Septic Tank Basics
Mike Eggert
Septic tanks are a necessity for many who live in rural areas, and
newly developed areas that don't yet have sewer systems in place. This
article will attempt to inform you of the basics to give you a better
understanding of what septic tanks are and what is required to maintain them.
A septic tank is a concrete, plastic, or fiberglass tank placed under
ground with lines running from the septic tank that are called leach
lines, these lines take away the excess water and deposit it under
ground to drain thru the rocks and other under ground material to
future purify the waste water once it leaves the tank. The septic tank
will have more than one chamber. The first chamber is larger than the
second, and is where most of the solids known as sludge, settle. The
second somewhat smaller chamber is where the waste water is further
purified. A septic tank is used in areas where no city sewers are
available. They are used the same as a sewer system to dispose of waste
water from bathrooms, showers and all other drains in the home.
Anaerobic bacterial digestive activity on the sludge breaks it down;
once this happens the sludge becomes stabilized and does not rot
anymore. The somewhat purified water then moves to the second chamber.
The digestion and settlement of the organic matter continues. The time
in the second chamber is less than the first. This is where the waste
water leaves the tank and is directed to the drain fields where any
impurities that remain get decomposed naturally.
Some septic systems use a pump to help move the water depending on the
way the land lays around the septic tank. After several years, in most
cases 5 to7, the septic tank will have to be pumped to remove any
sludge remaining so there is enough space to allow the digestive system
to work as designed. The waste water that is pumped from the tank is
released into waste treatment plants or sludge drying beds.
Maintenance of a septic system is very important and is not that hard
to understand. If a system fails, the tank is most times not the
problem. Usually the drain lines become plugged because the soil gets
full of solids and the water does not move through it. This can be from
several reasons; the tank could need to be pumped or many times the
problem could be lint from a washing machine. This happens
occasionally, and can be a real headache trying to correct. Most lint
does not settle to the tank bottom and remains in suspension to be
carried out into the drain field where over time will clog the soil.
However, there is a solution. An inline filter may be used to capture
lint and other items. Then only filter replacement is required to get
your system back into operation.
Many times a large family will do several loads of laundry in a short
period of time and flood the standard septic system. The solution here
is to spread out the washing with only one or two loads a day. There
are other things to consider in the maintenance of a septic tank
system. If one is in your future be sure to stop by our website to
learn more, and try to be on hand when the system is installed so you
will have some idea how it all works.
Learn how to install, clean and maintain your septic tank system at
http://septictanks.home-lawn-garden.com
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