Septic Tank Armadale stores wastewater and waste materials. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank and undergo bacterial digestion. Oils and grease float to the top and form a layer of scum. Water flows to a drainage field or soakaway for final treatment in the soil.
If a septic tank is not pumped regularly, solids will wash into the drainfield and clog the soil. This will interrupt the natural process of treating wastewater.
The septic tank is a large, underground storage tank that collects and holds wastewater from household toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. Rather than a sewer line that connects to the main drainage system of a municipal sewage network, septic tanks are used in places where a public sewer network is not available. This includes rural, suburban, and urban areas.
A septic tank contains a layer of solid waste (sludge) and a liquid layer of cleaner water. A baffle wall or partition wall separates these layers inside the septic tank. This design keeps floating scum from clogging the inlet pipe and reduces wastewater agitation, making it easier for suspended solids to settle.
As the cleaner liquid rises to the top, it exits the septic tank through an outlet pipe connection. From there, the wastewater is deposited into an absorption field or drainfield. This system is the final step of septic system treatment. Known by other names in the industry including a leach field, an effluent field, or a drainage system, it is made up of a series of pipes with holes in them buried beneath the ground in gravel trenches.
When the wastewater reaches the absorption field, it filters down through the soil and is absorbed by the grass above. This helps to protect surface water and groundwater sources from contamination, disease, and odor.
In some cases, septic systems are replaced with a modern sewage treatment plant that eliminates the need for a septic tank and associated leach field. These plants are designed to remove all of the solid and liquid waste from residential properties, treat it, and discharge the clean wastewater back into the environment. They can also be installed as an alternative to traditional septic tank and leach field systems in existing homes where environmental or site conditions prevent a conventional septic system from being viable.
Septic Tank Installation
A septic tank collects wastewater and solids from homes and commercial establishments. This includes black water (sewage), grey water (used toilet water) and kitchen wastes. It also includes the solids that are not dissolved in the liquid portion of the wastewater, such as paper, feces and food. The septic tank is designed to retain the solids until bacteria are able to digest them and the resulting sludge and scum are flushed out of the system through an outlet pipe.
The septic tank is typically made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic. The type of tank a homeowner chooses is usually determined by the site conditions and soil test results.
During the installation process, the septic tank is excavated and installed on-site. The installation team tries to minimize impact to the surrounding property, but the tank excavation will disrupt the landscape. After the tank is in place, the soil is backfilled and compacted around it. The inlet and outlet tees are installed at their designated locations along with risers. The installers will then plant grass to help minimize erosion and protect the septic tank from surface water runoff.
Septic tanks have special baffles to ensure that settling occurs, the solids are retained and venting is provided. These baffles may be built into the tank or constructed at the time of installation. The inlet and outlet baffles should be sized to accommodate the maximum flow rate of the tank.
Once the sewage enters the septic tank it goes through a process of settling and decomposition that can take up to 48 hours. During this time, the solids that can’t be digested either float to the top of the scum layer or sink to the bottom as sludge. Depending on the size of the septic tank and the volume of sewage, it must be pumped every 2-5 years to keep the solids from overflowing into the absorption field and clogging the drainfield.
Besides periodic pumping, septic systems require very little maintenance. The most important thing a homeowner can do is to be very careful about what they put into the system. Items like handi-wipes that claim to be ‘flushable’ can clog pipes going out of the septic system. Also, a properly sized septic tank is very important and should be planned for any future additions or renovations to the home.
Septic Tank Pumping
Septic tank pumping is an essential step in the septic system maintenance process. Without it, waste will build up to dangerous levels inside the tank. Once this happens, it may overflow, leading to wastewater backups or even complete system failure. Regular septic tank pumping prevents these issues and extends the life of the septic system.
A septic tank is a watertight container made of concrete or fiberglass, buried below ground in an area near the house. It has an inlet pipe through which all household waste enters the tank and an outlet pipe that drains into the drain field. As liquid waste flows through the inlet pipe, it passes through a series of porous pipes that disperse the sewage and soil. The solids in the sewage flow into the septic tank, where anaerobic bacteria break them down to a sludgy substance that accumulates on the bottom of the tank.
As the septic tank fills, it forms three distinct layers: scum, water, and sludge. The scum layer floats on top of the water layer. It contains things like food and dishwashing residue, which will naturally separate from the other layers of sludge. The sludge layer is the bottom of the tank, where things like toilet paper and poop gather. The water and sludge waste are then pumped into the leach field to be treated by the surrounding soil.
Ideally, the septic tank should be pumped out every three to five years. The exact interval depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the tank and household usage. For example, if there are many family members and frequent dishwasher use, the tank should be pumped more frequently.
During a septic tank pumping service, septic professionals will begin by excavating the access ports. This will expose the lids and possibly risers. Then, they will carefully remove the lids and inspect the condition of the tank and its components. If the tank is overflowing, septic professionals will remove and clean the effluent filter to prevent clogs and leaks. Then, they will pump out the sludge and water mixture, completing a thorough cleaning of the entire tank. Once the job is done, they will replace the septic tank lid and ensure it’s securely sealed to protect against odors and contamination.
Septic Tank Repair
A septic tank is designed to treat wastewater that comes from the toilets and other fixtures in your home. It is an underground box that holds black waste, which contains human and food waste, and grey water, which is water from your sinks, tubs, and showers. Inside the septic tank, bacteria and yeast break down the waste. The broken-down waste is taken out of the house through a pipe that connects to the drain field, where it is dispersed into the soil. Occasionally, you may need to have your septic tank pumped.
Keeping up with regular septic tank pumping, cleaning of the effluent filter, and regular inspection of the tank and leach field is important for a long-lasting, efficient septic system. A septic tank can only hold so much wastewater, and if your household uses a lot of water, it may overflow. If you have a large family or host frequent parties, consider upgrading to a larger septic system.
If a septic tank is not pumped regularly, the inlet baffle walls can become clogged with solids and the liquid layer between scum and sludge disappears. When this occurs, solids go out to the drainfield, where they clog and pollute the soil and groundwater.
The frequency of pumping depends on how much water is used in the home and what kind of products are put down the drains. Heavy usage of the garbage disposal or lots of liquid flushes can require a more frequent pumping schedule. Also, if you rinse paint from your work over the tank or use antibiotics or chemotherapy agents that kill bacteria, you can cause the septic system to fail prematurely.
Repairs to the septic system can be costly, but your septic tank should last for many years with proper maintenance. If your septic tank is failing or showing signs of failure, it is essential to call an experienced septic technician for repairs as soon as possible. Your local septic tank experts can help you determine whether repair or replacement is best for your home and your budget. They can even perform a cost-benefit analysis to help you decide which solution is the most economical in the long run.
