YOUR
ONSITE WASTE WATER
TREATMENT SYSTEM
WHAT
IS A SEPTIC SYSTEM
AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Your septic system uses
natural processes to treat
and dispose of wastewater
generated from the home.
This waste comes from the
kitchen sink, laundry tub,
washing machine and bathrooms.
The septic tank is generally
made of concrete, plastic
or fiberglass.
The material going into
the septic tank is divided
into three general categories:
- Sludge
- sinks to the bottom
of the
septic tank
- Solid
waste (lighter in
weight than water)
- floats
near the top of
the septic tank
- Liquid
Waste - fills the
septic tank and
flows into the drainfield
The
solid
waste in the septic
tank is decomposed
by bacteria and is
broken down into
gas and liquids.
The gas is released
through the vent system
of
the house
and the liquids
ordinarily flow by
gravity into the drainfield.
Sludge and solids
are
to remain in the septic
tank.
The septic tank provides some
biological treatment of the
sludge and scum
layers but the majority of treatment
occurs
in the drainfield.
The drainfield is excavated
as a trench or bed just beyond
the
septic tank
to a sufficient depth to provide
natural drainage for the effluent
(the technical
name of the partially treated
liquid coming out of the septic tank).
When the effluent enters the
soil it percolates
to the groundwater. The soil
acts as
a biological and physical filter
to remove the harmful substances.
Remember, periodic pumping
(every 3-5 years) is required
to remove
the sludge
and solids from your
septic tank to prevent
them from going into the
drainfield and
clogging it
up. The septic tank
normally remains filled
to its liquid
top level
in order to function properly.
Most
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to add bacteria
to my septic tank after
a pump out?
A. With normal use the
human waste from your
body will
provide all the bacteria
necessary in the septic
tank.
Q. Can a clogged drainfield
be repaired by cleaning
or adding enzymes?
A. Most drainfield failures
will need replacement. The
only way to evaluate the
cause of the problem is
an onsite inspection by
a registered licensed septic tank contractor. There is
no conclusive data to support
the long term effectiveness
of enzyme use.
Q. How often should I have
my septic tank pumped?
A. Depending on usage
it is recommended that
you
pump your septic tankevery
three to five years. The
more solids that have
accumulated the less efficient
your septic tank will
perform.
Q. My system has a filter,
how often should I clean
the filter?
A. Depending on usage
it is recommended that
you
clean your filter
once
every six to twelve months.
Q. Is it all right to flush
feminine products down a
commode serviced by a septic tank?
A. No. These products are
made of cellulose, a non-biodegradable
product (the bacteria in
the septic tank cannot work on
this type of material).
Q. Is it okay to have a
garbage disposal in a kitchen
that is connected to a septic tank?
A. Yes. But care should
be used not to allow excessive
grease or non-biodegradable
products such as fruit or
vegetable peelings to get
into the disposal system.
Your septic tank is like
a trash can and must be
emptied regularly. The more
you use the garbage disposal
the more often you will
need to empty (pump) the
septic tank.
Q. Can I plant trees or
shrubbery over my septic tank or drainfield?
A. Try not to do this.
If the tree or bush has
a strong
root system the roots
can choke your drainfield.
Roots
can also get into the
septic tank, reducing
its capacity and possibly
blocking the
inlet or outlet pipe of
the septic tank.
Q. Is it okay to drive or
park cars on my drainfield?
A. No. You will cause
possible damage or crush
your drainfield
and will have to pay for
a costly repair.
Warning
Signals of Septic
System Problems
- Sluggishness
when flushing toilet.
- Any
plumbing backups.
- Gurgling
sounds in the plumbing.
- Grass
in the yard growing
faster and greener
in one particular area.
- Ground
mushy underfoot.
- Obnoxious
odors inside or outside.
- Low
spots beginning to
appear in
the yard.
- Pump
system alarming.
Possible
Causes of Septic System
Failure
OVERLOADING:
Your
septic system was designed
based on the number
of bedrooms
and square
footage of your home. A two bedroom
home septic system is designed for
four persons or less. As
your
family
grows, the waste
your septic system was originally
installed for will eventually
become overloaded.
The drainfield will become saturated
and the septic tank will receive solids
faster than it can dispose
of.
A faulty plumbing fixture such as
a running toilet can force hundreds
of
gallons of waste water to go through
the septic tank and into the drainfield,
thus causing saturation of the earth
under
the drainfield and failure of the
septic system.
Residential washing machines are often
connected to septic tanks. Washing
machines are responsible for the highest
volume
of water going out of your house at
one time. Some of the newer machines
discharge as much as 65 gallons per
cycle; compare this to flushing your
commode, using two to five gallons.
Washing numerous loads of laundry
at one time can overload your septic
system with
water; remember this goes into your
septic tank and into the drainfield.
Try spacing your laundry over several
days.
GREASE:
Remember that solid waste in your
septic tank is decomposed by
bacteria. The
type of bacteria that lives, eats
and multiples in septic tanks
does not thrive
at all in solidified grease. Grease
is the leading cause of trouble in
septic tanks and drainfields.
Do not pour grease
down your sink in will end up in your
septic tank.
Remember, grease is not sewage; it
is garbage, put grease in your garbage
can.
TRAFFIC:
Driving over your septic tank or drainfield
will damage your septic tank and compact
the drainfield.
ROOTS:
Do not plant tress and shrubs near
or on the septic system. Roots will
damage and
clog the lines and seals.
For Great Service - Call
Today!
(407) 847-5822
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