When a septic tank is not properly maintained, sewage can enter the drain field. This exposes people and pets to disease-causing bacteria and can contaminate groundwater supplies.
Wastewater flows from your house into the septic tank, where microorganisms decompose some of the solid waste. The septic tank removes the solids from wastewater, protecting the soil absorption field (drain field) from clogging and premature failure. Click https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/ to learn more.
- Sewage Collection
The wastewater that flows out of your home after using the toilets, sinks, and showers passes through a one-way drainage pipe into the septic tank. This tank is a large concrete or plastic container holding between 1,000 and 1,500 gallons. It’s the heart of your septic system, treating and cleaning wastewater before it goes back into the ground.
As wastewater enters the septic tank, microorganisms in the tank begin to break down organic material. The process is known as primary treatment. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank and form a layer called sludge. Fats, oils and grease float to the top and form a layer called scum. The liquid wastewater in between these two layers is called effluent.
When bacteria in the septic tank break down solids, they produce gases such as hydrogen sulfide. These gases are vented to the outside air through a vent pipe located in your septic tank’s lid. These gases must be released to prevent a build-up of pressure that could stop or reverse the flow of wastewater.
If the septic tank is not pumped regularly, waste will accumulate in the sludge and scum layers, reducing the amount of time that the liquid wastewater spends in the tank. This may result in pathogenic bacteria and dissolved organic pollution in the drain field.
Keeping the septic tank full will also keep the inlet and outlet tees clear of debris and prevent clogs from occurring. The tees extend from the inlet and outlet pipes into the scum layer and then down to the absorption field, where hydraulic pressure from your home’s plumbing forces wastewater out through the tees and into the drain field.
You should be especially alert to sewage smells in the home or yard. These are a sign that your septic tank is overflowing and needs to be pumped out. You should always call a professional to handle this issue. The weather also plays a role in the timing of septic tank pumping, as heavy rain can cause an oversaturated drain field.
- Drain Field
As wastewater travels through the septic tank, heavy solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank while lighter liquids rise to the top. A healthy population of anaerobic bacteria digests the organic solid waste, partially treating the sewage. The liquid effluent exits the septic tank and flows through perforated pipes into a drain field, or leach field, which is a network of gravel-filled chambers or pipes buried in soil. The drain field further treats the sewage by filtering it through the soil. Eventually, the soil carries away any remaining impurities and pathogens.
During the process, it is important that the septic tank system receives enough wastewater to keep the inlet and outlet baffles full. If not, the septic system could clog and overflow. When the septic tank is overflowing, the sewage would flow to the surface of the yard, exposing people and pets to dangerous disease-causing organisms in contaminated wastewater.
A drain field is a system of perforated pipes that are placed in the ground near the house. It is a shallow area of uncovered soil that filters untreated wastewater through rocks, dirt, and sand before it seeps into underground aquifers. Without a drain field, septic tanks overflow and create foul odors in the yard.
The septic tank’s inlet and outlet tees connect the tank to the drain field. When the septic tank is filling up, hydraulic pressure forces the wastewater through the inlet and outflow tees and into the drain field. The inlet and outflow tees are situated below the scum layer to prevent solids from traveling with the wastewater into the absorption field.
Over time, the septic system may need to be replaced or reconstructed if the drain field is too small for the house’s wastewater flows. A septic tank expert can help determine the appropriate size drain field for your home.
To avoid overloading the septic system with more wastewater than it can handle, do not build anything over or close to the drain field, including driveways, parking areas, and extra buildings. Limit the amount of water used at any given time by using low-flush toilets and appliances, avoiding excessive use of garbage disposals, and never flushing harmful chemicals, medications, or household cleaners down the drains. Water-intensive appliances should be equipped with drain limiting valves.
- Pump
The septic tank is a buried, water-tight container made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. Its job is to hold the wastewater long enough for solid waste to settle down to the bottom forming sludge, and oils and grease to float on the top forming scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from exiting the tank into your drain field where they could clog it up. A septic tank is usually designed to provide at least 24 hours of retention time.
The wastewater from the septic tank goes to the second chamber where bacteria begin the digestion process. The resulting liquid wastewater, called effluent, flows from the septic tank to the drain field through the outflow pipe.
Bacteria inside the septic tank do their best to break down solid waste, but they can only do so much. This is why it’s important to get your septic system pumped regularly. A full septic tank isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is an indication that it’s time to pump your septic system.
A septic tank’s pump system works by creating hydraulic pressure from tees that extend into the inlet and outflow pipes. When wastewater enters your septic system, it is forced up into the inlet and outflow pipes by this hydraulic pressure. Once the septic tank is emptied, this pressure is no longer there and the wastewater flows freely into the absorption field.
Your septic system is an integral part of your home, and its proper operation is crucial to the health and well-being of your family. To help you keep your septic system in good working order, it’s important to avoid flushing any solid items down the toilet or drains. This includes cigarette butts, paper towels, tissues, diapers, kitty litter and other trash. These items will clog your septic system and can kill the bacteria that help break down and treat the sewage.
It’s also important not to cover your septic system, including the drain field, with a driveway, parking lot or other impermeable surface. This will prevent the proper function of your septic system and can damage your drain field or the tank itself. Also, make sure to keep children and pets away from the septic tank and drainage field. This will also reduce the chances of them accidentally stepping in and walking through contaminated soil.
- Installation
While a septic tank isn’t necessarily necessary for everyone, many people benefit from the added security and convenience of independent sewage treatment. Whether you’re moving from the city or suburbs to a rural area, or are considering a new construction home with an on-site septic system, it’s important to understand how this unique feature works and how to properly maintain it.
A septic tank is a large underground container that stores both solid and liquid waste. As wastewater enters the septic tank, it separates into three layers by both settling and flotation. Oils and fats float to the top of the tank, where aerobic bacteria work to break them down. The middle layer contains the rest of the sewage and waste. The bottom layer is sludge, which contains the most unprocessed solid waste. As the septic tank processes the sewage, it produces gases. These gases are released through a vent pipe that is typically located on the lid of the tank.
Septic tanks are usually constructed from concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Concrete tanks are extremely durable and can last for decades, but they’re also heavy and costly to install. Fiberglass and plastic tanks are lighter and more affordable, but they may crack or corrode over time. A professional can help you determine which material is best for your needs.
Once the septic tank is installed, the next step is to connect it to your plumbing system. This involves installing inlet and outlet pipes, along with any necessary pumps or distribution boxes. The septic tank can be buried, which is a great option for homeowners who want to minimize the impact on their landscape.
Before starting any septic tank installation, make sure that your land has been surveyed. This will ensure that your septic system is positioned correctly, which can avoid costly mistakes and prevent sewage from seeping into your home. The septic tank should be located at least ten feet away from your house and any wells. During the installation process, a certified professional will inspect your septic system to identify any potential issues and problems. This inspection includes a percolation test and the creation of a design plan for your septic system.
