Septic Tank Maintenance for Homeowners

If you don't have town sewer, then you might have a septic tank. My septic tank is a 1500 gallon concrete tank. There is a plastic filter built into the discharge port. This filter keeps large particles out of the leach field. This filter needs cleaning every 6 months.
10 months ago I had the tank pumped out. It had been 3 years. I didn't know I was supposed to clean the filter inside the tank, so when we removed the cover we found the filter clogged. Not only was it clogged, but it had dislodged and was no longer doing its job. This could eventually lead to a clogged leach field which would be very expensive to repair.
In this video I show removing the cover and cleaning the filter. A fairly simple process, but smelly one.
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[@Cherrysmith2809]

I wouldn’t say I “enjoyed” this video, but I appreciated the demo 😃 Thank you!

[@Adui13]

We rent. Landlord had our tank pumped out only a few months ago, we have water rising again so I have to clean the filter.... Thank you for this it helps

[@racia4095]

I'm so glad you didn't drop the gasket or the filter in that affluent. :)

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Me too. I would have had to go fishing.

[@loobwan3963]

Many thanks for showing me to do the cleaning and it gives me idea to clean my filter, I like it however, I did not know until now.

[@flydaplane777]

"Oh, that filter!!" Thanks Dave. Very well done.

[@robburns8196]

There is also a flow direction on the filter. There will be an outflow arrow.

[@harryharry3193]

This is Important. Someone did not reinstall mine properly in the past, and that allowed waste past the filter location make sure it clicks down and is flush to mounting point. Its NOT complicated. I will be inspecting this every year.

[@frankz1125]

I gotta go in my well this weekend. My pump keeps cycling every 15 min. Looks like a fun job you got there : )

[@offgridwanabe]

Maybe pressure tank is just waterlogged.

[@grasscutter88]

Happens with my well tank

[@George_us]

A dual compartment septic tank is needed based on the new health department septic system requirements (single compartment tank is no longer allowed for new septic systems) . A dual compartment tank allows up to a year or longer before the filter needs to be cleaned.

[@championplayerdo7604]

great info. learning all I can incase I end up with the septic system

[@gregs7918]

I think the sun will disinfect the hose. Our older tank (~1987) has baffles and no filter. Sometimes the septic experts can add filters to older designs so they work better. Our septic guy smokes a huge cigar when he comes to clean out the tank.

[@junkman8742]

That concrete baffle deteriorates. Check it and replace before you ruin your leach field. Digging up a 1980 system currently

[@ruffian2952]

The septic man from my youth smoked (chewed) Parodi. Difficult to assess which smelled worse.

[@wmorton]

I always rinse my filter off outside the tank - what is stuck on the filter goes to the side of my lawn. that way, it won't get stuck on the filter again.

[@supernatural787]

I don’t know why I was covering my nose with my t shirt when u opened the tank..lol.. one day that will come true too..

[@dbriggs1689]

You know something weird is that when you open the lid on these tanks it doesn't really smell at all? I opened mine the other day to look at the level and clean the filter (its been 4 years) and I'm not sure what kind of chemistry is going on down there but I was expecting something way worse.

[@offgridwanabe]

I don't have a filter different design tank in fact I've never seen a filter in a tank before so I learned something.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Lots of different types of tanks.

[@spidermight8054]

I work for a business that specializes in all things septic or sewer. I’ve never heard of a filter in the “outlet tee”. I think I like it though, if necessary. Keeps substances that may foul your leach field from entering your leach field. I swear I work on tanks daily and have never seen nor heard of such a filter. A proper septic tank should have a “baffle Wall” that, if not compromised, does a great job of keeping solids from ever reaching your leach field outlet tee. I can see the necessity of such a filter if your septic tank is just a 1 chamber tank where solids and liquids are never separated.

[@nickp9062]

@@spidermight8054 even on two compartment tanks, like a septic/dosing tank, a filter is required (at least where I live.) On new systems anyway. The baffles are cement usually and deteriorate over time so a filter is also a replacement for the baffle. They serve the same purpose

[@bluesteel5841]

Look on amazon. You can buy the T with filter. Just inserts in the output on inside tank. 40 to 80 dollars i believe.

[@FendergtrJam]

If you DON'T have a filter GET ON it will save you money on costly leach field repairs. Because when a toilet backs up on a septic system "YOUR SHIT OUT OF LUCK" 💩🤮

[@mikemcclare2774]

Should you spray the lint etc. that the filter is supposed to remove back into your tank?

[@wmorton]

I always spray my filter off onto the side of my lawn, then all that junk won't clog the filter again.

[@juditkovacs8564]

Thanks for the video

[@DennisWintjes2]

I never knew. I had a septic for 10 years and never did this. I had it pumped but I never did this maintenance.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Some do, some don't.

[@ringokidd387]

say brother you need one of our aerated mechanical treatment plants called the Mo-Dad 1 500 gallon per day system takes care of all your problems! no maintenance no hassles

[@silverdragontaylir8252]

I have mine ( thousand gallon concrete tank ) pumped every 3 years $250 charge well worth it ,trouble free

[@larryteslaspacexboringlawr739]

thank you for educational video

[@mikedee8876]

this is why the septic tank guys make the big bucks......

[@mrmerkin6203]

Seems like there should have been a Do Not Lick warning label on the filter.

[@jayvantkalyankar2289]

Which bio composter you put in septic tank?Any suggestion?

[@touliskatsoufis1993]

goooooooood job

[@brianpoe9144]

This is really helpful. Thank you!

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

heya wel that was the 1st vlog I did't anjoy aspesially as I was eating but that is what you have to do as a Diy off gridder

[@MagivaIT]

im glad you handled it without running around the garden flapping your hands screaming no no no no (homer style). kinder refreshing (punn intended) that ya just got it done, its just smelly dirt after all. I can say this whist i have no need or access to a septic tank :) buuuutt i did have to unclog a toilet in cuba by hand that wouldnt flush soooo

[@DavidPozEnergy]

That sounds grosser.

[@EricLearnstoCook]

I was an electrician in the USN. We WERE Roto Rooter. So anytime something clogged the floats to the effluent pumps, guess who they called. H2S2 (sewer gas) is no joke.

[@XER239]

Dude, you're everywhere!

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Am I?

[@XER239]

@@DavidPozEnergy I'm used to seeing you in the solar side

[@misterclutchabc]

Salute

[@erniechasteen6332]

I have a mixer air ator from a old arobic system. Would it be a good idea to drop it in my newer modern septic tank and let it mix and airate a while. Can u give me advice. Thank you

[@nicklopez5298]

I just had my concrete septic tank pumped in 16 years. House side lid tank full thick sludge the other lid he did nothing and said nothing so I guess I need to get in there to see that filter then reconcrete the kids so not to leak

[@nickp9062]

Depending on how old the system is it probably doesn’t have a filter. Just a cement baffle, which deteriorates over time based on how corrosive the stuff in the tank is. Wouldn’t hurt to have someone open the tank and inspect the baffles. If the baffle is deteriorated then they would install a filter.

[@royamberg9177]

I have a three compartment tank. No screen

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Lots of different types of tanks.

[@albertfarah1424]

After the filter sorted out all the undesirable stuff, why would you wash it right back into the tank ?

[@nickp9062]

The tank has three layers. Starting from the bottom you have solids, then in the middle you have effluent (what you want to go into the drainfield or leech field) and then on top you have a layer of scum. So washing the filter off into the tank isn’t a bad idea because that stuff is already in the tank. The bottom of the filter is in the effluent layer of the tank so only “water” goes up into the filter and out.

[@ruslanmg]

I use my fire poker to lift my filter.

[@shermdog6969]

Don't forget to keep your mouth shut while spraying 😉

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Yes, yes, yes.

[@waynewilliamson4212]

hmmm...back in 95 I bought my house that was built in 75. It has a septic tank. I've never done anything with it except add a half box of ridx twice a month. I never even knew they had a filter. The new ones I've seen them install in my neighborhood don't even have a tank. The are just a bunch of plastic pipe like things that aren't buried very far under the ground. This is in central florida and the ground is mostly sand...

[@betterme7450]

Question: if u can rinse the filter at the outside area then what’s the point of having a filter......🧐

[@DavidPozEnergy]

The filter helps keep solids from going into the leach field.

[@ibnbattuta1304]

Have you ever met Mr. Hankey?

[@James-ht5lp]

Don't flush anything you don't want to touch in 6 months!! 😆

[@princess090475]

The water that you use to wash the filter, where that go? I saw dirty water outside the tank and I was wondering if that created mosquitos 🦟? Or extra smell?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

It just drained into the soil.

[@Enjoythepour]

I have a similar system it is disgusting and I have not figured out a way to get it so there’s not any dirty water because my Dogs love to roll in the mess

[@dbriggs1689]

I just learned of this filter a couple days ago. My system is the pressurized style and the concrete tank has 3 chambers. This filter is located in the middle chamber and filters water going into the 3rd. At that point there is 2 float switches on a pipe and a pump. My system was installed in 2018 and its considered a 1500 gallon tank that being said its cost me $1250 to get it pumped out.

[@thankswillie]

about 300 here,where the hell are you,did he also dig it up

[@n.g.1577]

They saw you coming, dude! I feel sorry for you.

[@JoneKone]

thx for sharing ;P

[@adventureguy4119]

mine had corn in it LOL

[@FaradayVest]

So you pump it down every 3 years?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Last time I had it pumped it had been 3 years. As you can see in the video the oil layer was very thin. Next time I clean the filter I'll check how thick the solids are on bottom. Maybe I can go longer.

[@Krummin]

I was with on a job pumping a tank after about 25yrs. The owner built the house new and had no idea it needed to be pumped. They were pretty close to getting solids in the leach field if they weren't already.

[@Ineedcoffeetolive]

I havent had my septic pumped out in 9 years

[@Princessmmviii]

Fifteen years for me. I think the RAIN has filled it up some...I didn't know it could do that...I thought it was sealed at the top.

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644]

Keeping diaper wipes out even the ones that say biodegradable and other adult stuff out and pumping the tanks every 2-3 years are cheap insurance .

[@bingerr]

Yes.Wipes, tampons, and condoms. Also minimize cooking oils going down the drain. I wipe all my cooking pans and throw away the oil and grease before I wash.

[@mrbmd710]

@@bingerr I mix my grease with the dry dog food. no problems

[@jennifereuchner7923]

My toilet wont flush when I do laundry is it my septic?

[@killerdeamonking]

Get your septic drained.

[@TumpaTalapatra]

3:36 its not just any poo its solar powered poo.👍

[@truthseekerKJV]

I wouldn't recommend being as close as he was to the filter when hitting it with the high water pressure. Getting bacteria infested splash water on yourself isn't too healthy.

[@brandonlaragirl]

Don't worry Sweet pea he'll live

[@aidancussen741]

Grow up Tim

[@Tops1212]

How often should that filter be cleaned?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

every 6 months, or as needed.

[@williamlaprarie3007]

its a shame that many tanks don't even have Baffles much less Filters in them those lead to having the Leech line having to be dug up and replaced. it should be illegal for ANY company to install tanks without BOTH features.

[@swaterman08]

I would think the septic guy would clean the filters for you?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Extra $40.

[@nicklopez5298]

@@DavidPozEnergy my guy just pumped and left 15min. Never said a word about the filter other lid

[@wmorton]

yes, he'll do that. but the tank gets pumped every two years, and the filter gets cleaned more often than that.

[@mark33545]

Only do this if you don't mind sewage micro droplets all over you body and face 😂

[@were_all_fact6026]

The smell when I open our tank knocks me sideways and gagging. You didn't even flinch, nose of steel? I'm surprised you didn't get any backsplatter from the hose. Thankfully we have no filter.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

It's not the worst smell I've experienced. LOL

[@ruffian2952]

Never found a body? A real olfactory challenge.

[@Clyde-lb5fe]

How often do u clean out your tank?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

About 3-4 years for me. IDK if that's normal or not.

[@Nicholas-f5]

Have you looked at greywater, disconnecting your laundry and showers, sinks, and running them to a garden or fruit trees? Should save a lot on pumping

[@bingerr]

Water seeps into your drain field. So that wouldn't help that much unless your system is plugged up. Correct me if I'm wrong

[@trustme7731]

So, you think he should replumb his entire house and dump soap and chemicals onto his food. Good plan. You first.

[@trustme7731]

Not to mention that the additional water from sinks and so on is needed in the septic tank to help break down the poop. Otherwise you'd just have a poop pile in the tank.

[@jamesebola1250]

I do this while eating ham sandwich...How does shit and TP go through this filter?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Solids fall to the bottom of the tank on the other side. We are looking only at the outlet of the tank.

[@bexkk]

Hi

[@phildirt3]

When was installed? 1945?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

2008

[@CoolWater01]

My septic went 12 years without cleaning the filter before so I'm sure you can go a couple years.

[@alexchicas8086]

No you can’t, it should be cleaned every 6 months. Do you change the oil filter on your car when you change the oil? Same applies to the filter.

[@TowManAlex]

Just had this issue did not clean my filter for 3years long story $250.00 to pump system and clean filter a good lesson from plumber to do it 1 time a year. Could have saved money

[@ilovemywifemost]

Actually, how often you clean the filter depends on what kind of effluent filter you have. Some you have to clean every 6 months. Others, like mine made by Polylok, is a much larger filter and I can go 3 years between tank pumping and filter cleaning. Each homeowner must make sure they know what find they have and maintain it as recommended by the manufacturer. If you don't know what kind you have, take pictures of it and find out.

[@nickp9062]

@@ilovemywifemost when we install systems we tell the homeowners to clean the filter at 6 months and 1 year. Based on how dirty the filter is, adjust the cleaning intervals accordingly.

[@mplscarsales6652]

Thanks you just convinced me not to buy a home with a sceptic system.I live in the country now,but No septic tank you just have to find a more updated city that’s all because you can just imagine how bad that tank is after 40 years of poop and urine eventually penetrating the cement breaking it down making it more brittle over years .its like playing Russian Roulette who’s it going to break on ? The 1st homebuyer 2nd 3rd4th or 5th if it makes it that far guessing that every owner lived in home for min of 15yrs only time will tell and someone in the end will have a large Bill to remove and replace .

[@CesarPerez-ck7ci]

If you like living out of the city then you'll have a septic tank,

[@nickp9062]

Depends on the concrete of the tank. I’ve seen tanks that were 50 years old and looked like new when they got pumped. The gas caused by the breakdown of the materials in the tank is what’s the most corrosive. Not the actual poop and pee.

[@EricLearnstoCook]

Get insurance. If you love the property enough, you'll learn to put up with a little cr@p.

[@dbriggs1689]

I have a newer house 2018 and its costing me $1250 to get the tank pumped after 4 years. That being said my old house in town cost me $300 a month for city sewer. Do the math its $14,400 for city sewer fees or $1250 for a septic pump. Maybe its just me but I will pocket the $13,000 every 4 years.

[@James-ht5lp]

In my late teens I helped install septic tanks, add leach fields, I hated adding filters, playing in others poo 💩 isn't my idea of f fun!!

[@marcellasmith8942]

Do you put anything down their to help it break down the poo? I have a new rural house and have no clue what to do to keep it healthy

[@dbriggs1689]

I have been putting a chemical called green gobbler in my tank for the past 3 years its similar to rid x. I can't say if it really helps or not. An interesting fact though I was going through the paper work on my septic system that came with the house (new construction) that it specifically states to not add these types of products and that the system is designed to operate the way it should on its own. Idk I'm new to the septic system world so I'm learning here to.

[@wmorton]

as long as you don't put harsh chemicals down your drains, the septic tank is designed to work fine without adding things to break it down. just make sure to get it pumped every 2-3 years, clean the filter, and don't put harsh chemicals down the drain, that might kill the good bacteria in your tank

[@ringokidd387]

no offense meant but that filter system inside of our double tee assembly connected to the effluent line is a joke look into our Mo-Dad systems folks hassle free no maintenance

[@webetruckin115]

Can I just pay someone to do this 😩

[@martinboylan1503]

I live in Dublin so having a septic tank seems strange to me.

[@kosmotto]

6 months 7 years no one told me this. it was in Ohio n probably 40 years old

[@robertsteich7362]

Well that was a crappy job. In all seriousness though, this is my first hearing about a filter for septic tanks. In all my life, I only had a 1 year stint living at a place with public sewer, all the rest were private septic. As a matter of fact one of the homes I lived it, bought 1986 from the builder, was not pumped until 2005ish. And even then the guy said it really didn’t need it, I wasn’t there for the conversation, but since they were there and it was dug up, might as well.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

There are a lot of types of tanks. Mine is one large compartment, 1500 gallons, and has a filter. Yours might not have a filter.

[@jamess1787]

You beat me to the puns =(

[@dally2157]

Oh god.. i need gloves all the way up my elbows. And an face mask plus goggles.. oh...and some tyleno just in case I get a migraine...😨

[@goldenhorshoe4814]

I think I’d rather do the composting toilet method. A lot less stink and mess.

[@ninamatthews8747]

Nope, I’m not doing that, I was gonna buy a house with a septic tank but I can’t do it, that’s gross!!!🤢

[@kennymartin379]

Looks like it's full need to get it pumped out

[@joshuaguenin9507]

its supposed to have that much water......

[@James-ut2ez]

I got the 💩 on me...😭

[@anther2023]

“Ewwwww i don’t wanna get my hands dirty! Let me get my bit** gloves!!” 🤣🤣

[@Pennywise7493]

Ever hear of a staph infection. Your the guy who doesn’t wear gloves 🧤 and has forearms like popeye because you probably don’t wash your hands after playing in 💩. Like my septic guy who emptied my septic tank. He was a walking talking billboard of what not to do while you work around 💩 all day long. He had staph ( admitted it because of his forearms looking like popeye’s ) didn’t wear gloves or face cover he took all that flying 💩like a champ. He was a man who loved his job yet had no brains 🧠 to protect himself. 🤢🤢🤢

[@Arielstanley-y8f]

Ariel Genevieve stanley perrier lee salmon robinhood macktoumb ken

[@greghight954]

Why have a filter if you are going to just wash it off into the tank?? That stuff will end up in your leach field.

[@GoingOffGrid101]

first

[@HyPex808-2]

Gross!!

[@offplanetevent]

You didn't clean the filter very well. It still had scum on it. Wrap your hose in a plastic bag and cut a hole in it at the nozzle. This way you can do a much better job then you did. Most importantly, always remember that people are walking septic tanks and their mouths are the drain field. Just as this comment demonstrated as much.

[@chriswang9107]

liked, but didnt enjoy