A septic tank holds wastewater and solid waste from toilets, sinks, and appliances in an underground system underneath your yard. The solids settle to the bottom, forming sludge, while the liquid exits through a buried drain field or leach field.
The soil filters out harmful bacteria before the wastewater reaches groundwater or surface water. A septic tank can be made of concrete, steel, or fiberglass. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
A septic tank is an underground watertight container that houses sewage waste. It is used for households that are not connected to a public sewer system. A septic system uses natural processes and technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing. This process is called biological decomposition and drainage. It is the most common type of onsite sewage treatment.
Using a simple process, the septic system treats wastewater from toilets, sinks, tubs, showers and laundry rooms. Wastewater enters the septic tank through a pipe and is kept in the tank long enough to allow solid wastes to settle or float. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank and are broken down by bacteria into a thick layer of sludge. Lighter solids, such as grease and fats, float to the top of the septic tank where they partially decompose into a layer of scum. The liquid wastewater (called effluent) exits the septic tank through a drain field or leach field.
A septic system may have a baffle wall to keep the sludge and scum from leaving the tank. The septic tank’s outlet pipe usually has a T-shaped inlet. This prevents the sludge and scum in the septic tank from traveling into the absorption field and clogging it. Some septic tanks are designed with siphons or other devices to increase the volume and velocity of outflow into the absorption field. This helps to evenly distribute the outflow of sewage and extend the life of the absorption field.
In addition, a septic tank will typically have a distribution box to ensure that all the sewage is discharged into the drain field at the same time. This is to avoid overloading one part of the absorption field, which could cause septic tank backups and groundwater pollution.
If you are considering buying a home that uses a septic system it is important to submit an offer contingent on the passing of a septic inspection. A professional inspector can perform a septic system inspection and recommend any repairs needed to make sure the septic tank is functioning properly. You should also be aware of the location of septic tanks and other system components when doing home maintenance or yard work. You should never dig or build structures over a septic tank or distribution box.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
A septic tank is a big concealed container, usually square or cylindrical, that holds wastewater from the house. It’s buried underground and made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. The septic tank is designed to hold the waste water long enough for solids to settle down to the bottom and form sludge, and oil and other liquids to float to the top and form scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from exiting into the drainfield area where they could block pipes and cause contamination of groundwater.
Inside the septic tank, bacteria that survive in an anaerobic environment tear apart most of the organic material. The septic tank also serves as a storage unit for the water that’s left over after all the solids have settled. The remaining liquid is known as effluent.
The effluent from the septic tank flows out through perforated pipes into a soil absorption field (drain field) where it’s filtered and treated by gravel and soil. Removing the solids from the wastewater protects the drain field from clogging and premature failure.
During this process, the septic system generates gases from the breakdown of the waste contaminants. Normally, these gases are harmless hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide that get released through the vent pipe in your home’s roof. The septic system vent also allows water to escape from the tank during the settling process, preventing too much pressure from building up in the plumbing.
If a septic tank is not pumped on time, it will overflow and force the wastewater into the drain field. Over time, the drain field may become contaminated and require replacement. To help avoid this, septic tanks should be pumped every two to three years.
If you haven’t had your septic tank pumped recently, you should contact a septic service company to schedule an appointment. A professional will be able to inspect the tank, measure the layers and pump it out when necessary. They can also tell you if your septic system would benefit from more bacteria by using septic tank additives like RID-X.
What are the Benefits of a Septic Tank?
The biggest benefit of a septic tank is that it offers homeowners affordable and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment. It is much cheaper than a sewer line and also eliminates the pollution that can occur from other wastewater systems that leak sewage into the groundwater. It also prevents the spread of bacteria into the surrounding environment. Finally, septic tanks are far less prone to backups and other issues caused by a buildup of solid wastes.
In addition, septic tanks are much more quiet than conventional sewer lines and don’t require the constant noise of pumping and dumping that can occur with a traditional sewer system. Finally, septic tanks are very durable and can last for decades with proper care and maintenance.
However, there are some negatives to septic tanks. The first is that they can be expensive to install and repair. They also need periodic maintenance that includes having the septic tank pumped every three to five years. This is often the responsibility of the homeowner and can be expensive.
It is also important to remember that septic tanks do not completely remove the bacteria from the water and it is still possible to contaminate the groundwater with these bacteria. This can happen if the solid wastes in the wastewater do not decompose and break down. Therefore, it is important to practice mindful water usage to reduce the amount of waste that enters the septic tank.
Another downside of septic tanks is that they are not connected to public sewer lines. This can be a problem for people that are looking to purchase homes in rural areas that do not have access to city sewer lines. However, it is important to note that this can be easily solved by installing a septic system in conjunction with a drain field.
Lastly, it is important to remember that septic tanks can be a turn off for potential buyers of rural homes. This is because if a septic tank has not been pumped in over a decade, it may be leaking or discolored and can discourage people from purchasing the home. Fortunately, this is an easy fix that can be done by hiring a professional company to have the tank pumped and the septic system cleaned out.
How to Maintain a Septic Tank
The septic tank is an important component of any septic system. The bacteria inside the tank break down solid waste into sludge and liquid, which is carried to the drainfield to be filtered through gravel and soil before entering groundwater. The septic tank must be maintained to ensure that the process works properly.
In general, septic tanks need to be pumped every three to five years. You can get a more accurate time frame from your septic company, but you should also keep an eye out for other signs that it’s time to call a professional. These include sludge buildup in your toilets, slow drainage from the sinks, and unpleasant odors around your home.
When a septic tank is full, it can overflow into the drainfield, leading to a clogged septic system and wastewater backup in your home. This can also cause environmental issues, as the contaminated water could seep into groundwater and potentially affect public drinking water supplies. Getting the septic tank pumped regularly prevents this from happening.
Aside from having your septic tank pumped, there are other things you can do to keep your septic system in good working condition. Avoid flushing sanitary towels, dental floss, food waste, grease, and other items that can’t be broken down in your septic tank. Also, be sure to divert downspouts away from the drainfield – this helps keep excess water from harming it.
The bacterium in the septic tank is very helpful, but if you’re flushing anything other than waste and toilet paper, this can lead to a clog that even the septic tank pump hose can’t break up. This is why it’s important to have a clear understanding of how your septic system works so you can take steps to prevent clogs and overflows.
Another thing to keep in mind when cleaning your septic tank is that the soil around your septic system can affect how efficiently it functions. If your septic tank is located close to the surface of the ground, it’s likely that it will need to be cleaned more often.