A septic system treats wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks and washing machines. All drains in the house converge into one pipe that leads to the septic tank, which is buried outside. Solid waste settles to the bottom forming sludge, and fats, oils and other liquids float to the top forming scum. 

Septic systems separate solids and liquid waste from household sewage, helping the sewage treatment system function at its best. The entire septic system is designed to work in tandem to treat sewage, providing a safe and clean alternative to municipal sewer lines. With proper maintenance, a typical septic system can last 20-30 years or more. Septic system installation is not a DIY project, and should be done by licensed professionals. Visit Website to learn more.

During this process, your company will perform a site evaluation, design the septic system, and obtain the necessary building permits. Once this has been accomplished, the construction phase begins. This typically includes removing the old septic tank, digging trenches for the new septic system components, and placing piping to connect the septic system to your house.

The septic tank is typically located outside, with a cover to protect the tank from animals and vehicles. It is a large concrete or plastic container that holds wastewater until it can be pumped out. It should be sized appropriately for the size of your home, with a maximum capacity that is below the household water usage.

Your septic system will also require an absorption field, or drainfield, to properly treat the effluent. The drainfield is usually a series of shallow trenches that are lined with gravel or coarse sand and include perforated pipe to distribute the wastewater. The water enters the soil, where microbes in the dirt help to treat the sewage.

Regularly scheduled maintenance, inspections and pumping are essential for your septic system to function correctly. Your septic tank should be inspected every one to three years, and pumped at least once every three to five years.

New York State has strict regulations governing the design, construction and operation of individual household septic systems. These regulations, which are outlined in the Sanitary Code with Appendix 75-A, ensure that the septic system does not cause environmental contamination and is designed and constructed with quality materials. Regular attendance at educational programs and certification sessions is also important for keeping up to date with the latest innovations in septic systems.

Septic System Pumping

The septic tank is the first step in disposing, filtering, and treating household waste for homeowners who are not connected to a municipal sewer system. Wastewater is deposited into the septic tank where it separates into three distinct layers: a scum layer made of fats, oils, and grease less dense than water; an effluent water layer; and a bottom sludge layer of heavier solids that are decomposed by naturally present bacteria. This process allows the wastewater to flow more freely to the soil absorption field.

During the pumping process, the technician may use a muckrake to break up sludge and scum layers and to help prevent clogs. They will also listen and observe the septic system during this time, looking for signs of damage to the tank or the overall system, and they will look for float switch and alarm wiring (if applicable).

Once the septic tank is empty, the technician will refill it using a hose that connects to the access point. They will also clean and flush the septic tank with a high-pressure water jet, which will help to keep the system running smoothly.

A well-maintained septic system can avoid expensive repairs and keep your home healthy. It is recommended that you have your septic tank pumped every three to five years, depending on how much you use the system and how many people live in your house. A septic system that isn’t regularly pumped can overflow, backing up into your drains and toilets and flooding your drainfield. This overflow can lead to contaminated run-off into nearby creeks and rivers, contaminating groundwater and affecting your family’s health.

It is recommended that you choose septic service providers with a good reputation, and always get a written estimate before any work is done. Do your research by asking friends and neighbors for recommendations and calling a few different companies to ask about their experience, availability, and rates. Avoid companies that claim to eliminate the need for septic tank pumping by using additives, which usually re-suspend solids and move them to the drain field where they can clog pipes. Instead, you can protect your septic system by using the right materials and practicing moderation with everything that goes down the drains and into the toilets, including food scraps and cigarette butts.

Septic System Repair

Septic systems are designed to take in and process waste from household plumbing and allow it to naturally return to the soil. If a home’s septic system fails, it can result in untreated sewage seeping to the surface of the ground or back up into the plumbing of the home. The sewage can also find its way to surface water, groundwater, and marine water sources where it can make people and animals sick.

A septic system is comprised of a tank or tanks, a drain field, and a series of pipes. Over time, the septic tank can begin to fill up, which can lead to wastewater backup into the home. This is because the septic tank isn’t able to handle the volume of wastewater being deposited into it.

In many cases, a septic tank will need to be repaired or replaced due to wear and tear. The cost of septic tank repairs can vary, depending on the type of septic tank (plastic, concrete, or fiberglass) and the extent of damage.

The septic system’s pipes carry household waste and wastewater to and from the septic tank. They can break down over time from age, shifting soil, or root infiltration. When pipes break down, they can create clogs that reduce the system’s efficiency.

When a septic system isn’t working properly, it’s important that homeowners contact licensed professionals to address the issue quickly. A professional will inspect the septic system to determine what’s causing it to fail and then recommend the appropriate repair or replacement service.

Homeowners can help prevent septic system problems by having their system regularly inspected and having their septic tank pumped. They can also take steps to limit septic system stress by reducing the amount of waste that’s disposed of, using low-flow showerheads and toilets, limiting the number of large loads of laundry, and ensuring that no plants or shrubs grow over or around septic system components.

It’s also a good idea for homeowners to have a septic emergency fund set up that allows them to cover unexpected repair or replacement costs without incurring financial hardship. It’s usually best to set aside a small percentage of the household budget for this purpose.

Septic System Maintenance

Many homes in Clallam County aren’t connected to the public sewer system, and instead rely on an on-site septic tank and drainfield. A well-maintained septic system is critical to the health and safety of the residents who live in these homes. To help ensure that septic systems function properly, regular maintenance and inspections are necessary.

During a septic system inspection, a professional will inspect all components of the septic system to identify any issues that may need repair. The inspection process will begin by uncovering the tank access lids (if they have not been buried or covered). Next, the technician will inspect the septic tanks for any signs of corrosion and other damage. If any issues are identified, the septic system will need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage and prevent sewage backups in the home.

The septic system inspection will also include an evaluation of the drainfield to ensure that it’s functioning correctly. This is critical as the drainfield filters wastewater as it exits the septic tank. If the drainfield isn’t working properly, sewage could back up into the home and expose residents to dangerous pathogens and chemicals. During the inspection, the technician will check for any vegetation or debris that could be blocking the drainfield or other parts of the septic system.

When the septic system is functioning properly, solids will remain in the septic tank until it is pumped. When solids enter the drainfield, they can clog it and cause sewage to overflow onto the ground surface, exposing people and pets to the disease-causing organisms in the sewage. To avoid this, septic tank owners should follow a maintenance regimen that includes regularly examining the septic system and pumping it when needed.

Another important part of septic system maintenance is conserving water in the home. Water-efficient toilets, showerheads, faucets, washing machines and dishwashers help limit the amount of wastewater that enters the septic system. Homeowners can further reduce the amount of wastewater they use by landscaping with grass and other shallow-rooted plants that don’t require extensive root growth. They should also avoid putting large amounts of waste into the septic system and follow the recommendations in the septic tank label to ensure that it operates correctly.