A septic tank is an underground chamber through which wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment. This type of onsite sewage system is commonly used in areas that don’t have municipal sewer systems.
Wastewater undergoes a process of settling and anaerobic digestion, which reduces solid matter and organics. The resulting liquid effluent drains into the septic tank’s drain field for further treatment. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
If you’re dreaming of moving from the city to a rural area, part of that dream includes buying a home with a septic system. It’s important to understand how these systems work before you make a purchase, so you don’t end up with any surprises down the road.
A septic tank is a large underground container that holds wastewater. It’s usually a rectangular or cylindrical vessel made from concrete, fiberglass or high-quality polyethylene. The tank has an inlet and outlet pipe, which are connected to the home’s plumbing. It also has a septic baffle wall, which separates compartments in the tank. The baffle wall helps keep sludge and scum from leaving the tank and clogging downstream plumbing components. The tank also has a vent pipe, which allows gas to escape.
The septic tank treats wastewater by separating solids from the liquid. Sediment and solid waste sink to the bottom of the septic tank, where it undergoes bacterial digestion. The process breaks down the solids into sludge and liquefies some of it into sewage effluent, which flows from the tank to drainage receptacles in the ground. The septic tank and drainage receptacles treat the wastewater before it seeps into the soil, where it undergoes further natural treatment.
Most unsewered homes have septic tanks, which provide a way to treat wastewater when there is no municipal sewer service. These tanks are often installed in rural areas because the ground can’t support a conventional septic system.
Septic tanks use a combination of natural and mechanical processes to treat the wastewater that enters them. This includes gravity and bacterial digestion to reduce the volume of water that needs to be discharged into the environment. Some septic systems also use pumps to help wastewater trickle through sand, organic material (e.g., peat and sawdust), constructed wetlands or other media before it’s discharged into the environment.
If you’re thinking of buying a home with a septic tank, it’s a good idea to request a thorough inspection by an experienced plumber before you finalize the purchase. They can help you determine whether a septic tank is appropriate for the property and give you tips on how to care for it. They can also recommend a professional septic tank cleaning service if necessary.
Why Do I Need a Septic Tank?
A septic tank is necessary for people living in suburban and rural areas that aren’t serviced by municipal (centralized) sewer systems. It treats household plumbing waste and prevents clogs in the drain field by separating solids from liquids and dispersing them into a soil absorption system. The tank’s oxygen-free environment allows bacteria to perform the first stage of treatment and kill disease germs before the sewage reaches the absorption field.
A properly functioning septic system is critical to environmental preservation and homeowner health. It is also a valuable alternative to municipal sewer systems, which can be costly for homeowners and are subject to frequent disruptions from heavy traffic and weather events.
It is essential to know the proper use of your septic tank and to avoid common mistakes that can cause costly damage. A professional septic tank technician can help.
The key to septic tank longevity is routine maintenance, including regular inspections and cleaning by qualified technicians. It is important to not irritate the septic tank by dumping in large amounts of water in short periods of time. Too much water will disrupt the settling process, which can lead to solids clogging the drain field.
Cigarette butts, condoms, sanitary products, paper towels, kitty litter, cotton balls, tampons and grease are all problematic for septic tanks because they don’t break down or dissolve. Large amounts of water from a shower or washing machine may also overload the system and cause it to overflow.
Inlet and outlet tees are a crucial part of your septic tank. The inlet tees connect to the pipes inside and out of the tank, while the outlet tees connect to the septic tank vent and the drainfield. The inlet and outlet tees are designed with specific diameters to prevent clogging and ensure that wastewater flows to the correct location.
It is also important to maintain the drainage field and not cover it with impermeable materials, such as driveways or parking lots. Covering the field with these materials will impede the flow of sewage to the tank, reduce the capacity of the drainage field and result in a system failure. It is also a good idea to avoid planting trees or shrubs near the drain field, as their roots can grow into and clog drain lines.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
The septic tank collects all the waste discharged from household plumbing. The wastewater sits in the septic tank for a time, allowing solids to settle or float. The heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank and are broken down by bacteria into sludge. The lighter solids, including fats and grease, rise to the top of the wastewater and form a scum layer. Flooding solids leave the septic tank through an outlet pipe into a drainfield.
The drainfield is a shallow area of uncovered soil near the house. It filters the effluent through rocks, sand, and organic material. Its aquifer-based system naturally purifies the wastewater, returning it to underground aquifers. Some systems use pumps or gravity to help septic tank effluent trickle through the drain field.
Inspecting the septic tank can provide valuable information about your system. Look for a large tank with a septic vent and baffle, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet and outlet ports should be properly sealed to prevent leaks. If the septic tank has a cover, inspect it for cracks and holes.
If septic tank solids are allowed to build up, the sludge and scum layers will become too thick to allow sewage to flow out. This can lead to foul smells and backed-up toilets. It’s also important to only flush human waste and septic-safe toilet paper. Doing so helps protect the vital bacteria in the septic tank. Homeowners should also avoid pouring toxins, such as detergents, disinfectants, and paint thinner down the drains. These chemicals kill the bacteria that keep the septic system running smoothly.
The septic tank should be located underground to protect it from surface damage and to minimize the cost of installation. A high-quality concrete tank can last for 40 years or more. Other options include fiberglass, polymers, or metal.
A septic tank should be sized to accommodate the number of people in your household and the average water usage per day. For instance, a four-person household would typically need a tank that holds about 2,000 gallons. A larger septic tank is often more expensive than a smaller one, but it can save money in the long run by helping to reduce the frequency of pumping.
How Do I Maintain a Septic Tank?
There are many things you can do to maintain a septic system and prolong its service life. Besides having it pumped regularly, don’t put fats, oils, solvents, detergents, paints or chemicals into your septic tank or drain field. These can destroy bacteria, contaminate surface and groundwater and damage the septic tank and drain field. You also should not drive vehicles or heavy equipment over the drain field, which can compact the soil and cause sewage to seep into the home.
It’s important to have your septic tank inspected regularly. A licensed septic service professional can check the sludge and scum levels and tell you when your tank needs to be pumped. The frequency of pumping depends on the size of the septic tank and how much you use your plumbing. You can reduce the frequency of pumping by using a garbage disposal sparingly, washing laundry in cold water and spreading out your water usage throughout the week. You should also avoid flushing anything other than waste and toilet paper. Other septic tank maintenance tasks include cleaning the float and lid, installing a riser to access your septic system in the yard, and using a septic tank bacterial additive.
If you have strong sewage or “rotten egg” smells coming from your sinks or toilets, call a septic service professional right away. These odors can indicate that the septic system has a clog in its ventilation trap that lets noxious gases escape into your house.
Another sign it’s time to have your septic tank pumped is when the sludge level reaches within six inches of the bottom outlet of the tank. You should also keep track of when your septic tank was last pumped so you know when it’s due.
Whenever you’re working around your septic tank, always wear rubber gloves and face protection to protect yourself from contact with the corrosive materials inside. Also, don’t enter the tank itself because it contains deadly gases such as hydrogen sulfide. Lastly, make sure to never place a structure such as a deck or pool over the septic system or cover it with any impermeable material like concrete, plastic or asphalt because oxygen is essential to decompose sewage.
