Can open-bottom septic tanks get full?

Question

Our house has one of those two-chambered standard (Philippines) open-bottom septic tanks. I think it's also called a cesspool.

I got into a discussion with someone on whether it can get full. Their argument is that, since it's open, the sewage can drain freely into the ground. My response is that the solid waste would build up over time.

I tried to research it online, but I can't find any information specific to open-bottomed septic tanks, other than pages and pages of "How to know when your septic tank is full" results.

Do they become full? If so, why and around how long?

Solar Mike · Answer

Once it gets close to the top, you hire a company with a « sludge gulper » to come and empty it.

Had a house with a septic tank and it had clay pipes which had shifted over time so had to empty the tank, repair and replace pipe.

Once done it worked fine.

Can open-bottom septic tanks get full?

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