Wastewater flows from toilets, sinks, showers and garbage disposals into the septic tank where it undergoes a process of settling and separating. Heavy solids sink to the bottom, forming a layer of sludge. Light solids and oils float to the top forming a scum layer.
Bacteria break down the sludge and partially decompose the scum. The wastewater exits the septic tank into a distribution box where it flows into a buried drain field. For more information, Click Here to proceed.
A septic tank is a buried water-tight container that holds household waste until microorganisms break it down. All the wastewater that goes down your toilets, sinks, showers and drains enters the septic system through a series of pipes. The septic tank is a temporary holding area for all the wastewater and where a small degree of treatment takes place.
When the septic tank is full, solid waste settles to the bottom forming sludge and fats and oils drift to the top to form a layer of scum. The liquid wastewater leaves the septic tank through a T-shaped outlet. A baffle wall or compartments keep sludge and scum from exiting through the outlet pipe into the absorption field.
A distribution box distributes the wastewater from the septic tank to pipes that run into your septic absorption field, sometimes called a leach field. The distribution box ensures that the whole absorption field receives an equal amount of flow to prevent overloading one part of the field.
Ideally, bacteria in the absorption field will break down the remaining contaminants in the wastewater before it is pumped into your soil. However, the system relies on the good habits of household members and a well-maintained septic tank to work properly. The best way to protect your septic system is to minimize the quantity and types of solids that are flushed down drains. This includes things like coffee grounds, tampons, diapers and pet feces. Heavy use of garbage disposals, too many loads of laundry, and chemicals that kill bacteria can cause problems as well.
It’s also important to map out the location of your septic system and mark its components with permanent stakes. This will help you avoid damaging your septic system when doing yard work or construction around your home and will make it easier to find the septic tank for routine pumping and maintenance.
In addition to mapping out the septic system, you can protect your septic system by not driving or parking vehicles over its parts and by keeping landscaping materials away from the absorption field. This will also help keep birds and animals from disturbing the septic system. It is also a good idea to add natural, 100% Live Adult Bacteria to your septic tank from time to time. It is essential that the bacteria you add are “Faculative,” meaning they can work in both oxygenated and anaerobic conditions. A septic professional can tell you what kind of bacteria would be best for your septic system.
All the wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks and dishwashers in your home runs through one main sewer line that slopes toward your septic tank. The waste travels to the septic tank, where it stays for a while until all of the solids settle or float. Heavy solid waste sinks to the bottom and forms a layer of sludge, while lighter oils and fats float to the top where they decompose with bacteria. The liquid wastewater left is called effluent. It leaves the septic tank through a pipe that leads to a drain field.
The septic tank is an underground watertight container that holds all of the wastewater from your household plumbing until solids settle or float. The tank is sized to hold all of the waste from a typical household for three to five years. The septic tank needs to be pumped periodically to remove the solid waste that is collected inside it. This process should be done by an experienced septic system treatment professional.
Your septic tank is usually buried underground and looks like a large metal or plastic box. It has baffles that separate the waste into different layers. The tank is also aired out so that the decomposing poop does not build up enough pressure to cause an overflow.
A septic tank has an inlet and an outlet, which is connected to a network of perforated pipes that extend into your drain field. The wastewater trickles into the drain field’s soil and recycles back to the environment. There are different types of septic tanks, but the most common is a two-compartment tank. The tank has an inlet and an outlet that trap the sludge at the bottom of the tank and the scum at the top, expelling only the liquids to the drain field.
The septic tank also has a distribution box that distributes the wastewater evenly to the drain fields. This is important because if the wastewater gets in the wrong places, it can block drain holes or fill up the spaces in the gravel that is needed for the wastewater to soak into the ground.
The septic tank is an important part of your home’s waste disposal system. It holds all the waste that enters your home from sinks, bathtubs and toilets. The solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank, and the liquid waste, called effluent, floats on top. The bacteria in the septic tank digest and break down these contaminants. The waste goes out of the septic tank into the drain field, where it is absorbed into the soil. This process is much cleaner than just leaving the waste in a sewer system or sending it to a landfill.
If your septic tank is full, there are several signs that may indicate it needs to be pumped. One is a foul smell around your home’s drains or in the yard. The odor is caused by the decomposing waste in the septic tank. The odor can also travel through the plumbing to the drains in your home.
Another sign is if your drains are running slowly. This is usually caused by a blockage in your plumbing and can often be fixed with a professional drain cleaning. A clogged drain that’s not cleared quickly can lead to a septic tank overflow. Another sign is if you see water standing in your yard near the septic tank. This is usually due to a septic system that’s not working properly or if the tank is full and the wastewater is backing up into the drainfield.
If you notice that the grass around your septic tank is much greener than other parts of your yard, this could be an indicator that the tank is full and leaking into the drainfield. The liquid from the septic tank contains nutrients that can be used by the grass and flowers in the area. The excess liquid can actually act like a fertilizer.
You can also check the sludge and scum levels in your septic tank to see when it’s time to get it pumped. The sludge and scum should be no more than six inches from the bottom of the outlet. You can check the sludge and scum yourself with a special gauge, or you can hire a septic tank company to do it for you. Getting your septic tank pumped on a regular basis will prevent it from filling up too quickly and overflowing into the drain field. Typically, a septic tank should be pumped every three years.
Many homeowners are lucky enough to have a septic system that doesn’t need to be pumped regularly. Some people even claim to never have had a septic tank pumped in their lifetime and still have a functioning system. However, the truth is that septic systems need to be pumped and drained periodically. This is because septic tanks will not decompose properly without both aerobic and anaerobic action. Things like red meat, excessive fats and rinds, chemicals and the wrong soap will not break down and will build up as sludge or semi-solid scum in your septic system. When this occurs, the system will fill up, and waste will begin to flow into your leach field.
Pumping your septic system periodically is crucial because it ensures that the bacteria in the system stays active and able to digest all the organic waste materials in your home. It is also important to understand that the septic tank does not have to be pumped out to a specific point; instead, the frequency of pumping depends on how much waste your house produces on a regular basis.
There are several signs that can indicate it is time to have your septic tank pumped, including slow draining in the house and unpleasant sewer smells. Slow drains are a telltale sign that the septic tank is full of sludge, which can prevent the system from processing wastewater properly. If left unattended, the septic tank can overflow, which can lead to serious and costly drainage problems for your home.
Generally, a septic tank should be pumped when the sludge layer is one-third of the way full. This is an easy measurement to make at home with a simple tool called The Sludge Judge, which can be purchased from most septic service companies.
Using this tool, you simply place the end of the stick into the tank to measure the level of sludge. We will be happy to mark your septic tank with the sludge level as a reference, so you can easily remember when it is due for pumping.
