View Full Version : Vent pipe maintenance
attylois
Jan 6, 2009, 10:26 AM
Twice in the past three years I have discovered waste matter on my lawn around the sewer vent pipe which was filled with water. On both occasions, plunging overcame the problem. During the past six months I have had the sewer lateral replaced and my sewer line was examined by video camera and declared clear. Since the waste matter included grease and food products, supposedly from my garbage disposal, besides curtailing my use of the disposal, are there any chemical products I might use to keep the pipe clear?
Thanks in advance.
21boat
Jan 6, 2009, 01:37 PM
Your sewer is backing up out of the vent pipe. Obviously its low enough to back up out there instead of the house toilet and sinks.
Why septic tank and drainfield systems clog. Your vent pipe is working fine it's the clog below it or the drainfield that's in trouble and failing Its recommend to pump the tank out every 1 to 3 years to control the solids better
Untreated or poorly maintained septic systems can develop severe Bio-Mat (undigested raw sewage) and grime buildup throughout the entire system including the tank, lines and drainfield. This accumulated sludge builds up gradually causing performance to degrade steadily and eventually results in drainage failure. Septic tank systems that have not been properly treated, or have had a decrease in bacterial populations due to everyday cleaners and other common household chemicals, have a difficult time digesting and degrading the raw septic sewage that enters the tank. Most systems see problems in the drainfield where the field lines progressively clog to a point where degradation and digestion is inhibited. The lines have small perforations that allow liquids to pass into the surrounding gravel bed to further digest and degrade. In trouble systems, the soil surrounding the inner pipes becomes extremely compacted with undigested sewage and the liquids have no where to go, leading to backups, wet spots and odors. As clogging progresses, waste sewage also has no where to go and travels out into your yard, home or nearby area causing serious septic system problems. Toilets that flush slowly, raw sewage smell and wet areas are potentially a sign of imminent backups. A clogged drainfield can either be replaced (can cost upwards of five to thirty thousand dollars), or bombarded with potent sewage eating bacteria that will digest the sludge, re-establish healthy bacterial counts and get the septic tank and field back into proper condition. Naturally occurring bacterial strains found throughout your septic tank system are killed off by the use of many household chemicals such as bleach, paint , anti-bacterial soaps and other bacteria killing chemical products that enter your tank via drain lines. NT-MAX Septic Tank Treatment bombards your tank, lines and drainfield with over 14 Trillion bacteria per gallon, reestablishing much needed bacterial colonies to quickly digest waste and unclog your system.
Hopefully this explains your options and the causes There are a lot of products out there and grease is the biggest probem let it solidify in the dish/pan and the throw out
21 Boat
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are there any chemical products I might use to keep the pipe clear?
Sorry I was working on two sewer problems and one had a drainfeild.( the windows "advance is all you see and I didn't scroll enough
My reason for the vent pipe putting matter into yard was correct and it being clogged low enough for the back up liquids to discharge out of the vent pipe first instead of backing into the house. The only difference the end run was to main sewer instead of drainfeild.
You asked for a product to use keep the Sewer line clean
So here is the answer I was supposed to give sorry again
SKU: 705616
Roebic, 32OZ Main Line Sewer/Septic Cleaner, Concentrated Bacterial Waste Degrading Product For Any Sewer Line, Clears Fats, Grease, Sludge, & Paper, For Any Household, Whether Septic System Or Sewer. ROEBIC LABORATORIES INC
PRICE: $7.68
Maybe this is what you are looking for and its in stores.
Signed 21 boat
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attylois
Jan 7, 2009, 07:26 AM
Thank you, ever so much. I'll give this product a try, and let you know the results. Your responses are lightning fast. Thanks, again!
21boat
Jan 7, 2009, 08:03 AM
You welcome no problem Lets us know its Always good to get feed back on products and new when they come out and how well new ones work so we can add that for others in need.
Signed 21 Boat
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TammyRoeder
Jul 29, 2009, 10:33 AM
Is there a health hazard to sewage smells coming in through vents?
speedball1
Jul 29, 2009, 11:11 AM
is there a health hazard to sewage smells coming in through vents?
Sewer gas's always a health hazard. Not so much out of doors where it dissipates but inside where it can concentrate it is a definite health hazard. Regards, Tom
hkstroud
Jul 29, 2009, 01:16 PM
By vent pipe I presume you mean clean out.
Clean out should be sealed with cap.
I don't think you should have to put anything in the sewer to keep your pipes clean, especially a new line which is probably PVC.
Has this stoppage occurred since you replace the line? Sounds your sewer lateral has (or had) too much fall, causing the water to run off to fast, leaving the solids behind.
speedball1
Jul 30, 2009, 05:09 AM
Boat assumes that you are on a septic tank. I'd like to hear it from you Attylois.
Just exactly are we dealing with here. A sewer line with a blockage or a septic tank that need pumping?
Harold nailed it when he called your "vent" a clean out. If it's on the sewer line then it's a clean out and needs to be capped with a clean out cover. (see image). So let us know what you have so we can help. Regards, Tom