The vast majority of owners of summer cottages do not have the opportunity to connect to a centralized sewerage system. Therefore, solving problems related to how to clean a country toilet falls on their shoulders. It’s nice that there are different means and ways to take care of comfort, however, it is not always obvious which of them will be the most effective. Let's figure out what cleaning options exist, and which one to prefer in a particular case.
The toilet is an important component of comfort in the countryside Source pinimg.com
The importance of timely cleaning of the cesspool
A toilet built on the principle of a cesspool is still a popular way to organize amenities outside the city, despite the ban on the construction of such imperfect structures. The solution remains attractive due to its low construction costs, especially if it is intended to be used periodically.
A country toilet is the simplest storage unit; unlike progressive septic tanks, it is not designed for water purification and disposal of sewage that enters it. Depending on the size, intensity of use, and sometimes the groundwater level, the period of its cleaning ranges from once every 5-7 years to several times a year.
It is important that cesspools and toilets are cleaned in a timely manner. A cocktail of waste, often seasoned with household chemicals, is dangerous in terms of soil and plant contamination and harm to humans. It is also dangerous to delay the treatment of an outdoor toilet: the increasing smell neutralizes all the delights of living in nature.
Timely care will save you from many problems Source yandex.net
What to do if cleaning the toilet is impossible
There are many reasons why it is impossible or difficult to clean a toilet. For example, there is no access for special equipment, nowhere to dispose of waste, and a lonely elderly person lives in the dacha who cannot cope with complex physical work.
The only way out is folk remedies:
- Sawdust will help eliminate the smell. The filler is periodically sprinkled with feces inside the cesspool. It absorbs liquid and, when overheated, forms fertilizer. Sawdust from ordinary deciduous trees or rotten old boards will not work. The material is harvested from coniferous or fruit trees that have aromatic properties. The disadvantage of this method is filling the hole. Over time, it will still have to be cleaned.
- Nettle perfectly eliminates the bad smell of feces. A bunch of fresh greens are thrown into the cesspool once a week. During this time, the nettle completely decomposes. The advantage of this method is that the contents of the pit do not increase quickly, as is observed with the use of sawdust.
- A good neutralizer for sewage odors is tomato tops. In addition, aromatic substances repel flies and other insects from the toilet. There is no need to specifically destroy tomatoes. They use leaves and shoots that are removed during the formation of bushes.
- Spicy herbs help get rid of bad odors. Usually mint is used along with basil. Plants are distributed in almost all dachas. There will be no problems with the search. A bunch of greenery is similarly thrown once a week.
- Similar to sawdust, peat is a good filler. It tends to absorb bad odors and liquids. Peat is periodically sprinkled with sewage. Over time, compost forms inside the pit, which is stored in a designated place for ripening.
There is another effective way to solve the problem with the toilet. If it is impossible to clean it, a new cesspool is dug in another place. The toilet stall is simply moved. The old overflowing pit is covered with earth.
Video about ways to care for the toilet:
Traditional method: pumping cleaning
Toilets need regular maintenance; every owner knows about the sacred duty, but pushes this information into the depths of the subconscious. Even if you resort to cleaning measures extremely rarely, the hour “H” still comes. Experienced owners try not to delay cleaning: the larger the volume of waste, the more difficult it is to get rid of it, and the higher the likelihood of overflow.
For an owner who is deciding how to clean a toilet in a country house with a cesspool, the first thing that comes to mind is calling a sewer truck. The method impresses with its simplicity and speed of implementation. A car equipped with modern equipment (vacuum pump) is capable of pumping out a large volume of waste as quickly as possible. To do this, a reduced pressure is created in the tank, and all connections are made airtight.
The cost of waste disposal will depend on the volume of waste pumped out and the distance to the site. Many companies offer additional services, for example, they can wash the walls of a cesspool.
Sewage service at work Source ytimg.com
Not all owners of summer cottages have the opportunity to use the service of a vacuum cleaner for the following reasons:
- If the toilet is located deep in the area, far from the fence and road, and vehicle access is difficult or even impossible. A secluded place is chosen for reasons of convenience and the current sanitary standards of SNiP for the distance to a residential building, fence and neighboring buildings.
- Calling a machine to clean toilets and cesspools is not economically justified if the filling occurs quickly and the pit has to be cleaned every season.
In other words, a pumping machine is called if the owners of the site have taken care of the access road, and the toilet has a significant volume. In other cases, owners equip themselves with the necessary equipment: a pump and a container of suitable volume, and handle the disposal themselves. The power of the pump depends on the volume of work; the container needs to be plastic, thick-walled, with an additional drain hole in the bottom.
It is necessary to take care of safety: for work you will need a respirator and rubberized equipment. To be on the safe side, you need a partner: methane often accumulates inside the pit, and this is a mortal danger for humans.
Car access to the toilet is not always available Source botanichka.ru
In any case, you should not delay cleaning the country toilet, leading to the threshold of an environmental disaster. It is much more practical to cleanse using modern methods: biological and chemical, and do this at the end of the summer season.
Rules for caring for a country toilet
After cleaning the cesspool, the main maintenance of the toilet is to maintain order. If possible, the inside of the booth is washed with clean water with the addition of disinfectants. The measure is necessary, since the cleaning process is a dirty business.
With the onset of spring, a biological product is added to the pit. It is easier for colonized bacteria to cope with small amounts of organic waste. If you don’t pour chemicals into the toilet, biological products will diligently process the sewage until the fall. Inside the pit, one level will be maintained for a long time. As the liquid increases, it is pumped out under the trees. The sediment is cleaned out to make compost. A new portion of bacteria is repopulated into a clean pit, and the cycle continues.
Biological weapons to protect purity
If your mental organization is incompatible with the manual method of wastewater disposal, living bacteria will come to the rescue. Biological products, which have been used abroad for half a century, began to spread here a little more than 15 years ago. The value of bacteria is obvious: if you choose the right product, you can clean your country toilet, minimize the use of pumping, and also provide your garden with safe, high-quality fertilizer.
How do biologics work?
Biological products contain active (live) bacteria that can live in a liquid environment. The work of bacteria is reduced to accelerating the natural processes of decomposition occurring in the cesspool. They feed on organic matter, that is, they decompose it during fermentation, leaving clean water and silty sediment.
Bacteria help save on pumping Source yandex.net
Bacteria exist and perform the work of recycling in the temperature range from +4 to +40°C. Their gastronomic interests extend not only to organic matter (including paper, vegetable peelings), but also to microorganisms responsible for unpleasant odors. Some species are capable of breaking down soap and other detergents, which allows you to effectively clean an outdoor toilet in a private home without pumping.
Manufacturers offer drugs in different forms: tablets, powder, granules (they must be dissolved in water before use), or as a liquid concentrate. They contain two types of bacteria:
- Anaerobic. They do without oxygen and are more often used in closed septic tanks.
- Aerobic. Oxygen is necessary for normal life activity; they are suitable for tidying up a cesspool.
Biochemical treatment (decomposition of wastewater into sludge and water) occurs in two stages. First, anaerobic bacteria oxidize organic matter, then aerobes carry out additional purification. After biological processing, purified water remains, which seeps into the ground, or is pumped out by a pump and used on the farm (for irrigation, arrangement of a decorative pond).
Drugs with different spectrum of action Source ytimg.com
Sludge remains at the bottom, which, after being removed and kept in a compost heap, will turn into fertilizer. Regular use of a bio-purifier allows you to tidy up the drainage system of the cesspool; the problem of silting and calling a sewer truck is eliminated.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in engineering systems (heating, water supply, sewerage and others) and related work
Pros and cons of using bacteria
If you want to clean an outdoor toilet in a private home, and make a choice in favor of biological products, you get the following advantages:
- One serving is designed to last for a long time, about a month of work. Then it is enough to maintain the result.
- The bacteria are harmless to humans and the environment, and the result of their activity (silt sediment) is a by-product that is used to fertilize the soil.
- Additional effects. After using the biological product, the smell decreases and the fly population decreases.
- Pumping is facilitated by mechanical means, since the bottom layer of waste is not compacted.
- When using bacteria-based products, be aware of the following disadvantages:
- Most biological products are not effective in winter, since bacteria live at above-zero temperatures.
Manufacturers select microorganisms with certain properties Source wp.com
- Bacteria are sensitive to chemical compounds (chlorine, manganese); in their presence they begin to work poorly and may die. Therefore, it is not recommended to pour household chemicals, antibacterial medications into a pit with bacteria, or simultaneously use chemicals for cleaning.
How to remove an old, unnecessary outdoor toilet
Before starting to dismantle the old premises, tools are prepared and the sequence of the process is drawn up.
Dismantling tools
In order to demolish an old structure, you need to stock up on tools. To perform this work, you cannot do without a sledgehammer, chainsaw, ax and crowbar.
Means of protection
To avoid injury during dismantling, it is recommended to wear thick gloves, glasses, and a hat. Shoes with thick soles are required on your feet to avoid injury from old protruding nails.
DIY demolition procedure
When dismantling a structure, consistency is important. Some rooms are connected to country sewerage and septic tanks, so it is necessary to carry out dismantling so as not to clog the drain.
Dismantling begins from the roof, then the door is removed. After this, the frame is dismantled and the floor is removed. Garbage can be used to fill the cesspool.
Fighting odor
Once a structure is demolished, a foul odor may spread. It can be removed with powdered bleach or bioactivators. To do this, the surface of the pit is filled or filled. The procedure not only removes odor, but also accelerates the decomposition of waste.
How to fill a cesspool
The old pit is filled with various available means. These include:
- construction garbage;
- sawdust;
- pruned branches;
- slag;
- sand.
You can use ordinary soil, which is used with organic matter as fertile humus.
Video description
About drugs with bacteria in the following video:
Useful tips
You will get the most benefit from biologics if you use the following tips:
- Before use, you must read the instructions. Different forms of bacteria require different conditions. If you do not pay attention to parameters such as the correct concentration, temperature and frequency of application, it may turn out that money was wasted and there was no result.
- For first use, it is recommended to purchase products labeled “Start”. Such preparations are based on a high concentration of microorganisms that ensure rapid growth of the biological environment and neutralization of wastewater.
Liquid and granular cleaning agent Source genrigroup.ru
Principle of operation
Products for country cesspools and toilets, regardless of their type, have one task - dissolving solid fecal matter. Due to the specific composition of the substances, the wastewater is converted into liquid, which allows it to be filtered through a specially equipped bottom. Depending on the type of product, it has its own specifics of operation.
The most important difference between outdoor cesspool cleaning products is their components. They are chemical and biological.
Chemical
Chemicals for cesspools are universal. Such products can be used in any conditions, regardless of temperature and type of waste. Chemicals will dissolve everything.
Note! Chemicals for a septic tank or cesspool can be used at any time of the year, which makes it more convenient.
Such products are classified according to the active components contained in the active mixture. Today, formulations with:
- Formaldehyde - these are not recommended to be used, because despite their high effectiveness, their toxicity is still higher.
- Nitrates. Nitrate oxidizers for cesspools are the safest for the environment today.
- Ammonium salts are the most effective. They are the ones who will answer the question of how to get rid of odor, because they destroy any extraneous odors. They are even capable of decomposing old feces.
Chemical preparations for cesspools have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages:
- Versatility of use in any environmental conditions and for any septic tanks and cesspools.
- Use in hard water, soap solutions, and other additives.
- Effectiveness - they break down everything, even old deposits in septic tanks and cesspools of any type, and quickly deal with unpleasant odors.
But there are also plenty of disadvantages, and you should know them before you start using them. More specifically:
- Environmental friendliness – this indicator is low. The resulting liquid, after chemical purification, cannot be used even for technical purposes. In addition, such wastewater is very dangerous due to its seepage into the soil and groundwater.
- You won’t be able to do without a vacuum cleaner; over time, you will still have to clean the septic tank. Disposing of such wastewater into filtration fields or into a septic tank/cesspool with a filter bottom is very dangerous.
- Metal and plastic connections and containers under the influence of certain chemicals for the toilet in the country can deteriorate and lose their tightness.
Biological agents
Products for biological cesspools are cheap and their effectiveness is acceptable. They help get rid of unpleasant odors and break down fecal matter. Their main component, which is responsible for decomposition, is bacteria and organic additives. The latter provide beneficial microorganisms with suitable living conditions. Such bacteria and septic tank products are divided into:
- Aerobic - these are able to perform their task only with access to oxygen, and are considered more effective. Activity depends on the amount of air.
- Anaerobic - they work without access to air. This means that such means will be convenient if the installation is sealed.
Important! Biological means for cesspools work more slowly, since it takes time for colonies of beneficial bacteria to multiply and begin to work. In terms of effectiveness, they are absolutely not inferior to chemical ones.
This toilet product has significant advantages:
- Eliminates all unpleasant odors and decomposes waste, even those that have been in the cesspool for a long time.
- Purified and filtered wastewater can be used for irrigation and other technical purposes. Bacteria do not easily decompose wastewater, but saturate it with organic substances, which will be beneficial for plants.
- They can be used in containers of any type; bacteria do not affect the condition of fasteners and integrity.
- They are inexpensive, and the action of biological cesspool cleaning products is prolonged.
What about the shortcomings? They also exist, more specifically:
- They cannot be used in the cold season. When the temperature drops below +10⁰, the activity of bacteria decreases, and they no longer process wastewater as effectively. It is also impossible to overheat the wastewater - if its temperature when discharged into the septic tank is above +60.⁰, bacteria of any type will die.
- The product for septic tanks of the type in question should be selected carefully, since not everyone can cope with drainage from the shower after washing dishes. Aggressive chemical compounds simply destroy beneficial bacteria.
- If a drug with aerobic bacteria is used, it is important to control the oxygen level.
Important! A product for cleaning any cesspools and toilets still does not completely dissolve fecal matter. As a result of the activity of bacteria, mineral sediment falls out and the bottom silts up. From time to time these remnants need to be selected. If this is not done, the useful volume of the tank will decrease.
Forms of funds
A product for a country toilet, a septic tank, can be presented in different forms, it’s up to you to decide which one is more convenient to use. Options:
- Liquids are ready-to-use substances that simply need to be poured into a cesspool or septic tank through the toilet. The liquid for cesspools is easy to use, and it begins to act immediately after it reaches the drains. As for liquid chemicals, it is recommended to dilute them a little, because they can react with plastic or metal elements of the septic tank.
- Powder for cesspools and septic tanks is more convenient to store, and its shelf life, even of the biological type, is quite long. It is convenient to standardize such a preparation according to the size of the tank.
- Septic tank tablets are another convenient solution. Biological agents are often presented in this format. Tablets for septic tanks and country toilets are bacteria formed into separate elements, sealed in an airtight blister. In the case of a cesspool, the product is thrown directly into it. If the tablets are used for a septic tank, then you need to throw them into the toilet, wait for them to dissolve and flush them.
Disposal using chemicals
Biological products are good for everyone, except for one peculiarity: they are not able to work when the air temperature drops below zero. They will save you from problems in the summer, but you will not be able to clean the toilet outside in a private house in the winter. In the case of permanent residence, chemical preparations with the following advantages seem more practical:
- They effectively handle waste processing at any temperature.
- Their work does not depend on external factors: the presence of household chemicals, medical antiseptics, water hardness.
- Chemical additives eliminate unpleasant odors.
The use of chemical antiseptics has the following negative effects:
- Chemical cleaning releases vapors and gases that have a negative impact on the environment. Wastewater treated in this way is not suitable for any further use (irrigation or fertilization).
Bacteria do not work in winter Source banya-expert.com
Traditional methods
You can clean the pit from waste using available folk methods.
Tomato tops
Once or twice a week, the tops are thrown into the pit. It eliminates unpleasant odors and repels insects. The resulting natural compost can be used in the garden.
Mint with basil
Plants with a strong and persistent odor cancel out unpleasant odors. It is necessary to add leaves after each visit to the toilet.
Nettle
The plant absorbs ammonia, destroys harmful microorganisms, and neutralizes unpleasant odors. A new portion should be added once a week.
The product absorbs odors as it is a good absorbent. It does not interrupt, but absorbs the unpleasant aroma. It can be used as compost for fertilizer.
Coniferous sawdust
Sawdust from spruce and other coniferous trees has a rich aroma. They should be thrown into the pit after each visit.
Briefly about the main thing
Owners of outdoor toilets have the opportunity to choose one or another cleaning method based on its effectiveness, cost and convenience in each specific case. Traditionally, calling a sewer truck or doing manual cleaning on your own is common.
Alternative methods of wastewater treatment include the use of bio- and chemicals. All of them successfully cope with waste recycling, but the conditions of their use and the results of their activities are somewhat different. Some measures turn out to be complex and costly, but you don’t have to resort to them often, which somewhat compensates for the hassle.
How to clean a toilet in a country house with your own hands
Conventionally, all cleaning methods can be divided into two groups: mechanical method and the use of special preparations. In the first case, manual work or the use of specialized equipment is assumed. In the second option, biological or chemical agents are used for toilets. The best effect is achieved when using the mechanical method together with biological products.
Manual cleaning of a toilet in the country
One of the most unpleasant methods is manual cleaning. However, this method brings the most positive effect to the owner of the dacha. Firstly, there are no costs for purchasing medications or hiring a sewer truck. Secondly, only by hand will it be possible to perfectly clean the hole to the very bottom.
To clean an outdoor toilet in your country house, you will need dirty clothes. You may have to throw it away later. Protective equipment for cleaning requires rubber gloves and high-top boots. Be sure to use a gas mask or respirator. There is a strong accumulation of toxic gases inside the pit. Without respiratory protection, you can get severe poisoning, which sometimes even ends in death.
Cleaning is carried out by two people. One person plunges into a hole. A safety rope is tied to the belt. The second person is on the surface near the toilet. The tools used are a bucket, a bayonet shovel, metal scoops, and scrapers. The essence of cleaning is to scoop up feces with a bucket and bring it up to a second person. If the hole is deep, the bucket is pulled out with a rope tied to the handle.
Unloading of feces is carried out in a designated area at the dacha. A good option is a compost bin. Sewage is unloaded mixed with peat, sawdust, and soil.
If there is no assistant at the dacha, cleaning the pit is done manually, without going inside. A rope is tied to the handle of the bucket. They try to scoop the sludge out of the toilet first. For better immersion, the bucket is weighted with bricks. You can try to dip it with a long stick. When it comes to thick masses, use a ladle with a long handle.
After manual cleaning, the acrid smell of feces will spread throughout the territory of the dacha. It will come from the toilet. To get rid of it, mint sprigs, tomato tops are thrown inside the cesspool, or a biological product with beneficial bacteria is added according to the instructions.
Mechanical cleaning of an outdoor toilet in a country house
The use of special equipment allows mechanical cleaning to be performed more comfortably compared to manual force. The best option is to call a service with a sewer truck. The owner of the dacha only needs to place an order and pay for the work. The specialists will do the rest of the cleaning themselves.
The process of cleaning a toilet involves immersing the suction hose of the suction sucker inside a pit of feces. A working pump creates a vacuum in the barrel, due to which sewage is sucked in. However, the sludge sucker will not suck in solid masses from the toilet. Water is periodically poured into the pit from a hose. The sewage is stirred with a long stick until a slurry forms.
The disadvantage of cleaning using a vacuum cleaner is the high cost of the service. In addition, the dacha rarely has free space for a car to drive up to the toilet.
Fecal pumps help you clean the toilet in your country house cheaper. The equipment is sold in a wide range. You can choose a pump for cleaning based on power, performance, manufacturer, and material of manufacture. The best units for cleaning feces in the country are considered to be units with a cast iron or stainless steel body. Some pumps have additional knives in front of the impeller, which crush solid fractions during suction.
To clean the toilet, a drain hose is connected to the unit’s pipe. The pump is immersed inside the pit, tied by the handle with a rope, cable or chain. After power is supplied, liquid feces will begin to be pumped out. The free end of the hose is directed to a designated place at the dacha for storing sewage.
The difficulty with cleaning a toilet with a pump is the need to constantly create liquid. It won't handle too thick a mass. Water is constantly added inside the pit and the feces are mixed with a long stick.
How to clean a toilet in the country using specialized products
Specialized preparations that allow you to safely clean the toilet are excellent helpers in the country. They are conventionally divided into two types: biological products and chemicals.
Biological products are liquid or solid substances containing dormant microorganisms. There are aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Some require oxygen to function, others are able to work inside sealed cesspools. Biological products for toilets usually consist of both types of bacteria.
After settling in feces, microorganisms awaken. Their life process is associated with the processing of organic waste. The sewage turns into a liquid with a slight sediment. At the dacha, water is pumped out of the toilet using a pump under trees or bushes. It is completely safe. Cleaning of sludge is done by hand, placing it on a compost heap.
Biological products are produced in the form of powder, granules, tablets, and liquid solutions. The dosage and method of use are described in the instructions. Powders, tablets and granules are dissolved in warm water before application. Liquid medications are usually poured straight from the bottle.
How do biological products work?
Nowadays you can find many biological products for cleaning the toilet on the market. They come in granular, powder, tablet and liquid consistency. The composition of biological products includes aerobic or anaerobic bacteria and auxiliary substances. One type of bacteria is able to work only in liquid, the other - in a thick mass. In addition, there are microorganisms that are unable to live without oxygen. When purchasing a biological product, you should immediately pay attention to this nuance and read the instructions. Most often, one preparation contains a complex of different bacteria that allows you to effectively process waste.
The method of use of each biological product is described in the instructions. Usually the dry substances are diluted with warm water, and after infusing for half an hour, they are poured into the toilet. Liquids contain already awakened bacteria. They are poured from the bottle directly into the cesspool without prior dilution in water. Microorganisms can even recycle toilet paper. Subsequently, the waste is used instead of fertilizer.
Attention! After adding the biological product, you must not pour water containing chlorine, washing powder, acids, alkali or any phenol compound into the street toilet.
Chemical toilet
This is a compact, mobile design that looks like a toilet with a lid. They are produced by different manufacturers. The lid closes tightly to block odors. Feces end up in a special tank under the toilet, where it is stored until it is full.
To clean the toilet, use chemical liquids recommended by the manufacturer. They break down feces, neutralize odor, and reduce the volume of waste. When filling, it is necessary to invite sewer trucks for pumping, since it is impossible to dispose of decay products yourself or use them as fertilizer.
Vacuum truck - a reliable method of cleaning
To use the services of a sewer truck, you need to find the appropriate company. This is usually done by utility services. If the outdoor toilet is to be cleaned only by pumping, a suitable location is determined before installing it in the summer cottage. There must be free vehicle access to the cesspool. It is important to take care of the availability of water. The vacuum pump will not handle very thick waste, so it will have to be liquefied.
When arranging a cesspool, you need to take care of a wide neck. It is through this hatch that the hose will be inserted and water will be poured in to liquefy the waste. The owner himself does not have to take part in this procedure. The workers will do everything themselves, all that remains is to pay for the service.
Why doesn't the product work?
This happens often when it would seem that a strong and expensive drug for septic tanks and cesspools has no effect on the condition of the drains at all. The reasons are as follows:
- Using the wrong product. For example, if you throw septic tank tablets into a sealed septic tank, they will most likely have no effect. This is because they need oxygen to function; there is none in a sealed container.
- Incorrect dosage. If the packaging says that the product for a septic tank is designed for 4 m³, then it will not work on 20 or more.
- Use of biological agents at subzero temperatures.
Important! For dry toilets you need to use special products; simple ones are not suitable for cesspools.
