How to clean a pond in your own area if it is dirty and has ceased to please you beautiful appearance? Reservoirs in the plots are specially arranged so that in summer time in the evenings, relax by the beautiful water surface and contemplate the pleasant landscape. An ideal pond mirror can have a pacifying effect on a person and give a charge of positive emotions. But when arranging such a reservoir on the site, you need to think about how exactly you are going to clean it from pollution. Otherwise, it can turn into a bad-smelling puddle with a lot of mosquitoes.
If a large amount of greenery, duckweed and debris appears on the water surface, inexperienced pond keepers first of all come to mind that the water must be completely replaced. But you can try to clean the reservoir yourself or entrust this work to specialists.
Why do you need regular cleaning of the reservoir?
After the pond is filled with water, microorganisms begin to actively multiply in it after a few days. They generate a lot of dirt at the bottom, and the wind brings dust, debris and leaves that can create a real crust on the surface. Decomposition products take oxygen from the pond, the pond often begins to bloom, becomes covered with duckweed, algae multiply in it and an unpleasant smell arises.
If the water in the pond at the dacha is not cleaned, it becomes silted up and drawn in by reeds and reeds, and other plants. Fauna often dies, after some time the reservoir simply dries up or turns into a swamp.
When a person equips an autonomous sewage system with cesspool, then at first it functions flawlessly.
But over time, even if correct operation, it may fill up too quickly, and the reason for this may be:
It looks like silting the bottom of the pit
- silted bottom;
- fatty deposits on the walls of the sewer pipes.
As a result of the fact that the soil does not absorb the drains, as needed, they accumulate in large volumes.
Incomplete dissolution of waste due to silting of the bottom
The most main reason sedimentation of the bottom is that the waste does not dissolve completely, respectively, after the liquid part of the effluent goes into the ground, it remains more solid and viscous on the surface.
You can cope with such a problem different ways, everyone chooses what he likes.
Moreover, sludge removal can be done by hand.
Sludge control methods
The main signs that it is time to clean the cesspool in a private house are the appearance of unpleasant pungent odors, the accumulation of midges, the formation of silt sediments at the bottom and fat on the walls of the pit.
You will probably notice that the water in the sink and toilet in the country runs out very slowly.
Waste pumping will help to get rid of all these problems.
Contaminated and silted drainage pit
If you are interested in how to clean the drain pit from silt yourself, then detailed instructions it won't hurt you.
This process cannot be called easy, and besides, it is also not very pleasant, but believe me, the result is worth it.
To do this, you will need a shovel, rope or rope, a bucket, special clothing and shoes.
Do not forget to take care of an airtight container in which it will be possible to remove the drains outside your area.
It will be difficult for one person to cope with all this, so help from the outside will be needed.
Do-it-yourself cesspool cleaning
So, first you will need to drain the cesspool, i.e. use a bucket and a rope to select the liquid in it.
After that, one person sinks to the bottom and begins to pick the silt in the bucket with a shovel, and the one who is on top takes the bucket and pours its contents into a special container.
It is advisable to clean the pit in this way only if it is not too deep and some water flows into it.
This is how the pit is cleaned
How to clean a cesspool from silt with the help of sewers?
I want to say right away that it will be much easier to do it than a bucket.
Modern methods, as well as the tools and equipment used, have ample opportunities to perform "dirty work".
All that is required of you is, with the help of a directory or the Internet, find an organization that deals with the disposal of liquid household waste.
If you have to deal with silt, then you need to order a sludge pump.
Cleaning with a sewage suction truck
It is especially important that a convenient approach of the machine to the pit is organized and the length of the hose that will suck out the waste is taken into account, because the quality of cleaning depends on this.
The depth of the pit should not be more than three meters, otherwise the sewage machine will not be able to remove the sludge layer accumulated at the bottom.
Arrange the entrance to the sewage truck
Sludge suction machines include not only a vacuum pump, but also a tank, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems, a suction boom, which is controlled remotely.
The only drawback of this cleaning method is the deterioration of the soil absorbent properties.
How many times a year you have to call a sewer truck to clean the sewer depends on how actively you use it and the amount of waste.
Additional methods
If you do not want to often clean the structure for the accumulation of wastewater with your own hands or call special equipment, then it will not hurt to learn how to remove sludge from a cesspool using biological products and chemistry.
Their action is that they recycle accumulated fats and feces, paper, cleaning vegetables, etc.
The use of chemicals and bacteria can significantly reduce the volume of waste, as well as disinfect the cesspool.
Cleaning the cesspool with biological products
As for the materials that were used in the construction of the tank, biological preparations are, of course, safer for them.
Their use does not adversely affect either metal or cinder block, brick, plastic and concrete.
If you plan to use biological products, you should be aware that active bacteria die in an aggressive environment, respectively, you should not drain water containing washing powder and detergents into the sewer.
Biologicals for drain pits
If you plan to clean the cesspool in the winter, then you will need chemicals because they:
- are not afraid of low temperatures, their sudden changes;
- resistant to aggressive environments;
- decompose absolutely different types waste;
- effective in combating unpleasant odors.
The question of how to get rid of silt in a cesspool is far from idle, since the siltation of a cesspool is a predictable and inevitable phenomenon. The owner learns that this process has begun by the unpleasant odor emanating from the pit and gradually spreading throughout the entire site. Silt deposits form on its walls, the outflow of liquid becomes difficult, which leads to a slow cleaning of the sink and toilet bowl in the house. There are several options for solving the problem, but you should not postpone this issue on the back burner. The pit itself will not clear itself, and its condition will only worsen.
- Sewer well without a bottom. It is an open pit dug in the area without any additional processing. Is the simplest and inexpensive way arrangement of a cesspool, but not very effective, since the well quickly silts up and exudes an unpleasant odor.
- A sealed structure, the bottom of which is poured with concrete, and the walls are bricked or concreted.
- The septic tank is the most effective purification system with a complex design, capable of accumulating and processing waste. It is quite expensive, so it is not used as often.
Sludge deposits sooner or later appear on any structure. There are several ways to remove sludge from a sump. The choice of this or that method depends on the type of sewer system.
Methods for cleaning the cesspool from silt deposits
Cleaning a sewer pit from silt is not a pleasant job. If you are not ready to do it yourself, it is better to use the services of a sewage company. But it must be taken into account that the length of the hose of the sewer truck is only three meters; for deeper pits, special equipment is used - a sludge pump with a hose 16 meters long. Sludge is pumped out very quickly and without the participation of the site owner, who also does not have to worry about waste disposal. However, the services of professional sewers are not cheap. There are several manual cleaning methods that can be dealt with without the need for a specialist.
Sewerage cleaning with a cesspool machine
Mechanical methods of sludge removal
An open cesspool can be cleaned in the old-fashioned way - with a bucket, rope and shovel. Simply put, scoop out liquid waste from it with a bucket, and then collect all the sludge from the bottom of the well with a shovel. After that, you need to let the hole dry and cover the bottom with gravel to facilitate subsequent processing. This method is quite laborious and is only suitable for shallow cesspools. In some cases, it is easier and more efficient to bury a well filled with feces and set up a new drain pit.
Other mechanical method consists in dissolving the silty sediment in water. To do this, first pump out 2/3 of the waste from the pit using a feces pump. Then fill 1/3 of the hole with water, which must be supplied under high pressure. The stream of water will wash away the silt from the bottom. The waste can then be pumped out with a fecal pump.
Installation diagram of a pump in a sewer well
Note! For primary pumping, only a fecal pump with a grinder is suitable. If a water pump is used for secondary cleaning, then you need to stock up on additional nozzles. In order not to damage the equipment, they will have to be changed very often.
How to remove sludge using biological products
Biological products for cesspools are available in liquid and dry form
Any type of cesspool can be cleaned with biological agents, which are made up of live microorganisms and enzymes. In the course of their vital activity, bacteria absorb waste, eliminate unpleasant odors and produce organic and mineral substances, which can later be used as compost.
The drugs are produced industrially in the form of powders, tablets, cassettes or liquids. In dry products, bacteria are in a dormant state and are activated only when they enter a favorable environment. There are no special rules for choosing a particular remedy, the only required condition their use - strict adherence to the attached instructions. If the purified mass will be used as fertilizer, experts recommend using biological products in the form of tablets. Powder products best used in previously cleaned pits. In this case, you can even water the garden with the resulting liquid.
Biologics must be used in liquid form. You need to dilute funds in strict accordance with the instructions.
Note! One liter of concentrated liquid preparation is able to clean 2 cubic meters of waste.
The bacteria used for cleaning do not destroy the materials used for the manufacture of cesspools, absolutely harmless to environment and a person.
Microorganisms are sensitive to chlorine, alkalis and acids, so it is not recommended to drain waste containing household chemicals during their use, from which they may die. In addition, bacteria cannot work at temperatures below +4 ° C.
How to clean a pit with chemicals
Unlike biological ones, chemicals work effectively all year round. They can be used to clean septic tanks, open and sealed cesspools. Chemicals do an excellent job with unpleasant odors, decompose organic compounds, and reduce bottom sediment. However, they must be used very carefully, since they aggressively affect beneficial microorganisms and contribute to the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria. Chemicals can corrode the metal parts of the sewer system.
Chemical preparation for cleaning drain pits
Note! Waste that has undergone chemical treatment cannot be used to fertilize the soil.
Chemicals are divided into three types:
- Formaldehyde. In recent years, they have been used extremely rarely, as they contain carcinogens and are very toxic.
- Products based on ammonium compounds. With their help, you can quickly eliminate unpleasant odors and accelerate the decomposition of organic waste. However, their effectiveness is noticeably reduced from contact with household chemicals.
- Nitrate oxidants. They contain surfactants, which help the rapid liquefaction of waste. Nitrate-based products can work in any aggressive environment and are considered the most effective and safest of all chemicals.
Despite all their effectiveness, chemical and biological agents are not a panacea for the formation of silt deposits. Their use can only delay for some time the pumping of waste with the help of sewage equipment.
How to get rid of worms in a sump
Worms start in cesspools quite often, since any places where sewage and waste accumulate serve as an excellent breeding ground for them. The development of the larvae is fast enough, so do not delay cleaning. There are several ways to get rid of worms in a sump.
- Chlorination. Poisonous gas is highly toxic. But it acts only on the surface and cannot penetrate into deeper layers. To achieve the result, the procedure will have to be repeated several times.
- Boiling water treatment. The worms instantly die from exposure to high temperatures. This method also requires periodic repetition.
- Chemical treatment. Any insect control agent in the form of tablets, granules or powder can be used, which must be dissolved in water according to the instructions and poured into a cesspool.
Cleaning the cesspool from silt is a problem that periodically arises in any private household. You need to understand that it will not be resolved by itself. Regardless of which method of the above you will use, in order to achieve the effect, the events will have to be carried out regularly.
- Algae control methods
- Cleaning the pond on your own
How to clean the pond from silt with your own hands? This question is of interest to many owners of private houses on the site of which there is a reservoir. And this is quite understandable. After all, algae and mud will surely begin to appear in the artificial pool.
The pond can be overgrown with mud, algae, and a large amount of silt can also form.
Algae control methods
If your pond is simply overgrown with algae, then you should take measures to eliminate them. Today there are three main ways of fighting: biological, chemical and mechanical.Let's consider each of them in more detail.
The biological method consists mainly in the artificial creation of a favorable microflora in the reservoir. To do this, special biological products are added to the water, as a result of which special microorganisms appear in the water. Their presence in the water leads to a change in microflora and, as a result, silt and algae disappear in the water. These biologics can be found in stores. Before processing, be sure to read the instructions for use. It is there that the indications for use and consumption per cube of water are described.
Some preparations can cleanse the reservoir from other impurities: slags, oil products, etc.
Planting plants near the pond that shade the pond and prevent algae from growing is also considered a biological method.
The mechanical method consists in simple cleaning of the reservoir using a broom, rake. This method is laborious and does not give good result. Modern technologies allow you to use a more efficient method - the use of a special vacuum cleaner. It collects debris and dirt both from the surface of the pond and from its bottom. Cleaning is carried out as follows. The vacuum cleaner sucks in water, passes it through a special filter and releases already clean water through another hose.
The chemical method consists in adding special chemical reagents to the water: dyes and algecides. As a result, water is saturated with oxygen, the acidity of the water is normalized and algae are dissolved. Such processes will significantly reduce the risk of sludge formation. At the same time, chemical cleaning agents, as a rule, are completely harmless to humans and fish. And over time, they break down into carbon dioxide and water.
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Pond cleaning with filters
You can clean artificial reservoirs at the summer cottage and by installing special filters. However, it is worth remembering that they must be installed immediately or after complete replacement water. If you decide to install a filtration system after algae and silt have appeared in the water, then there is a high probability that the system simply will not cope. And then all efforts will not be crowned with success. Moreover, the system can fail.
The principle of operation of the filter is based on the suction of water from the pond, passing through the filtration system and further release into the reservoir. Filters can provide various degrees of cleaning. Some remove only dirt, silt and other physical inclusions.
There are also more complex systems. The most effective is multi-stage cleaning. In the first compartment, the water undergoes mechanical treatment, in the second - biological and in the third - chemical. Additionally, the system can have an ultraviolet stage. At this stage, with the help of ultraviolet radiation, the DNA of viruses, microalgae and bacteria is destroyed.
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Cleaning the pond on your own
You can also clean the artificial lake from silt in another way - by completely replacing the water.
To simplify the work of mechanical cleaning of the pond, there are special vacuum cleaners.
This is done in the event that the reservoir is heavily polluted and it is hardly possible to do with the above methods.
The process is carried out in several stages:
- catch all the inhabitants from the pond - fish, frogs, turtles, place everyone in the aquarium;
- catch plants from the pond - lilies, water lilies, etc. and also place them in a container with water;
- pump out all the water from the reservoir using a pump;
- clean the bottom, walls from silt and debris with a bottom vacuum cleaner. The principle of operation of the equipment is as follows: it sucks in the remaining water together with dirt and sludge, but does not clean it and does not release it back. As soon as the container is full, the vacuum cleaner switches off automatically. The waste collection tank can be emptied;
- the pond should dry out a little;
- filling the pool with new clean water.
If you do not plan to use all of the above cleaning methods (chemical, biological, mechanical), then you should carry out this procedure 3-4 times a year.
And in order for the pond to constantly delight you with its cleanliness, it is imperative to clean it up after winter. After the snow melts, a lot of various debris and dirt remain in it. The only exceptions are those reservoirs that are closed for the winter. If the pool is small and contains underwater inhabitants, then they should be relocated to home aquariums.
Thus, using specific cleaning methods, you can keep your pond clean in the country. And its inhabitants will be able to swim and develop in it without any difficulties.
The problem of an autonomous sewage system in a private house does not end with the issue of its arrangement. Much more attention needs to be paid to caring for her. Any cesspool over time silts up to one degree or another. However, a number of timely measures taken can postpone the need to call a sewer truck to pump waste for years.
Incorrect organization of the cesspool leads to the formation of sludge
Improper organization of the cesspool, a large amount of solid waste and other factors can lead to a local disaster. What to do if silted up cesspool? How can you prevent it from filling up quickly? We will try to answer these questions.
Types of cesspools
To answer the question of why the sewer pit began to silt, it is necessary to understand the types of migrants. Often, the main source of the problem lies precisely in the sewage system.
- A pit without a bottom is an ordinary cesspool that summer residents and private owners organize on their plots. It is not difficult to do it yourself and organize the drainage from the house into the tank, or attach it on top outdoor toilet... In a sump without a bottom, a bottom filter of sand and crushed stone must be tripled, through which liquid effluents go into the ground, and solid particles remain in the form of sediment. In addition to the fact that this is the simplest and cheapest way of organizing sewerage, a cesspool without a bottom creates serious risks for the environment - fecal water, household chemical waste and toxins get into the soil, groundwater and poison them.
- A sealed tank is made of plastic or monolithic concrete. Runoff falling into such a pit does not come into contact with soil and plants, and therefore does not pose a potential hazard. Sealed structures are more suitable for summer cottages, houses with a small number of residents, small roadside cafes, and more. The lack of a closed cesspool is fast filling and the need to pump out waste frequently.
- A septic tank or overflow well is a complex system with two or more reservoirs interconnected by overflow pipes. Principle of operation: the first sealed tank receives waste from the house, where the main part of large and solid particles settles at the bottom. Water, as it fills, pours into the next one, where, due to the force of gravity, heavy fractions also sink to the bottom. The last in the septic tank is to organize a drainage well or a drainage field, from where the purified industrial water goes into the ground or is used to irrigate the vegetation on the site.
A septic tank is an effective solution for arranging an autonomous sewage system
As you can see, sealed pits are more often prone to rapid filling, and semitrailers without a bottom become silted up.
Silting reasons
The pit can become silted for a number of reasons, but the main one is that putrefactive bacteria do not have time to process the incoming volume of waste. Fat settles on the bottom and walls of the tank, falls throughput filters. Because of this, the water leaves worse, the level of wastewater in the pit increases.
The consequences are not pleasant and dangerous. A silted cesspool spreads the stench not only over your backyard territory, but also disturbs your neighbors. Water from the sink and the bathroom goes into the drain an order of magnitude slower due to the difficult outflow of liquid waste.
The second reason is improperly organized drainage.
If we are talking about an open cesspool or septic tank, it is important to correctly perform a drainage filter and build a well to drain the process water. A design that does not comply with technology is prone to water stagnation and silting.
Cleaning methods
How to clean a sump from silt? Considering technical side, then there are three options:
- manual selection of sediment with a bucket;
- pumping out sludge with a fecal pump;
- call of the sewer truck.
In addition to mechanical cleaning, other methods are known:
Sump biological products - an effective way of cleaning
- use of biological products for processing fatty sediment into liquid sludge;
- cleaning with chemistry.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are more aimed at extending the life of the cesspool, others are used for lack of other choice. Let's take a closer look at each method.
Manual sludge collection
A silted cesspool is difficult, unpleasant and time-consuming, but it can be manually cleaned with a few buckets and a strong rope. Work must be carried out in protective rubberized clothing with a hood, high rubber boots, gloves, with a respiratory mask and goggles on the face. Fecal masses are toxic, therefore it is necessary to avoid splashing on open skin and mucous membranes.
Since the sewage waste emits toxic fumes, be sure to open the pit for ventilation for several days before starting work. To help, hire one or two workers who will serve and take the bucket from the sump, and pour the contents into the container prepared for disposal. Tie the bucket tightly to the rope and scoop out the contents of the hole until you reach the bottom.
Lead a hose to the open well and blow off the walls and bottom in the pit with a jet of water under pressure. This will allow hard and greasy deposits to be lifted off the surfaces of the tank. Shovel over too large growths with a shovel on a long handle.
You need to remove agitated sludge from two points. Someone sinks to the bottom and carefully scoops out the contents with a bucket. The filled container is taken out and discarded carefully so as not to spill.
It is necessary to clean the bottom of the pit well, so that after cleaning it is necessary to add a layer of fine and coarse gravel. Otherwise, silting will become a constant problem. It is advisable to clean manually only small cesspools without a bottom. Otherwise, too much time and effort is wasted.
Cleaning with a pump
If you have a silted hole, but there is no access to the territory for a sewer truck, use a special fecal pump or vibration pump, such as "Kid". Work algorithm:
- Pump off the settled liquid. Leave ¼ the volume in the tank.
- Using a jet of water under pressure, wash the walls of the pit and beat up the thick silt at the bottom. This is necessary to make it easier for the pump to remove sewage and remove them outside.
- Pump out the remaining contents completely.
- Rinse the pit again with water.
- The sewage must be pumped out into a sealed container, which is then removed and disposed of.
- In the cesspool, update the bottom filter.
Vacuum cleaner service
Waste disposal machine - an expensive cleaning method
How to remove sludge from a cesspool using a sewage machine? You just need to clear the entrance for the equipment, and then place an order in the company-suction truck. Otherwise, your participation in cleaning the cesspool is not required.
Biobacteria and chemistry
We have already considered the methods of mechanical cleaning. Some are only suitable for small lagoons, or for places where a car will not drive up. But there are also less messy cleaning methods:
Bacteria
Sold in the form of powder, tablets, liquid. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria process all organic matter, so solid waste eventually turns into liquid sludge. They also prevent the formation of hydrogen sulphide, which is poisonous in a concentrated form, an unpleasant odor characteristic of sedimentation tanks and outdoor toilets.
Using biobacteria, you reduce the volume of sediment in the septic tank by 80%, keep the sewer pipes and pit walls in order.
Bacterial preparations are not poisonous or dangerous. Converts toxic waste into biofertilizer. But their operation implies the fulfillment of certain rules: the temperature in the cesspool, the frequency of use, the limited use of household chemicals with chlorine content, and so on.
Chemicals
Mostly used in the cold season, when it is not possible to use bacteria for cleaning. They can also be used in the presence of chlorine in the wastewater. It is allowed to use nitrate-based chemistry - nitrate oxidizers for cesspools and septic tanks. They convert human waste products into harmless sludge that can even be used as fertilizer. Ammonium salts, formaldehydes and other chemical preparations are prohibited, as they destroy metal and plastic structures of a septic tank, are dangerous to humans and the environment.
Prevention
To increase the period of the flawless work of your sewage system, make it a rule to pour a pack of biobacteria into the septic tank every 3-4 weeks. They quickly turn sewage into liquid safe sludge, prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors and greasy deposits on the walls of the waste disposal site. Thanks to them, you will have to contact the sewer service much less often.
