Millions of homes in America use septic tanks to collect their wastewater. It’s important to understand how a septic system works and what you should not put into it.
Avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper into a septic tank. Non-flushable wipes, cooking oils, paint thinners, polyurethane and other chemicals can clog your pipes. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
The septic tank is a large, underground container that holds all of the liquid waste from your home’s toilets, sinks, and tubs. When it comes to septic tanks, pumping is one of the most important parts of maintenance because the process helps ensure your system doesn’t fail due to a clogged drain field.
When a septic tank gets full, the solid waste (feces, toilet paper, kitchen scraps) settles in the bottom “sludge” layer and the liquid portion rises to the top “scum” layer. During this process, the wastewater is aerated to help promote the growth of aerobic bacteria that digest suspended solids and other impurities. The septic tank also helps prevent solids from flowing into the soil absorption field, which would clog and cause the system to fail.
The liquid wastewater that exits the septic tank is called effluent. This water flows into a soil absorption field through a series of pipes that are typically bedded in gravel. The soil microbes in the absorption field treat the effluent and convert it into natural elements, including nitrogen and phosphorus. This water is then absorbed into the groundwater supply or evaporates.
If solids are allowed to build up in the septic tank, the sludge and scum layers may flow into the soil absorption field and clog the pipe network. This contaminates the groundwater and exposes humans and animals to disease-causing bacteria.
Having your septic tank pumped periodically keeps it working at its best and minimizes the risk of failure in the soil absorption field. The septic service technician who pumps your tank can help determine when the time is right to have it pumped by examining the size and age of the tank and by checking for any signs of a failing system.
When it’s time to have your septic tank pumped, the septic service company will arrive with a truck that has a giant tank attached. The truck has a special suction hose that literally sucks up the sewage and stores it in their truck until they can dispose of it properly.
To help septic services work quickly and efficiently, it is a good idea to map out or mark the location of your septic tank and other system components with permanent stakes. This will allow you to avoid damaging system components while performing yard or household chores and make it easier to locate the tanks when it is time for them to be pumped.
Inspection
A septic tank is the first stage of treatment for wastewater leaving your home. Its job is to hold waste long enough for microorganisms to break down solids and liquids. It is a large underground watertight container, normally rectangular or round, with compartments for the different layers of sewage. A septic tank system also includes an outlet pipe that transports wastewater to the drain field. Houses and cottages without a municipal sewer connection use these simple onsite sewage facilities.
If your toilets or drains become slow to flush or back up, this is a sign that it’s time for a septic system inspection and pumping. A septic tank that is not pumped often will eventually overflow into the drain field and the sewage will flow back up into your home. If you notice a foul smell, this is another sign that your septic tank needs to be inspected and pumped.
Other signs that it’s time for a sewage tank inspection include the gurgling sound coming from your toilet or drains. If this happens, call a professional for an immediate evaluation. If your drains aren’t flowing at all, this could indicate a blockage in the plumbing line from the septic tank to the toilets and sinks. Excessive cooking oil or grease can cause this to happen.
Another important factor is the amount of rainfall in your area. Too much rain can cause the soil surrounding your septic tank and drain field to become saturated, which can lead to a malfunctioning drain field. You can avoid this by adding 8 to 12 inches of mulch around your septic tank, pipes and drain field in the spring or fall.
The most important thing is to be careful what you put down your drains. Many things that you may think are safe to flush, such as septic tank cleaners and other chemical solvents, will kill the helpful microorganisms that help your septic system function. Other things to avoid are flushing feminine hygiene products, non-flushable wipes (including baby and makeup removal), diapers, cat litter, pharmaceuticals and cigarettes.
Maintenance
Keeping your septic system in good condition requires regular care. You may want to consider hiring a professional service company to inspect and pump your septic tank on a regularly scheduled basis. This will prevent septic tank problems that may lead to disease and illness in your family and neighbors. It will also keep your property value high.
During the inspection, the service professional will note the level of scum and sludge in the septic tank. They will also note whether the septic tank is full or empty. A good rule of thumb is to have the septic tank pumped every three to five years. If you have children in the house, you might want to have it pumped more often.
When the septic tank is pumped, it will eliminate solid waste particles that haven’t had time to decompose. These solids can clog drain lines and the soil and leach field around your home.
You can help reduce the need for frequent septic tank pumping by taking steps to limit your household water use. You can do this by scheduling showers and laundry over several days rather than all at once. You should also avoid putting hazardous materials into the septic tank. These include flammable and toxic cleaning formulas, paints and solvents. You should never flush baby wipes, oily waste or cigarette butts into the septic system.
A septic tank that doesn’t get pumped on a regular basis will cause the layers of scum and sludge to become too thick. When this happens, the liquid layer between scum and sludge disappears. The septic system then becomes ineffective and the solids are pushed out into the drain field where they can contaminate the environment.
Besides having your septic tank pumped on a regular basis, you can maintain the health of your septic system by limiting the use of garbage disposals and by using less water. You should also make sure your septic tank is well-ventilated and you don’t put chemicals into the septic tank or into the drain field. This can kill bacteria that are responsible for removing harmful materials from the wastewater.
Installation
A septic tank system is an alternative to a municipal sewer system. This system processes domestic wastewater flows from kitchen sinks, toilets, washing machines and more. The wastewater enters an underground septic tank and the sludge and solids settle at the bottom of the tank. The wastewater then exits the tank and enters a drain field or cesspool.
Septic tank installation is a complex process, and requires careful consideration of many factors to ensure the best possible result. The first step is to determine the size of tank required. This is based on the number of people in the household and their water use. Other factors include the type of waste to be handled, location and geological conditions.
Once the size of the tank has been determined, excavation can begin. It is important to make sure the site is clear of any obstructions that could interfere with the delivery or installation of the tank. The contractor will also perform a soil test to establish the best type of soil for the system.
The excavation will produce a large amount of rock and dirt that must be removed and properly disposed of. The hole for the septic tank will then be dug. Depending on the choice of septic tank, either fiberglass or concrete, it may be necessary to dig a larger hole for a concrete tank than for a fiberglass one.
After the tank is installed, it will require a period of time to settle. Once this is complete, topsoil will need to be leveled around the tank and leach field. A roof downspout should be placed to direct surface water away from the septic tank and leach field, which will help prevent saturation of the drain fields.
It is important to avoid putting anything down the drain that will negatively impact your septic tank and system. Items such as cooking oil, non-flushable wipes (like baby and makeup removal) diapers, cigarette butts, cat litter, pharmaceuticals and paint thinners should be trashed instead of flushed. Additionally, it is a good idea to keep the area around your septic tank free of trees and bushes whose roots can penetrate pipes and cause clogs.