If you own one of the 25% of homes in the United States that are on septic systems rather than municipal sewer, you may be wondering how your system works.
Most septic systems consist of four basic components. First, there is a large drain line that leads from your home to the septic tank. The second component is the septic tank itself, the third component is the drain field, and the last component is the soil around the drain field.
The drain line collects waste water from your home and routes it to the septic tank. Other than a clog or break, drain lines rarely need any maintenance or service.
The septic tank is a large tank buried in your yard. It can be made of concrete, fiberglass, or a type of plastic. The septic tank holds the waste water long enough for the solid material to sink to the bottom forming sludge and also allows greases and oils float to the top forming scum.
The septic tank has baffles and fittings designed to hold the scum and sludge layers in the tank, but that allow the waste water to flow into the drain field. The solid material in the tank will partially decompose, but the accumulated sludge and scum need to be periodically pumped out of the tank. Regular septic tank service will help keep the system operating smoothly.
The drain field is a series of perforated pipes buried underground that spreads the wastewater out and allows it to percolate into the soil. The soil treats the wastewater by removing harmful bacteria and other matter.
