If you’re considering buying a home with a septic system, it’s best to make your offer contingent upon passing a septic inspection. This will help protect your investment and avoid costly repairs down the road.
The septic tank is a buried, water-tight container that collects wastewater from all household plumbing connections. Solid waste sinks to the bottom forming sludge, while oil and grease floats to the top creating scum. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Septic tanks are large underground containers that house domestic wastewater for basic sewage treatment and disposal. They provide a more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to public sewer systems that use energy-intensive processes.
A typical septic tank is made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic and has two chambers through which water waste flows for separation. Heavy solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank while light solids and liquid waste float on top. Bacteria in the tank breaks down these wastes, allowing the liquid effluent to flow out of the tank and into the drain field.
The septic tank system also filters waste before it enters the environment. The bacteria in the septic tank break down the contaminants and the wastewater is then returned to the soil, cleaned and absorbed by plant life.
Wastewater from toilets, showers, bathtubs, and sinks is poured into the inlet pipe of the septic tank. From there, the wastewater travels through a series of pipes called a septic tank system.
These pipes are installed on the property, buried in the ground near the home. A septic tank system is typically composed of one or more septic tanks that are connected to each other via a series of baffles. Each septic tank is fitted with an inlet and an outlet pipe that lead to and from the drain field.
Each septic tank is sized to accommodate the daily wastewater generated by the house. The septic tank system is designed to hold between 1,000 and 1,500 gallons of waste.
A septic tank can be clogged with debris such as hair, food scraps, grease, and foreign objects that are flushed down the drain. A septic tank that is over-full or clogged can cause sewage to back up into the home. Backed-up septic systems are a health hazard and should be addressed immediately by a plumber.
A well-maintained septic tank is durable and can last for many years with periodic maintenance and cleaning. Regular professional inspections can prevent major failures, which can be costly to repair. In addition, having the septic tank regularly pumped can help keep bad odors at bay.
Septic Pumps
A septic system relies on a pump to move wastewater to and from the tank. There are several different types of septic pumps, each designed to handle different jobs. The type of pump you need depends on how much wastewater flows through your home and how often it needs to be pumped. Sewage pumps are the best choice for moving raw sewage waste, while effluent pumps are ideal for relocating filtered water.
The main function of a septic tank is to treat and store household sewage that cannot be drained into the sewer system. Untreated sewage would quickly clog the absorption field, but a septic tank prevents this by separating solids from wastewater. Heavy solids settle at the bottom of the tank and form a layer known as sludge, while lighter solids—including oils and greases—rise to the top and form a layer called scum. Bacteria in the tank breaks down these solids, allowing liquids to separate from them and drain easily.
To prevent solids from clogging the outlet pipe and drain field, a septic tank is designed with baffle walls. The number of baffle walls in a septic tank depends on how many compartments it has. Single-chamber tanks have no baffle walls, while two- and three-compartment tanks have one or more. A septic tank’s baffle walls keep sludge and scum from flowing into the outlet pipe and drain field, which can prevent the system from working correctly.
Regularly pumping your septic tank and inspecting your septic system are vital to keeping it functioning properly. A professional can help you determine how often you need to have your septic tank pumped, measure the layers in your tank and keep records of pumping, inspections and maintenance. You can reduce the frequency of septic tank pumping by only flushing septic-safe items and being careful about what you throw down your drains and toilets.
If you have a septic system, you should map out the location of your tank and other system components. This will help you avoid damaging the tank or other parts of your septic system while doing yard work. You should also keep trees, shrubs and other long-rooted plants away from the drain field to prevent roots from growing into pipes or clogging them. In addition, adding 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic tank and drain field can help prevent soil compaction.
Septic Installation
A septic tank treats wastewater that flows from a house’s plumbing system. It removes waste and debris, leaving only clean water to enter the groundwater supply. A septic tank is usually constructed of concrete or plastic and comes in a range of sizes for different home use. It links to a drain field, also known as a leach field, through a pipe that runs underground. A septic tank and drain field work together to purify waste water that flows into groundwater supplies.
The sewer drainpipe carries waste into the septic tank, where it begins to separate. Solids settle to the bottom of the tank, while oils and fatty substances float on top. Bacteria inside the tank break down the solids to make the liquids more manageable. An inlet and outlet baffle help regulate the flow of solids into and out of the septic tank. Inspectors check these baffles to ensure that they are attached to the inlet and outlet pipes firmly.
After the solids have been processed, wastewater flows into a drain field, which is made of perforated pipes laid in porous gravel. The effluent from the septic tank goes through the pipes, into the gravel, and into the soil beneath the surface. It slowly seeps into the subsoil, where it is purified and naturally returned to the groundwater supply. The drain field is usually located in a large open area of the yard, and homeowners should keep it free from structures such as pools or driveways to prevent damage.
To get the most out of your septic system, have it inspected on a regular basis. An inspection will make sure it is working correctly and that your yard stays healthy. Regular septic system maintenance helps to prolong the lifespan of your septic tank and reduce the risk of costly repairs.
A well-maintained septic system can add to your home’s value, making it easier to sell your property in the future. It can also reduce your utility bills and keep foul odors, slow draining sinks, and clogged toilets at bay. Contact a reputable septic system company to schedule an inspection.
Septic Repair
Many homeowners choose septic systems instead of traditional city sewer because they can be more affordable and less disruptive to the landscape. These systems are designed to meet the needs of your home, but they need regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly.
If your septic system is not properly maintained, you may experience problems that require septic tank repair. One of the most common issues is sewage backup in your home. This problem occurs when the septic tank is full or there is a major blockage in the line from the house to the septic tank. Other causes include a failure of devices in the septic tank, a failing drain field or soil erosion around the system.
You can reduce the likelihood of sewage backup by having your septic tank emptied regularly. Most septic tanks need to be pumped out every three to five years. You can tell that the tank is getting full when your drains are backed up or slow to work and water puddles form on the ground above the septic tank.
A septic tank is made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. These materials are ideal because they are not prone to cracking when buried underground. If the tank cracks, waste will leak out of the tank and into your yard. The crack may be small and hard to detect, but you can spot it by the odors that waft out of your home or by the fact that the septic system is overflowing.
Once the liquid waste leaves the septic tank, it goes to the drain field through pipes. The drain field is surrounded by soil that naturally treats the wastewater, reducing its toxicity and odors. The soil in the drain field also prevents harmful bacteria from entering the water supply.
You can help your septic system function more efficiently by maintaining grass and keeping deep-rooted plants and shrubs away from the absorption field. You should also minimize water use to reduce the amount of wastewater that enters your septic system. There are several products on the market that claim to restore your septic system’s bacterial balance, but these additives are not necessary since bacteria already live in human feces. A septic tank repair expert can recommend other ways to keep your septic system healthy and working well.