Septic Tanks: Avoid Costly Repairs
Categories: home maintenance, septic tanks, home improvement
Tags: home maintenance septic tanks home improvement
Let's first see how septic tanks function properly for so long without maintenance. Initially, when something travels through the lines from our homes, it goes to the septic tank. Visualize of it as a gigantic tank that is usually made of concrete though very old ones are probably made of steel. The drainage lines enter the tank through an inlet tee near the top, while there is another outlet tee at the other end from where liquids leaves the tank and goes to the drain field into the soil.
When water enters through the inlet tee, the solids usually go down and pile up at the bottom of the septic tank forming sludge. Some solids that don't sink inside the water gather at the surface along with grease and oily liquids forming scum. Since the outlet tee is at a certain height, solids from the sludge usually don't pass on to the drain field. Likewise, the tees keep sludge and dirt away from the out and inlet.
Bacteria inside the septic tank help liquefy solids continuously so that the sludge doesn't get high enough to enter the outlet. This is the manner in which septic tanks continue functioning well - unless damage occurs to them, which it usually does eventually. The problems mostly occur when either the sludge or the slum grow up so much that they reach the inlet or the outlet. So the only way to keep the system running smoothly is by pumping the waste out of the tank before the sludge or scum become overgrown in volume.
Nevertheless, you still need to be careful in your routine life to increase the performance of septic tanks. Firstly, the drain field should not be damp with rainwater; if it is already overloaded with water from other sources, it would not be able to efficiently absorb the water coming from the septic tank. Similarly, see that your internal drainage lines aren't sending loads of water unnecessarily into the septic tank. A common reason for this can be leaking faucets or overrunning showers. So fix these problems whenever you come across them.
Secondly, do not plant trees close to septic tanks as the roots may grow into the equipment and cause problems. And don't throw all sorts of garbage into your drainage system. Diapers, condoms, napkins aren't usually broken down into liquids by bacteria and would quickly pile up the level of sludge inside the septic tank. Additionally, ensure you do not use chemical cleaning agents in substantial volumes; these cleaners typically eliminate bacteria inside the tanks and hinder the processing of liquefying solids. And most importantly, never drain grease or other oily liquids; these would gather inside tanks as scum and may even harm the soil and drain field if they escape through the outlet.
Take all these precautionary steps and you will rarely face problems with the septic system.
About the Author
Scott Rodgers is a master plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit www.eLocalPlumbers.com
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