Septic Tank Armadale is an integral part of any residential wastewater treatment system. The septic tank is a large watertight vault where sewage waste is stored until it can be purified.
Odors coming from drains or toilets are often the first sign that there is a problem with your septic system. These foul odors are caused by hydrogen sulfide and methane gases that build up in the septic tank and drain field.
Drainage Solutions
Septic tanks are made of concrete, heavy plastic or metal and hold between 1,000 and 2,000 gallons. They are designed to collect wastewater from all drains in a house. Wastewater enters the septic tank and passes through solids, which settle in the bottom as sludge, while clean water rises to the top of the septic tank as scum.
The wastewater leaves the septic tank and goes through a pipe into the drain field, where soil helps to get rid of and manage the waste. A well-functioning drain field is essential for keeping wastewater out of groundwater and drinking water sources.
Without a functioning drain field, wastewater would back up into the home and cause a health risk. The septic tank and drain field work together to prevent sewage from contaminating groundwater and causing disease.
To keep the drain field working properly, homeowners need to do a few things. First, they need to be cautious about what they flush. Items like baby wipes, Q-tips, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts and cat litter can block pipes or make them clogged, preventing drainage. They also kill the friendly microbes in the septic tank that break down sludge.
Second, homeowners need to conserve water. This means fixing dripping faucets, showerheads and toilets, doing fewer loads of laundry and only running the dishwasher when full. They should also avoid dumping hazardous chemicals, paint or grease down the drain or in the yard. These can contaminate groundwater and create costly repairs to the septic system.
Third, homeowners should add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around their septic tank, pipes and drain field. This will help to retain moisture and prevent soil compaction, which can lead to a clogged or malfunctioning drain field. Mulch should be a natural material, such as straw or wood chips. Avoid using materials that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals, which can contaminate groundwater.
Finally, homeowners need to have the septic tank pumped regularly. If a septic tank isn’t pumped periodically, sludge and scum will accumulate in the tank and be transported to the drain field, where it will clog the pipes. This will reduce the efficiency of the drain field and eventually result in a total failure of the septic system.
Drainfield Maintenance
In order for the septic system to operate properly, it needs to be able to absorb and process wastewater. The drain field is what does this, and it will fail if it isn’t well-maintained. There are many things that can go wrong with your drain field, and it is important to pay attention to the signs that indicate a problem so you can act quickly.
If you notice a strong sewage or “rotten egg” odor near your drain field or septic tank, this is a sign that it’s time for the system to be inspected and possibly replaced. The odor is caused by carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide, which are all produced when sewage passes through the system.
The most common cause of drain field failure is that the septic tank hasn’t been pumped in a long time. When this happens, the sludge and scum layers can become too thick, leaving little room for wastewater to pool while it separates. This can lead to a backup of household drains, especially ones that are used frequently like the kitchen sink and bathtub.
Another reason your drain field may need to be replaced is if it has been damaged by heavy rain or flooding. This can happen if the drain field is underlain by rock, clay or other solid material that prevents the soil from absorbing water. It’s also important to maintain a healthy septic tank and drain field by following septic system guidelines.
This includes only flushing human waste and toilet paper, avoiding excessive use of household chemicals like pesticides, paint and antifreeze, and having your septic tank pumped regularly.
A septic tank should be located away from buildings and water sources that could interfere with drainage, and it must have easy access for pumping and inspections. It’s also a good idea to record the location of your septic tank, access ports and check valves, and your drain field and repair area so they can be easily found in the future. It’s also a good idea not to drive or park vehicles over your septic tank, and never plant trees, shrubs or vegetable gardens over the drainfield. These plants’ roots can ensnarl and damage the pipes.
Drainfield Pumping
Every thing that goes down the drains in your home winds up in the septic tank. That includes water, human waste and household chemicals. These are usually okay, but the system can get clogged with too much water or things that shouldn’t go into the septic tank, like cigarette butts and feminine hygiene products. The septic tank is a large, water-tight container that holds wastewater long enough for solids to settle to the bottom and form sludge while oil and grease floats to the top and is separated from the liquid waste (effluent). The septic tank’s baffle and dip pipe make sure only sludge and sewage leaves the tank to flow into the soil absorption field.
The septic tank is usually buried beneath the ground and protected from surface disturbance by a concrete or plastic lid. To keep the tank in good working condition, it must be pumped on a regular basis to remove solids that accumulate at the bottom of the tank and enter the drainfield. The septic tank must also be inspected and repaired if necessary, such as a leak or crack in the tank or baffles.
Once the liquid wastewater exits the septic tank, it is pushed into the drainfield through a series of pipes typically bedded in gravel. The soil microbes treat the effluent and transform it into harmless byproducts.
If you notice sewage backing up into your toilets or foul odors coming from your yard, have the drainfield pumped and inspected. If there is too much water or untreated sewage in the drainfield, it may be time to replace it. Depending on how bad the problem is, a replacement drainfield can cost $2,000 to $10,000.
You can prevent problems by having the septic tank pumped on a regular basis and cutting back on water usage. Also, you can protect the septic tank by removing vehicles and sheds that might be placed over it, as well as trimming back trees or plants that have grown over it. When the septic tank is pumped, you should clear any physical obstructions such as children’s play equipment and outdoor furniture from around the septic tank area and keep pets indoors to ensure their safety during the pumping process.
Drainfield Repair
The drain field, or leach field, is a key element of your home’s sewage system. It ensures waste is removed from the home and does not seep into groundwater sources, preventing environmental contamination and potential health concerns. If a drain field fails, it can lead to backup sewage in the home, a clogged septic tank, and a costly replacement bill.
A well-functioning septic system is critical to avoiding these problems and maintaining the value of your property. While many homeowners ponder whether or not it is worth investing in drain field repair, a properly working drain field protects your home and the environment.
In addition to preventing sewage from contaminating groundwater sources, a functioning drain field prevents costly septic system repairs and replacement costs. Investing in regular septic tank cleaning and pumping as well as routine maintenance of the drain field can help your home sewage system avoid costly repairs and extend its lifespan.
Keeping an eye out for signs of trouble can help you spot a problem early. Slow drainage of sinks and showers, a sewage smell, or standing water are all warning signs that your septic drain field is having trouble.
If you’re concerned about the state of your septic system, contact our team to schedule a drain field inspection. We can determine if your drain field is in need of repair, or if it’s time for a replacement.
The permeability of your soil plays an important role in how well your drain field functions. If the soil is too dense, it will prevent proper flow of septic effluent. This is why it’s important to use a septic tank that is large enough for the capacity of your household.
It’s also crucial to limit the amount of fats, oils and grease (FOG) that gets flushed down your drains. FOG is one of the leading causes of septic system failure, and it can cause clogged pipes in your drain field and septic tank. Our septic tank service can provide advice on how to minimize the amount of FOG you flush, and we can perform regular inspections to make sure your drain field is operating correctly.
