Septic tanks are buried in watertight containers that digest household wastewater. Heavy solids sink to the bottom and form sludge, while oils and grease float to the top as scum. The liquid wastewater (effluent) exits the tank through a pipe into the drainfield area.

Over time, improperly treating sewage waste can pollute nearby drinking water wells and contaminate natural waters. To avoid this, follow your community’s septic system maintenance regulations. Click the Website to learn more.

The septic tank is a large, watertight container that holds all the sewage from your home. It’s usually made of concrete or heavy plastic and can hold up to 2,000 gallons of wastewater. Wastewater enters the septic tank and undergoes a settling process, where solid materials settle to the bottom of the tank and form sludge. Oils and other greases float to the top, forming a layer called scum. Wastewater in between those two layers flows out of the septic tank and through a drain field, also known as a leach field.

During the settling process, bacteria in the septic system begin to decompose the sludge and scum. This helps to reduce the amount of toxins that get into groundwater. It also allows for the water to pass through the absorption field more quickly. The septic system needs the right balance of bacteria in order to function correctly. Pouring toxins like household cleaners and paints down the drain can kill this important bacterial community, which means that your septic system won’t work as well.

When the septic system is working properly, the wastewater passes through a distribution box and a series of perforated pipes into an absorption area called a septic drain field, which is usually located in a gravel-filled trench several feet away from the house. This is where the majority of the septic system treatment happens.

This system is often used to treat sewage when city sewer systems aren’t available. However, it’s not effective at treating everything that goes down the drain. It’s still important to only flush toilet paper and human waste down the drain. Avoid putting anything else down the drain, including cooking oils, make-up removal wipes, baby wipes, diapers, cat litter, cigarette butts, paint thinner, or any other chemicals. These items can clog the septic system or cause a blockage in the leach field.

Over time, the septic system may require pumping out. When this happens, a professional will remove the septic tank lid and inspect the interior of the tank for signs of clogs and other problems. It’s also a good idea to schedule regular inspections and maintenance to ensure that the septic tank continues to work properly.

Sludge

A septic tank is an underground, watertight container where sewage and wastewater collect. After a time, the waste separates into three different layers: sludge, effluent and scum. The solid waste, called sludge, sinks to the bottom of the tank. Over time, bacteria decompose the sludge. The liquid, called effluent, flows out of the tank and into a piping network. The piping, known as the drain field or leach field, runs through the soil and into groundwater or surface water. The septic tank system is designed to ensure the effluent does not enter the soil or water supply until it is completely processed by bacteria.

If the septic tank is not pumped regularly, the sludge layer builds up and overflows into the drain field. This creates a flood of unprocessed sewage and wastewater that can clog the drain field piping and decrease soil porosity, requiring costly repairs to the septic system. It can also contaminate water supplies by seeping back into the home and flowing out of toilets and other household drains.

Septic tanks need to be pumped out every three to five years. If you wait too long, the sludge will flow into the septic tank’s drainage field, where it can clog up the piping and prevent the septic tank from working correctly. In addition, the sludge can overflow into waterways and contaminate the water people drink, swim in and grow crops.

In some areas, companies make and sell biological additives to help maintain the bacterial balance in the septic tank. However, bacteria already live inside feces and don’t need the added boost.

Once the septic tank is emptied, the contents are either shipped to waste treatment plants and added to the sewage stew or sold to independent for-profit businesses that specialize in septage processing (the term for septic sludge). The company liquefies the sludge by adding heat and mixing it. The sludge is then transported to landfills that accept this material. Before septic tanks became common, septic sludge was dumped in open fields or dump sites. Now, federal regulations limit the dumping of septage.

Gases and Odors

The digestion of organic waste in a septic tank produces some unpleasant gases. These gasses are produced by anaerobic bacteria that work in the absence of oxygen. They are a natural byproduct of the process, but they should not escape into your home. If you notice a foul odor coming from your drains, it is probably time to get your septic tank inspected and pumped.

Septic odors are most often caused by ineffective digestion or an overflow from the tank itself. These can also be the result of a clogged home line that prevents sewage from flowing properly. If you notice a sudden increase in these types of odors, it may indicate that the tank is nearing fullness and will need to be pumped soon.

Sewer gases can be dangerous to humans and animals in high concentrations. They can disrupt the respiratory system, interfere with the sense of smell, and cause a loss of consciousness. If you suspect septic gases are leaking into your house, evacuate the area and call the fire department right away.

If you have a septic system with a buried tank, it is important to keep the soil in the leach field healthy. Do not build in the area or plant anything that can compact the soil. It is also important to use septic-safe toilet paper and not flush anything other than water down the drains.

One of the most common causes of septic tank odors is cold weather conditions. During very cold temperatures, ice can form around venting pipes and trap odors inside. This can also happen if a septic tank vent stack has been blocked by debris or animal nests.

The most common cause of septic tank odors is not keeping up with pumping schedules. Typically, septic tanks need to be pumped every 3 to 5 years to maintain proper levels of sludge and scum. If it has been a while since your last septic tank maintenance, an overflow of sludge can cause a clog that will result in foul-smelling drains throughout your home. It is important to keep up with your septic tank maintenance to avoid these costly and unpleasant problems.

Pumping

A septic tank is a big, underground container that holds liquid waste. Inside the tank, a population of anaerobic bacteria digests and clarifies the waste. The resulting wastewater is called effluent. Once the bacteria do their work, the water seeps through soil layers in a drain field and is absorbed into groundwater. To keep the system functioning properly, the liquid and solids must be pumped out periodically.

The number of people living in a home can affect how often a septic tank needs to be pumped. Larger households produce more waste and use more soaps and detergents, which increases the amount of sludge in the tank. A family of four will likely need a larger tank than a one-bedroom house.

During the pumping process, the professionals will empty the tank and clean its interior surface. They will also inspect the entire septic system to make sure it is in good working condition. The professionals may have to dig up parts of the absorption field to do so, so it is a good idea to mark its location with a diagram or map.

Once the septic tank is pumped, it will take time for the biomat to decompose in the absorption field. This is why it is important to have the tank pumped when scheduled. It also helps to avoid using the toilets or doing laundry during this time.

The tank should be pumped at least every three to five years, depending on the size of the household and how much solid waste it produces. If the system isn’t pumped regularly, sludge will build up faster.

Some homeowners try to limit the amount of water they use and the solids that go into their septic system in an attempt to extend the life of the tank. This is a mistake. In fact, it can cause the system to fail more quickly.

The best way to extend the life of a septic tank is to have it pumped regularly and to prevent solids from entering the system in the first place. This can be done by reducing the amount of water used in the household, spreading out laundry sessions throughout the week, and not flushing items such as feminine hygiene products, tissues, kitty litter, cigarette butts, paper towels, or left over medications.