Why do you need grease traps?
26.10.2021Bacteria for sewerage
27.10.2021
What do you need to know about the latrine?
If you want to buy a house that has a cesspool, most likely, you will have a lot of questions about what a cesspool is and how it differs from the usual sewer.
Here’s what you need to know about the possible problems of latrine pits and their care in private homes.
What is a cesspool?
Sewage pits (drains or latrine pits) are an older type of sewage system. They were common before the advent of septic systems. Such a structure consists of a closed pit, where all liquid and solid household waste (everything that goes down the drain) is dumped, and their solid particles settle to the bottom. Sewage is washed into the soil, and sludge (or solid particles) remains at the bottom of the cesspool.
Synonyms of the latrine
There are several parallel names for the definition of “cesspool” – a latrine, settling tank, septic tank, septic system. However, septic tanks are very different from the cesspool.
The origin of the cesspool
This term, like the phenomenon itself, originated in seventeenth-century England and was originally used to denote a container under the toilet.
The size of the latrine
Settling pits usually have a diameter of about 1 meter. They are best used when descending to porous soil so that liquids can be better absorbed back into the soil. This means that their depth can vary depending on soil conditions. The walls of the cesspool are lined with brick or cement. Of course, today there are standards according to which such a structure must be deaf – that is, it is necessary to concrete the bottom so that human waste does not fall into the soil.
In general, the size depends on the needs of the household.
How is the latrine pit arranged?
Typically, a cesspool is an underground structure with cement or brick walls. Sewage also enters the drain hole from an external source, and then liquids seep into the ground. The liquid in the cesspool dissipates through the bottom if it is a cesspool with an open bottom, or through perforated holes on the sides of the bottom is closed.
Cesspool with overflow
Another type of cesspool arrangement is an overflow pit. That is, we are talking about two latrine pits. The first collects wastewater and solid particles. Then the solid particles fall to the bottom of the cesspool (which has a weaker seal), and the wastewater flows into the second cesspool, which allows the wastewater to seep back into the ground and eventually return to groundwater level.
With this type of installation, the cesspool, in which solid particles (wastewater) accumulate, will need to be periodically serviced and cleaned.
The timing of a cesspool cleaning can vary greatly as some facts take effects, such as family size, use, size, and depth of the cesspool itself.
How long can you use the latrine?
Depending on the use and maintenance, the cesspool can last up to 40 years. It will depend on many external factors. If you are buying a house with an old cesspool, it is best to budget for an upgrade to a newer septic system.
What is the difference between a latrine and a septic system
When you look at a cesspool or septic tank, the difference is that the cesspool slowly leaks sewage, while the septic tank consists of two compartments, and the sewage is pumped to the leaching site.
Pump pumping
Settling wells should be pumped out and regularly serviced by specialists. This includes pumping untreated wastewater and disposing of it. This will help extend the life of your cesspool.
There are two types of latrine pits. The most common were brick or block latrine pits, but over time they changed to a more standard format of prefabricated cesspools, a concrete cylinder with a bottom and holes on the sides for leaching wastewater into the ground.
If you have a block (or brick) cesspool, never empty it completely. This can cause the cesspool to collapse on itself. Be sure to hire a contractor who knows about latrine pits and how best to dispose of waste. This is usually done with a septic tank that uses a pump and hose to evacuate solids and any standing sewage that has not been absorbed by the soil.
How long does it take to pump out a cesspool?
Depending on the size of the cesspool, pumping can take at least 30 minutes or longer. When contacting a septic specialist, make sure that he has experience working with latrine pits and understands the nature of their maintenance.
Cleaning the cesspool
As a rule, the latrine should be cleaned after it is filled. It is best to contact officials. If you still have a latrine, it is likely to be nearing the end of its service life and will eventually need to be replaced or refurbished.
Complete pumping of the cesspool
If you decide to stop the drain hole, it must be completely pumped out by a septic pump and the drain removed. Pump pumping is a process that involves a pump and a long hose.
Depending on the size of the cesspool, it may take up to an hour or more to drain. All solid particles and liquids in the tank must be drained from the cesspool.
Always hire a professional to clean your cesspool!
Tips for caring for a cesspool
The best way to keep your latrine alive for a long time is regular maintenance, where the following tips can help you:
regularly pump out and maintain the latrine;
make sure that water does not drip from the taps into the sinks in the kitchen, bathroom, and shower;
pay attention and repair toilets that are constantly working or leaking – it will quickly fill the latrine;
do not wash feminine hygiene items or paper products, except water-soluble toilet paper;
do not use powder soap, prefer liquid soap;
never lower plastic parts into the sewer;
do not flush baby wipes down the toilet (even if they say they are flush);
do not leave water constantly on (this is good for the environment and the life of the cesspool).
Problems with the cesspool
Over the years, the scale of cesspool scale begins to cover all the walls of the cesspool, which prevents sewage from entering the soil. As leaching slows down, the cesspool is filled with this water, and this may necessitate the installation of new drains.
To avoid this problem, it is important to regularly pump out the latrine and clean it during pumping.
Another problem is the collapse of the walls of the cesspool. This can happen in old latrine pits. If this happens, you may need to replace the latrine.
Please note that in many countries around the world the use of latrine pits is prohibited, and the installation of septic systems is allowed.
In order for everything to be fine with your latrine, the company “Biochemical Service” recommends the use of biological products:
