What is a Septic Tank?
A septic system is an alternative to city sewer services. It’s often used out in the country where there are no city systems available.
Wastewater enters your septic tank, where weighty solid materials sink to the bottom and undergo a natural bacterial digestion. Lighter masses, such as grease, float to the top. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
The septic tank is the buried, water-tight container that houses all wastewater from your toilets, kitchen and washing machine. It is usually made of concrete or heavyweight plastic and has a capacity of 1,000 to 2,000 gallons. The septic system also includes a septic drain field, a distribution box and vent pipes. The septic tank is filled with bacteria and yeast that break down waste, and the broken-down solids are discharged into the leach field.
Inside a septic tank, there are two chambers separated by a half wall. When the waste from your home reaches the septic tank, solid waste will land in the first chamber and liquid waste will flow over the half wall into the second chamber. Solid waste forms the sludge layer in the bottom of the tank while oils and fats drift to the top and form the scum layer. The anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank do their work to break down the solids and turn them into liquids.
Once the septic tank is full, the liquid waste will flow out of the septic tank through an outlet baffle. The outlet baffle keeps sludge and scum from leaving the tank with the liquid waste. These materials can clog lines, soil and the septic drain field.
Keeping your septic system in good condition involves regular pumping of the septic tank and careful selection of what goes into your toilets. It’s important not to flush things like cooking oil, non-flushable wipes (like baby and makeup removal wipes), feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts or cat litter. These items can clog the septic system and cause odors, blockages or damage the leach field.
The septic tank does provide some treatment of the sludge and scum layers, but most of the treatment occurs in the leach field where microbes in the soil treat the effluent that percolates into groundwater. In addition, the soil acts as a filter to remove disease-causing pathogens, pesticides and other contaminants. Alternative systems use pumps or gravity to help septic tank effluent trickle through sand, organic material (such as peat and sawdust) or constructed wetlands for additional treatment.
Septic Pumps
A septic tank contains a large chamber filled with wastewater, and a pump inside the tank or a separate pump chamber outside of it. The pump is activated by a float switch when the liquid level reaches the highest point in the tank. The septic pump then moves the wastewater into an outflow pipe, which directs it to your drain field.
As wastewater enters the septic tank, bacteria break it down and release gases. These are odor-causing, and they must be vented. These gasses are released through a vent in the tank lid, which is usually shaped like a mushroom and can be fitted with a charcoal filter to reduce odors.
The septic tank removes solids from the household wastewater, so these can’t enter the soil absorption field where they could clog and damage the leach lines or absorption area. The septic tank also digests the floatable materials in the waste, allowing them to settle to the bottom of the tank and the sludge layer to rise to the top. The septic tank can be designed to accommodate different residential loads by changing the distance between the two floats.
When the septic tank’s floats are set correctly, the pump will move the liquid from the tank into the outflow pipe at the right time every day. The floats are typically set to discharge a volume of effluent equal to one-quarter of the daily home flow. The floats are changed to match the septic tank’s volume by moving the upper and lower floats closer or further apart.
The pump is designed to operate in a variety of conditions, from low-pressure to high-flow to submerged operation. It’s important to select a septic system pump that is durable, reliable and easy to maintain. Pumps with easily replaceable parts and simple maintenance procedures are more cost-effective over their lifetime.
The outflow pipe for a conventional septic tank leads to a series of perforated pipes buried in a mound of sand, gravel or concrete, known as the drainfield. This is where the final treatment of the wastewater occurs.
Septic Installation
A septic system is a wonderful option for homeowners who live in the country and do not have access to city sewers. It provides a safe, economical and reliable way to dispose of waste water. However, septic installation requires careful planning and proper care to ensure it functions effectively. This includes regular pumping and inspections.
A typical septic tank is a concrete or plastic cylinder that holds between 4,500 and 7,500 gallons. It has one end connected to an inlet wastewater pipe and the other end attached to a septic drain field. The tank also has a riser that is at ground level for easy pumping and maintenance.
During the wastewater treatment process, solids are separated from the liquid in the septic tank. Oils and grease float to the top of the tank, forming a layer called scum. The bottom layer is composed of more solid waste particles, which is known as sludge. Bacteria inside the septic tank breaks down these solid wastes and separates the liquid from them.
Once the solids have been removed, the septic tank effluent is discharged into the drain field, which filters and treats the wastewater. The effluent flows through a series of perforated pipes that are buried in the soil, which is known as the drain field. The system may also have an electrically powered pump that pumps the effluent to the drain field at a timed interval.
The soil in your drain field must be able to absorb the wastewater, so it is important to choose an appropriate location. It is best to avoid areas with high clay content, which can cause the septic system to fail prematurely. Also, do not place buildings or driveways over the drain field, as this can cause problems with drainage and prevent the natural evapotranspiration of water.
Before you begin using your septic system, your local town or city inspector must inspect it to make sure it meets all regulations. The inspector will check the septic tank, the drain field, and the piping for leaks, mechanical issues, and other concerns.
Septic Repair
A septic system is an integral part of the plumbing in your home and it is often overlooked until something goes wrong. Then, if you don’t have it repaired immediately, it can cause serious damage and pose health risks for your family.
The septic tank is a large concrete container that is usually buried in the ground near your home. It holds household wastes until bacteria and yeasts break it down, which then drains into the absorption field.
It is recommended that you have the septic tank pumped out two or three times per year. Pumping breaks down the scum layer and stirs up the sludge layer so it is more liquid. It also helps to prevent clogs. Avoid dumping anything into the septic system except toilet paper and human waste. Excess solid materials that are not broken down will flow into the drain field and clog soil pores. This can lead to the need for a new drainfield.
Another important septic tank repair is fixing the drainfield piping. These are the pipes that distribute wastewater after it leaves the septic tank. They may break because of shifts in the soil, root growth or other problems. If they break, wastewater can back up into your home or seep through the soil, damaging your property and contaminating groundwater.
A professional can make these repairs for you. They can also install a watertight riser for easier access to the septic tank and drainfield. This will help keep your yard safe and clean while allowing for periodic inspections of the tank and pipes.
To keep your septic system working properly, add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic tank, pipes and drain field. Keep shrubs and other plants away from the drain field to prevent root penetration. Keep heavy equipment, automobiles, boats, RVs, grazing animals and other vehicles away from the drain field as well. If you are planning a building project such as a pool, driveway or shed, have the site examined by a professional first to be sure that it won’t interfere with the septic system.
