A septic tank gathers wastewater and solid waste from your toilets, bathrooms and garbage disposal. Wastewater exits the tank through a buried drain field. Solid waste – called sludge – sinks to the bottom of the tank and scum floats on top.
Over time, bacterial activity digests the sludge and gasses escape through ventilation holes. These gases travel into the surrounding soil and water bodies where they are absorbed or evaporate. Visit Our Website to know more.
When you decide to buy a home in the country or move out of an urban area, one thing you probably think about is the quiet and space you will have. But if you’re purchasing a home with an on-site septic tank, you also have to think about how often the septic system will need to be pumped.
When the time comes to pump your septic tank, you will need to find it and then clear out the area around it, possibly digging up some of your yard for access. The septic service professionals will then come with a truck equipped with a giant tank and a suction hose that literally sucks the sewage out of your septic tank into their truck. They will then take it to their company’s septic processing site, where it is safely handled and processed.
While they are pumping your septic tank, the service professionals will also be looking at other things with your septic system and the surrounding soil. They will check the condition of your septic tank and make note of any repairs that may need to be made. They will also look for any leaks in your septic tank or pipes and check the drain field to see how it is working and whether there are any cracks that need to be repaired.
Septic tank inlet and outlet tees help wastewater to flow from the septic tank into the absorption field. These tees sit below the scum layer in your septic tank and use hydraulic pressure to push water into your absorption field from the septic tank. This helps prevent solid wastes from flowing into your drain field, which can clog and ruin the absorption process.
The septic tank also contains a vent that allows gases to escape from the septic tank into the surrounding soil. This helps reduce odors and keep the environment safe. The septic tank links to the absorption field through a series of pipes that are buried underground. The absorption field is a series of trenches that are partially filled with washed gravel, stone or a gravelless product that biologically treats wastewater by dispersing it into the soil.
Cleaning
A septic tank is a large container that is buried underground and used for treating wastewater that comes from the home. Over time, the septic tank will need to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that solid waste doesn’t clog the septic system or leak into the drain field. Having the tank pumped regularly, using bacterial additives, and practicing water efficiency can all help to prevent the need for professional cleanings.
The first step in cleaning a septic tank is to locate the tank. This can be done by calling your local septic tank inspection service or checking the map provided online. Once the location is found, a professional will dig out the top of the tank and remove the dirt to uncover the access port. Then, they will use a shovel or rake to break up the sludge layer. The pro will also uncover the inlet side to clean out the baffle filter.
After the septic tank has been uncovered, the pros will look inside the tank to see how much solid waste is in it. They will also inspect the septic tank for any issues, such as leaks. After the inspection, they will drive away with the septic tank sludge and take it to a treatment facility. The sludge must be disposed of in accordance with state and local regulations, so it is not something that homeowners can do themselves.
Before leaving, the septic tank pro will make sure that the baffle filter is back in place and working properly. Then, they will put the septic tank lid back on. Before the pro leaves, they will mark the location of the septic tank so that future pumping services can be completed more quickly and efficiently.
Once the septic tank is cleaned, it is important to protect yourself and your family by using water efficiently. For example, it is a good idea to take shorter showers, wash clothes and dishes in smaller loads, and spread out laundry throughout the week. This will reduce the amount of waste that is added to the septic tank and help to extend the life of the septic system.
Repairs
A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. Wastewater enters the tank, and heavy solids settle to the bottom forming sludge. Oil and grease floats to the top and forms scum. Compartments in the tank help to separate these into liquid and solids wastewater, or effluent. Flowing out of the tank, the liquid wastewater is filtered through the soil before it reaches groundwater.
If the septic tank or the drain field are not working correctly, it can result in sewage back-up into homes and unpleasant odors. The septic system can also overload, which causes clogged pipes and expensive repairs.
Problems can occur when there are too many people using the septic system or when the tank is not properly sized for the home. When septic tanks and drain fields are designed by professionals, they are sized to accommodate the number of people living in the home and the expected volume of wastewater. These professionals are licensed and trained to ensure that the septic system is placed and installed according to building codes and regulations.
Having a professional inspect and repair your septic tank, septic tank lids and pipes is critical to the overall performance of your home’s plumbing and sewer system. When problems are addressed quickly, they can be resolved before serious damage occurs.
Some common signs of septic system problems include bathtubs and sinks draining slowly, gurgling sounds coming from toilets, standing water or wet spots in the yard near the septic tank or drain field, and bad odors around the septic tank and leach field.
A failing septic system can lead to sewage back-up into homes and cause health issues for family members. Sewage can also pollute nearby drinking water wells and waterways with pathogenic bacteria, such as coliforms. Overloaded septic systems can also contribute excess nutrients that fuel algae blooms, reducing oxygen in waterbodies and harming fish and other aquatic life.
Proper maintenance helps to keep a septic tank and drain field functioning at peak performance for years. Keep a map of the location of the septic tank and the drainage system components, or mark them with permanent stakes, so that you can avoid damaging them when doing yard work or performing routine home maintenance. Adding 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic tank, pipes and drain field is beneficial for moisture retention and plant growth, which can help to prevent soil compaction that can reduce the efficiency of the drainage system.
Installation
A septic tank collects wastewater from your home’s toilets, showers, washing machines and sinks and holds it underneath the ground. Solids stay in the tank while liquids exit into a buried drain field where the waste is further treated by filtration and absorption through the soil and grass above. Depending on the size of the tank, material (polyethylene, fiberglass or concrete), and installation costs, a new septic system can cost between $3,000-$20,000.
Most septic systems require a permit to be installed. Check with your local housing authority for more information. You may also need a water and sewer connection permit.
If you’re looking to install a new septic system, you should consult a plumber or contractor. They will help you choose the best type of septic system for your home and budget. They can also provide a detailed breakdown of the costs for the job.
You’ll want to consider your home’s size, number of people living in it, and the condition of the surrounding soil. This will affect how deep the drainage pit needs to be and where it’s located. You’ll also need to consider whether you want the septic tank to be underground or above ground.
If you opt for a septic tank that’s underground, it will need to be lined with gravel or stone to ensure that ground water doesn’t enter and overwhelm your system. It should also have a riser that’s at grade for pumping, maintenance and inspections.
Another option is a tank with a pump that’s above ground. This system has multiple outlets that distribute the wastewater evenly among a series of drain fields. These drain fields have trenches filled with gravel and sand where the wastewater is further treated by microbes. Unlike the gravel/stone system, this design is more compact and suitable for smaller homes.