The outlet baffle is often considered to be the most important baffle because it keeps solids from exiting the tank and making their way to the leach field where they could clog up and effectively destroy the leach field system.
Septic tank clogged baffle.
This means they float inside the septic tank rather than falling to the bottom with the rest of the solid waste.
A block in the distribution box.
Below is a video of a clogged inlet baffle.
In most cases wall baffles also consist of concrete and are built directly into the side of the tank.
Sometimes they become clogged with items that should not have been flushed such as tampons wet wipes condoms or paper towels.
Part of the drain inlet or outlet of the septic tank is clogged.
Where a replacement pvc plastic septic tank tee is installed into a steel or concrete septic tank the outlet or inlet tee is a standard pipe tee typically of the same diameter as the incoming sewer line placed at the inlet of a septic tank to prevent the inlet sewer line from being clogged by floating scum and waste in the tank resulting in.
And this advice could save you money in a case of a backup.
Plant roots can also grow into the pipes or septic tank and cause them to easily clog.
Use a snake or water jetting to unclog the main drain.
If you want trees or plants keep them at least 20 30 feet 6 1 9 1 m away from your septic system so the roots aren t able to grow inside.
Finally check the inlet baffle to the tank if you have access to it.
The tank was backed up due to a clogged inlet baffle.
The septic tank or septic vents have frozen due to low temperatures.
Older septic tanks especially those made from concrete tend to contain wall baffles.
This homeowner called us out for a pumping and thought his septic tank needed cleaned.
Ways to unclog a main drain or full septic tank.
Just a reminder this video is not an inspection.
The septic tank vent is blocked.
The baffle is designed to keep solids from getting into the vulnerable leach field lines but if there are a lot of solids they can actually cause the baffle to clog up.
If sewage is backing up into your home or surfacing around the septic tank you might have a problem with the outlet baffle or effluent filter.
Wall baffles also give incoming solids more space thus reducing the likelihood of clogs.
You can see that both of these septic tank baffles or tank tees keep the floating scum and grease from blocking the septic tank inlet at left and importantly the tee or baffle keeps the floating scum and grease from exiting the septic tank outlet where it would clog the drainfield.
Part of the percolation pipes is clogged.