Septic Tanks Are Back In! Here’s What You Need to Know About How They Work

Table of Contents

Introduction of Septic Tanks

In a city, houses and apartments are designed to follow a sewage system. Many houses and apartments share the same sewage, and this waste is then either discharged into a running river or some barren area such as a field.

The reality is that this wastewater can get contaminated along its public journey of waste collection and disposal.

Over the past few years, many people have started moving back to the suburbs or boonies, looking to escape densely populated areas in an effort to find tranquillity.

Some have also taken notice of environmental hazards that are harming nature and natural habitats around us. With these trends, septic tanks have returned to help homes get rid of waste as well as protect the environment.

If you are one of these people looking to escape the city and begin using a septic tank, it’s important you understand how septic systems work. You’ll be impressed by their design, efficiency, and environmentally-friendly process.

What Is A Septic Tank?

A septic tank is an underwater tank installed in a household that is used to treat the wastewater and remove toxins from it before it is drained in nature or recycled. It really is a perfect combination of technology, engineering, and biological reaction.

Benefits of Septic Tanks

There are a few benefits associated with septic tank systems. For one, septic tanks are environmentally-friendly. They do not contaminate the surrounding natural resources around them.

Septic tanks are also cost-effective. A single septic tank can go on for decades if it’s maintained properly, which includes getting it regularly pumped and making sure only the correct substances go into the tank.

Design of a Septic Tank

A septic tank is normally made of fibreglass, plastic, and even concrete. Often, there are two chambers located in the tank which are divided by a wall.

The larger chamber holds the wastewater while the solids settle in the smaller chamber. There are compartments in the tank and an outlet in a T-shape that acts as an outlet for water. Overall, these tanks provide a safe way to dispose of the wastewater from a single household.

The Septic Tank Process

Curious about how the process works? The outlets normally divide the disposed of water into three compartments before it is excreted out of the system.

There are three layers that build in the septic tank once all the waste is entered into it. These three layers are namely:

Effluent
Sludge
Scum

1. Effluent

This is the part that fills the tank. It’s basically watery waste.

2. Sludge

Sludge comprises all the solids and the side results (by-products) of bacterial decomposition.

3. Scum

Scum is the top layer of fats, grease, and other oils.

Really, a septic tank looks like a settling pond because all the heavy solids sink to the bottom and the lighter insoluble items like oils and grease stick to the top.

The solids are separated from the water through filters and different chambers. The large portion is covered by water (known as the “affluent”) and the smaller chamber houses the solid waste.

There are drain holes in the tank that allow the water to reach the gravel. Solids are prevented by a filter from leaving the septic tank with the help of a filter.

Septic Tank Maintenance

Most septic tanks operate for years and their life length can be prolonged through proper maintenance such as septic tank pumping. You need to get an annual check by a professional who will assess the condition of your septic tank and recommend treatment.

Keep the following things away from the drain in your house:

Wipes and tissues
Pads and tampons
Cat litter
Baby diapers
Paint
Cigarettes

If a septic tank is not pumped regularly, it is possible for different items to stick in the filters, and eventually, this could lead to blocked chambers and clogging.

To avoid a septic tank repair that could cost thousands down the road, you need to make sure that you are following the guidelines of septic tank maintenance.

A frequently maintained septic tank can actually last for almost over 25 years, which is a huge lifespan so long as you take care of the septic system.

Thinking About Getting A Septic Tank?

Septic tanks are becoming extremely popular despite modern sewage systems. As many look to live in the countryside and escape the city, septic tanks will grow back in popularity.

If you are looking into a house with a septic tank, make sure you understand how they are designed, how they work, and where yours is located.

It’s always a good idea to get the tank pumped and inspected if you are interested in a particular property, or know the right questions to ask if you’re buying a house.

Good luck with that property and come to this blog for other construction and home renovation ideas and concepts!

[su_box title=”FAQ” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

What Is Septic Tank in House?

The septic tank is a buried, water-tight container usually made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. 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.

What Causes Septic Tank Smell in House?

Septic odors are caused by gases in the system, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. Not only can they be annoying, a high enough concentration of these gases can be toxic, or even explosive.

How Do Septic Tanks Work in Rural Areas

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.

What Is Septic Tank?

A septic tank is an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic through which domestic wastewater flows for basic sewage treatment. Settling and anaerobic digestion processes reduce solids and organics, but the treatment efficiency is only moderate.

What Is a Septic System?

[/su_box]

[su_note note_color=”#F2F2F2 ” text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

Like this post? Share it with your friends!

Suggested Read –

[/su_note]