A septic tank holds sewage waste for homes that don’t have a municipal sewer system. When septic tanks are complete, they discharge wastewater into a soil absorption field called a drain field.
Knowing the location of your septic tank and drain field helps you avoid damaging these components while performing home maintenance or landscaping. Also, keeping pets and children away from the area is a good idea.
Find Your Septic Tank
Usually located on your home’s property, the septic tank is a watertight container of fiberglass or polyethylene with an inlet and outlet pipe. Its job is to hold the waste that flows from your house and to separate the scum and sludge.
It’s buried underground and is hidden from view. Its location should be marked to be easily found when necessary. A removable landmark like a lawn ornament or small sign is often used, as permanent markers can be damaged during septic tank pumping.
Start by finding the sewer line that exits your crawl space or basement and head outside to follow it with a soil probe. Stick the inquiry into the ground every two feet until you feel it strike flat concrete or polyethylene.
Pump Your Septic Tank
A few signs indicate it’s time to have your septic tank draining Orlando FL. If your toilets seem clogged or are draining slowly, this could mean a septic tank problem that needs to be addressed quickly.
When you use your home, solid waste settles to the bottom of the septic tank and forms sludge, while lighter materials like grease and oil float to the top. They eventually exit the septic system into the drain field along with the wastewater.
Minimizing the amount of food waste that enters the septic system significantly lowers the frequency of pumping required. Avoid pouring large quantities of toxic cleaners into the septic tank, such as paint thinner, polyurethane, anti-freeze, solvents, detergents, and disinfectants.
Clean Your Septic Tank
Keeping your septic tank clean will ensure it works properly and reduce the risk of failure. When septic tanks are neglected, solid waste (called sludge) will build up to the point where it blocks drains.
Regular pumping will remove the sludge and allow for room for wastewater (called effluent) to flow out of the tank. This process also removes inorganic compounds that bacteria can’t break down.
Besides septic tank cleaning, homeowners should also check the septic system’s drain field and distribution box for any cracks that may have developed. These problems need to be repaired by professionals before they cause severe septic system failure. For example, if your yard is wet or there are foul odors, this could mean that a line leading to the tank is broken.
Repair Damaged Pipes
Septic tanks are onsite wastewater treatment systems that allow domestic waste to be stored and processed. Wastewater flows through the septic tank for anaerobic digestion and some bacterial treatment. The liquid effluent is then discharged into a drain or absorption field for further treatment by soil microorganisms.
In a failing septic system, the sewage and other materials flow untreated into nearby waterways or drinking water wells. This pollution can contain pathogenic bacteria, viruses, other disease-causing organisms, or excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that may cause toxic algal blooms.
When faced with a damaged pipe, it is imperative to turn off your home’s water supply promptly. It can reduce damage until a professional is available to repair it. Wrap electrical or duct tape around the hole and secure it with hose clamps on both ends of the taping. It is a temporary fix and will only last about a day. Repairing the damaged pipe immediately is very important.
Install a Drain Field
Often referred to as the drain field or leach field, your septic system’s drain field is an area of gravel and trenches that absorbs and filters wastewater. It also removes the nutrients and heavy metals that enter septic systems from your local water supply.
Based on a comprehensive analysis, it can be confidently asserted that solid waste settles at the bottom of the septic tank, forming sludge. Additionally, it is well-established that oil and grease rise to the top, where bacteria effectively break them down. The liquid wastewater, or effluent, flows to your drain field via underground pipes.
Regularly pump your septic tank to prevent the sludge from entering your drain field pipes. It is essential to never pour fats, oils, or grease down the drain to prevent clogging and ensure the smooth functioning of your drain pipes. It can clog the lines and lead to an effluent backup. Install a watertight 4-inch diameter pipe from your septic tank to the drain field. It should be sloped 1/4 inch per foot toward the tank to avoid clogging.
