A septic tank is a water-tight container that receives all wastewater from a home. Solid waste settles to the bottom in the form of sludge, while oil and fat float to the top and are separated from the liquid wastewater (effluent) by compartments and a T-shaped outlet.
Flushing non-biodegradable items like cigarette butts, cotton buds/swabs and menstrual hygiene products down the toilet will cause a septic system to clog and overflow. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Septic tanks hold hazardous waste that can cause serious health problems if not handled properly. As such, it’s best to hire professionals to pump a septic tank, unless you have lots of experience and all the necessary equipment at your disposal. If you’re still determined to take on this task yourself, be sure to follow all the precautions outlined in this article to avoid injury and environmental disaster.
Most homeowners only need to have their septic tanks pumped every 2-3 years. However, if you notice standing water in your yard, it’s important to have the tank inspected and pumped sooner rather than later to avoid a system failure.
As the wastewater enters your septic tank, it develops several layers. The first is oils and grease that float on top of the water layer (AKA effluent). Next is the wastewater, along with some waste particles. Finally, there’s the sludge layer that collects at the bottom of the tank. Over time, the bacteria inside the tank break down these solid wastes into a sludgy substance that drains away into the absorption field.
When the septic tank is full, the solid waste moves through an outlet pipe to the drain field (or leach field), which is made of gravel and other aggregates that help disperse the liquid waste into the soil and watercourses. If the tank isn’t emptied regularly, this wastewater can back up into your home and cause significant damage.
To keep your septic tank from filling up too quickly, you’ll want to monitor the number of people in your household and make sure all household members are using water and toilet paper conservatively. You should also watch for any unusual or large amounts of household waste like diapers, feminine hygiene products, and wads of toilet paper that can clog the septic tank and system.
It’s also important to locate your septic tank and system’s drain field before the pumping process begins so that the tank can be pumped without damaging the absorption field. You’ll also want to make sure any machinery, vehicles, or animals are kept away from the tank and drain field during the pumping process. Animals can be particularly dangerous to work crews and can inadvertently fall into the tank or clog the pipes with their waste.
Riser & Lid
A septic tank riser brings the access lid of your septic tank to ground level, which makes it easier for septic service technicians to inspect and pump your system without having to dig up your yard. It also prevents groundwater from seeping into your septic tank, which can cause wastewater to not properly decompose.
A septic riser kit is comprised of a riser, an adapter ring, and a lid. The riser is a ring that extends the tank’s access port to ground level. An adaptor ring is placed on top of the riser and a sealant is used to ensure that contaminants cannot enter the tank. A domed or flat septic tank lid is then installed on the top of the stack of risers.
The septic tank’s lid is designed to be both water-tight and air-tight. It is often a mushroom shape and can be fitted with a charcoal filter to reduce odors. Bacteria inside the septic tank break down the waste and create gasses, including hydrogen sulfide, which can be dangerous to humans. The gases are vented out of the tank to prevent a build-up of pressure that could cause the septic tank to overflow or back up into your home.
Having your septic tank riser professionally installed is the best way to ensure that it is water-tight and air-tight. The riser can be cut to match your lawn surface, and our team will install a septic tank access lid that is flush with the lawn’s surface. This means that you can continue to maintain your lawn as normal and will only need to remove the access lid when it is time for your septic tank to be pumped or inspected.
Lids should be made from durable materials that will not break under the weight of the septic tank or its contents. The septic tank access lid should be securely attached to the riser with bolts or clamps. The septic tank access lid should also be capped to prevent unauthorized tampering or vandalism.
Our septic tank access lids are made from a dense plastic called polylok, which is stronger than concrete and will not corrode over time. They are also lighter than concrete or traditional metal lids and make accessing the septic tank easier for your septic service technician. The polylok lids come with pre-installed handles that allow you to easily lift and lower the septic tank access lid. They are also designed to be structurally supported on the bottom, which helps them stay flat instead of domed shaped like other products on the market.
Absorption Fields
The absorption field, also called the drainfield, provides final treatment of wastewater to make it safe for groundwater and surface water. The soil in the drainfield acts as a physical, chemical and biological filter to destroy pathogens and treat sewage. When the absorption field reaches its capacity, it is refilled with clean, treated effluent.
Wastewater enters the absorption field through watertight, 4-inch diameter perforated pipes from the septic tank distribution device and house sewer. The pipe lengths from the tank to the drainfield should be a minimum of 10 feet. The watertight pipes should have a slope of 1/4-inch per foot to prevent clogging.
Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the septic tank and form the sludge layer, while light, soapy solids float to the top of the liquid waste and form the scum layer. The sludge and scum layers are decomposed by microorganisms in the septic tank to a liquid state, which flows to your absorption field.
The septic system works best when the sludge layer is not too thick. If it is too thick, the septic tank may not have enough time to process the incoming wastewater. This can lead to septic tank overflow, which exposes humans and animals to disease-causing organisms in sewage and clogs the absorption field.
Homeowners can help by reducing the use of chemicals, which kills the microorganisms that decompose wastes and reduces the amount of wastewater in the tank. They should not flush plastics, paper towels, sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, paints, motor oil, pesticides and fertilizers. They should also avoid dumping grease down sink drains, since it solidifies and clogs the septic system.
In addition to proper maintenance, regular pumping of the septic tank is important to keep it at its maximum operating capacity. It is also important to have the tank baffles and tees regularly checked for structural integrity. If septic system problems occur, they should be repaired by a licensed and bonded professional contractor. This includes rerouting the pipe and replacing defective baffles, tees and pipe sections. It is also important to plant fast-growing trees away from the septic system to avoid root intrusion.
Pump Tanks
A septic tank system is one type of simple onsite sewage facility (OSSF). It works by collecting wastewater in an underground watertight container called a septic tank. The tank is typically made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene and comes in various sizes for different homes.
Wastewater that leaves a home goes through the drain pipe and into a septic tank. It collects there for a period of time, where solids settle and scum rise to separate from the liquid effluent. Bacteria in the septic tank help break down these materials, but not all materials decompose. This is especially true for fats and oils. The septic tank is sized to be capable of processing the amount of waste a household generates per day, usually based on the number of bedrooms.
The inlet and outlet tees are crucial to the operation of a septic tank. They extend from the septic tank in and out, respectively, to below the top of the scum layer. This ensures that the scum and sludge layer remain in the tank instead of discharging into your absorption field, where they could clog the inlet pipes and reduce their efficiency.
In addition, the tees prevent the inlet and outlet pipes from being buried below the surface of the soil. This protects them from damage and allows for easy access for pumping and inspection.
A septic tank also has a vent to allow gases such as hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, to escape. It’s important that this vent is clear of obstructions to ensure proper gas flow and odor control.
Most septic tanks are divided into compartments to better process waste. This forces the septic tank to go through two treatment cycles instead of just one, which helps eliminate scum and sludge more effectively before it goes into the absorption field. It can also help prevent wastewater from entering nearby drinking water wells or local waterways, where it may contaminate groundwater or cause disease in humans and animals. Excess nutrients can also pollute waterbodies by causing excess algae to grow that consumes oxygen and harms fish and other aquatic life.