Your septic tank is an underground container that collects wastewater from toilets, laundry machines and other household appliances. Solid waste settles at the bottom and undergoes bacterial digestion while grease and other materials float to the top as scum.
Don’t flush non-biodegradable items such as cigarette butts, cotton buds/swabs and menstrual hygiene products. These can clog the septic system. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Essentially, the septic tank collects all household wastewater and provides time for heavy solids to settle and light liquids to float. The heaviest solids, including toilet paper, feces, and kitchen grease, decompose in the sludge layer and fall to the bottom of the tank, while lighter solids and liquids rise to the top as scum. The septic tank also contains a baffle wall, which directs raw wastewater downward to the mid-level of the septic tank and reduces scum agitation.
During this process, the naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria digest organic material and separates floatable matter (including oils and grease) from the wastewater. The septic system is then able to discharge the partially treated wastewater into a series of perforated pipes buried underground in a drain field, or leach field.
The drain field is typically buried only a foot or two below the ground surface to allow for evapotranspiration, which is the natural process by which water leaves the soil. The septic system is designed to release the effluent into the ground at a rate that can be absorbed by the surrounding grass and soil.
Homeowners can help keep their septic system working properly by only flushing toilet paper, human waste and household cleaning products down the drains. Non-degradable items, such as cooking oil, baby wipes, make-up removal wipes, diapers, cigarette butts, and cat litter should be thrown in the trash instead.
It’s also important to limit your water usage. Doing laundry and showering at the same time, for example, can put a strain on your septic system, so you should try to spread out your water use throughout the week. You should also avoid planting trees or shrubs near the septic system, as their roots can eventually grow into and clog your septic system. And it’s always a good idea to map out your septic tank and system components, or mark them with stakes, so you can easily access them when doing yard work or repairs. This will help you avoid damaging the septic tank, absorption field, and distribution box. Also, don’t park or drive heavy vehicles over these areas, as the weight can damage the drain lines.
Sedimentation
A septic tank is a large, sealed precast concrete box about 5 feet tall and 9 feet long, buried underground outside your home. As wastewater flows into it from your plumbing, weighty masses sink to the bottom of the tank and undergo bacterial digestion to create sludge that separates from the water. Lighter masses, such as oils and greases, float to the top of the water and form a scum layer. Bacteria break down these fatty materials to release liquids, which are then released into the drainage field.
A baffle wall (also called a partition wall) divides the septic tank into compartments. This helps keep sludge and scum from leaving the tank, where it could clog pipes and infiltrate the soil. The inlet baffle directs the raw wastewater downward into the mid-level of the septic tank, which reduces agitation and allows solids to settle.
In a conventional septic system, the wastewater from your septic tank travels into a series of perforated pipes buried in the ground. These pipes, known as leach drains or soak wells, are surrounded by an area of soil that is designed to slowly treat the effluent.
If a septic system is not properly maintained, the septic tank and drain field may fail to treat your household wastewater effectively. Over time, too much sludge can enter the drain field and clog it, leading to sewage seepage into the ground surface.
Sewage overflow exposes humans and pets to disease-causing bacteria. Frequent pumping of the septic tank helps ensure that solid waste is prevented from flowing into the drain field. The frequency of septic tank pumping depends on how many people live in your home and what goes down the drains. Using a garbage disposal or frequent water use will increase the need for pumping.
Do not park or drive on your drainfield, as this can compact the soil and interfere with septic system function. Planting trees and shrubs too close to a drainfield also can cause root intrusion, which can clog the system. Contact a septic service professional for advice on proper distances.
Bacteria
Septic tanks contain a natural population of bacteria that digests organic waste. This process creates a thick liquid known as sludge that occupies the bottom of the tank. Septic tanks are used in areas where public sewer systems cannot be installed. It’s important to keep the bacteria inside your septic system healthy by only flushing septic-safe materials down your drains and toilets, such as toilet paper, tissues, cotton balls, menstrual hygiene products and condoms. Non-biodegradable items like cigarette butts, facial wipes and cat litter can clog your septic tank and should be disposed of in the trash.
As the bacteria in your septic tank break down these contaminants, they produce gases including hydrogen sulfide (the odoriferous skunk-like smell you may have noticed in your home or yard). The gasses are released through a vent pipe located on the roof of your septic tank. The vent also prevents a buildup of pressure that could stop or reverse the flow of wastewater.
The bacteria in the septic tank also work to remove harmful pathogens, such as coliforms, from the wastewater. This is one of the major benefits of septic systems over public sewer.
Once the bacteria have processed the wastewater in the septic tank, it is pumped into a drainfield (or leach field) to complete its treatment and purification. The wastewater seeps into the soil where it is naturally filtered through rocks and dirt by the bacteria there to remove impurities. This onsite water recycling system is a great alternative to community public sewer systems for people living in rural or suburban areas.
Venting
Septic tanks need to be vented to release gases and control pressure. This prevents a build-up of pressure that could halt wastewater flow and back up toilets, sinks, tubs, etc. It also helps keep odors from escaping into the home or yard.
When the waste in a septic tank is breaking down, it produces gasses such as methane and hydrogen sulfide. These gasses need to escape the system, or they could build up and cause a dangerous explosion. The best way to ensure that the septic tank and plumbing system are adequately venting is by placing a carbon filter on the roof vent. This is a simple, inexpensive solution to prevent septic tank venting problems.
A properly installed septic tank vent should have a clear, uninterrupted path of travel and be at least 3 inches in diameter. It should also be directed away from any buildings or structures that may be at risk of septic tank gasses. This is often achieved by extending the vent pipe to a point above the roof vent.
Many people have questions about septic system venting. The answer is yes, a septic tank needs to be vented to control pressure and remove unpleasant odors. A septic tank is an underground container that holds the waste and wastewater from a house or business.
Septic tank installation is common in rural areas where the main drainage network cannot be connected to. This could be due to distance or the fact that the existing network is at capacity.
If a septic system is not vented correctly, unpleasant odors can seep into the yard or even into the house. The venting process is relatively simple, and it keeps the septic tank working properly by keeping unpleasant odors from seeping into the house or yard.
Most homes with a septic system will have a vent on the roof of the home or building. This vent is usually a 3 inch or 4 inch pipe, and it is part of the overall plumbing venting system for the house. The same is true for commercial buildings with a septic system.
