Prevent Septic Tank Problems
- by siteadmin
Septic tanks are underground, watertight containers that provide primary wastewater treatment. The tanks use natural forces and helpful bacteria to break down solid waste and organic material.
Most unsewered developments in Western Australia have septic tank systems that dispose of sewage also known as effluent. The system generally consists of one or two concrete septic tanks and two sets of drainage receptacles such as soak wells or leach drains.
Installation
A septic tank system is an essential component for your home. It handles household sewage, or wastewater, and it is typically used in rural and suburban areas where homes are not connected to a city sewer line. A septic tank system works by collecting and holding waste underground, and then transferring the liquid to a buried drain field. When a septic tank is properly maintained, it can last for years without any issues. However, if the tank isn’t inspected regularly and pumped out when necessary, it can be a serious problem.
A typical septic tank is an underground, water-tight container made of concrete or polyethylene. It provides primary wastewater treatment by allowing helpful bacteria to break down solids and organic materials in the tank. It also pipes partially purified effluent downstream for further treatment and dispersal. Fats, oils and greases float to the surface and form a layer of scum, while solid particles sink to the bottom of the tank and form a layer of sludge. Liquid wastewater flows between the scum and sludge layers and exits through a pipe leading to your septic drain field.
Most unsewered residential properties in Western Australia use septic tanks as a method for treating and disposing of household sewage. A septic tank system is comprised of one or two watertight cylindrical tanks, referred to as septic tanks, and one or more drainage receptacles that have holes in their sides but no base, known as leach drains or soakwells.
When your septic tank and drainage systems are working correctly, you don’t think about them much. If you start noticing strange odors in your toilets or shower, or wet areas around the septic tank, it may be time to call a professional for an inspection.
Despite their importance, septic tanks aren’t exactly the most fun topic for conversation at a barbie or dinner party. That’s why it’s important to have a trusted service inspect and repair your septic tank if needed. The team at Tunnel Vision are experienced in septic tank installation, maintenance and inspection services. Contact us today to discuss your needs and receive a free quote.
Maintenance
A septic tank system is a great way to reduce the amount of waste you send to landfill. It collects and stores all household sewage and solid waste until it can be treated by bacteria. It is then deposited back into the soil, which is beneficial to the environment. However, the septic tank and plumbing must be properly maintained. If you notice that your septic system isn’t working correctly, it is important to contact an inspector as soon as possible. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to prevent septic tank problems.
A residential septic system should be inspected and pumped every one to two years, and pumped regularly if there are more people using the system. Those who live in rural areas may need to inspect and clean their septic tanks more frequently. You can also avoid septic tank problems by avoiding flushing items that aren’t septic safe, such as coffee grounds, cat litter, toilet paper (even the ‘flushable’ kind), wipes, cigarette butts, condoms, grease, oily substances, paints and thinners, medical waste, and other chemicals.
When septic systems are well-maintained, they do not produce unpleasant smells or backed-up toilets. However, if the system becomes overloaded or has a leak, it can cause problems. The septic tank may overflow or clog the absorption field, which can lead to leach field failure and sewage backing up into the home. The system can also become contaminated with viruses or bacterial pollution.
The septic tank system is made up of three main parts: the septic tank, distribution box, and the absorption field. The septic tank holds all the wastewater discharged from household plumbing, and the heavy solids sink to the bottom of the septic tank where they are broken down by bacteria into sludge. The lighter solids and fats, such as oils and grease, float to the top of the tank where they partially decompose into a layer of scum. The septic tank then pumps the sludge and scum into the absorption field through pipes.
The septic tank must be continuously vented to allow gases to escape, especially hydrogen sulfide (which smells like rotten eggs). The vent stack can be easily missed, so make sure it’s in good condition and that it isn’t covered by vegetation or landscaping. You should also keep water-using plants and trees away from the drain field, as they can grow roots into the septic system.
Inspection
Septic tanks are a common waste treatment system in homes without access to sewer. They work by separating the solids from the wastewater and breaking them down through bacteria in the drain field. However, they can fail to perform if not properly maintained. This is why a septic tank inspection should be done periodically. A professional can inspect your tank and the condition of your drain field. He or she will also recommend any necessary upgrades.
A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the sewage until bacterial action breaks down solids into sludge and oily matter into a scum film. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank, where they can travel into the drain field and cause environmental pollution.
The septic tank connects to the drain field through a pipe that runs underneath the ground. A home’s plumbing drains and toilets send sewage to the tank, where it goes through an anaerobic digestion process. Solids sink to the bottom and are broken down into sludge, while the liquid waste, known as effluent, rises to the surface and is filtered by soil. A septic tank must be properly sized, according to the number of people who use the system and the maximum volume that can be processed in a day.
It is also important to ensure that the drainage field is not covered with hard surfaces, such as driveways and parking areas, which can block the flow of effluent. It is also not a good idea to plant anything over the drain field, as roots can disrupt the flow of water and contaminate the soil.
A septic tank must be pumped periodically to remove excess sludge and ensure that the drain field is working properly. A septic tank that is not pumped will begin to discharge untreated sewage into the environment, and may cause damage to the absorption field and the house. Generally, septic tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years. A septic tank inspector will be able to tell you how long your tank is likely to last, and can help you determine when it’s time for an inspection.
Pumping
All septic tanks need to be pumped out occasionally. This is because the solids and sludges in the tank build up, causing them to overflow into the leach drains and prevent them from working properly. This is why it’s important to get a professional service to do the pumping for you. If you don’t, the waste can leak into your property and cause health problems for you and your family.
Septic tanks are used to treat wastewater on-site rather than relying on a main sewage system, and they can be a great choice for homes in rural areas that can’t connect to the public sewerage network. The system is designed to safely store and break down sewage from toilets, showers, kitchens, washing machines, and dishwashers. It works by collecting and separating solid materials from liquid waste in the tank, and then treating wastewater with bacteria in the drain field before releasing it into the groundwater.
Domestic sewage (blackwater) and wastewater from toilets, baths, showers, sinks, and washing machines (greywater) run into the drainage pipe that leads to the septic tank. Heavier solids are retained in the septic tank to form sludge while lighter materials such as grease and oil float to the surface to form scum. The liquid waste, known as effluent, leaves the septic tank and enters the drainage receptacle or leach field. The septic system then treats the remaining pollutants with bacteria, and the treated water is discharged into the soil, avoiding contamination of groundwater and surface water bodies.
The septic system also includes a set of drainage receptacles or leach drains that soak the treated wastewater into the soil to undergo further natural treatment processes. The leach drains may be perforated, drilled or gravel packed, and they are installed in accordance with local council requirements. It’s important to note that, from 2020, it’s against the law to discharge your septic tank into a waterway without a permit.
Septic systems are complex systems and should be left to the professionals at Septic Tank Armadale. They can take care of all the EPA and local council requirements while making sure your septic system is up and running in no time.
https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/
Septic tanks are underground, watertight containers that provide primary wastewater treatment. The tanks use natural forces and helpful bacteria to break down solid waste and organic material. Most unsewered developments in Western Australia have septic tank systems that dispose of sewage also known as effluent. The system generally consists of one or two concrete septic…
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