Ever wondered how septic tanks work? A septic tank system, or sewage disposal system, consists of a holding tank that stores waste from the home, a drain field to absorb the effluent, and a leach field to allow the waste to percolate into the soil. The waste is absorbed by the soil through the leach field. Septic systems are used in rural areas where there is no sewer system. In urban areas, septic tanks may be used only if a sewer system is not available. In this article, we explore how septic tanks work.
The Tank
There are many different types of septic tanks. The most common type is the gravel filter, but there are also clay, sand, plastic, and even fiberglass tanks. If you have a gravel filter septic tank, you will need to install a drain field to capture and filter the liquid that passes through the tank. The drain field is a series of pipes that connect to the distribution pipes. The drain field filters out any solid waste (such as food scraps, hair, and toilet paper) before it gets to the distribution pipes.
Septic Tank Pumps
The pump is what moves the water through the tank. It has a motor that turns at high speeds, creating pressure inside the tank. This pressure pushes the water out of the septic tank and into the distribution pipes. Water can be pumped from the tank to the house in two ways: gravity-fed or pressure-fed. Pressure-fed systems are more expensive than gravity-fed systems. Gravity-fed systems work well, but require more maintenance. A pressure-fed system uses a pump to push water into the tank. The water then flows through a pipe to the water distribution line. The pressure inside the pipe is used to push water into the distribution line. If the pressure inside the pipe isn’t strong enough, the water won’t flow into the pipes.
Septic Tank Filters
Once you have your water running through your system, there are a few other things to take care of. First, make sure you have your filters in place. You should replace the filter every three months or so. You can get them at any home improvement store. Just make sure you get one with a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute. If you’re not sure how much flow your filter needs, just look at the instructions. The filter removes solid particles from the water as it passes through the septic tank. These solids include hair, food scraps, soap scum, and other things that would clog up the pipes.
Discharge Pipes For Septic Tanks
The discharge pipe must be large enough to carry the volume of water that the tank holds, and it must have a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the pipe that will receive the discharge. For example, if the tank is 2 feet in diameter and the discharge pipe is 3 feet in diameter, then the discharge pipe must be at least 6 inches in diameter. The discharge pipe carries the filtered water out of the septic tank and into the sewer line. This pipe is usually made of plastic, although some tanks use metal piping.
The Outlet
The outlet is where the waste water leaves the septic tank. It connects to the drainpipe, which runs through the floor of the house. The drainpipe empties into a main sewer line. To help with drainage problems, consider installing a sump pump. A sump pump is like a miniature garbage disposal, sucking up the waste water and pumping it out of your basement. You can also consider installing a French drain to prevent water from backing up into the basement.
