You don’t want to have your own septic tank system go wrong! So, how does a septic tank work?If you’re not sure about what’s going on with your system or if you need help maintaining it, contact us today! We’ll be happy to answer any questions and provide maintenance services if needed.
A septic tank is an underground container that holds sewage. It has two chambers, one for solid waste and the other for liquid waste. The solids settle to the bottom of the first chamber while bacteria break down the liquids in the second chamber. This process creates sludge, which is then removed by pumping it out of a manhole at regular intervals.
A septic system is a series of pipes, tanks and filters and is made up of three layers. The sink drains into the first tank which has baffles that let air in but not out. Enzymes break down organic matter until it’s safe to release through an outlet pipe called a “soil ejector.”
There are two different types: aerobic where oxygen mixes with bacteria while nitrates do their work; and anaerobic without any O2 so only hydrogen sulfide gas can be released – yikes! A third layer traps solid waste on top for later removal from your garbage truck sometime soon-ish hopefully?
You’ll want to ask your plumber to install an effluent filter on the outflow pipe for your tank. This filter helps prevent solids from going to the drain field. They will need to be cleaned every so often by a professional plumber. Effluent is liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.
Your septic system is a cafeteria for bacteria, a buffet:
Bacteria are the unsung heroes of a septic system. They break down waste, leaving water clean enough to safely percolate into the earth and keeping your tank from getting clogged up with too much debris; but most importantly they do their work in what’s called a drain field. This is an important part because these bacteria live there all day long breaking apart solids that make it through pipes and pumps so you don’t have to worry about pumping out sludge if nothing else breaks first!
1. On the watery surface of a tank, we see waves. The smell is pungent and foul as sewage spills into the restful slosh below in this dark void. We are witnessing anaerobic bacteria breaking down organic material that was once living organisms floating on top of it all – effluent from sewer lines spilling out to keep fresh air away and create more acidic conditions for further decomposition.
2. A layer of black sludge falls to the bottom as it mixes with polluted water. Sludge is made up largely of inorganic solids and byproducts such as methane gas that comes from bacterial digestion, which can prove dangerous if released into an area where people are present.
3. Primarily composed of grease, fats and oils, this layer of scum floats to the top. The septic tank acts like a settling pond. Oil floats to the top while heavier solids sink down towards the bottom, leaving clear water on top where it can be safely removed with an in-ground pump and hose or through gravity flow into gutters leading away from your house.
4. Your septic tank is like a mini sewage processing plant that needs to be checked for blockages and other problems, because if it malfunctions the waste can flow into your home.
5. A filter prevents sediment and most solids from entering the outlet pipe. This allows for easy cleaning as you can simply remove it and rinse it with water!
6. The effluent from the septic tank flows to the drain field where it is broken down by a healthy colony of bacteria that reside in these large cathodic areas. The septic fields provide an immense surface area for natural bacterial activity, and treated water can then seep into the ground below us after being sufficiently purified at different stages throughout the process.
7. Gravel around pipes is a crucial component of septic systems. This gravel allows water to flow into the soil and oxygen to reach bacteria, thus breaking down effluent so it can be removed from our homes through drainage holes in the pipe that releases effluent out onto surrounding land or natural waterways like streams.
Gravel for sewage treatment provides many important functions such as allowing groundwater access which keeps them cool during hot months and also prevents gasses from entering houses via capillary action caused by moisture on paved surfaces near drainpipes; while keeping lower traffic areas dry.
8. Aerobic bacteria in the soil and on gravel help decompose waste by taking advantage of oxygen. The bacteria will break down organic matter, like plant material or fecal droppings from animals to create more space for new growth. This process is essential because it helps keep land clean with minimal effort!
9. Lastly, clean water then seeps into the groundwater and aquifer, where it is filtered through a system of porous rocks.
Cleaning Out Your Septic Tank:
A well designed septic system that was properly installed, needs only occasional ‘pumping’ to remove the sludge and scum. But without a proper understanding of how a septic tank works, you can do things that can harm, or even destroy the septic system.
- The smell of waste is not the only problem caused by quick-decomposing wastes. Things like cigarette butts, diapers and coffee grounds are also a major concern for most people which can cause both physical problems as well as issues with water quality.
- The lint from synthetic fibers that flows out of washing machines gets trapped in the septic tank and drain, where it causes bacteria to clog up. The result is a thick layer of goop which forces workers at wastewater treatment plants to spend extra time cleaning their machinery every day.
- A typical household contains dozens of products that kill bacteria, but sometimes the less you use them, the better.
- The garbage disposal is a great invention, but it doesn’t discriminate what goes in. If you use one too much and send more solid waste into the system than usual, then that can cause problems later on down the line with your pipes or plumbing systems.
- A sudden flush of water can be the result when a toilet is overused. When too much water is released over a short period, this process often leads to sewage overflow.
- Sludge is an important part of the septic system! But too much sludge can reduce bacteria’s ability to break down waste, and also overflow into your drain field. A great way to prevent excess slurry from building up in your tank is by using a high-quality screening product like Geoprocessor Screening Systems that will filter out all those pesky particles while still allowing for enough room so you don’t have any issues with clogs or overflows.
- A drain field is the main component of a septic system. Roots from trees and brush can clog it, which makes for an expensive repair bill when they need to be unclogged again.
- Sludge builds up in the pipes, plugging holes and causing water to flow less freely.
- Walking or driving on the drain field may cause compacted soil and gravel to form, which can block water from seeping through. This deprives bacteria of oxygen in their natural habitat, thus affecting all organisms that use this ecosystem as a source for sustenance such as frogs and other animals who rely on them for food sources.
Getting your tank pumped:
When a septic tank gets too full, it can’t work as well. Pumping removes the buildup of sludge and scum which slows down bacterial action in the tank for better performance. Your septic tank may require pumping at least once a year, however, it’s possible you may only need every 2 or 3 years. This all depends on how much waste your household produces and the size of your tank.
If you have a septic tank and want to keep it in good condition, regular pumping is necessary. Sludge builds up over time and can clog your system, which can lead to expensive repairs or even sewer backups. Regular pumping removes sludge from the tank, helping to keep it in top shape.
A septic system can last a long time, or it could stop working after just a few years. It’s your choice. You need to know how septic tanks work to keep them healthy. It is not expensive to maintain, but it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars if your system has totally failed.
Good maintenance begins with understanding how a septic system works. So let’s start by talking about what happens in a well-functioning septic system. We will also explain some of the problems that happen and give you some ideas for keeping your septic system working well.
What are some solutions to a clogged septic system:
A septic system is elegant in its simplicity, yet the health of one can be difficult to determine without an expert. Too many contractors are willing to pump sludge out of your tank and leave you with more questions than answers– but not us!
A complete inspection will determine whether your system is up to code (many are not) and the condition of the tank and drain field. A good inspector can also help you find out if your home’s septic tank has been properly sized for how many people live there, as well as telling you what maximum amount of water it’ll be able to handle before becoming overwhelmed.
A septic tank relies on a good bacteria culture to break down the waste in your system. These cultures are often killed by chemicals and other additives, so adding more can be an effective solution with cleaning up that problem area.
You may find it’s time for another maintenance check-up if you’ve been noticing any trouble flushing or otherwise using certain parts of your system as usual (especially after heavy use). Your plumber is likely equipped with tools like RID-X designed specifically to treat these problems while restoring healthy bacterial colonies back into balance.
Other Options:
If your drain field is in trouble it may be time for an expensive investment. But with a contractor’s help, you might find other options to fix the problem and save some money!
- Hydro-Jetting can blast through the septic field pipes, clearing them out in an easy and inexpensive way.
- Treating your septic system with a commercial grade product (not homemade) that increases the amount of oxygen in the drain field, may be worth considering. Chemicals can help to keep methane gas from forming, while also eliminating odors and decomposing organic waste more efficiently.
- Loosen the soil by using high-pressure air. This process is called “terra lifting” and it’s been used as an efficient way to loosen compacted soil around pipes in states where this practice has been legalized.
- Septic to sewer conversion is a more permanent solution to the cost of maintaining a septic tank system.
The Sewer Surgeon offers many solutions to your plumbing needs. Visit us to learn more.
