Septic tank systems can be an attractive option for those looking to move to the country. However, you must understand how these systems work before making a purchase.

Wastewater flows into the septic tank, where bacteria decompose the waste materials. Heavy solids sink to the bottom, forming sludge, while oils and grease float to the top, creating scum. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!

When buying a house in the country, many people dream of their little piece of land where they can live in peace. However, if that home uses a septic system, there are some things you should know before moving in to make sure your dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

When wastewater flows through a septic tank, bacteria break it down, separating the solid waste from the liquid. The weighty mass of the solid waste sinks to the bottom and forms sludge. The lighter scum layer floats on top. The clear, liquid effluent in the middle is called septic water. It exits the septic tank and enters the drain field, a leach field, or soakaway.

Septic tanks must be pumped out periodically to avoid overflowing and clogging the absorption field. If not pumped, sludge will build up, and the microorganisms that break down septic waste will be killed. When this happens, the system will not work, and you’ll have to replace the filtering bacteria.

The inlet and outlet tees are connected below the sludge layer so that hydraulic pressure forces wastewater up through them to the absorption field every time a toilet is flushed. To prevent damage, these tees must be protected from vehicles and children.

Once the septic water leaves the tank, it will naturally percolate downward through the soil to treat and disperse the waste and any nutrients into the groundwater. Evapotranspiration also eliminates harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from the soil.

A septic system isn’t as simple to operate as a municipal sewer system, especially when it comes to what you can and cannot put down your drains. Items like cooking oil, baby wipes, sanitary products, paint thinner, cleaning products, paper towels, and cat litter can clog the pipes and keep your system from working as it should.

Taking good care of your septic system will keep it in good working condition for the full life span of the property. This will not only help your family stay healthy and safe, but it will also increase the value of your home if you ever decide to sell it.

Maintenance

A septic tank is the largest component of a septic system. It contains bacteria that break down solid waste into sludge and liquid waste. This waste goes to a buried drainfield, where it filters through soil and gravel before entering groundwater. When a septic tank malfunctions, it can lead to harmful sewage backups and contaminated drinking water wells. Regular septic tank maintenance helps prevent this problem.

A well-functioning septic system requires routine maintenance like cleaning out the inlet and outlet baffles, and inspection ports to see how the tanks and surrounding components are functioning. A professional should also regularly check the drain field to make sure it’s not clogged or overflowing with sewage.

If a homeowner ignores these steps, a septic system can fail and lead to costly repairs. Sewage inflow can contaminate a home, surface water or groundwater supplies and cause disease-causing organisms to enter human bodies. It can also overload and flood the drainfield, which ruins the system’s filtration process and exposes humans and animals to disease-causing organisms.

Proper septic tank maintenance can help extend the life of a septic tank and system. It includes limiting laundry and dishwasher usage to reduce stress on the system, taking baths instead of showers, and only flushing toilet paper. Never flush cat litter, coffee grounds, diapers or towelettes (even the ‘flushable’ kind), tampons, condoms, grease, dental floss, paint thinners, oils, medications or other chemicals.

In addition to routine maintenance, homeowners can set up a schedule with a septic tank contractor for having the tank pumped every two to five years. This will prevent the tank from overflowing, and it ensures that the tank is cleaned enough to keep bacteria working properly.

Some homeowners try to save money on septic tank pumping fees by using chemical or biological additives. These products can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria inside a septic tank and make it more likely that sludge and scum will clog up system components. It’s also important to map out the location of a septic tank and other system components so that homeowners can easily find them when doing yard work or construction projects around the house.

Installation

While many people dream of moving from the city to a rural home for the quiet, nature-based lifestyle, not everyone knows that it will include a septic tank. If you are thinking of buying such a property, it is important to know whether or not you can install one yourself, and to do so correctly. Septic tanks require a lot of careful excavation and handling of potentially dangerous materials, so the best way to ensure a successful installation is to hire an experienced septic system company for the job.

The first step in septic tank installation is obtaining the necessary permits from local authorities and evaluating the site to find a suitable location for the system. Once that is done, the excavation begins. Once the area around the septic tank has been dug out, the next step is installing the inlet and outlet pipes. These are typically made of PVC or ABS plastic and are sealed with special cement to prevent leakage or contamination. After the inlet and outlet pipes are in place, the septic tank is filled with water. This is measured to ensure that the tank is completely watertight. Then, the soil is backfilled over the tank.

Before the septic tank can be used, it must be inspected and cleaned periodically by a professional. A visual inspection is usually all that is required, but an electronic probe can also be inserted into the septic tank to check for cracks and other structural damage. If there are signs of problems, the septic tank may need to be replaced or relined.

When the septic tank is in use, it will be pumped on a regular basis to remove solid waste and other contaminants from the wastewater. If a septic tank is not pumped properly, the drain field can be overloaded with solid waste. This can lead to sewage overflow, which exposes humans and animals to disease-causing bacteria.

It is also possible for the septic tank to become inundated with liquids, which can cause the absorption field to flood. This can be a serious health and safety hazard, as well as a major financial expense for homeowners.

Repairs

Despite being designed to last up to 40 years, septic tanks can experience issues that require repair. Most of these repairs can be handled by the same septic service that oversees tank pumping and inspections. Although many plumbers may work on septic systems, it’s generally recommended that you find a septic company that specializes in them. This ensures that the repair person has the necessary training and equipment to handle all septic system repairs.

The most common sign that a septic tank needs to be repaired is when sewage backs up into the home’s drains. This can be due to a clogged line or the inlet baffle not working properly. In some cases, the septic tank itself may need to be replaced, which requires excavation and can be very expensive.

If you’re buying a home with a septic tank, it’s important to have the system inspected and approved before you close on the house. A septic tank that’s not up to standards can contaminate your well water, nearby waterbodies, and shellfish beds. In addition, it can also cause health problems for you and your family members.

Some septic tank repair costs can be covered by a warranty or homeowners insurance policy. This can help with unexpected expenses or give you peace of mind that any issues will be taken care of quickly.

Another expense that may be covered is the cost of removing root growth from the septic tank or pipes. This may be needed if the tank is overflowing or if tree roots are growing into the tank or lines.

It’s important to keep in mind that a septic tank must be pumped regularly to prevent overflow and leaks. It’s usually recommended that you have the tank pumped when the sludge layer is within six inches of the bottom of the tank outlet, or when the scum level is within 12 inches of the top.

When a septic tank is not pumped regularly, it can overflow into the drainfield and cause contamination of groundwater. This can be extremely dangerous for your family and pets, especially if you use your garbage disposal frequently or have large amounts of laundry wash in your home.