Everything that goes down your toilets, showers, and sinks drain into the septic tank. The septic tank is a large underground, watertight container.
Weighty masses settle to the bottom of the septic tank as sludge, while oil and grease float to the top of the wastewater in a layer known as scum. Bacteria digest these substances. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
A septic tank is an underground, watertight container that holds wastewater from your home’s toilets and other plumbing fixtures. It has compartments that allow the different waste materials to settle and separate from one another, with solid waste accumulating at the bottom in a layer known as sludge. Over time, bacteria in the septic tank break down this sludge into a more liquid form. Oils and other fats float to the top of the septic tank, forming a layer called scum. The clear liquid that’s left over is the effluent, which flows out through the septic tank outlet into the drain field.
The septic system’s drain field absorbs the effluent and returns it to groundwater, removing forms of nitrogen and phosphorous that could harm the environment. During this process, the wastewater is also treated and cleaned. This is why septic systems are so important in rural areas where homes are not connected to municipal sewer lines.
When wastewater enters the septic tank, the solid waste begins to sink into the bottom of the tank as it is broken down by anaerobic bacteria. This process takes place in the dark and without oxygen, so it is referred to as an anaerobic digestion. This is why a septic tank must be emptied regularly.
In order for a septic system to work properly, it is crucial that the drainage field is not covered or used as a playground or storage area. This can cause the septic tank and drainage system to malfunction. A septic tank can also fail when it is surrounded by buildings, driveways or other impermeable surfaces.
Bacteria produce gases as they break down the contaminants in wastewater, which must be vented to prevent a buildup of pressure that could cause the septic tank to overflow or reverse its flow. The most common gas is hydrogen sulfide, which has a distinct odor similar to rotten eggs. This gas is released through a vent located in the septic tank lid or a pipe inside your home.
The septic tank’s outlet pipe is connected to the distribution box, which has multiple outlets that distribute the effluent evenly throughout a septic drain field. The distribution box sits lower than the septic tank, so it uses gravity to receive wastewater from the tank and to distribute it into the drain field.
Installation
Septic tank installation is a complex process that requires a permit, special equipment, and a licensed electrician. Your local health or environmental department may also be required to inspect the septic tank and approve it for operation. Once the permit is granted, excavation begins and the tank is lowered into place. The next step is connecting the tank to plumbing pipes and the drain field.
Once a household’s wastewater enters the septic tank, a healthy population of anaerobic bacteria reduces organic waste and separates solids from liquids. Solids sink to the bottom, forming sludge; oil and grease floats to the top as scum. Compartments and a baffle prevent sludge and scum from exiting the septic tank and traveling to the drainfield, where it would contaminate groundwater. On the other hand, effluent travels through a network of perforated pipes into the drainfield, where it seeps through soil layers to filter out contaminants.
A septic tank is usually buried underground, but it can be placed aboveground as well. Aboveground septic tanks tend to be larger and more rounded than belowground tanks, and they are typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. The septic tank size that’s needed for a household is determined by the number of bedrooms and water use. A septic tank that’s too small for the house could experience overflow and severe problems.
The location of the septic tank should be on high-quality, permeable soil that’s away from any water sources or wells. It should also be set back the recommended distance from the house depending on the area’s regulations and the type of soil. Planting trees or shrubs around the septic tank can improve soil absorption and help protect it from runoff.
Before excavating the area for a septic tank, your contractor should contact your local utility company to have underground lines marked. This will prevent you and your crew from accidentally drilling into a line that’s part of the sewer system or an important utility like a gas main. Once the inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the septic tank, the drain field is installed. This involves digging a large area and filling it with gravel or other porous material.
Maintenance
After bathing, washing dishes and flushing the toilet, household waste leaves your home as contaminated wastewater that travels to the septic tank for processing. Keeping the tank clean helps to prevent clogs and other problems that may require costly repairs or replacement of your system. A regular inspection and routine pumping will ensure that the tank is working properly and that sludge layers are not getting too high.
If you are concerned about your septic tank’s condition, a professional inspector can visit to check the condition of the tank and sludge levels and also inspect the drainfield area for any signs of failure. A regular inspection will help to spot a problem sooner and minimize the cost of repair or replacement of your septic tank system.
A septic tank typically contains a good amount of bacteria that helps to break down and digest solid waste in the septic tank and in the drainfield. It is recommended that you avoid flushing items that disrupt this bacterial balance, such as chemical drain cleaners, sanitary products, coffee grounds and cat litter. You should also avoid putting non-biodegradable waste down the drains such as cigarette butts, cotton balls and swabs, menstrual hygiene products or condoms.
In addition to routine maintenance and cleaning, your septic tank should be pumped out every one or two years. The frequency of pumping will depend on the size of your septic tank and how many people live in your home. It is important to save all maintenance records on your septic tank and the inspection report from the last time it was pumped.
When your septic tank is pumped, it’s also a good idea to have the baffles checked to make sure they are in good condition. The inlet and outlet baffles restrain the flow of sewage into and out of the septic tank to help reduce clogs in the drainfield lines.
Keeping the area surrounding the septic tank free of vehicles, structures and plants will help to protect the septic tank and drainfield. Parking cars on the drainfield will damage it, and planting trees over the tank will obstruct the flow of wastewater into the absorption field.
Replacement
When your septic tank reaches the end of its life or is showing signs of damage, you’ll need to replace it. Working with a professional can ensure you get the correct size tank for your home and that it works properly with the septic leach field. During the replacement process, the contractor will run a percolation test and acquire building permits. Once the site is prepped, excavation and installation will take place.
The first step is to remove the old septic tank. This is typically done with heavy equipment and requires careful handling to prevent damaging the surrounding soil. The contractors will then backfill and restore the excavated area to as close to its original state as possible.
Septic tanks are made of either concrete or plastic and come in various sizes to suit different homes. Concrete tanks are usually a little more expensive than plastic ones but they last longer and are less likely to crack or break. The next step is to install the new septic tank. This is where things start to get messy. The tank is filled with wastewater, and solids separate through a combination of settling and flotation. Substances that are lighter than water (oil, grease, and fat) float to the top, where aerobic bacteria digest them. The heavier sludge settles in the bottom of the tank and liquid waste drains into the drain field, where it’s filtered by the soil.
If you notice sewage backups in toilets or around the home, your septic tank isn’t doing its job correctly. This means the septic system needs to be replaced, as it’s allowing harmful sewage to seep into groundwater supplies or contaminate above-ground structures and surface waters.
Work with a qualified and experienced septic tank contractor like Sunset Septic to determine the right size for your septic system. A small two-bedroom home can usually be serviced with a 1,000-gallon tank, while a larger four- or five-bedroom home may require a larger one that holds up to 3,000 gallons. Once the new septic tank is installed, it’s time to connect the other components of the septic system.
