Understanding How Your Septic System Works

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “More than one in five households in the U.S. depend on individual septic (decentralized) systems.” It is important to understand how your septic system works. This helps you keep up with necessary maintenance and repairs. Each septic system is different and built based on the home it is for. Some things that impact its design include the number of bedrooms in your house (to account for how many people might be using the tank), the type of soil on your property, and the depth. Today we’ll review how a typical septic system functions.

Understanding the Function and Design of Your Septic Tank

The water from your house runs through a main drainage pipe into the septic tank via the inlet. The septic tank is a water-tight container that is buried underground. Its purpose is to hold the wastewater and allow solids to settle to the bottom of the tank, creating a sludge, while oil and grease float to the top, creating a scum. Some newer septic tanks have a concrete wall to divide the tank in half, preventing more sludge and scum from leaving the tank.

Between the sludge and scum layers, wastewater can flow out of the tank through the outlet, which has a filter that removes large particles. Typically, this partially treated water then travels into an area called the drainfield.

Drainfield Dynamics: Treating and Filtering Water

Within the drainfield, the water is treated and filtered through soil. Once it is treated, the water is released into the environment as groundwater. As the water is released into the earth, a natural filtering process occurs and removes disease-causing organisms, organic matter, and most nutrients, except nitrogen and some salts.

Sometimes, the drainfield can overfill. This can cause backups in toilets or sinks, or waste water to flow up to the ground surface. If you live in an area prone to flooding, it is advised to have a professional install a backflow preventer, to avoid sewage from coming up into your home’s toilets and sinks.

Proactive Septic System Maintenance: Extending Longevity and Preventing Contamination with Expert Services from Excavation Plus

Typically, septic systems are designed to last 20-30 years as long as they are maintained. By keeping up with septic system maintenance, you can avoid contaminated water and expensive repairs.

To keep up with your septic system maintenance, contact a professional septic service provider like Excavation Plus. They have the expertise and knowledge to find any issues, provide repairs, and perform maintenance to keep your septic system functioning for years to come. Contact us to learn more!