Septic Tank Armadale is a large concrete box that stores wastewater from household plumbing. The tank keeps solid wastes (called sludge) and water separate until anaerobic bacteria break them down.
Heavy materials sink to the bottom of the tank while lighter substances like fats and oils float on top. This process is called settling and flotation.
The sewage from your home enters the septic tank through the inlet pipe. The inlet baffle forces the wastewater downward as it enters the tank, allowing solids to fall out of suspension and letting liquids settle to the bottom. This process allows the bacteria in the tank to digest the waste. The liquid wastewater (effluent) then exits the septic tank through the outlet pipe.
The inlet and outlet pipes must be large enough to allow retention of the sewage long enough for bacterial digestion and some decomposition. The septic tank must also be large enough to hold the volume of sewage that flows through it. This is because if the septic tank is too small, raw sewage will flow directly from the tank into the absorption field without the benefit of any treatment.
In addition, the inlet and outlet pipes must be sized to provide sufficient air to help with digestion and decomposition of the sewage. If this process is not completed, odors may linger around the drain field and/or sewer system.
As the liquid wastewater (effluent) exits the septic tank, it moves through the distribution device, which ensures that equal amounts of effluent go to each of the drainage holes in the drain field. The effluent then seeps through the soil, which acts as a filter and completes the sewage treatment process. The soil destroys disease organisms, sanitizes the effluent by percolation and further bacteriological action and treats it to a level acceptable for groundwater.
The piping that delivers the pre-processed wastewater to the drain field must be constructed of durable materials, such as concrete or clay pipe. It must be installed with the proper slope; a grade of one to two percent is common, meaning that for every foot of pipe length there is an equivalent amount of downward slope. The absorption field should be free of obstructions and planted with grass and other low-growing, shallow-rooted plants. Avoid planting trees and shrubs over the absorption field, as their roots can penetrate and clog the system. It is a good idea to keep non-sewage items out of the drains, such as coffee grounds, bones, cigarette butts and facial tissues, because they don’t decompose quickly and can cause blockages. It is also a good idea to avoid adding enzyme or yeast additives to the tank in hopes of improving bacterial action, as these products can actually cause the septic tank to malfunction and pollute groundwater.
Outlet Pipe
A septic tank is an underground, watertight container made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic. It holds the wastewater from a home for long enough to separate out solid waste which sinks to form sludge and oil and grease that floats to the top of the wastewater to form scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent sludge and scum from leaving the tank to travel into the drain field area where they would rapidly clog up pipes, the soil and waterways.
When the septic tank is full, it will be pumped out to empty its contents into the absorption field. It is important to use a pump that is sized for the tank volume. Using a pump that is too small can damage the tank and cause a backup of sewage in toilets and kitchen and bathroom drains.
If the septic tank inlet baffle is not working correctly, it can cause scum to collect in the inlet pipe instead of flowing out the septic tank outlet. The inlet baffle also reduces the movement of odorous gases from the septic tank into the building that it serves and prevents scum from blocking the inlet pipe.
The septic tank should have at least a 4-inch diameter schedule 40 PVC or cast iron inlet pipe and an equally large sanitary tee on the outlet. These are both sized to prevent the septic tank from overflowing and should be protected by baffles or a sanitary tee. They should also have at least a 6-inch diameter inspection pipe above the baffles or tees to allow for a visual check of solids levels and a clog.
The effluent from the septic tank is drawn to the outlet pipe by a centrifugal force created by liquids flowing through the bottom of the tank and a partition wall. It then runs through a perforated pipe in the gravel-filled absorption field trenches where bacteria and microorganisms perform the final purification of the wastewater.
It is important to keep the septic system free from additives which can upset the natural bacterial action and pollute groundwater. This includes cooking fats, chemical drain openers, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, bones, paints and varnishes. It is also recommended that homeowners avoid adding yeast or enzyme additives to their septic systems in hopes of speeding up the bacterial action. These additives have not been proven to be beneficial and can actually pollute the groundwater.
Riser & Lid
When sewage leaves your home it flows into the septic tank, which is a large concrete box. Inside bacteria and yeasts break down the waste. The septic tank needs to be pumped out occasionally, but it can usually be done without digging up your yard. It is important to keep the septic system in good condition to prevent problems such as clogged toilets and foul odors.
A septic tank is an underground watertight container with an inner wall made of stone, masonry, or concrete and a gravel-filled outer layer. Wastewater flows into the tank where it is held long enough for solids to sink and form sludge, while oil and grease float to the top and are partially digested. The wastewater then passes through a outlet pipe into the drainfield area.
The septic tank is covered with a lid, which can be either a plastic or a concrete riser. It’s important to have a riser so that the tank can be easily accessed for inspection, maintenance, and pumping. Plastic risers are usually easier and cheaper to install than concrete ones.
In addition to a lid, a septic tank is equipped with baffles and a vent pipe. The purpose of the baffles is to keep sludge from flowing into the drainage field, and the vent pipe prevents ground water from entering the tank and overwhelming the system.
If you plan on purchasing a home with a septic system, or you already own one, it’s a good idea to map out the location of the tank and all other components of the system. This will help you avoid accidentally damaging the system while doing yard work or building construction and it will make it easy to locate the system when it is time for a routine pumping.
You should also be careful not to plant trees, shrubs, or anything else that could grow roots in the vicinity of the septic tank and drainfield. Roots can penetrate the tank and cause serious damage to the absorption field. You should also never flush non-biodegradable waste items down the toilet such as cigarette butts, cotton buds/swabs, condoms, or menstrual hygiene products. These items can increase the frequency of septic tank pumping.
Pump
When you buy a home in the countryside, you are dreaming of all that quiet and space. But, the septic system that handles all the sewage waste from your house is something you should think about carefully before you move in and start using it.
Septic tanks are designed with a system of porous pipes and drain fields that naturally purify wastewater before it reaches groundwater supplies. Sewage flows into the tank, where weighty masses like feces sink to the bottom of the septic tank and break down under anaerobic conditions. Lighter masses, such as grease, oils, and fatty substances, float to the top of the wastewater. The clarified liquid in between, called effluent, exits the septic tank outlet and enters the absorption field (also called leachfield, disposal field, mound, seepage bed or cesspool).
Solid waste accumulates inside the septic tank over time, reducing the amount of room available for new wastewater. If the solids build up to an excessive level, they may flow into the drainfield and clog or flood it. They can also run off into local water bodies like creeks and rivers and contaminate groundwater. Pumping the septic tank regularly helps prevent these problems.
Your septic tank should be pumped every three to five years depending on your household water usage. If you have a large family and use more water, you will need to have your tank pumped more often.
Signs of needing to have your septic tank pumped include a clogged inlet baffle, smelly wastewater in your basement, or wet, soggy areas developing above and near the tank and drainfield. You should also avoid flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper and never dump chemicals down the drains.
When a septic tank is pumped, the professional will use a high-pressure water hose to empty the contents of the tank into a truck that is connected to the inlet pipe. The truck will then drive away, leaving behind the sludge and floating debris. A riser and lid are required for all septic tanks and should be at grade so they can be accessed for maintenance and inspection. They can be made from concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass and are usually located in the backyard close to the house.