When you buy a house with an above-ground septic tank, it’s important to understand how the system works. This can help prevent problems like clogged drain lines and groundwater contamination.
Wastewater enters the septic tank and undergoes a settling process. Oils and fats float to the top, known as scum, while bacteria break down the rest of the wastewater into effluent. Click the https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/ to learn more.
A septic tank is an underground storage tank for sewage waste for homes that don’t have access to public sewer systems. It holds the sewage until it is removed by companies that offer septic tank pumping. A septic tank also provides some wastewater treatment.
A typical septic tank is a precast concrete tank around 5 feet tall and 9 feet long. It can hold between 4,500 and 7,500 gallons. It has an inlet wastewater pipe connected to a baffle and an outlet pipe that connects to a drain field or leach field. The wastewater flows out of the tank through a series of pipes buried in the ground. This network of pipes, called a percolation area, filters the water before it seeps into the soil.
The solids that are left behind in the septic tank form a thick sludge that must be pumped out periodically. Bacteria in the septic tank release gases as they break down the wastewater contaminants. These gases include hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. The septic tank has a vent that opens out through the roof. The vent is usually a mushroom shape and can be fitted with a charcoal filter to reduce odors.
As the liquid wastewater moves down the drain field, bacteria in the ground treat it. This filtered water is absorbed into the ground and used by plants as nutrients. This helps to control water pollution. When the septic system is not working properly, it can contaminate nearby drinking water wells and local waterways. This can pose a health risk to humans and animals, especially infants, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions.
Proper septic tank maintenance is key to keeping your home and family healthy. It is important to avoid flushing items that are not septic safe, such as non-biodegradable toilet paper or cleaning products. It is also important to keep cars, landscaping materials and other items off of the drainfield. This prevents them from compacting the soil, which can block the flow of wastewater. It is also important to have septic tanks inspected regularly and have them pumped when necessary.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
A septic system provides an alternative to municipal sewer systems. It uses natural processes and proven technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing. These include bathrooms, kitchen drains, and laundry machines. Sewage is stored in a septic tank before it is released into the drain field for further treatment.
Most septic tanks have two chambers separated by a partial wall. Solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank and forms a sludge layer. On the other hand, lighter solids such as fats and oils float to the top of the water’s surface. Bacteria in the septic tank digest these materials. This process is known as anaerobic digestion.
As the bacteria break down waste, they generate gases, including hydrogen sulfide. These are emitted through a vent pipe that extends from the tank lid. A septic system should be located well away from houses, driveways, and yards to prevent exposure to these fumes. In addition, these gases must be vented to avoid a build-up of pressure that could block or reverse the flow of wastewater.
From the septic tank, liquid wastewater is released into a network of shallow underground pipes that extend into a drainfield area of soil. The soil acts as a natural sewage treatment system by absorbing and filtering wastewater before it enters groundwater.
Some septic tank manufacturers also use aerobic treatment units to speed up the digestion process. This is particularly useful when the soil in the septic drain field cannot absorb sewage quickly. A septic professional should be consulted before adding any biological additives to the system. These should be a type of facultative bacteria, which can work in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
When a homeowner is diligent about proper maintenance, septic tanks can last for many years without needing to be pumped out. However, it’s important to monitor what goes down the drains in your house and only flush items that are septic-safe. If you do not, the septic tank will fill up too quickly and clog the outlet pipe. Additionally, it is a good idea to keep grass mowed over the drainfield to prevent weeds and trees from growing in the pipe trenches.
How Do I Pump Out My Septic Tank?
The septic tank is often hidden by the soil around it, and finding it can be difficult. The best way to find it is by looking for inspection ports, which are capped pipes that protrude through the ground. If you can’t find any of these, try following your sewer line to where it goes underground—it should go in a straight line from your home to the septic tank. Once you’ve located the septic tank, use extreme caution when opening the heavy lid. Never leave it open unattended, as the tank can be very dangerous if a person or animal falls into it.
Generally, it’s best to have your septic tank pumped every two or three years. However, this timeframe can vary based on the size of the tank and the number of people living in your home. You can also pump it more frequently if you have large amounts of solid waste that need to be disposed of.
Once wastewater enters the septic tank, it is treated by natural and mechanical processes to remove organic material. The septic tank also removes any solids, which helps to prevent them from washing into the drainfield and clogging it. When the septic tank is full, solid waste sinks to the bottom and forms a layer of sludge that must be removed regularly. The liquid waste that remains, known as effluent, exits the septic tank through the vent pipe and flows into the drainfield for further treatment by soil microbes.
The most important thing you can do to avoid septic system problems is to take steps to reduce the amount of waste your household generates. For example, use low-flow toilets and water-saving appliances, space out laundry sessions throughout the week, and don’t flush any solid materials. This includes kitty litter, coffee grounds, tissues, diapers, handwipes, tampons, and condoms—even “flushable” versions. Also, never pour paints, varnishes, oils, solvents, pesticides, or medications down your drains. These chemicals can kill the good bacteria that keep your septic system healthy. This can lead to a backup of waste into your home and expensive repairs.
Why Do I Need to Pump Out My Septic Tank?
A septic system can last for decades or more, but it needs to be maintained. Having your tank pumped when needed keeps it from becoming full of solids that can flow out to the drain field and cause backups, slow draining fixtures, and a sickly odor that is not pleasant to live with.
In many cases, your septic tank will need to be pumped every three or five years, depending on the number of people living in your home. However, it’s easy to miss the timetable if you forget or ignore the need for routine pumping.
Septic systems are often out of sight, out of mind — especially since the tanks are buried and their access ports are often covered with dirt. But pumping a septic tank is an important home maintenance task that can help you avoid costly repairs to your septic system and drain field.
If you’re not sure how often to have your septic tank pumped, it’s best to consult with a local professional to have an inspection done. The inspector can measure the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank, and keep records so that you can maintain an accurate pumping schedule.
The best way to avoid the need for routine septic tank pumping is to limit the amount of waste that goes into it in the first place. Never pour oil-based paints or solvents down your pipes, and limit the amount of food you put into garbage disposals. These things don’t decompose well in your septic system, and can clog the drainfield.
You should also use septic-safe toilet paper and biodegradable cleaning products. And, never park a car or truck over your septic tank or drainfield. The weight can compact the soil and restrict the flow of liquid into and out of your septic tank.
If you’re preparing to sell your house, regular septic tank pumping can help you get a higher selling price. Prospective buyers may be concerned about the condition of your septic tank and drain field and will want to know that it has been regularly pumped.