A septic tank is an underground chamber through which household wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment. This simple onsite sewage system is typically used in rural areas without municipal sewer systems.
Wastewater is separated into solids (sludge) and liquids (effluent or wastewater). Solids like toilet paper, cat litter, paint, hair, grease and oil, and even baby wipes can cause clogs in the tank. Click Here to learn more.
A septic tank is a buried water-tight container that holds wastewater from a home. Bacteria inside the tank break down the contaminants in the sewage so that it can be removed from your house and safely transported to a drain field for treatment and absorption into the groundwater below. The tank is usually made from concrete, fiberglass, or polymers and is designed to be weather-resistant. A septic tank has an inlet wastewater pipe and an outlet pipe connected; the pipes lead to a septic drain field in the soil below.
A large, central service hole on the tank’s surface is the access point for pumping and inspections. The large opening is much easier to reach than digging down through the septic tank’s sludge and scum layers, which are often filled with solids that cannot be pumped. The large central service hole is also more waterproof than the concrete lids that are sometimes used on septic tanks, which can allow groundwater to flood your tank and contaminate your household plumbing.
It is important to have a professional pump out the tank regularly to prevent solids from flowing out of the septic tank and into your absorption field. This is best done by a licensed septage waste transporter who can inspect your tank, measure the layer thicknesses, and pump the liquid out of your septic system to prevent overflows that could clog the absorption field or expose you to disease-causing bacteria.
Inside the septic tank, a partition wall separates compartments so that the solids will sink to the bottom of the tank forming sludge, and oil and grease will float on top of the septic tank creating scum. A baffle at the outlet prevents sludge and scum from leaving your septic tank and traveling into the drainfield area, where they can clog the pipes.
As the septic tank fills, the liquid wastewater enters the drainfield area through a series of underground perforated pipes in gravel trenches. The septic tank also contains a vent that opens into the roof of your house and allows gases to escape to avoid overpressure in your plumbing system. You can help keep your septic tank working well by practicing responsible waste disposal, limiting use of drain cleaners and other household chemicals that can damage your septic system, and planting grass or other shallow-rooted plants over the drainfield area.
Septic Tank Pumps
Septic tanks serve a vital purpose for those without municipal sewer systems. They hold sewage waste until the solids separate out from the liquid, at which point it is discharged into a drain field or soil absorption system. Septic tanks must be pumped regularly by a professional to keep the waste from clogging up the pipes and creating a plumbing back-up.
A septic tank pump is a submersible water pump that can be installed in the final chamber of a septic tank or in a pump sump after the septic tank. It is driven by a motor that creates centrifugal force to accelerate the water away from its center of rotation. A volute or diffuser casing captures the accelerating water to force it into stable flow. The float switch inside the pump is set to operate between two lower floats, with one of them being referred to as the “pump enable” float and the other the “pump on” float. When the lower float rises, it signals the pump to turn on, which is when the water starts being pumped from the tank.
The pump is usually set to disperse the effluent at a volume between one-quarter and one-half of the average daily household flow. This will reduce the time it takes for wastewater to enter and exit the septic tank and leach field, as well as reduce the number of times the pump must be operated.
As a general rule, septic tank pumps can expect to last between 15 and 20 years. However, harsh conditions or improper use and maintenance can shorten their life spans considerably.
Septic Solutions carries a full line of top-of-the-line sump and effluent pumps from brands such as Little Giant, Liberty, and Zoeller. We also carry a variety of accessories that can be used with these pumps, such as septic tank filters. These filters help prevent large debris from entering the pump station and causing a clog. They are usually placed in a manhole in front of the pump, or they can be attached to a 110mm/4″ T-piece before the manhole.
Septic Tank Inspections
Septic systems are complex and most of the system is underground, so it’s hard to know what’s going on inside until something goes wrong. That’s why septic tank inspections are so important. They can help prevent problems before they get out of hand and save homeowners money in the long run.
A septic tank inspection costs between $250 and $420, depending on the type of septic system you have and where you live. Most septic tank inspections are fairly quick and involve asking the homeowner a few questions, such as how old the house is, whether the septic system has been pumped recently, and if there have been any issues with the septic system in the past. The inspector will then flush all the toilets and check that the water is draining properly. They will also go out to the drain field and make sure there is no standing water in the area.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, it’s a good idea to have the septic tank inspected before you close on the deal. Ask the seller where the septic tank is located in the yard and if it’s ever been pumped. If it has, request a receipt from the pumping company. This is the best way to ensure the septic tank was pumped and that the septic system hasn’t experienced any issues with the septic system itself.
Septic tanks require regular maintenance, but most clogs and other problems can be prevented with good hygiene and proper septic tank care. To minimize the amount of solids in your septic tank, don’t use toilet paper or other items that don’t break down easily. You can also avoid clogs by avoiding driving or operating heavy machinery over your leach field and planting trees or other long-rooted plants over the absorption field, which can cause septic tank leakage.
If you do experience problems with your septic tank or septic system, be sure to have any repairs completed right away. Not only will this prevent costly damage to your septic tank, but it can also help protect the health and safety of your family members.
Septic Tank Repairs
While there are many things that can go wrong with a septic tank and the lines, tank and leach field leading from it, there are some issues homeowners can take care of. The biggest thing is making sure the septic tank is the right size for the home. A septic tank that is too small will be overwhelmed with too much sludge and scum, which can then flow into the drainfield and clog it. If this happens, sewage will back up into the house and expose household members to disease-causing organisms.
Another common septic tank issue is that of cracks or holes in the septic tank. These can be caused by tree roots or Earth movement over time, and they can lead to worrying leaks. The cost to repair these can be high, and the best way to prevent them is with a maintenance plan that includes regular emptying of the tank, and using only the proper waste products (like toilet paper).
Lastly, the septic tanks are designed to have an inlet filter and outlet baffle that keep solids from escaping into the drainfield, where they could block it and cause overflows. If these components are broken or damaged, it is important to have them repaired as soon as possible.
Sewage backups occur when the septic tank is full or clogged, there’s a major problem with devices within the tank or in the system leading from it, or there’s a problem with the drain field plumbing. In most cases, a plumber will need to investigate the situation to determine the source of the sewage backup.
It’s also important to know that if your septic system is discharging into a watercourse, it must be upgraded by 1 January 2020 to a sewage treatment plant. It’s a good idea to find out where your septic tank is located on your property and mark its location with a stake or gravel around it, so you can avoid it when landscaping. Contact a local septic system expert for advice about your septic tank and the drain field, as well as how to maintain it.