Do it Yourself: RE: [DIY] Old Septic Pipe

16 January 2015

RE: [DIY] Old Septic Pipe

I Ihave NEVER heard of not plunging. The wax ring is designed to take it. What you shouldn't do is pour drain cleaner down a toilet. Usually, the tub and sink are connected to the toilet line so putting drain cleaner down them should open up the line past where they connect. I DO NOT reccomend sulfuric acid on older pipes as they may eat through the pipe before the blockage. And that's a mess, trust me.

To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 05:51:23 -0600
Subject: [DIY] Old Septic Pipe

We live in an old farmhouse built in the late 1800's. The septic pipe is the original one.Those put in years ago were the cast iron pipes that become rough over time.

Put in a new toilet 2 years ago. Since the old fashioned toilets are no longer sold I had to purchase one that uses less water. NOT a good thing with old cast iron pipes that do not have a larger slope or downgrade.

We learned within a few weeks that if someone poops (Don'tcha just love that word?) the toilet must be flushed twice or there will be a blockage within about 4 weeks.

I have a small sign hanging above the toilet asking people to double flush when necessary.

We have not had a plug up since last winter when I bought super duper quality drain cleaner and poured it down the bathroom sink and tub to help them drain faster. Most likely cleared out all the black sludge that had built up for years because the septic pipe spit out a lot of sludge when we cleaned it.

To clear out blockages, we have to remove the septic lid and put a hose with a good sprayer at the end of it... and stick that hose into the septic pipe spraying the water backwards into the pipe. Takes 10 to 15 minutes to clear out a clog. Maybe longer.

We are now experiencing a burp or gurggle in the toilet which tells us we have a problem building up.

All drain cleaners I have ever bought say not to put them down the toilet. I have also been told that we shouldn't plunge because it can damage the wax ring.

What can we do to get that septic pipe cleaned out without having to dig up the lid and mess with the garden hose and that dang pipe? I always feel sorry for my husband when he has to lay on his stomach outside... over the septic tank.

The septic pipe is probably not much more than 6 feet in length. Straight with a slight slope.

Joyce aka Mom aka Nana

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Posted by: Ron Johnson <l0c0l0b0@hotmail.com>

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