Septic Tank - Installation and Maintenance

Septic Tanks

For homeowners in rural areas (or places with no connection to main sewage pipes), septic tanks are the principal means of waste water disposal. If you are planning to move to a more rural setting, probably for retirement, of course, you will need to have a septic tank system.

There is nothing really complex about how a septic tank works. But, mind you, for all its simplicity, it is very efficient at what it does. The tank can be anywhere from 1000 gallons or higher and thus can accommodate large amounts of wastes. In a nutshell, septic tanks separate solid waste from liquids. The solid waste is stored in the septic tank and treated by anaerobic bacteria. The liquids, on the other hand, are dispersed throughout the soil on the property by the leaching, a mechanism which is a part of the septic tank.

The use of septic tanks may not sound sanitary but there is really nothing to worry about how they treat wastes. Well, septic tanks have been in use for many years all over the country. Nearly 25% of all homes in the country use septic tank systems.

It is important to note here that septic tanks can go wrong. People with septic tanks need to make sure that they are properly maintaining their tanks through regular cleaning. How do you clean septic tanks? To learn more about septic tanks and how to maintain them, read the rest of our pages. We have separate pages on septic tank cleaning, septic tank installation, septic tank disposal, and septic tank treatment so you will definitely find what you are looking for with regards to septic tanks here.

Introduction to Septic Tanks Video

Septic Tank Odours

Whenever something serious goes wrong with your septic system rest assured it will probably start to smell. The very presence of an pungent strong septic tank odour is an indication of a fault existing. These issues can vary from leakage to broken vents or drainage problems.

For the most part, the most popular reason for septic tank system odour is an over filled tank. To repair this issue the best course of action would be to call a professional septic tank installation and repair company immediately. They will be able to let you know without fuss whether the whole septic tank is faulty or just over full. If the septic tank is just too full then they can easily pump it out for you. Generally a septic tank should be pumped regularly between one and three years and this should be based around the number of people that actually use the system.

Regardless of the reasons, septic system odour is really a definite manifestation of a significant problem that may create a poor atmosphere specifically for children and also the seniors. The issues have to be addressed as quickly as possible.

Let’s begin with the vent. The septic system in almost any house must have roof vents to balance pressure, which stops the strange gurgling noises water flow that may emanate from toilets and sinks. So, should you all of a sudden start to hear these gurgling noises you already know there’s a problem using the pressure within the septic system. Make sure to get out there and look into the septic vent for damage or blockage or bring in help to check on it for you personally. If, after washing the vent, odour continues to be being released, you’ll be able to try filters. These filters are simple to install within the vent are available in many local hardware shops. Filters are usually triggered-carbon based that has been shown to remove smells in the air.

If all of the above solutions don’t provide the preferred result then there’s most likely a far more serious problem which should be solved as quickly as possible. To begin with, attempt to remember how lengthy it’s been because you pumped your septic system. Usually of rule of thumb is, a septic system must be purged every 1 to 3 years. An over-full or higher-flowing tank may cause smells to escape the tank. If it’s been a very long time because the last draining then I suggest you speak to your local septic system cleaners to possess them generate the tank. Regrettably, septic system moving isn’t a do-it-yourself project.

For those who have their septic system pumped out when due, and are still experiencing septic system smells you might possess a drain area problem to deal with, which might be a very costly problem to solve. A septic system inspector can determine whether your drain area is good or otherwise.

The bottom line is, septic system odour should not be overlooked. You need to try whatever correction is needed to resolve the problem because this odour is simply a sign and there might be significant problem within your tank. The odour and leakage of wastage is unhealthy for the family, atmosphere and may also spoil your home décor and plants. If by accident the leakage goes unwatched without treatment waste can percolate in to the H2o water..

The good thing is it may be fixed easily and you will find professionals open to solve the problem. You just need to access the local directory to obtain the listing of local septic system cleansers. Fix your septic system odour problem the moment you are able to.

Safety Tips for Septic Tank Inspections

Never enter into a septic tank unless you have had all the necessary training and are wearing the necessary safety clothing including self contained breathing equipment.

Never ever work alone, getting stuck alone in a septic tank or even falling into one for that matter, can be extremely dangerous with a maintenance team member let alone if you are on your own.Also that fact that gases may be present and with the possibility of being overcome by these noxious gases single party or working alone is not a safe option.

Never ever, lean over into a septic tank as you could quite easily fall into the opening or even become overwhelmed by the noxious vapour causing you to fall in.

Ventilation is a must due to the build up of gases, and if no ventilation is present the septic tank will soon become an explosive environment. Also bearing in mind that some of the gases that are created as a consequence of decomposing waste such as Methane, in the right conditions, are explosive.One should also bear in mind that in a confined environment like a septic tank Methane can become an asphyxiate which becomes deadly in seconds.

Never go into a septic tank to assist someone who has fallen in. As you may both very quickly become asphyxiated by the toxic gases present. Call the emergency services for assistance.Having said that, if you are equipped with the necessary breathing apparatus and fully trained in its use then your training will come into play.

The gases present in a septic tank are very toxic and combustible therefore never ignite a naked flame anywhere near a septic tank.

If it is noted during the inspection of the septic tank that the tank covers are damaged or parts of the installation have collapsed then the area should be marked off indicating to other people that danger is present in the impending area until the necessary repairs are undertaken.

Never drive over septic tank installations or pipes.

Be very careful when digging around septic tanks as electrical cables may be present.

So how do septic tanks work?

Within the septic system is a holding tank and what this holding tank does is to hold the natural bacteria which encourages the decomposition of human waste products in an environmentally acceptable way.

The septic system is basically designed to act as an onsite system to break down and dispose of biological human sanitary waste products in a safe manner.

Parts linked to a septic system

The obvious parts that you would think of as being linked to any septic system in a regular home would probably be sinks, toilets and pipes.

Many components to the septic system may not be so obvious and are equally as important to the smooth operation of any septic system and this includes the ground itself.

Some of the various part of the system includes the septic tank the distribution box and a leach field. The bacterial actions take place inside the septic tank and the end product of this process is mostly water, sludge which is undigested material and gases. The sludge sinks to the bottom of the tank.

Baffles are contained within the septic tank and the job of the baffles is to prevent any scum that may float to the surface and any sludge the settles at the bottom of the tank from escaping out of the tank.

Any gases that accumulate are ventilated out into the atmosphere by a plumbing ventilation system. Once this process has taken place clearer liquid will flow to a small distribution box where it will be distributed to various perforated pipes.

The perforated pipes will pass the clearer liquid to a large soil surface area which is called a leach field, or field for absorption. The soil completes another task which is to act as a filter and remove any quantity of small solids that may have travelled in the liquid.

The pumping out of any sludge from the bottom of the tank must form part of any regular maintenance schedule and this sludge must be disposed of professionally.

There are a large number of systems created for all situations however having said that the septic tank and leach field is the most common and widely used.

How to find a Septic Tank

Moving into a new property-location can be stressful enough without finding yourself in the position of needing to find maybe a water stop valve, gas valve or septic tank in an emergency. One of the first things to do if you have, maybe just moved into a property and need to find the septic tank is to ask the previous owner or even a neighbour. Be prepared for some confusing answers though, as many people when it comes to identifying the location of their septic tank can get a little confused especially if the visual clues are not that obvious.

If the previous owner comes back to you and informs you that he or she does not know where the septic tank is buried and has lived at the property for a lengthy period then alarm bells should start to ring in your head. As this is a real indicator that the septic tank probably needs emptying sooner rather than later.

Another idea could be to contact your local septic tank maintenance company as they may well have worked at your property in the past and may have an idea as to where the septic tank is buried and if this works out it could certainly save you some time.

Septic Tank Visual Clues

Some kind of visual marker may have been left by the previous owner to help you to locate the septic tank access point, such as a wooden marker structure, or a pile of bricks or building blocks or even stones piled upon each other.

Another visual clue may be pipes protruding up from the ground. A real indicator is if the pipes are around 4 inches to 6 inches in diameter made from black or white plastic or maybe cast iron. These pipes may mark ventilation or cleanouts between the house and the septic tank. The pipes are usually around 10 to 20 feet from the house.

Another possible clue is the site of an electrical box sticking out of the ground this electrical box may be an electrical feed to the septic tank.

Healthy green looking grass

Tank leakage of raw effluent can give the surrounding grass areas the necessary nutrients and encourage grass growth therefore that makes for a good visual clue.

Heat patches

Signs of melted ice or melted snow in geographic locations that suffer seasonal changes can be a visual clue.

Boggy land conditions

Damp wet or boggy conditions are always a good visual clue to the location of a septic tank especially one that suffers from faulty drainage.