The novice septic system owne may think of their septic tank as the actual system that cleans their wastewater, but it’s just one component of an entire process which works tirelessly to clean and remove the waste from the home. To care for your septic system properly, it helps to understand the different components involved, including the septic tank.
Septic Tank Specifications
The septic tank is the large receptacle where the process of treating wastewater from your home begins. Tank size varies depending on the size of the home, with the standard size at approximately 1000 gallons. Considering the tank must handle up to 350 gallons per person, per day, the size of tank needed depends on how many people live in your home. Tanks can have either one or two compartments, although single compartments are becoming more popular.
The function of the septic tank is to store waste while it decomposes, releasing effluent to be further filtered in the drain field. The solids in the wastewater sink to the bottom of the tank, separating the effluent from the solids. Bacteria, yeast and fungi naturally occur in the tank to breakdown the solids, dissolving 50% or more of the solids in the tank. The solids which are left behind accumulate until the tank needs to be pumped by a septic professional, usually every 2-3 years.
If the tank is sized correctly for the home and precautions are taken to keep harmful items out of the system, very little maintenance is required to allow the tank to perform. Annual inspections and pumping when needed can keep a septic tank functioning for many years with little other maintenance necessary.
Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441
