Get things moving again
Slow drains, sewer smells outdoors, and pooling water in your lawn can all be signs of a clogged septic system. It's critical to fix a clogged tank as soon as possible, as sewage seepage can be a hazard to your health and the environment—not to mention a messier, more expensive problem to clean up. Learn how to unclog a septic tank yourself with a few tools and protective gear.
You may have a clogged septic tank if your tank hasn’t been pumped for three to five years or has a backup of items. Smaller pipes and restricted tank size can also lead to more clogs. Putting non-flushable items, grease, and chemicals down your drains can also cause your septic system to slow down. But even well-maintained septic systems can get clogged from time to time. Regular pumping (once every three to five years) and proper maintenance can help you avoid clogged tanks and pipes.
Regular septic tank maintenance costs $300 to $500 but depends on the clog's complexity. If you unclog a septic tank yourself, the cost could be $0 if you have all the supplies or you’ll need to cover the cost of renting or buying a mechanical auger (if the clog is harder to reach).
You may have a clogged septic tank if you notice:
Sewage smells outside
Slow draining toilets and sinks
Gurgling pipes and drains
Backed-up drains and toilets
Greener, lusher grass near your tank or above the septic lines
Standing water in your yard
There are two main ways to unclog a septic tank: a wooden pole or steel rod or a mechanical auger. A pole or rod is easier and less dangerous to use but may not clear a deep or dense clog. A mechanical auger is more robust but takes special care and precautions when using it.
You can remove a clog with a wooden pole or steel rod, though the job is messy and smelly. But this method is the easiest one for a homeowner and doesn’t require you to use machinery.
Before unclogging a septic line, put on rubber gloves and safety goggles. You also want to wear a gas mask. Septic tanks can emit strong fumes, sometimes causing lightheadedness or even unconsciousness. Consider working with a partner for extra safety and wear durable clothing to cover your arms and legs. Mix one part bleach and five parts water in a large bucket to create a sanitizing solution. After using tools, you will want to sanitize them in the bleach solution immediately.
Locate the septic tank cover (usually metal, plastic, or concrete) that’s closest to your home. A septic tank cover can be buried up to one foot in the soil. You may need to consult your home's blueprints to locate the septic tank cover.
You can lift the access cover, or you may need to lift it open with a pry bar. Take off the lid entirely and set it nearby. Avoid leaning into the septic tank, as the fumes can be overpowering.
Look for the end of the green or white inlet pipe that travels from the tank to your home. Check to see if anything is blocking the line.
If the water level in the tank is below the inlet pipe, the clog is likely further in the drain pipe. If the water level in the tank is above the inlet, but the line is not clogged, the clog is likely in the leach field.
With a wooden pole or steel rod, gently but firmly move scum out of and away from the clogged inlet pipe. The scum is the solid waste that floats near the top of the tank. Push the pole into the line to loosen and break up any clogs. Scrape the sides of the pipe with the end of the pole and pull the waste into the tank.
If water refills the tank, the clog is cleared.
If the water does not flow after this stage, the clog may be deeper in the pipe.
When the line is clear, remove your tools and place them in the bleach solution for 5 minutes to kill the bacteria. Once the tool is clean, remove it and dump the remaining solution into the septic tank, not down a drain.
Place the access lid on top of the septic tank and ensure it seals. You may need to secure it with lag screws. Never leave a septic tank uncovered, as it can be a hazard for children and pets.
Wash your clothes in the washing machine on a sanitizing cycle. Take a shower immediately and clean your body with soap and water to remove all traces of sewage.
If your septic tank is full or close to capacity, such as if the scum level covers the inlet pipe, contact a local septic cleaning company within one week. They can pump your tank and get it back to healthy levels again. Most septic tanks need to be pumped once every three to five years.
If unclogging the pipe with a pole or rod didn't work, your clog might be harder to access. You can buy or rent a mechanical auger to reach further into the septic line, but you can damage the line if you don't have experience or misuse the tool. You can hire a local septic tank cleaner if you don’t feel comfortable using an auger.
Before using a mechanical auger, put on thick rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a gas mask for the fumes. Work with a partner who can send for help should an accident happen. Wear durable work clothing to cover your arms and legs. Mix one part bleach and five parts water in a large bucket to create a sanitizing solution and immediately sanitize any tools in the bleach solution after use.
Find the septic tank access lid closest to your home, as that tank will likely have the inlet pipe. You may need to lift the lid with a pry bar. Set the lid aside and look for the inlet pipe inside the tank. It's a green or white pipe that sticks out of the side and runs to your home.
Put the rotating bit of the mechanical auger into the end of the clogged pipe at an access point (such as a cleanout port) or the end of the pipe. Push the bit in about one to two feet.
Plug the auger into the nearest electrical outlet. You may need an extension cord. Turn the switch to the “on” or “forward” position. Do not start the auger if the cutting end is not inside the pipe, as it can spin powerfully and cut you.
Push the auger deeper into the pipe to continue breaking up the clog. When you feel resistance, turn the septic line with your hands to see if the auger can move further. Push and pull the auger in brief, back-and-forth movements with both hands to force a clog apart. Work the auger blade so it moves through the pipe more easily.
Once water starts flowing through the pipe again, the clog is broken apart or removed.
Pull the auger out of the pipe slowly with both hands. You may need to put the auger in reverse to remove it from the pipe. Always turn off the machine before you move the auger out of the pipe.
With your gloves on, clean the auger blade in your bleach solution. Remove debris and waste with a hose and wipe it down with a cleaning rag. Dump the remaining solution back in the tank, not down the drain.
Place your septic tank lid back on the hole and secure the seal. You may need to screw it down with lag screws.
Wash your clothes in the washing machine on a sanitizing cycle. Take a shower immediately and clean your body with soap and water.
The best way to prevent septic tank clogs is to maintain your septic system and use it properly.
Don’t put chemicals, bleach, or medications down your drain or toilet.
Avoid putting non-organic materials down your drain, such as feminine hygiene products, wipes, cat litter, and trash.
Practice smart septic tank landscaping, and don’t plant anything with expansive roots near your tank or drainfield.
Switch to natural soaps and cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals and antibacterial soap.
Avoid septic tank additives, as they can hinder the performance of your septic system.
Conserve water so your septic system drains appropriately.
Pump your tank once every three to five years.
Consider adding a waste trap to your kitchen sink to prevent excess grease and oil from passing through the drains, entering the tank, and clogging the system.
You can unclog a septic tank yourself, but the job is far from pleasant. It also might require a mechanical auger, which can be dangerous if you don’t have experience. An auger can also damage the pipe, leading to a more expensive fix. Many homeowners decide to contact a local septic cleaner to unclog a tank to ensure it’s done right.
The best thing to unclog a septic tank is a mechanical auger, especially if the clog is far down the line or particularly dense. You can also clear a clog in a septic line with a wooden pole or steel rod. Be sure to follow safety precautions when working in a septic tank, including wearing heavy-duty work gloves, goggles, and a gas mask.
Your septic tank may be full or clogged if you notice household drains that are backed up, draining slowly, or gurgling; greener, lusher grass around the septic system; pooling water in your yard; or smelling sewage odors outdoors. You can contact a local septic tank pro to inspect your septic system and pump your tank.
Natural bacteria break down sludge in a septic tank by dissolving and consuming the solid waste. Your septic tank needs this bacteria to work correctly and avoid filling beyond capacity. You can increase the natural bacteria in your septic tank by adding three rotten tomatoes through your garbage disposal every three months.
