All water in your home runs through a main drainage pipe into the septic tank. Solid waste sinks to the bottom and forms sludge. Fats and oils float to the top. Microorganisms break down these organic wastewater pollutants.
Your septic tank is a simple on-site sewage treatment system. It should be pumped regularly. If not, septic tank failure may occur, polluting groundwater with feces and other waste materials. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
The primary function of a septic tank is to separate the wastewater from household plumbing. This allows solids to sink to the bottom and floatable fats, oils and greases rise to the top, where they decompose or partially dissolve. The remaining, clarified liquid passes through the outlet pipe into the absorption field.
The absorption field, also known as a drain field or leach field, is a shallow trench of soil where the partially treated wastewater filters down through and into the groundwater below. Sometimes a drain field can get clogged or waterlogged with wastewater, resulting in sewage seepage or odors. This is especially common in clay-based soils.
Conventional septic systems use a septic tank, distribution box and drain field. Some areas are sensitive to pathogens, nutrients or other pollutants and require more advanced septic systems with additional components that remove or neutralize contaminants before dispersing the wastewater into the soil.
When properly installed and maintained, a septic system works well, and is a safe alternative to sewer connections. If you are considering installing a septic system, we encourage you to learn as much as possible about the process and your responsibilities.
It’s important to remember that the septic tank is only part of the entire treatment system and that it requires regular maintenance, including pumping. It is also important to limit your water usage.
This is especially true during colder weather, when cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and break. To reduce the risk of freezing, we recommend adding 8 to 12-inches of mulch around your septic tank, pipes and drain field. This will help protect the soil and prevent it from becoming compacted, which can lead to a septic system that fails to function properly.
Avoid flushing items that do not easily break down, such as tampons, baby wipes, cotton swabs, facial tissues, medical waste, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, hairspray, paint and paint thinner, cleaning products and disinfectants, medications, paper towels and cooking fats/oils. These items can clog lines and the septic tank itself, and can lead to the failure of the septic system.
Installation
A septic tank is an underground waste management solution for homes that aren’t connected to municipal sewer systems. Domestic wastewater flows from sinks, toilets, and appliances into the septic tank, where heavier solids are broken down by bacteria at the bottom of the tank, and the partially treated water is dispersed to the drain field.
The drain field is a network of pipes that carry liquid waste to the soil, where it’s eliminated through percolation into the ground, through plant uptake, by transpiration, or into surface water. The septic system requires well-draining soil to function, so the drain field should be installed in an area that has been prepared by digging out and filling with gravel or other material.
It’s important to get a septic tank installer with experience, as installing and maintaining a septic system is a major project that should be done right. Inquire about the installer’s work history, licenses, and insurance coverage before hiring them to install your septic tank and other components of the system.
When septic tanks are correctly designed and installed, they shouldn’t be noticeable. A septic tank should be installed underground, usually near the home, and is often covered by soil or mulch. The only signs that a septic tank is present are a large central service hole and two valves on the front of the tank, one for releasing gas from the tank (known as the effluent pump) and the other for releasing sewage into the drain field (the drain valve).
Risers should be installed over the inlet and outlet of the septic tank to prevent dirt, gravel, or water from entering or leaving the tank, which could damage the system. It’s also a good idea to place signs in the yard that indicate where the septic tank is located. Periodically, it’s important to check the location of the septic tank to ensure that it can be easily accessed for maintenance and repairs. Pumping the septic tank should be done through the central service hole, not the sanitary tee or baffle inspection ports, as pumping through these openings can cause damage to the tank.
Maintenance
A septic tank can only hold so much waste, and it’s the homeowners responsibility to make sure that it does not get too full. Once the septic tank is full, it will overflow and the solids in it will leak out into the absorption field, also known as the drain field or lateral fields. This will then contaminate the groundwater. In order to avoid this, a homeowner needs to schedule regular maintenance to ensure that their tank is working as it should.
A proper septic system includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe transports the wastewater from your home into the septic tank. Once the wastewater is inside the tank, it gets separated into three layers. The first layer is made up of oils and grease that float on top of the wastewater, commonly called scum. The second layer is the wastewater itself, and the third and final layer is the sludge that sinks to the bottom of the tank. The bacteria inside the septic tank breaks down these solids and allows liquids to separate from them.
As the septic tank is used, a homeowner should check the sludge and scum levels to determine how often it needs to be pumped. Once these levels reach 35% of the tank’s capacity, it’s time for a pumping. This is an important step in maintaining a septic tank, as it keeps the drainfield from getting clogged with solids and protects groundwater.
The homeowner can help to protect the septic system and reduce the need for frequent pumping by limiting how much water they use in their home. This can be done by taking shorter showers, doing laundry in batches instead of back-to-back loads and installing efficient appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.
It’s also important to keep non-biodegradable wastes away from the septic tank, such as cigarette butts, cotton buds/swabs and menstrual hygiene products. These can clog pipes going into the septic tank and should never be flushed. Additionally, mulch should not be added directly around the septic tank, pipes and drain field as it may prevent the absorption of soil nutrients.
Pumping
Pumping a septic tank might not be at the top of your to-do list but it is important for the health and performance of your septic system. It’s generally recommended to have your septic tank pumped every 5 years. However, it will also depend on the size of your septic tank and how much waste is going down your drains.
During septic tank pumping, the professional will first check for any damage or leaks to the tank and then open the lid. Once the technician has access to the tank, they will use a muckrake to stir up and break up the scum and sludge layers. It’s important to do this because it will help get all of the waste out of your tank. Otherwise, some of it could make its way into your absorption field or drain field (also called a leach field) and clog or waterlog the pipes.
Once the septic tank is pumped, it will be sealed back up and a cleanout will be installed in the wall of the septic tank to prevent future sewage from backing up into your home. The professionals will then place a new cover on the septic tank and replace the lid. This process usually takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Some homeowners think they don’t need to have their septic tanks pumped because they’ve never had any issues with their system. However, this is a dangerous assumption because it’s actually more likely for your septic tank to fail if you don’t have it pumped regularly.
Over time, solid materials will build up in your septic tank until it’s full. This can cause the sludge layer to clog your absorption field or leach field, which will affect how efficiently your septic system works. You can keep your septic system healthy by avoiding sending items down the drain that don’t break down, such as cooking oil, non-flushable wipes (baby and makeup removal), cat litter, cigarette butts, pharmaceuticals, and paint thinner or cleaner. You should also mow the grass over the absorption area and keep trees and long-rooted plants away from it.