Septic Question

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Today I noticed the toilet flushing a little slow and I am thinking my septic tank and or drainfield might be starting to freeze up on me. My question is this, I put a full box of Rid-X down the toilet, I am wondering if the bacteria working in the system will produce some heat and help keep the tank from freezing or is this stuff just going to help with breaking down the solids?? With that said, is there something I could do to maybe help so it doesn't lock up on me? It's a pretty shallow conventional sewer system.

[Tom7227]

get it pumped out before the mess is in the basement and then do a couple loads of wash or hot baths and maybe that will thaw it out. The additives don't do much good as far as I've read.

[sparcebag]

The bacteria do create heat,but it takes time for them to get going and there are active bacteria in there anyway,Its just SOOO cold. Go open the inspection/pumpout cover and see if its over full.If it is pump it or the yard will flood,take it easy on water use and hope it warms up some.It should loosen up with some warmer weather comming.

[BobT]

Another thought. Is your system equipped with a warning buzzer to let you know if the tank is overfull?

Bob

[NAMASafetyDirector]

No warning system on mine, but I do have easy access to the inspection cover so I think I'll just take that off and stick a pump in there and pump the grey water off the top a ways and hopefully it thaws out a bit.

[sparcebag]

If its not full your main line may be partially stopped up.

[Surface Tension]

Number 1 cause of frozen line is a dripping faucet. While that might keep a supply line prone to freezing open, it'll freeze up the line to the tank.

So I look at your location and your from LOW.

With the temps below -0 for this many consecutive days and slow draining toilet I'd probably be worried too.

I'd first look inside that tank to see if the water level is above the outlet. If so your drain field could be froze.

I would ask if your drain field has snow cover and then lay hay or straw down covered with traps over the trenches. It'll thaw eventually but sooner with the hay and tarps not to mention, protect it from freezing again.

I'd probably have the tank pumped too. Not the normal maintenance pump where getting the sludge out is the object. I mean drained.

[snoozebutton]

My question is this, I put a full box of Rid-X down the toilet...

We use that too but I couldn't tell you if it does any good or not. I knew a girl from Canada and she said her grandmother used to flush a little raw hamburger down the drain every week. Probably have the same effect but a little cheaper.

[Nutty Fisherman]

Be sure you vent on top of the house is open. This could cause slow flushing.

[Surface Tension]

Nutty Fisherman, your right about that.

If it is a frosted up vent, with todays warm up that should open up.

[Tom7227]

Nutty Fisherman, your right about that.

If it is a frosted up vent, with todays warm up that should open up.

If it's iced over how do you fix it - a little pellet gun action? Getting on the roof would be a no no this time of the year.