Photo By tylim at istock

If you have a septic tank, then you know just how important the little things are when it comes to maintaining the condition of the tank. All septic tanks have effluent filters, also known as outlet filters. These filters protect the entire septic system by filtering out effluent as it leaves the tank. It’s responsible for preventing the pipes in the drainfield from clogging.

If the effluent filter is clogged, sewage could easily back up into your home. In these scenarios, you’re going to want to call an emergency plumber immediately to fix the problem. These problems are definitely not problems that you’ll want to sit on, as they’ll get worse and worse the longer that you wait.

If the effluent filters are clogged or if they need to be cleaned, consider calling a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth. Our contractors can get the job done efficiently!

How Often Should the Effluent Filter Be Cleaned?

Much like with the rest of the septic tank system, the effluent filter needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly. In general, most effluent filters will work perfectly for at least several years after the septic tank has been installed. After several years, you will want to call a professional to clean the filter to ensure that there aren’t any major blockages that could wreak havoc on your septic tank system or home down the road.

Most plumbers recommend getting the effluent filters cleaned whenever the tank is pumped. For some families, this may be as often as once a year or several times a year. However, this may not always be possible for some families. At the very least, the effluent filters should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years depending on the size of the septic tank and how often the septic system is used.

What’s Involved in an Effluent Filter Cleaning?

Cleaning the effluent filter is not an afterthought. The plumbers will need to deliberately look for the filter and remove it from the septic tank. Once the filter is removed, the plumbers will clean the filter and remove all of the solids that can be found clinging onto the filter. As these filters can be health hazards, the professional will need to wear appropriate protective gear. This isn’t something that most homeowners can do on their own. They really shouldn’t attempt it either.

Once the effluent filters are cleaned and look like new, they will need to be re-installed back into the correct place. Most plumbers will also take a look at the effluent filters to make sure that they are working properly. They may do a quick run through of the septic system.

Top 8 Reasons Why Effluent Filters Get Clogged

Surprisingly, it’s not uncommon for effluent filters to get plugged or clogged. When they do, you’ll need to call a plumber to help you fix the problem. This isn’t one of those problems that you’ll be able to find a DIY solution online. You not only won’t have the expertise needed to diagnose and assess the situation, but you also won’t have the equipment and tools needed to fix the problem.

It’s important to note that it’s also never a good idea to handle septic tank issues yourself due to the possible health hazards that could come from handling the septic tank. You will have much better luck leaving any repairs or jobs related to the septic tank to one of our plumbers in Mansfield, TX. They’ll be able to walk you through the entire process and help you figure out the reason behind why your effluent filters are clogged in the first place.

There are many different reasons why the effluent filters may be clogged. We’ll look at 8 of the most common reasons below.

#1. Too Much Wastewater Is Being Generated In Too Short of a Time Period

The most common reason for why the effluent filters are clogged is that there is too much wastewater being generated in too short a period of time. If this happens, the abundance of wastewater will create some type of turbulence within the septic tank. This will reduce overall retention time, which can cause some solids to clog the effluent screens.

In general, this only happens if there is a leak somewhere in the system or if you’re hosting a huge party and a lot of people are using the washroom in a short period of time. You should always be mindful of your septic tank’s capacity. Take this factor into consideration before you host too large of a party. As for leaks, you’ll be able to keep an eye on the leaks if you receive regular septic tank maintenance from one of our professionals in Mansfield, TX.

#2. It’s the Natural Discharge from the Water in Your Home

There’s a good chance that the water in your home contains some type of minerals and chemicals. If you use some type of f