Things that may overload your septic system include:. Most types of toilet paper are septic safe , but biodegradable is best to not disturb the vital bacteria. Overloading your system could result in foul smells, backed-up toilets, and even sewage forcing its way up through the leach field. A professional will do this during routine pumping. However, if you notice signs of your septic system failing, you may want to request an inspection sooner rather than later.
New homeowners should always schedule a septic inspection before buying a house with a tank installed. From our offices to your home, we always put you first. Call now for a free inspection with our septic contractors. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
What is a Septic Tank? What is a Septic Tank Used For? How Does a Septic Tank Work? Septic Tank Design There are several types of tank designs. Conventional Septic System: A full underground water treatment system where the septic tank feeds to a soil or gravel drainfield. Chamber Septic System: A graveless septic tank system that uses connected underground chambers instead of an open drainfield.
Drip Distribution System: A shallow septic system using drip tubing to slowly disperse effluent. Aerobic Treatment Unit ATU : These units function like a miniature sewage treatment plant, using oxygen to drive natural bacterial activity for treatment.
Recirculating Sand Filter System: This system sends effluent from a tank to a pump chamber, where it percolates through a sand filter.
It can be installed above or below ground. Absence of filter, will allow all the waste particles to flow through easily and clog up your pipes. Evapotranspiration System: Instead of filtering effluent through the soil, this system traps it in the drainfield using a watertight material so that it can evaporate. Constructed Wetland System: This eco-friendly system mimics natural water treatment methods, sending effluent to a wetland cell instead of a drainfield for filtering.
Community Septic System: Sometimes, home sites close together have septic tanks that feed into a communal drainfield. Inside a Septic Tank The most common setup includes a septic tank, a distribution box, a drain field, and the network of perforated pipes connecting the two. The Septic System Treatment Process When wastewater enters via an inlet pipe, materials like grease and oil float to the top, while solid waste and sediment sinks to the bottom.
Its job is to hold the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle down to the bottom forming sludge, while the oil and grease floats to the top as scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. The liquid wastewater effluent then exits the tank into the drainfield. The drainfield is a shallow, covered, excavation made in unsaturated soil.
Pretreated wastewater is discharged through piping onto porous surfaces that allow wastewater to filter though the soil. The soil accepts, treats, and disperses wastewater as it percolates through the soil, ultimately discharging to groundwater. If the drainfield is overloaded with too much liquid, it can flood, causing sewage to flow to the ground surface or create backups in toilets and sinks.
Finally, the wastewater percolates into the soil, naturally removing harmful coliform bacteria, viruses and nutrients. Coliform bacteria is a group of bacteria predominantly inhabiting the intestines of humans or other warm-blooded animals. It is an indicator of human fecal contamination. Do you have a septic system? As a general rule, you should never flush household items like cooking oil, non-flushable wipes such as baby or makeup removal wipes , diapers, feminine hygiene products, cat litter, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, or paint and paint thinners down the drain.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency , pouring toxins down the drain can kill the organisms in your septic system that digest and treat household waste.
This could harm your septic system. About every two years, you should have a septic service pump the solids from the tank. Modern tanks will have a manhole at the surface for the pump operator to access, but older systems might require that the top of the tank be dug up to expose the pumping hatch. This can require the replacement of the entire field. Regular pumping of the tank can keep leach fields functioning indefinitely.
As with any mechanical system, pumps in a pumped septic system will eventually fail. Most pumps are wired with an alarm that lets you know if the effluent level in the pit is higher than it should be, signaling a pump failure. This is a job for a professional. To find a reputable list of installers and septic system service providers in your area, visit:. What shouldn't go into a septic tank.
Maintaining your septic tank. Register your septic tank. What can go wrong with a septic tank. New tanks - Planning waste water and sewage treatment. Treatment of septic tank discharge where no soakaway is possible. If a septic tank can't be installed on your site.
Septic tank legislation.
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