When you flush the toilet, take a shower, wash dishes or use the washing machine, wastewater flows into septic tank pipes. These pipes lead to your septic system’s absorption or drain field where clean wastewater is dispersed into the soil.
Heavy solid waste sinks to the bottom of the septic tank and undergoes natural bacterial digestion to form sludge. Oils and grease float to the top, creating a layer of scum. Click the https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/ to learn more.
A septic tank is an underground storage tank that holds wastewater from residential plumbing. It uses natural and technological processes to treat wastewater from showers, bathroom sinks, kitchen drains and laundry. After treatment, it disperses into the soil via a drainfield. Septic tanks are most commonly found in suburban and rural homes not connected to municipal sewer systems.
A water-tight, buried container, septic tanks are typically made from concrete or high-quality plastics like polyethylene. They are large enough to hold about 1,000 to 1,500 gallons of water. They have an inlet wastewater pipe and an outlet sewage pipe, both connected to a septic drain field. The inlet pipe is fitted with a baffle wall to direct raw wastewater downward toward the middle of the tank. This design reduces wastewater agitation, which makes it easier for solids to settle. The baffle also keeps surface scum from entering the inlet pipe.
During the settling process, septic tanks trap solid matter and sediment. The resulting sludge usually floats on top of the liquid wastewater. The wastewater is a clear liquid that microorganisms use to break down waste. The septic tank’s dividing walls and T-shaped outlet prevent sludge and scum from leaving the tank, but allow the liquid wastewater to exit through the outlet pipe.
When septic tanks are full, the sludge and scum may take up to 35% of the tank’s volume. A homeowner will know it’s time to have the tank pumped when this occurs.
If you’ve had a lot of rain recently, it’s possible your septic system is over-saturated. This condition can cause a buildup of mud in the drain field, which can lead to sewage back-up into your home. If this is the case, wait a few days to see if the ground dries out before calling a professional.
If your septic system is backed up and sewage is flowing into your house, it’s important to turn off all water in and around your home until the situation can be addressed. Never attempt to clear a backup yourself, as this can lead to toxic fumes or lack of oxygen, which are both dangerous.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
A conventional septic system, the most common on-site wastewater treatment system, is a tank-and-soil absorption system that uses natural and mechanical processes to filter and treat household drain waste. Wastewater from sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers and washing machines flows into the septic tank where solid matter settles to the bottom of the tank while liquid waste moves through the half wall into the second chamber. In the tank, naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria work to digest and break down the solid waste. The liquid waste, known as effluent, exits the tank into the drain field where filtration, help from soil and helpful microbes treat the water before it returns to the groundwater supply.
Most septic tanks are made from concrete or heavy plastic and have two chambers. They are typically buried in the ground and can range in size from 1,000 to 2,000 gallons. They can be located on or off the home and may be in a location with a low groundwater table, such as a wetland or a sandy or clay soil.
In addition to the bacterial digestion process, the septic tank also works to remove certain contaminants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and disease-causing pathogens. The septic tank is also equipped with a vent that lets gases escape. Often, these gases are hydrogen sulfide (which smells like rotten eggs).
As the bacteria in the septic tank work to break down the contaminants, they produce methane and other byproducts. These gases must be vented to prevent a buildup of pressure that could stop or reverse the flow of wastewater. These gases are typically released through a vent pipe that has a mushroom shape and can be fitted with a charcoal filter to reduce odors.
Homeowners should be mindful of what they flush and only send toilet paper and human waste down the drain. Putting cooking oil, non-flushable wipes (such as baby or makeup removal wipes), diapers, feminine hygiene products, cat litter, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals and paint and paint thinner down the drain can clog lines.
Another important task is ensuring the septic tank is pumped regularly. This is generally done about once every 1 to 3 years, depending on usage. A sign that the septic tank needs emptying is a bad flush or a smell.
How Do I Maintain a Septic Tank?
All of the wastewater that exits your home goes through the septic tank, including all shower water, washing machine and dishwasher water and every flush of a toilet. Wastewater carries bacteria, viruses and parasites that can lead to a variety of health problems, such as hepatitis, typhoid fever and dysentery. In addition, the nitrates and phosphates found in the wastewater can contaminate local water supplies and cause conditions like blue baby syndrome, in which newborns are unable to receive oxygen in their bloodstream.
There are a few things that you can do to help keep your septic tank healthy and working well. The first is to limit the amount of water used in your home. This can be accomplished by using shorter showers, shorter dishwashing sessions and doing laundry less frequently. A second thing is to eliminate the use of chemical cleaners and toxic solvents in your home. These chemicals can kill helpful bacteria in your septic tank and drain field and can clog your septic system.
The third thing is to have your septic tank pumped regularly. Depending on the size of your septic tank and the number of people living in your home, you may need to have it pumped every two to five years. When you have the septic tank inspected, look at the levels of sludge and scum to determine whether or not it’s time to get it pumped.
Avoid putting septic tank additives into your septic system, as they may harm the helpful bacteria and can be expensive in the long run. Additionally, septic tank additives don’t reduce the need for routine pumping and can actually increase your need for regular cleaning and maintenance.
Finally, when working on your septic tank, be sure to wear gloves and work in an area with good ventilation. It’s possible that you’ll need to lean over the opening, and it could be dangerous to do so without proper protection. In addition, never smoke near your septic tank or around the area where it’s located as the contents of your septic tank can emit explosive gases.
When Should I Have a Septic Tank Inspection?
Having a septic tank inspection before you buy a home is always a good idea. You need to know if the system has ever been pumped and how long since it was last done. You also need to know the condition of the drain field, which is where wastewater is filtered and absorbed into the ground. If the soil is poorly drained, it could cause the tank to overflow or the wastewater to back up into the house.
A septic system that isn’t working properly poses health hazards for the people living in the home and can contaminate nearby water sources. Regular inspections can help you prevent problems that could lead to costly repairs.
How often you need a septic tank inspection depends on factors like household size and the amount of water used. Larger households generate more wastewater, so they might need inspections more frequently to ensure the system is able to keep up. You should also schedule an inspection if you notice any unusual odors in your home or yard, a clogged toilet or drain, or wet or soggy soil near the tank or absorption field.
During a septic tank inspection, the inspector will check the sludge level to see if it’s time for the tank to be pumped. The inspector will also inspect the drain field to make sure it’s functioning properly. If the leach field isn’t absorbing the effluent, it may be due to a clog or a problem with the distribution box.
The inspector will test the flow of wastewater through the septic tank and into the drain field using a probe. If the probe holes fill with water too quickly, it’s likely that there is a problem in the leach field.
A septic tank inspection can help you avoid expensive repairs, so it’s worth investing in one. In addition, a regular inspection can help you extend the life of your septic tank and reduce environmental harm. Avoid dumping waste into your septic system, and don’t build structures, like decks or swimming pools, over the tank and other components of your septic system.
