strict adherence to all instructions.
In terms of safety, nitrate oxidants have much better performance. The high price of these drugs is fully justified by their effectiveness. Preparations of this type are suitable for cleaning both pits and the entire sewer system.
All these chemicals, when added to the sewage system, effectively dilute household waste and neutralize unpleasant odors. Such drugs can be used in the cold season, but they are very toxic and therefore harmful to the environment.
Biological method
- under their influence, waste and feces turn into an odorless liquid;
- when cleaning, they do not harm the materials that were used in the construction process;
- disinfect the cesspool and break down feces, fats, toilet paper and vegetable cleaning;
- the activity of bacteria begins two hours after they are placed in the pit, and after four hours the unpleasant odor is completely eliminated.
Biologics are produced in the form of granules, liquids, tablets, powders and gels. You just need to choose a suitable tool and use it in accordance with the attached instructions.
The only drawback of this method is that biologicals cannot work at low temperatures. It is possible to use biological cleaning of the cesspool only at temperatures from 4 to 30 degrees.
It is important to know that biological products for cleaning cesspools do not tolerate household chemicals.Therefore, if chemical detergents and washing powders are used in the house, then biological wastewater treatment will have to be abandoned.
Pumping out
In order to do this work with your own hands, you need to purchase special equipment: a fecal pump and a container for collecting the pumped out liquid. The cesspool is cleaned in rubberized clothing that protects against the ingress of liquid and using a respirator or gas mask.
Since a dangerous gas is formed inside the cesspool - methane, it is undesirable to pump out the waste with a pump alone. There should be a person nearby who can quickly come to the rescue in case of gas poisoning.
Traditional methods
There are also folk methods for cleaning the cesspool. Material for this cleaning method can be collected at your site.
It can be mint and basil leaves, nettle, tomato tops. All of these herbal remedies destroy the unpleasant odor, but they cannot be cleaned with them.
Peat and sawdust absorb the contents of the cesspool, as a result of which the stench disappears. These products do not dissolve and are therefore removed by hand.
A small cesspool can be cleaned with improvised means that are available in every home. To carry out this procedure, you must change into strong and preferably waterproof clothing that will protect the skin from drains. Using a bucket and a rope, the liquid is scooped out of the pit into a container and then taken out to a prepared place.
Conclusion
In some cases, to clean the cesspool, it is enough to use only one of the proposed methods. But there are situations in which you have to carry out complex cleaning activities. For example, the use of biological products entails pumping out sewage.
Cleaning activities should be carried out regularly and in a timely manner. Do not postpone cleaning the cesspool, as this leads to the formation of poisonous gases and stench. All this negatively affects the surrounding nature and harms human health.
