The septic system is an integral part of your home and needs to be treated with care. This includes not putting bleach or other chemicals down the drain.
When wastewater enters the tank, bacteria work to break down solid waste. This creates a layer of indigestible sludge at the bottom of the tank and a liquid effluent on top. Click the Septic Tank Pump Out Perth to learn more.
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As wastewater moves through the septic tank, it is broken down by bacteria that live there. The resulting liquid waste flows into a drain field, which is usually a series of perforated pipes placed over a bed of gravel or other aggregate. The soil that covers the drain field provides a secondary treatment stage as it slowly disperses the liquid waste. The absorption field also filters and aerates the wastewater as it passes through. This process helps neutralize disease-causing germs before the sewage reaches groundwater supplies.
Over time, solid waste will build up in the septic tank. This is primarily due to fats, oils, and greases that float to the top of the wastewater. These substances can clog the inlet and outlet tees of your septic tank and reduce its effectiveness. Solids can also flow to the drain field where they may clog and destroy it. When solids are allowed to accumulate in the septic system, it is necessary to have it pumped.
When the septic tank is pumped, it removes both the sludge and scum layers from the bottom of the tank. During pumping, the crew must locate the tank, dig up a portion of your yard to access it, and remove the lid. They then use a large suction truck to draw the sludge and scum out of your septic system. The crew will then clean the interior of the tank and inspect the baffles, dividing wall, and lid for signs of damage or deterioration.
Once pumped, it is important to allow enough time for the septic system to settle and for the remaining sludge and scum to decompose in the tank. It is a good idea to schedule your septic system service in the fall before the rainy season begins. Rainy weather can prevent a septic tank from operating properly by preventing the drain field from receiving a proper amount of wastewater.
In addition to scheduling your septic system service, you can do your part by being a responsible septic user. Avoid overusing the drains in your home, and be sure to space out laundry sessions throughout the week to avoid overloading the system. Keep toxic chemicals, paints, solvents, oils, and pesticides out of your septic system. It is also a good idea to not plant trees or shrubs over your septic drain field. This can cause roots to grow into the absorption field and damage it.
Bacteria
A septic tank is a biological treatment center for your home’s wastewater. Healthy bacteria are a key to the process, converting solid waste into liquids that flow away and dissolve in the soil. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria work together in the tank to treat the wastewater. The first step involves anaerobic bacteria, which are able to survive without oxygen. These bacteria eat and digest the organic waste that enters the tank. Their digestion reduces the volume of solid waste, which becomes sludge in the bottom of the tank. The septic system also includes aerobic bacteria, which thrive in the oxygen-rich environment of the drain field. These bacteria help to further break down and transform the remaining sludge into water. They also convert nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus into forms that are more easily absorbed by plants.
The resulting liquid, known as effluent or wastewater, flows from the septic tank to the drain field, where it is further treated by bacterial action and filtered by soil. Ideally, the drain field is located on a site that receives plenty of sunlight and rainfall to ensure proper filtration and treatment.
Septic systems are a critical part of the human waste management system. But they require a lot of care and attention to function properly. If you have concerns about your septic system, contact a septic expert.
If you’re concerned that your septic tank has insufficient bacteria, you might be tempted to use a commercial septic system additive that contains “bacteria.” But be careful. These products can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in a septic tank, leading to increased sludge and scum buildup and more frequent septic tank pump outs.
In addition, many of these commercial additives contain chemicals that can interfere with the bacterial digestion process and lead to toxic effects. If you are concerned about bacterial levels in your septic tank, talk to a professional septic tank service. They can evaluate the situation and recommend safe alternatives.
Drain Field
When bacteria break down solid waste, sludge forms on the bottom and watery effluent rises to the top. The wastewater is discharged through a pipe, called the septic tank outlet. It flows to a drain field, also known as an absorption or leach field. This is where further treatment occurs. The soil absorbs the wastewater and microbes in the field further treat it before it seeps into groundwater.
When you have a septic system, you need to have the drain field properly maintained and monitored. If you don’t, clogs and sewage back-ups can occur inside your home. To prevent clogs, you should have the drain field cleaned and inspected every three to five years by a professional. A professional can also check the condition of the septic tank baffles, tees and other parts of your septic system.
The drainage field is a network of pipes with holes in them that sit in gravel trenches. It is designed to let the wastewater leak out of the perforated pipes into the soil below, where it is absorbed by grass and soil.
The perforated pipes in the drain field are surrounded by a layer of gravel to help distribute the wastewater evenly. The soil in the drain field acts as a natural filter and septic tank system — it removes harmful bacteria, viruses and nutrients. This helps protect groundwater and surface water.
A septic drain field can become clogged, causing sewage backups into homes. The main reason for a septic drain field clog is too much solid waste entering the septic system. When this happens, the septic tank may fill too quickly, leaving no room for the sludge and scum to settle.
You can help the health of your septic drain field by keeping trees, shrubs and other long-rooted plants away from it. You should also mulch 8 to 12-inches around the septic tank, pipes and drain field. It can help prevent soil erosion, improve air circulation and reduce the risk of clogs. You should also limit how often you use your washing machine, dishwasher and other appliances that send large amounts of water into the septic system. You should wash clothes over several days rather than all at once, and take shorter showers.
Maintenance
If you have a septic tank, you will need to get it pumped about every two to five years. The exact frequency depends on the size of your tank, how many people live in your home and the amount of waste that is produced. The best way to prevent problems with your septic system is to schedule regular maintenance. This will help keep small issues from becoming large ones that require costly repairs or replacements.
During the pumping process, septic professionals will use a truck with a vacuum system. This will create negative pressure within the tank and draw out solid waste and sludge. This can take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. It will also involve locating the tank and possibly digging up some of your yard to uncover the lid.
As time passes, the septic system will fill with solid materials, creating a sludge layer. Grease and other lighter materials will float to the top of the tank, creating scum. These materials can then enter the septic tank drain field and clog it. When this happens, sewage will flow to the ground surface and into toilets and sinks in your home.
To prevent this, you can minimize the need for pumping by not dumping non-biodegradable items into your tank. This includes non-flushable wipes, plastics and paper (other than toilet paper). You can also reduce the amount of waste by limiting showers to one at a time and washing clothes over several days rather than back-to-back.
Another helpful step is to install a septic tank riser. This will make it easier for septic professionals to access the tank. It is best to have this done before you need the septic tank pumped.
You should also plant grass or native plants over the septic tank drainfield. It is important not to grow anything that is deep-rooted, like trees, shrubs or invasive plants that may root into the drainfield and cause a clog.
Finally, it is a good idea to get the drain field and septic tank professionally inspected every year. The professionals can check for cracks or leaks in the tank and the drainfield and make any necessary repairs. They can also advise homeowners on how to reduce the need for future pump outs, such as minimizing waste by keeping non-biodegradable items out of the tank and using low-flow toilets.