Septic system is an Onsite Sewage Facility, pretty common in the Western World that is used on a small scale, especially in rural areas where there is no proper sewage system. The Septic system consists of Septic Tank, which may be a single tank or a multi-chamber tank to collect the waste generally generated by the domestic household. Septic tanks are not as common in urban areas as they have a proper sewage system.
The septic tank collects the excreta and wastewater of the house, and like everything, maintenance is the key to a durable septic tank. Don’t be worried about the expenses of care at all as you can easily maintain it with just a basic knowledge without paying a hefty amount.
Types of septic systems
While talking about the types of septic systems, there is a huge variety of septic systems in the market which varies on different factors, including weather conditions, household size, soil type, and many others on the list.
Here are some common types of septic systems.
- Septic tank
- Alternative system
- Conventional system
- Mound filter
- Sand filter system
- Gravity system
- Cluster system
- Chamber system
- Aerobic treatment
How does a septic system work?
A septic system is a combination of nature and technology, with the bacteria play a key role in managing the household wastewater. A commonly used septic system has a simple design consisting of an underground water container (made up of plastic, concrete, or fiberglass) and a septic drain field connected with a T pipe.
All the waste of the house flows to the septic tank through the main pipe. The solid waste settles down at the bottom of the tank as ‘sludge’, digested by the bacteria to reduce the volume of solids. Simultaneously, the oil and grease float on the top as ‘scum’, and all the liquid wastewater ‘effluent’ flows out of the septic tank to the drain field through a T-shaped outlet which ensures sludge and scum stay inside the tank.
This is the basic phenomenon of how a simple septic system works.
Why is septic system maintenance important?
Septic system is really useful and most of the time it does not need heavy expenses, however, it is only possible with proper maintenance with few effortless steps. These basic steps are vital for several reasons.
- Saving money in the long term: Changing the whole septic system may be a huge strain on your budget if you do not maintain your septic system properly. If you spend the money at the right time, you will be saved in the long term from greater expenses.
- Protecting your family’s health: Household wastewater contains many viruses and bacteria that can cause diseases and pollute the environment. You are putting your family at the risk of various infectious diseases such as hepatitis, diarrhea, and skin problems.
- Protecting the environment: Septic systems can be a potential threat for the environment if not retained properly as the malfunctioned septic system can contaminate the water by releasing toxic chemicals, harmful bacteria, and viruses, which affect critically not only humans but animals and plants too.
- Prevents property values: Managing a property with septic systems can be a bit tricky task. A well-maintained septic system can increase your property value. Similarly, an unstable septic system can lower your property’s value as no one wants to buy a house with a poor sewage system.
- Problems will be caught early securing you from immense discomfort: Imagine having all your drains clogged, sewage backup, and a foul smell in your entire house. That must be a frustrating situation for you and your whole family so an easy solution is to often check and repair your septic system so you can fix slight faults on time.
- Some common septic tank issues: Sewage-related issues can be a bit complicated for untrained people, but luckily these issues can be resolved easily. Here are some of the problems your septic tank might have:
- Poor maintenance: As we discussed above, maintenance is the key to a well-functioning septic system. Negligence in care can cause many problems that might lead you to big distresses so you should often dislodge it. Septic tank pumping is an easy option for emptying the tank.
- Excessive usage of water: Every septic tank has a different capacity to hold the wastewater of your house, and you should be aware of that capacity to make sure you are using the right size. If you have a big family, you should inspect your septic tank, preferably get it done by a company that offers septic tank services and upgrades it according to your water usage. Excessive water in the tank might cause the process to slow down and lead to complications.
- Tree roots: The trees’ roots are extremely strong so they might be a potential threat to your septic tank as they can penetrate it and cause rupture and leakage. The leaked water is rich in nutrients so the tree will grow aggressively causing a huge mess for you.
- Clogging: If non-biodegradable items such as tampons, cotton swabs, or condoms are flushed down, your drains might get clogged, causing them to drain slowly. You have to determine where the clog is and access it if you are sure about it. If you are not sure where your system is clogged, it would be better to get the septic tank services instead of wasting your time and energy on digging the septic system on your own.
- Leakage: As it is said, the grass is always greener on the other side, but greener is not always good for you. If the grass of your backyard is growing exponentially and is extra green, there might be a leakage in your septic tank that is causing that lush green grass. That leakage should be looked for and treated on time.
- Biomat failure: Another issue you might face about your septic tank is bio mat failure caused by biofilms that develop on drainage pipes, clogging them. This is the septic system failure, and sadly there is no cure for it, and you have to replace the entire system.
- Not installed accurately: Installing the septic system should be done properly by professionals to avoid any future concerns, so you should regularly check it. If you plan to install one in your home, never compromise on quality, and hire professional septic tank services.
When to get your septic tank pumped?
Your septic system should be inspected annually, and septic tank pumping should be done every 3-5 years according to the standard rule if you want to work it efficiently and resiliently. Otherwise, it might trouble you often, and the chances of septic system failure are increased.
Importance of septic tank service
Septic tanks should be serviced and pumped on time for several reasons, including saving money, preventing your family and neighbors from infectious diseases, avoiding regular inconveniences, and many others. So don’t delay it and do it timely.
Conclusion
Septic systems are an easy option, but they require regular maintenance. You should act wisely by pumping it regularly and taking proper care of it with just a few basic steps. Remember, a proper sewage system can ease your life significantly, so choose wisely.
