How your Septic System Works…
"An underground tank in which waste matter is decomposed through bacterial action."
If there is too much solid material in your septic tank, the “bacterial action” is not taking place properly. Why? Not enough bacteria.
Parts of a Septic System
There are two main parts to the basic Septic System: the tank and the drain field. The household wastewater flows into the tank where the average detention time is 30 hours. The tank should have at least 1,000- gallon capacity.
How It Works
There are two main parts to the basic septic system: the tank and the drainfield. In short, waste flows into your septic tank, is decomposed, and then distributed through the drain field.
Anything you put down a drain or toilet goes straight into your tank. It will stay there, decomposing through natural bacterial action. Then, the wastewater flows out of the tank and through the drain field.
Over time, three layers form in a septic tank. A layer of sludge at the bottom, wastewater in the middle, and scum at the top.
The sludge and scum stay in the tank where bacteria work to break them down. But in time, these layers build up. When they become too large, your tank needs to be pumped. If the tank is not pumped annually, your septic performance will suffer. The solid build-up may be carried into your drain field, clogging it, and causing complete system failure.
The extreme cost and inconvenience of repairing a failed system can usually be avoided by basic preventative maintenance: regularly pumping the Septic Tank
How to find your Septic Tank Lids…
Keeping Your System Healthy!
By following a few simple rules, you won’t have to think about your system on a day-to-day basis.
Indeed, with proper use, conventional onsite systems can operate for years without much management.
Maintenance begins with sound water use and waste disposal habits. Since your family will determine which materials enter the system, we encourage you to set rules and stick to them.
Here is a partial list of the items to keep OUT of your system. Do not introduce any of the following:
Many homes have garbage disposals to help manage vegetable and other food waste. Excessive use of your garbage disposal may introduce a high level of unwanted solids into your system. Use disposals moderately and consider composting as an option to handle vegetable waste. If you use a garbage disposal the septic Tank will need to be pumped every 3 years to ensure that solids to not reach the baffle level and potentially damage the drainfield.
Do not put too much water into the septic system. Excess water puts too much strain on the decomposition process and can cause problems. Do not do all loads of laundry in one day, try to stagger laundry over the week. Maximum water use should be about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family. Estimate by using the following numbers per person so you can keep track:
With large families, keeping track of water use can be hard. But laying down guidelines can help everyone do their part. Also consider getting energy and water-wise appliances when you need to replace your current models. Visit www.energystar.gov/ for suggestions.
Be aware that your system is sized to handle the number of people anticipated to be using it when it is installed. If that number increases, you may need a larger system.
Do not use harsh drain openers for a clogged drain. The best alternative to conventional, caustic drain openers is to use boiling water or a drain snake to clear clogs. Though this approach may be a little messier, the chemicals in drain cleaners can cause havoc with your septic system.
Use mild or natural cleaners for your bathroom and kitchen. They should either be okay-ed for use in septic systems or marked biodegradable.
Be aware that bleaches and antibacterial soaps can inhibit the enzymatic action necessary to help bacteria break down the solids in the tank. Again, harsh chemicals can cause expensive and unpleasant problems in your system.
If you use or intend to use a water softener in the home, let your installer or maintenance contractor know. Under certain soil conditions, the salt recharge solution must be handled carefully and the size of your absorption field may need to be increased.
Have the solids pumped out of the septic tank on a regular basis. Your Septic System Installer, Septic Tank Pumping contractor or your local health department can give you guidelines. Lilly’s Septic recommends Cleaning and Pumping the Septic Tank every 3 to 5 years. (see pumping page for pumping frequency) If you use a garbage disposal seriously consider pumping your Septic Tank at minimum every 3 years!
Remember, more sophisticated systems may require additional maintenance. So always ask your installer for details on the recommended Pumping frequency for your Septic System.
For additional maintenance information, give us a call…..