A septic tank holds wastewater from toilets, showers, laundry machines, and sinks. It is a watertight container made of concrete, fiberglass, or high-density polyethylene.
Solid waste settles in the bottom of the tank, forming sludge. Oil and grease drift to the top and float, where special compartments and an exit baffle prevent them from traveling out with the wastewater (effluent). Water infiltrates the soil, and bacteria break down contaminants. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Your septic tank is key in your household’s sewage waste treatment and disposal. It collects, separates, and breaks down gray wastewater and black wastewater from your home. Wastewater is further broken down by bacterial digestion inside the tank. It is then released into the drain field, where natural filtration and absorption take place in the soil. In some instances, your septic system may also use an aeration tank and an absorption field as part of its wastewater disposal process. Also known as an onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS), your system helps you maintain a clean and healthy environment without the cost and hassle of municipal sewer service.
Once wastewater enters your septic tank, it undergoes preliminary treatment by weight and gravity. The heavier solids sink to the bottom and are broken down by bacteria into sludge, while the lighter solids rise to form a layer of scum at the top of the tank. The liquid waste that remains is called effluent.
The septic tank is designed to allow the scum layer and the sludge layer to settle separately. This prevents solids from flowing into your drainfield where they can clog your septic system and expose you to disease-causing bacteria in sewage. The septic tank has to be pumped out regularly to ensure that the sludge and scum are disposed of properly.
Bacteria in your septic tank generate gases during the breakdown of wastewater contaminants. These gases are vented out of a vent in your septic tank lid. It is important to keep trees, shrubs and other long-rooted plants away from the absorption field to reduce plant root growth that could invade pipes and clog your septic system.
Once your septic tank is full of waste, a distribution box evenly distributes the liquid to pipes in your absorption field. It is a good idea to have your absorption field laid in gravel trenches instead of clay. This will extend the life of your system and minimize the risk of pathogenic bacteria entering surface water or groundwater.
Certain septic tank designs include siphons and other devices that improve the flow rate and volume of wastewater that empties from the septic tank into your drainfield. This can help you save money and extend the lifespan of your septic tank, drainfield and absorption field.
Pumping
The septic tank serves as the first stage of treatment for wastewater that leaves your house. As it holds household waste, microorganisms decompose the sewage into three distinct layers. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank, light solids and fats float to the top of the tank and are broken down by bacteria to form sludge, while liquid wastewater flows out to the absorption field. The tank must be pumped frequently to prevent sewage backups and environmental contamination.
The tank’s size, the number of people living in your home and the water usage can affect how often it needs to be pumped. Sticking to a pumping schedule can help keep your costs down. However, if you wait until the tank is overflowing to have it pumped, this can increase your pumping cost because there will be more waste to remove.
Typically, the septic tank will contain an audible warning system to alert you when it’s time for a pumping. Having the tank inspected and pumped on a regular basis can help you avoid costly repairs down the road and extend the life of your septic tank.
Pumping a septic tank can also help you spot signs of trouble, such as unusual odors or slow drainage. If these problems occur, a professional must quickly inspect the septic tank and the surrounding plumbing.
A well-maintained septic tank can last up to 40 years. It can save homeowners money by allowing them to eliminate the need for public sewer, and it is environmentally friendly. It can also add value to a property when it comes time to sell.
A septic tank may be made of concrete, cement, fiberglass or plastic and can be buried in the ground beneath your yard or in a concrete vault at the edge of your property. Some tanks are even portable, so they can be moved when necessary. If you’re thinking about purchasing a home with a septic tank, talk to the sellers and local plumbers to learn more about the system before buying. They can provide information on the history of the septic tank and how often it was pumped in the past.
Inspection
Septic tank inspection is a crucial part of septic system maintenance. It helps to identify problems before they escalate, and it can help to extend the lifespan of your septic system. The most common signs of a septic system problem include bad odors, clogged drains, or slow flushing toilets. The best way to prevent such issues is to have your septic system regularly inspected and pumped.
A professional inspector can check for many things, including a septic tank’s level of sludge. The level of sludge tells the inspector whether the septic tank needs to be pumped. A good inspector will also test the septic tank’s baffle walls to ensure they are not cracked or damaged. During this inspection, the inspector will also look for evidence of any leaks or other problems, such as wet spots in the yard.
Home buyers should have a septic system inspection before they purchase a house. It is important to hire a certified inspector to inspect the septic tank. Many home inspectors do not perform a thorough evaluation of the septic system. In addition to examining the condition of visible parts, a septic tank inspector can use a dye test to see if the septic system is draining properly.
In a dye test, the inspector will introduce a special colored chemical into the septic system to see if it is flowing out of the drain field. If the dye shows up in the groundwater, it may indicate that the septic tank is overflowing or that there is a crack or other issue with the drain field.
The septic system inspector will also examine the site conditions around the tank and drain field. He or she will look at the location of the tank and lids, and will consider factors such as weather conditions (frozen ground can impede access). The inspector will also check for sludge layers, a well-functioning effluent filter, and the inlet and outlet baffles to ensure they are free of damage.
A septic system inspector will also look for any recent excavation or other work done near the septic tank and drain field. This can indicate possible problems, such as subsidence, which is a gradual sinking of the soil underneath a septic tank that can cause cracks in the tank or the leach field.
Maintenance
A septic tank is a large underground concrete or plastic container that holds wastewater from toilets, showers and bathtubs. The tank has an inlet pipe from your house and an outlet to the septic drain field, which is a series of pipes in gravel trenches, underneath the soil.
The septic system separates solid waste from liquid waste and promotes the breakdown of contaminants in wastewater. It is a highly effective method of sewage treatment and can last up to 40 years or more, providing that it is properly maintained.
Various cleaning products used by homeowners can harm the good bacteria in the septic system. Avoid the use of bleach and other cleaners containing chlorine. Instead, choose natural or plant-based cleaning products.
After a time of holding the wastewater, the tank allows the solids to settle down to the bottom, and oil and grease floats to the top. The liquid wastewater (effluent) exits the tank through a T-shaped outlet. The inlet and outlet are separated by baffles, which prevent sludge and scum from leaving the tank to travel through the absorption field.
Leaks, clogged or overflowing pipes and a flooded drain field can all damage a septic system. It is important that the septic tank is inspected and pumped regularly. A septic technician can also check the baffles for any that are broken or deteriorating.
The best way to keep a septic system functioning is to not flush anything other than human waste and white toilet paper. Other items that should not be flushed include cat litter, coffee grounds, diapers and towelettes (even the ‘flushable’ type), grease, baby wipes, dental floss, cigarette butts, medicine and excess household chemicals.
It is important to map out a septic system or mark components with stakes so that you can locate them when doing yard work, landscaping or home maintenance. Avoid driving or parking heavy vehicles or equipment over the tank or the drainage field. Also, do not build structures that would cover the septic tank or drainage field. Finally, make sure that kids and pets do not play in or near the septic tank, drain field or absorption area.
