My septic system was cleaned out but I still have slow drains, what things can I do to check problem?

Question

Are there different ways I can check to find source causing slow draining before getting a plumber? I have very limited resources. btw---I live in manufactured home.

Answer 1

snake out your pipes.  prob lots of hair

Answer 2

I suggest you run a snake down your drains and try to push whatever is clogging it down to the septic tank.  If there is one drain in particular that is worse than the others, then start there.  You can buy these at Wal-mart and you may even be able to rent one that vibrates from a rental place.

When i was growing up my parents would have one of us holding a rag stuffed into each drain and then they would take a plunger to the drain giving them the most fits, and it would eventually work its way down, they would run water at times between cycles of plunging.

I know they say not to use draino in septic systems, so my huband (works for city sewer dept) has me get pinesole from the store and I start running hot water, and if the sink is backing up too fast then boil a large pan and pour it down your sink and then chase it with a bottle of the pinesole.  The idea is that all the greases that could be in your drains are built up and by using the hot water it warms it up and then the cleaner cuts the grease, and it travels its way down the drain.  You might try doing two drains at once, although I wouldn't worry about using an entire bottle in each drain, just use half at each one.

I also know that you should not use powdered laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent because it will start a buildup in the pipes.

If all else fails, get someone to stay inside your house and ask them to run water in each place that has a drain while you have crawled under to trace where the water is running, you can usually find the blockage that way, because you will hear the water run down the pipes.  Once you've found the blockage then you can cut the pipe where the blockage is cutting it out and replace the area.  Go to the local hardware store and explain what you are going to do and they will get you everything you need.