For many homes and businesses, septic systems serve a crucial role, especially in rural areas, though many people are clueless about how they operate. Although septic tanks are usually low-maintenance systems, when something goes wrong, they can become extremely troublesome and costly. Anyone hoping to prevent potential issues with their septic tanks requires a simple knowledge of what size septic tank do i need.

Which kind of septic machine is it?

Septic systems are small-scale sewage treatment systems which are used in areas that are not connected to a government-operated sewage system or a private company. Homes and farms also use them in rural areas where it is too expensive to connect to far-away sewage mains. Septic systems work by pumping wastewater into effluent tanks from bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities, which process the waste and then disperse it over a septic drain field.

What’s a Tank Septic?

An important part of septic system is a septic tank. Essentially it’s a water tank containing between 4000 and 7500 liters of wastewater. They usually get buried underground and are attached on one end to an inlet pipe (for sewage to flow in) and on the other to a septic drain field (for treated waste water to flow out). Modern septic tanks usually have two chambers separated by a dividing wall between the top and the bottom of the tank.

What happens in a septic tank?

First, the wastewater goes into the effluent tank’s first chamber. The solids settle downwards, and the scum floats upwards. Any of the underlying solids will decompose and float into the sea. The liquid would pass through the holes in the dividing wall from the first to the second chamber leaving the solids and scum in the first chamber. More settlement occurs at the second chamber. From the settlement process, the liquid is now almost clear and drains from the tank to the septic drain field (also known as a leach field or an asphalt field).

What is a drainage septic field?

Septic drain fields consist of trenches that contain perforated pipes and some sort of porous material (such as gravel). This is then covered by a soil layer which prevents animals from coming into contact with the wastewater. Dispersed through the perforated pipes, the wastewater runs through the gravel, further removing contaminants and impurities. The filtered water is released back into the plant roots and evaporation into the atmosphere.

What competences a septic machine has?

A septic system, if the conditions are right, will run completely on gravity. If the topography is not conducive to a septic system operated by gravity, a pump may be inserted.

What happens with waste that isn’t decomposing?

Some of the effluent tank contents will not decompose; therefore, occasionally emptying of the tank is important. The septic tank will fill with undecomposed substances that will be drained into the drainage field if tanks are not filled. That can lead to environmental problems as well as costly repairs. How much the tank needs to be pumped clean varies depending on its size, the number of people who use it and the temperature outside.

James Montano