The wastewater from your toilets, kitchen and washing machine runs into one main drainage pipe that goes underground to the septic tank. The tank is usually buried in your yard and resembles a large metal box with inspection pipes and manhole access ports for pumping. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Wastewater undergoes a settling process in the septic tank where weighty masses sink to the bottom forming sludge while lighter masses like fats and oils float to the top forming scum.
A septic tank is an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic through which domestic wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage treatment. It is used in homes that are not connected to a public sewer system.
Wastewater from your toilets, kitchen drains, and washing machines travels to the septic tank where it is purified by natural processes and bacteria. As the waste enters the septic tank, it separates into three layers. The scum layer is composed of fatty acids, grease, and other floating solids that drift to the surface. The sludge layer is the heavier solid waste that sinks to the bottom of the tank. The liquid wastewater, called effluent, is the middle layer. The anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank eat the sludge and effluent, reducing organic matter and contaminates from the wastewater. A baffle in the septic tank prevents sludge and scum from entering the drainfield.
The septic tank also contains a vent that permits gases to escape the tank. The septic tank must be regularly pumped out by a licensed septage waste transporter to keep it working properly. A licensed septic tank pumper can also inspect your tank, measure the sludge and scum layers and keep records of your tank’s history.
When you flush or run water in your home, hydraulic pressure causes the wastewater to flow up into the septic tank. As it is transported from the plumbing fixtures to the septic tank, the wastewater becomes lighter and rises. This force is opposed by gravity and the force of the septic tank baffle which keeps heavier solids from entering the absorption field. This can clog the drainfield and reduce its life expectancy.
How Does a Septic Tank Work?
Septic systems treat wastewater in areas where municipal sewers aren’t available. They work by removing solid matter and contaminates from wastewater before it goes into the soil absorption field, or drainfield. The septic tank removes heavy solids like feces, food scraps, and toilet paper, as well as oils and grease that float to the top. The drainfield then filters, treats, and disperses the liquid.
The septic tank is a water-tight, buried container made of concrete, fiberglass, or a high-quality polymer such as polyethylene. It’s designed to hold the sewage long enough for the solids to settle and for bacteria to break down most of them. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from flowing into the drainfield, which could cause clogs and wastewater overflows.
When the septic tank is full, it’s pumped out to a distribution box. The liquid, called effluent, then flows through a system of perforated plastic pipes buried underground in a bed of gravel and sand, called a septic drain field or leach field.
Bacteria in the drainfield then break down the remaining contaminants. The bacteria also filter the wastewater before it seeps into groundwater, removing disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants. You can help keep your septic tank and drainfield working properly by only using septic-safe products, including toilet paper. Anything else, even things labeled ‘flushable,’ can clog the pipes or damage the vital bacteria in your septic tank. Don’t park vehicles or plant trees or shrubs over the drainfield, either, as this can compact and block the flow of effluent. You should also avoid adding chemicals or additives that aren’t approved for septic tanks, as they can harm the bacteria that treat your wastewater.
How Does a Septic Tank Work with a Drainfield?
A septic tank and soil absorption field (drain field) work together to filter and treat wastewater before it percolates down into the groundwater. Bacteria break down waste and make the water clean enough for the next layer of underground soil to absorb. The septic tank removes solid waste from the wastewater to protect the drain field from clogging and early failure.
House sewer drains connect to the septic tank, where oil and grease float to the top as scum and solid waste sinks to the bottom as sludge. The middle layer of partially treated wastewater, called effluent, exits the septic tank through an outlet baffle and flows to the drain field.
A distribution box sits below the septic tank to evenly distribute the wastewater across the drain field. The septic tank also has multiple outlets that connect to a series of laterals that lead to the field tiles in the soil absorption system. The septic tank also has a vent pipe that releases gasses.
The drain field is a shallow, buried area of sand and gravel that filters the untreated wastewater from the house to underground aquifers. It is designed to treat the wastewater as it seeps through layers of sand, gravel and dirt to remove contaminants.
It’s important to not build on or plant trees over a septic drainfield, as their roots can clog the pipes and block the flow of effluent. It’s also a good idea to only put septic safe toilet paper down the drains. Chemical additives marketed to “restore” the bacterial balance in a septic tank are unnecessary; bacteria already reside in human feces and will continue to do their job once it enters the drain field.
How Much Does a Septic Tank Cost?
A septic tank system is a necessary investment for homeowners who aren’t connected to public sewer systems. The cost of a septic tank installation depends on a few key factors, including the size of the home and the type of septic system. In addition, the location of the property and the soil condition will also affect the installation costs. A licensed plumbing professional will be able to help homeowners determine the best options for their properties and budgets.
One of the biggest costs of septic tank installation is the cost of the septic tank itself. The price of the septic tank will vary depending on the size of the house, with larger houses requiring larger tanks. To find out how big of a septic tank a home needs, the plumber will calculate how many toilets, sinks, and bathtubs there are in the house. Then, the plumber will use that number to estimate the amount of wastewater a home produces each day.
Once the tank is in place, the next major expense will be the leach field. The leach field is where the wastewater is released into the soil, and it can range in price depending on the type of septic system used. A conventional septic system with a conventional tank will typically be the cheapest option, while alternative septic systems such as mound septic systems, sand filters, aerobic systems, or evapotranspiration systems will likely cost more.
Lastly, the plumbing professional will install risers on top of the septic tank to make it easier for homeowners to access and maintain their septic system. Septic tank risers can be made from concrete or plastic, and they usually cost between $500-$2,500.
Why Do I Need a Septic Tank?
Septic tank systems are one of the simplest forms of on-site sewage facilities (OSSF). They collect household wastewater from plumbing in a single underground watertight container. Compartments in the septic tank and normally a T-shaped outlet prevent sludge and scum from leaving the septic system to enter the drain field area.
A septic tank system makes use of natural processes and proven technology to treat the sewage in your home. It’s designed to help reduce the environmental impact of your waste disposal and to protect your health by keeping toxic materials from entering groundwater and soil.
The wastewater from your toilets, kitchen sinks and laundry flows into the septic tank. When the septic tank is full, a layer of solids forms at the bottom of the tank known as the sludge layer. The liquid wastewater on top of the sludge layer is known as the effluent. The inlet and outlet tees keep the scum layer from making its way to the absorption field and clogging the pipes.
All septic tanks must be pumped out regularly to maintain proper function. When the sludge and scum layers become too thick, they may overflow into your drainfield or backup into your home. In some cases, these solids may also clog your drainfield and the absorption field will become oversaturated.
Many homeowners are unaware that their septic tank needs to be pumped or are unsure why they need to have it done. Alternative septic system designs use pumps or gravity to help septic tank effluent trickle through sand, organic material, constructed wetlands or other media that remove disease-causing pathogens, nitrogen and phosphorus before it’s discharged into soil.
If you live in a rural area or have a small farm, it’s likely that you will be using a septic tank for your sewage disposal. If you’re looking to buy a house in a rural area, consider the benefits of a septic tank over a cesspool or sewer line connection.