Septic systems are common in rural areas, and understanding precisely how they work is a large part of knowing the best ways to care for and maintain them.
Unlike commercial wastewater treatment plants, septic systems work on a much smaller scale. Rather than sewage flowing through city lines, it is instead deposited into a tank that is buried beneath the property of the home or building. These tanks can be made from a variety of materials including plastic, concrete and steel, and they usually last anywhere between 20 and 40 years.
How they Get Rid of Sewage
Septic systems don’t really get rid of sewage, they simply deposit it into a drain field within the earth.
Whenever you flush the toilet, the water and waste flow down through your sewer pipes and into your septic tank. Naturally, the heavier items will sink to the bottom while the wastewater flows to the top. When more waste and water are deposited into the system, some water flows out of the tank into and a designated drain field. This water helps fertilize the soil and keeps it healthy.
The waste that flows to the bottom of the tank (known as sludge) sits within the system until it is cleaned out and disposed of by a professional.
This is why it is so important to have your septic tank pumped regularly. If this layer of sludge is allowed to build up too high within the tank, it will eventually cause the system to backup into your home.
Are Septic Tanks Mechanical or Electrical?
Neither. Your septic tank runs on one thing alone: gravity. It’s a passive system that requires no mechanical or electrically run parts. Because of this, it is necessary to keep the system clean and well-maintained so that it can continue to operate at full capacity.
How often a septic tank needs to be pumped usually depends on the size of the tank, whether or not your use a garbage disposal and a few other factors. The average amount of time can be anywhere from three to five years.
Professional Septic System Services
Waiting to get your septic system pumped can be create a costly and hazardous problem for you and your family. At AAA Wastewater, we have been helping the community since 1954, so give our family-owned business a call to have your septic system serviced sooner rather than later. Contact our team today.
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