There are a lot of things that can lead to a sand mound system being clogged. These systems are relatively maintenance free, but they can be knocked out of whack easily if proper care is not taken and one does not know the intricacies of how their system functions.
Too much sludge in the main tank is one of the main reasons what you may see a backup in this type of system. Sludge is the solid mater of the waste that is disposed of via the system before it has been broken down by the bacteria in the tank. This sludge is generally confined to the lower fourth of the tank with a layer of “mix” above it topped by a layer of “scum”. This mix layer is made of small particulate matter and mostly water. This water, also called effluent. This water is pumped out of the tank and into the drain field or mound system to be dispersed. If this sludge layer clogs the transport pipes between the main tank and the pump tank, it can lead to a backup of the system. It is for this reason that the delicate balance of waste eating bacteria be kept in proper alignment.
Blockage in the relay valves leading to or out of the Pump Chamber can lead to the system being clogged up. This blockage can occur due to a wide variety of reasons. Sludge from the main tank can enter the valves; exterior matter can enter the pump chamber due to a broken or removed cover lid, or invasion into the chamber by rodents. No matter how the solid matter enters that pump chamber it can easily cause the valves to be clogged and lead to a backup of the entire system. It’s imperative that the pump chamber be maintained properly and cleaned out on a regular basis.
Of course, one of the main things that can cause this type of system to clog is the sand mound being compacted and blocking the exit holes in the effluent discernment tubes. If the waste water leading out of the pump system is not able to leave the pipes, pressure can build up in the system and a “backflow” can occur. Compressing the sand mound is one of the easiest things to have happen and at the same time one of the hardest things to fix. Care should be taken to ensure that heavy equipment, livestock, and vehicles should stay away from the top of the sand mound.
These are just a few of the things that can lead to this type of septic system being clogged. One of the easiest ways to keep your system running smoothly is to follow these basic tips.