Septic Tank Armadale is a type of simple onsite sewage facility. They separate solids from wastewater through settling and anaerobic digestion processes. The liquid effluent is then disposed of in a drain field for further treatment.

Avoid putting chemicals into the septic system that may kill bacteria or interfere with natural breakdown. These include paint thinner, polyurethane, antifreeze, some dyes, and water softeners.

A septic tank is the part of your household plumbing system that collects wastewater from all of the house’s fixtures and appliances. The tanks are usually underground and out of sight. Most septic systems have a baffle to prevent solid waste from escaping the tank. They also have an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The inlet and outlet tees are located outside the tank and connect to pipes that run into and out of your house’s drainfield, also called the absorption field or leach field.

Typically, the septic system uses a natural filtration process in the soil to treat the sewage. However, pathogens may still reach groundwater in sandy and limestone soil areas, especially when a septic tank fails or is improperly installed.

The septic tank provides primary treatment by holding the wastewater at low velocity and under anaerobic conditions for a minimum detention time of 36 hours. During this time, the wastewater separates into three layers. Scum rises to the surface and fats, oils, and grease float on top. Solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank and bacteria eat away at the solid matter. The partially clarified liquids then flow through the outlet pipe to the drain field for further treatment or dispersal.

A properly functioning septic tank requires routine pumping to prevent clogs and environmental contamination. If the septic tank is not pumped regularly, sewage could back up into your home’s plumbing and cause serious health problems.

Before you call a septic service professional, consider whether recent weather has affected your septic tank and drain field. Heavy rains or snowmelt could waterlog the drain field, preventing wastewater from leaving the tank and flowing into your property’s soil and waterways.

To help prevent septic tank failure, avoid flushing items that are not biodegradable or that could block the tank’s outlet ports. Examples include feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cigarette butts, latex condoms, and prescription medications. You should also keep trees and shrubs at a safe distance from the drain field, as their roots can invade and clog the pipes.

How Does a Septic Tank Work?

Every time you flush your toilet, washing machine or kitchen drain, wastewater passes through your home’s plumbing into your septic tank. Sewage is dirty and full of organic waste, which is why you need a septic system to process it before returning it to the ground.

Your septic tank is underground and holds all the sewage from your plumbing connections. It needs to hold the water long enough for the solid waste to settle or float. The heavier solids sink to the bottom and are broken down by bacteria to form sludge, while fats, oils and grease float to the top. When the water has been separated, a septic tank outlet baffle directs liquid wastewater to the pipe that leads to your drain field. The baffle wall keeps sludge and scum from clogging the tank outlet pipe or your soil absorption field.

The drain field is a series of trenches extending into your home’s soil. The septic tank removes the solids from wastewater before it reaches the drain field, protecting the absorption zone from clogging and early failure.

A septic tank should be constructed of concrete or heavy plastic and be big enough to accommodate your family’s daily water usage. It has an intake and a drainpipe that connects to the home plumbing system and a septic tank vent. The vent releases gases that are produced by the bacterial breakdown of wastewater contaminants, including hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. The septic tank also has a distribution box that evenly distributes the wastewater from the tank to the drainfield pipes.

Keeping your septic tank and the surrounding drainfield well-maintained is essential for a good working septic system. Don’t add more water to your home than it can handle, avoid garbage disposals and use only septic-safe toilet paper. Doing so will help reduce septic tank pump outs, foul odors and the amount of foreign solids that enter your drainage system. Keep trees and other deep-rooted plants away from the drainfield, as their roots can grow into the pipes and clog them. Lastly, don’t use harsh soaps and chemicals that will kill or slow down the bacteria in your septic tank.

Septic Tank Installation

Septic tank installation is a complicated process that requires expertise and knowledge of local regulations. Homeowners should contact a licensed septic tank service to ensure their system is installed correctly and in compliance with local health and safety laws.

Septic tanks come in a variety of sizes and materials to meet the needs of different homes. Concrete tanks are one of the most popular choices, offering durability and long-term performance. They are also relatively affordable and can be easily placed underground. Plastic tanks are another option, and they offer an environmentally friendly solution. However, these tanks are not as durable as concrete and may need to be reinforced to resist damage and cracks.

The size of a septic tank depends on the number of people living in a household and the water usage. A small tank can be sufficient for a typical household of 4-6 people, but larger households or heavy water use may require a larger tank. In addition, the type of soil in a location can impact how well a septic system works.

During the installation process, the septic tank service will examine the property layout and soil to determine the best location for the tank. The location should be at least three feet away from any structures, such as houses, garages, decks, or fences. The septic tank should also be located away from any bodies of water, such as lakes or streams, to avoid potential contamination.

After the septic tank is installed, it is important to backfill the area around the tank and drain field. The backfill material should be free of clods, large rocks, frozen matter, or debris that could interfere with the septic system and cause problems. Crushed rock or pea gravel 1/2-inch in diameter is preferred if native materials are not available.

Once the backfill is completed, the septic tank and septic system will be ready to accept waste. The septic tank should be pumped periodically to remove excess waste and keep it in good condition. It is also recommended that homeowners use a septic system that includes a pump chamber and additional ATUs to prevent groundwater from entering the tank and overwhelming the septic system.

Septic Tank Repair

It is essential that septic tank maintenance is done regularly to prevent damage to your home, health issues for your family and expensive repairs. A septic system that isn’t properly cared for can cause wastewater to back up into the drains and the toilets. If this occurs, you will need to contact a professional to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.

In addition to checking the septic tank for cracks or other signs of wear, the septic tank technician will check the baffles and the inlet and outlet pipes to ensure they are in good condition. They will also examine the drain field for any signs of clogging or problems. It is important to avoid putting items down the drain that can disrupt the bacterial breakdown of waste or clog the pipes. Items that should not be flushed include dental floss, paper towels, tampons, cloth diapers, grease and fat, cigarette butts and more.

The septic tank will need to be pumped out regularly depending on the size of your household and how much water you use. If you notice that your toilets are draining slowly or you see sewage backups, it may be time to have the septic tank pumped.

Other signs that it’s time to have the septic tank inspected and repaired are if the bottom layer of sludge is within six inches of the top of the scum layer or the overall liquid depth is more than 25% sludge and scum. Also, if there is standing water near your septic tank or drain field, it’s likely that the septic tank leach field is failing.

If you’re not able to afford immediate septic tank repairs, you can try a chemical treatment called Septic Scrub, which oxidizes the sulfides in your system and releases oxygen into the drainfield to help it break down faster. However, this is not a permanent solution and will need to be repeated over time.

The most common reason for septic tank repair is when the septic tank or drainfield is damaged by heavy rain or other weather conditions. If this happens, it can lead to the septic tank overflowing and causing a hazardous mess on your property.