hehe, - sewerage problem. Moray?

[Angus]

FiLtH: I have insulated the problem to 2 - 4 locations now. There is more than 1, for sure.
The outlet is combined, Kitchen sink and dishwasher go together, down to the basement, where the washing machine hooks in, then the whole deal goes through a drain in the downstairs washing room floor. Then onwards to a connection well, (crossroads) where it carries on to the Septic tank. (3.600 litres, working fine now, and both emptied and "hotted up" some month ago)
So, I do indeed get some water through, just slowly. When both washing machine AND dishwasher are at work, they occationally pump at the same time, and then water will come out of the downstairs drain.
I have it sealed with a no-return valve, who (by stupid design I guess) is just plugged in. So, the Valve is prone to "pop" up!
That points to the exit. All under concrete of course, and tough to access.
On top of that, the upstairs kitchen sing is constantly slow, but yet the outlet is fast enough to eventually flood the downstairs drain.
So, looks to me like at least 2 stoppages, one being between floors (haha, inside a wall), and the second under the base. Down there I have already threaded a hose, and it went all the way to a certain junction. Pretty sure I can apply water there for some flushing out.
Was thinking of using "Saltpeter acid" from upstairs, or Milk-industry sodium (aimed at dissolving fat), if one goes after the other with a good buffer of hot water between, I was thinking that the septic flora could take it, since the pH will level out.
(No worry, no chloride in the sodium)
Anyway, some other ideas?
(Apart from me stuffing the designer down that drain, - I'm no plumber, but I remember asking him if he thought this would not give trouble and he said No, - trust me)

[Angus]

BTW, just looked again at the whole setup.
This system, from Sink to exit has no air-intake. However we do have such in our other system. Could that be the root of the problem?
The pipe is also quite narrow, either 40 or 50 mm down to the downstairs drain, from there probably 4 inches.

[FiLtH]

I was just gonna ask you if the system was vented when I read your last post. Im not sure how they plumb in Iceland but I think the physics are the same the world over

    Do you hear glugging noises when draining? Without seeing exactly what you have its hard to say. Sounds like you have a backwater involved that acts like a check valve to prevent water from backing up into your basement. Those can get fouled up and you can open them up to clear them. Before I went too far though, you may want to call a plumber...one you CAN trust

[Angus]

LOL. The "plumbing" is okay, but I was sceptic about the design, since I once lived with a similar system, which would fail all the time.
Sink+Grandmother+rest of oatmeal porridge = flood downstairs

Upstairs in Guggles all the time when the dishwasher starts pumping.

Oh, and no plumber for miles and miles....Plumber shortage in the country I guess...

[TalonX]

They make septic friendly pipe cleaners....but usually, the amount of draino you'd use can't wipe out your septic system's ability to digest the solids unless you go crazy.

[AquaShrimp]

Baking soda is the best source of alkalinity you can use (economically) for your septic system.  

Of course, if the microorganisms in your septic tank are of the biggest concern, definately try to use some sort of mechanical means in which to clean the pipes.

Of course, if you do go the acid route, and use baking soda afterwards to neutralise the acids, it wouldn't be the worst thing.  Bacteria reproduce exponentially.

[Angus]

I emptied the septic tank in September. 3.600 litres. Had some tennants in the downstair's place. They must have been hygienically mad, for they had it blocked in less then a week.
2 people! I had started the tank with a special "juice", and made it full of water. When I got around to the problem, the tank was "dead", - just full of toilet papers. A chamber of some 1000 litres!
So I emptied, and restarted. This time using rotten meat, horsedung, stinky fish, as well as the "juice" which also includes enzymes.
Hence my concern. With some 13 people in the house, the tank works like a dream. Would hate to kill those evil bacteria I have so successfully spawned.

[AGM65]

M-80's, 3 or 4 should do. Light, drop in toilet, flush. Worked great in high school.  Of course us ex USAF munitions specialists just like to make things go "BOOOM!".

[MORAY37]

Angus.. always be careful with chemicals in any piping that goes to your septic tank.  You don't want to zap the bacteria in the system, and most chemicals will do that by messing with the pH in the tank.  I would recommend trying physical means first.  Limited use of acids after that, followed by bases...but use very sparing.

[AquaShrimp]

The bacteria needed for a septic tank are present in human waste.  Alkalinity is vitally important.  See, one group of bacteria first breaks the waste down into organic acids.  Then a second group of bacteria break the organic acids down into gasses (co2, methane).  However, this second group of bacteria needs a neutral pH.  This is why a buffer like baking soda is so important.

[john9001]

angus, i have a septic system and i just use regular drain cleaner, if you have doubts as what to use call the guy that pumped out your tank and ask him , he should know what to use.

[Angus]

Will be starting again soon, need daylight.
Piping is completely blocked between floors. I have disconnected the kitchen sink, and will begin with compressed air from below.
Might get messy, but that means success

[FiLtH]

Angus dont do that bud!!  Sewer in aerosol form aint good!  If you have a toilet upstairs pull it off the floor and snake from that. Make a quick sketch of your house and where the fixtures are, and mark what is not draining. Post it here.

[Angus]

Hehe, no toilets on thet route. Just sink - pipe- washing mashine inlet - drainage with a spring mechanism (keeps closed, except when letting in water, - so it's not really a "waterlock"), and then the tube out.
Anyway, the spring mechanism went for a flight when I tried this
Since water slowly seeps through the mess, I am going to try an enzym/bacteria juice, meant for organic blockages. I already called the expert though, but he didn't make it today.

BTW, a guy I know flushed this test by using a big compressor on the wrong side. Yeaccch!!!! Crap-explosion.