Like most people, you probably don't give much thought to your home's septic system. But if you're ever lucky enough to witness one in action, it's a fascinating process. This post will explore what a septic system is, how it works, and common issues homeowners may face with theirs.
A septic system is a self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system. Septic systems are most commonly used in rural areas with no central sewage system. Wastewater from household plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, and showers flows into the septic tank.
The septic tank is a watertight chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. It is designed to hold the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out of the liquid. Septic systems are an efficient and cost-effective way to treat wastewater in areas where centralized sewers are unavailable.
A septic system is a vital part of any home that is not connected to a central sewage system. But how do septic systems work?
A septic system is a large tank that collects all of the wastewater from the home. This includes water from sinks, showers, toilets, and washing machines. The tank is typically buried underground and made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. Inside the tank, there are three compartments: solids, scum, and effluent.
The solids compartment is the largest, where most of the wastewater goes. Heavy solids settle to the bottom while lighter solids float to the top. The scum compartment is where the floating solids are stored. The effluent compartment is where treated wastewater flows out of the tank and into a drain field.
Every few years, the tank must be pumped out to prevent solid waste from clogging up the drain field. This process involves removing all the waste from the solids and scum compartments and taking it to a landfill.
Septic systems are an essential part of keeping our environment clean. The process wastewater from homes so that it can be safely discharged back into the earth. If your septic system isn’t working correctly, it could cause serious environmental issues.