Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle

Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts

Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by:

Post New

How to Show Images

Newest Subjects

Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle

Author: jonesn4water (AZ)

I'm being told that my septic tank baffle pipes were cut to incorrect heights when installed. I have a single chamber tank with a Tee baffle at both ends. My amateur plumber friend is saying that the outlet baffle should be 2" higher than the inlet baffle. That doesn't jibe with the diagrams I am seeing online. Any input you can offer would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

D.Jones

Post Reply

Re: Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle
Author: WC (VA) Not A plumber ----- The actual outlet must be lower than the actual inlet. ---- I don't know by how much. Of course the top of the outlet tee must be higher than the tanks "operating" level. Edited 1 times.
Post Reply

Re: Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle
Author: hi (TX) The outlet baffle T should be lower. If it's higher than you'll have backup into the sewer coming from your house and it will clog. Make sure that you have a filter sometimes placed on the outlet baffle.
Post Reply

Re: Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle

Author: hj (AZ)

The baffles are to control WHERE the water in the tanks is separated from the solids. The inlet baffle directs the flow below the solids floating on the surface and outlet allows the water below that level to exit the tank. There is NO "direct" correlation between the "heights" of the two baffles as long as the tank's outlet is lower than the inlet. in fact, any "risers" above the tees are overflows and if the contents get that high you already have a bigger problem and it will only get worse if not corrected.

Edited 1 times.

Post Reply

Re: Height of inlet baffle vs. outlet baffle
Author: jonesn4water (AZ) I want to thank everyone for their input. It is much appreciated! D. Jones Edited 1 times.
Post Reply

Please note:

Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.

Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:

Plbg Advisor List Common Plumbing Terms Find A Plumber Plumbing Manufacturers Directory theplumber.com

Special thanks to our sponsor:

to FAQ's - to popular subjects - to plumbing books - to Tankless 101 - to plumbing history - to helping charities - to contact us