When you dream of moving out to the country, your septic tank may be among the things that are not at the forefront of your mind. However, septic systems are essential to the health of your new home.
Keeping your septic system well maintained will prevent damage to the drain field and groundwater, causing illness in humans and harmful impacts on local wildlife and flora. Contact Septic Tank Armadale for professional help.
Wastewater generated from toilets, bathing and kitchen sinks, garbage disposals and washing machines drains into a septic tank underneath your home. Solids are held in the septic tank and liquid wastewater is discharged into a buried drain field.
The septic tank is usually made of concrete or high-quality plastic and comes in a range of sizes to suit your house. It has an inlet wastewater pipe and an outlet water pipe. It has baffle walls to direct wastewater flow and prevent the inlet and outlet pipes from clogging with sludge and scum.
During anaerobic digestion in the septic tank, heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank and light solids float to the top. Bacteria decomposes the sludge into liquids and gases. Gases are released through the vent in the septic tank lid. The system may also include a filter to reduce the amount of hydrogen sulfide that enters your house through the plumbing.
Septic tanks are often located in the backyard, near the property line and beneath landscaping. They’re designed to blend in with the yard and are typically large and rounded, which reduces surface erosion that could damage the system. They’re also often constructed of septic-safe materials such as fiberglass or polymers.
In addition to the inlet and outlet pipes, your septic tank may have a distribution box and an absorption field. The distribution box evenly distributes the wastewater flow to the leach field’s trenches, so that each one doesn’t get overloaded.
The leach field is a network of perforated pipes buried in the soil. The soil acts as a natural treatment zone, absorbing the wastewater and releasing the cleaned effluent back into the environment.
The tank and leach field require proper maintenance to extend their service life. This includes regular pumping and inspections by a licensed septage waste transporter. It’s important to limit the amount of non-biodegradable products you flush down your toilet, such as cigarette butts, cotton swabs and menstrual hygiene products. The use of chemical products that don’t break down can disrupt the bacteria in your septic system.
How does a septic tank work?
Wastewater from toilets and the drains in your kitchen, bath, laundry, and sinks runs into the main drainage pipe that leads to your septic tank. Solid materials in the wastewater settle to the bottom of the septic tank, where they form a layer of sludge. Fats, oils, and grease float to the top of the wastewater, where they form a layer of floats (also known as scum). Anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank feed on organic wastewater pollutants in the sludge and scum layers and partially treat the sewage. The filtered liquids then exit the tank through a pipe that enters the soil.
As the liquid septic tank effluent seeps into the soil, it passes through a filter of gravel and perforated pipes in your septic drain field (also called a leach or absorption field). The septic system uses gravity to move wastewater from the house to the tank and from the tank to the drain field. The drain field is a shallow area of uncovered soil that filters the effluent through rocks, dirt, and sand. The bacteria in the drain field further treat the sewage.
The drain field also prevents the septic system from overflowing into surface waterways. However, if a high amount of solids are allowed to build up in the septic tank or if the sludge and scum are not removed regularly, the solids will flow into the drain field and clog the system.
A septic system may also fail if it is located in an inappropriate site or the tank is not properly maintained. The location of a septic system must adhere to setbacks and minimum distance requirements. A septic tank and drain field must be a reasonable distance from a drinking water well, swimming pool, play area, driveway, and storage building. The septic tank and drain field should also be a minimum of 5 feet away from any structure or plant.
What is a drain field?
A drain field (also known as a leachfield or absorption field) is the final destination for your home’s wastewater after it leaves the septic tank. It is a network of pipes, trenches and gravel that helps your septic system work efficiently. It also helps keep unpleasant odors at bay, which is a good thing because nobody likes sewage smells!
Your septic system relies on the natural filtration capabilities of soil, and hardworking microorganisms in your drain field to remove pathogens and absorb nutrients. Keeping your septic tank and drain field well-maintained will help ensure they last for years to come.
As solid waste settles in the septic tank, liquid wastewater – called effluent – trickles through the distribution box and into the drain field. It moves through a series of perforated pipes laid in gravel-filled trenches. Once the wastewater reaches the drain field, it’s distributed to areas of the soil where it’s slowly absorbed into the groundwater.
The drain field can last up to 30 years if it is properly maintained. Signs that it needs to be inspected or replaced include foul odors coming from the toilets, wet or soggy areas over the drain field, and sewage backup in sinks and toilets.
When designing and installing a drain field, technicians consider factors such as soil type, size and grade, and water drainage rates. They may even conduct a percolation test to assess the soil’s ability to absorb and discharge wastewater. Soils that are sandy and have poor porosity do not drain as easily as clay soils. The design of your septic system depends on the results of this test.
It’s possible to landscape over your septic drain field, but you should avoid planting anything that requires deep roots. The roots of these plants can invade the drain field pipes and clog them. Using bacterial additives can help prevent this from happening.
It’s also important to avoid putting fats, oils and grease (FOG) down your drains. This can lead to a thick crust that blocks the interior of your septic tank and septic system. It can also cause the drain field to overwork and fail.
How often should I pump my septic tank?
Often, homeowners do not know how often their septic system needs to be pumped. Pumping on a regular schedule helps to ensure the bacteria is healthy and ready for sewage treatment. This will prevent clogged drains and field failure, which can lead to health hazards including bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases.
Septic tank pumping frequency is based on the size of the septic system, household size and whether or not a garbage disposal is used. A larger tank with a family of four will need to be pumped more frequently than a smaller tank with a single person living alone. In addition, the use of a garbage disposal adds food waste to the wastewater which can increase the rate at which sludge and scum build up in the septic tank.
There are a few signs to look out for that can indicate it is time to have the tank pumped. Slow drains, unusual odors near your drains and gurgling noises are all indications that the system is overloaded and requires immediate attention.
In addition to routine septic tank pumping, there are other things you can do to help the septic system run more efficiently. Avoid using drain cleaners, harsh detergents and other chemicals in the home as they can disturb the bacteria in the septic system. It is also a good idea to only flush septic safe toilet paper. Other items that should be avoided are baby wipes, cleaning wipes, moist towelettes and feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads. It is also important to avoid pouring oil-based paints, solvents, or any other toxic chemicals down the drains as they will not break down and could clog the septic system.
It is also a good idea to keep vehicles, equipment and livestock off of the septic system and the drainfield area as they can compact the soil, which will hinder the flow of sewage through the pipe into the drain field. Finally, it is a good idea to avoid planting or growing any plants over the septic system as they can block the absorption process.