How to Install a Rear Baffle in a Septic Tank
- 1). Dig at the rear end of the septic tank. This should be the end farthest from the house with the drain pipe which goes to the drain field and drain lines. Most newer septic tanks have an access hatch at both ends of the lid. You will need to remove enough dirt to allow the removal of this hatch and allow yourself room to work without knocking dirt into the tank.
- 2
Tanker Trucktruck image by Andrew Breeden from Fotolia.com
Pump out the tank. This should be done by a licensed contractor who will have the proper equipment to do the job quickly and efficiently. They will also have the means to dispose of the waste material in a legal manner. Depending on your location it will cost between $300 and $400, as of 2010, to have the tank pumped out. - 3). Construct your replacement baffle. Cut one section of PVC pipe long enough to connect to the exterior drain and place through the wall of the septic tank. After cleaning the end of the pipe, glue it into the middle outlet on the tee fitting.
- 4). Cut an 8-inch piece of PVC pipe and glue it into the top opening of the tee fittings. Cut a final piece of pipe for the lower end of the tee fitting. This piece of pipe needs to extend approximately 3 inches lower than the baffle on the inlet side of the tank. Once you have the correct length, glue the past section of pipe into the bottom of the tee fitting.
- 5). Cut away enough of the drain line to allow you to install the baffle from the inside of the tank.
- 6). Splice the new baffle and the existing drain together, making sure the baffle is properly set inside the tank. The pipes must be straight up and down, or parallel with the end of the tank. This will allow the pipe to collect the water from below the upper layer of sludge that will be floating in the tank.
- 7). Make sure all connections and fittings are secure. Reset the access hatch and backfill the hole.
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