How to unclog a toilet.

Sewer cleaning, or septic tank pumping, is a service many people overlook. This is because after buying a detached house or townhouse, it's often a while before the need arises. Some condo owners don't even need it, as the building management handles it.

Many wonder when the right time to have a septic tank pumped is. Delaying it can create inconvenience for residents and negatively impact hygiene. Let's look at the details of septic tank cleaning.

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What is septic tank cleaning?


Septic tank cleaning is the removal of waste from the human body, stored in a septic tank, usually located near the bathroom or around the house. The size and number of septic tanks vary from house to house.

The septic tank is buried underground, typically a small, round lid, about the size of a dinner plate. Most are soakaway tanks, where water seeps out through grooves and the soil, leaving behind solid waste. The tank can fill up due to various reasons, including prolonged use or rainwater ingress. However, if it's rainwater getting in, it will dry out on its own soon because the water seeps out into the ground.

Symptoms indicating a full septic tank include abnormal toilet flushing, such as slow or no flushing. This is a signal to call a septic tank cleaning service.

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What causes a clogged toilet and how to fix it?


Although the above symptoms are one indication of a full septic tank, a slow or clogged toilet can have many causes besides a full septic tank. Most often, it's due to objects falling into the toilet and blocking the water flow, such as soap, sanitary pads, or toilet paper.

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Basic solutions for a clogged toilet:

1. Plunger
This is the most popular and basic method. Place the plunger head into the toilet bowl and pump rhythmically. The pressure from the plunger will help push the blockage out.

2. Caustic soda
Caustic soda is corrosive. To clear a blockage inside your toilet: Mix caustic soda with warm water, then slowly pour it into the toilet. The blockage should soon be dislodged. However, use with caution; wear protective gloves and avoid getting caustic soda fumes in your eyes.

3. Drain cleaner
This type of cleaner usually contains grease-dissolving agents that help dissolve blockages in the toilet pipe. However, this method also requires caution as it is a highly corrosive chemical. Wear protective gloves during use.

4. Plumbing snake
This is a long metal wire with a handle. Insert the wire as deep as possible into the toilet, then rotate the handle. The rotational force will help dislodge the blockage.

If all these methods fail to resolve the toilet blockage, it means the septic tank is full. Look for the cause in the next step.

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What to do if your septic tank is full?

The first thing to do when your septic tank is full is to investigate the cause, such as prolonged use. It's been a while since your septic tank was emptied. Has it been raining and water is pooling around the tank? Because not all problems can be solved by simply pumping out the septic tank.

– If you find that the septic tank is full due to prolonged use, you can call for septic tank pumping services.
– If you find that the problem is due to rain and water pooling, you should wait for the water or rain to stop for a while. Once the water dries, the septic tank may function normally again. However, if a considerable amount of time has passed and the septic tank is still full, then you should call for septic tank pumping services.

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How much does septic tank pumping cost?


Septic tank pumping services have various price levels, depending on the amount of waste, the area, and the distance from the service provider to your home. In Bangkok, you can request septic tank pumping services from the Sanitation and Public Parks Department at your district office. See more information for each district here.

Septic tank pumping fees: First cubic meter and subsequent cubic meters... 250 baht per cubic meter

– Less than half a cubic meter: 150 baht per cubic meter
– More than half a cubic meter: 1 cubic meter

Or inquire with the district office in your area at the following phone number:

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Thank you for the helpful information from DD Property