Home Improvements

Everything You Should Know About Septic System and Its Maintenance

What is a septic system?

A septic system is a highly capable, self-contained, subterranean or underground wastewater treatment system. They are deemed to be more affordable than centralized sewer systems in rural areas and this system treat and dispose of the household wastewater outside. They are usually installed in rural areas because their lot sizes are huge and houses are widely spaced apart. Their design is also simple which in turn, and affordable. Septic system installation and maintenance is easier than the installation of a home sewer systems. They do not require any installation of miles of sewer lines as this system uses natural processes to treat wastewater onsite, generally in the backyard of a homeowner. It also makes it less hazardable to the environment.

A septic system is comprised of two important parts: a septic tank and a drainfield. Former is a watertight box which is fashioned from concrete or fiberglass attached with an inlet and outlet pipe. Through the sewer pipe, the wastewater flows out from the home to the septic tank. The wastewater stored in the septic tank naturally separates itself into solids and liquids by taking a considerable amount of time. After the separation, three layers are formed in the septic tank. Solids like greases and oils, which are lighter than water floats on the top, solids heavier than water settle at the bottom, and middle layer is called the wastewater.

The bacteria in the wastewater stored in the septic tank helps in breaking the solids down. The solid sludge and scum that cannot be bothered by the bacteria remain in the tank until the tank is pumped. The wastewater flows from the septic tank to the drainfield/distribution device assists in distributing the wastewater in the drainfield uniformly. A standard drainfield, also known by names like leachfield, disposal field, or a soil absorption system, is a range of trenches or bed lined with gravel or coarse sand and submerged one to three feet below the surface of the ground. To distribute the wastewater, perforated pipes or drain tiles are used to run it through the trenches. Then, the drainfield permits the wastewater to gradually flow from the pipelines out into the gravel and down through the soil. The gravel and soil are deemed to be biological filters.

How to Maintain a Septic System

  1. Do not drive over the septic tank equipment with heavy vehicles
  2. Do not practice plantation nearby the equipment
  3. Do not cover the equipment with concrete or asphalt
  4. Implement the surface runoff water from ceilings, patios, driveways, and other areas away from the equipment.

To know more about septic system installation visit Groundstone.ca. This is a septic designing, installing and repairing company specializing in residential wastewater systems.

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