Your home’s septic system treats wastewater and before returning it to the environment. Homes that have septic tanks are not connected to a sewer service, and thus must treat their own wastewater rather than sending it to a municipal plant. A home septic system consists of two parts that work in sequence: the septic tank and the drain field.
The Septic Tank
The septic tank is the first part of your home’s septic system. All wastewater from sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers drains into this tank. The purpose of the septic tank is to separate the waste from the water before the water is drained into the environment. This process is achieved with the use of bacteria, which consume waste and produce gas that is vented away from the tank. As the bacteria process the waste, it separates into solid waste, a scum layer, and clear water.
The Drain field
The drain field is a series of pipes or trenches designed to disperse the clear water from the tank into the surrounding ground. Materials such as gravel or styrofoam are often packed into the earth beneath the topsoil throughout the drain field to accommodate this process. The water sinks into the deeper levels of soil while any waste components remain. More bacteria in the drain field process the remaining waste to eliminate it completely.
Septic System Maintenance
Some maintenance is required to keep your septic system functioning properly. Avoid parking vehicles on your drain field to prevent damaging the pipes or trenches. Limiting what goes into your tank and using products approved for a septic system can prevent problems or backups. However, regardless of the care you take, wastes will accumulate inside the tank. You will need to have a professional pump your septic tank periodically to remove this waste.
Delta Plumbing provides septic pumping, repair, and pumping throughout the Atlanta area. If you have questions or need help with your home’s septic system, call us today at (770) 474-5555. You can find tips for maintaining your home’s septic system and other plumbing by reading through our blog.
