Sewer/Septic Line Issues: Snake Them or Jet Them?

Question

We have had some issues with a lot of grease in the septic lines. Some of it is fresh (yellowish color) and some older grease (white in color). We have had the tank pumped 3 times in 4 months and I suspect there is more grease throughout the lines. Talked to a plumber and he wants to snake out the lines. Someone else suggested "jetting" which is a process using water to clear the lines. Anyone have any knowledge or experience as to what process may be the most effective to most thoroughly clear/clean them?

Rocky V. · Answer

Pumping a tank 3 times in 4 months is unheard of.  Did you or someone else confirm that it was pumped out?  Are sewer lines cast iron?  Is sewer coming up from toilets or from tanks?  If you are having continuous issues with sewer system I would have them jetted and send a camera down the line as well.  You may have roots in the line causing the backup or a belly in the line.

Colleen F. · Answer

Jeff Beard   no problem  you're right if you are downhill from your system you could have a pump to pump things up. Lets hope not too many people do that with septic though.

John Thedford · Answer

I suspect the system was being intentionally poisoned. Cannot prove that..but having it pumped out 3 times in 4 months made me question the situation. Also, the last pumping receipt states there was a lot of yellow grease which they stated indicates fresh grease. I evicted the guy. He had been trouble for over a year. I do need to get the lines jetted and move forward with a new tenant. New lease will have more strict language regarding the septic tank, grease, pumpouts, etc. Anyone know a good company in Cape Coral for jetting?

Chuck Gerchow · Answer

Is the main line from the house clear? I had the clay pipe crumbling going from the house to the tank. Backing up the house. Can I say I can deal with a lot. That put me over the top.

Also make sure The filter is clean. How many occupants in the house?

Just a couple thoughts.

Chuck

Jeff B. · Answer

@Colleen F.  Brain Fade - - my comment was really STUPID.  No one installs septic up hill -- unless it's me!  (dumb city kid, sorry).

Jeff B. · Answer

GRRR;  Sorry to contradict, but I would have made that assumption too until I saw my brother's house on the down-hill side of the city main and he had to replace the pump.

Jeff B. · Answer

This is NOT a DIY job.  Get a pro service to evaluate the lines, the tank and to create a bid for the job.  Get a second opinion/bid to verify.

Colleen F. · Answer

Is it a gravity system?  If not and you have a pump somewhere in the system it could be malfunctioning and that would be a reason for the frequent pumps. Think of all those things that can get stuck in a pump.   I am not sure if jetting  should be done on the systems with pumps.   If it is an older system disregard the comment they are pretty much all gravity.

Kevin Harrison · Answer

In a situation with grease I would have it jetted and camera'd. I would also as the tenants to not put any grease down the drain. let them know once it has been camera'd, pumped, and jetted, that anything after that is on them.

Robert Melcher · Answer

Another concern is the septic field may not be percolating. Has there been a lot of rain? The field may be just saturated, but also the grease may have clogged the perc lines on the output side of the tank.  if that is the case, jetting MAY be the only solution to clear the holes.

Sewer/Septic Line Issues: Snake Them or Jet Them?

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