How Septic Tanks Work

If you’ve never lived in a home with a septic tank, or have just never come across one before, then the terms “septic tank, septic system or cesspit” may confuse you. Regardless of how septic tanks have become relevant in your life, you’ve landed on this article for one reason, you’re trying to find out what septic tanks are and if they’re important. As leading experts in the industry, D.C. Merrett will provide an informed view on the matter & will have the discussion of whether or not septic tanks are important & why they might or might not matter.

Put very simply, septic tanks are large tanks that are plumbed up to a property that collects the waste water from all connected drains & toilets. The tank itself is split up into two chambers (generally). The treatment chamber is the first “filter” the wastewater goes through as it treats the sewage before it’s discharged. The liquid waste is vented into something called a “drain field” or “leach field”. Drain fields are used to discharge waste liquids from the tank, allowing for more waste to be stored. If a septic tank didn’t discharge the liquid waste, the tank would fill up in no time at all.

The drain field is usually located in an open space beneath the top surface, allowing for the liquid waste to be absorbed into the surrounding dirt & soil. An appropriate location will have to be designed for your drain field if you’re having a septic tank installed into your home. For those that are worried about dirty liquid waste spoiling their land, special measures are taken to ensure that no foul smells or waste ends up on top of your land. With most septic tank installations, Gravel is placed around the drain field pipes which allow the water to flow into the soil. The mix of water, gravel & oxygen allows the bacteria in the gravel and the soil decompose the waste that’s in the water.

What are septic tanks made of?

Septic tanks can be made from a range of materials. These range from concrete tanks, to fibreglass or industrial plastic. The type of septic tank that you’ll use will most likely be affected by your needs & requirements. There is a range of tank sizes too, which will also be affected by how much you’re making use of the septic tank.

How often should my septic tank be emptied?

Septic tanks should be emptied at least on an annual basis, depending on how often it’s used. It also depends on how many people are living in your home. The number of people tends to reflect on how fast the tank will fill up. There are also regulations in your local area that are bound to affect the options you have: Septic Tank Regulations

You should aim to have your tank de-sludged every year or so. This will depend on how many people are using the septic tank. The best way to use a septic tank is to not abuse the water in your home. Septic tanks aren’t designed to cope with huge amounts of liquids/waste. This is why it’s important to consider your water usage. Using your appliances several times a day will strain your septic tank. It’s advised you moderate your use of water-heavy appliances.

Should septic tanks be emptied?

Septic tanks need emptying to ensure proper function. If a septic tank isn’t emptied, it can lead to blockages, leakages & build-up. Septic systems aren’t made to cope with pressures from blockages and overfilling. This is why overfilling results in damage to the tank. If you want to avoid any expensive repair costs then we advise emptying your septic tank!

Will vinegar damage septic tank?

Vinegar isn’t strong enough to damage or kill the bacteria in the septic tank. A lot of “homebrew” cleaning recipes call for the use of vinegar, so you can rest easy with the knowledge that vinegar won’t cause any damage to your septic tank.

How do I care for my septic system?

We’ve written a few helpful tips if you are looking for ways to care for your septic system. Following these steps can be very useful as they are all ways of preventing unnecessary stress on the septic system, giving it the best chance to last for years.

Septic tank is an expensive but ultimately worthwhile investment. Tank maintenance, however, should not be taken lightly, as the correct maintenance needs to happen for it to remain functional. Septic tank cleaning is a vital process you need to arrange for your tank if you’ve had it over a few years. Sludge will build-up to the point it blocks important pipes which will damage the internals of a tank. De-sludging can be done by any professional provider like D.C. Merrett.

Knowing what you’re flushing down the toilet/putting down the sink is also vital since grease, oils and other chemicals are a big no-no when it comes to septic tank disposal.

If septic tanks fill up over time, do they need to be emptied?

Septic tanks do release liquid waste ensuring that it doesn’t fill up too quickly. This does mean, however, that solid waste that is kept in the tank will eventually fill up. Special bacteria & treatments are added & carried out to your septic tank which allows the solid waste to be decomposed/eaten so that you’ll get a longer life out of your septic tank before you have to have it emptied. It is a good idea however to have your septic tank emptied regularly to ensure that you aren’t experiencing any issues with your tank. Septic tank damage can lead to huge costs in repairs & also environmental issues since there are thousands of gallon’s worth of waste that could end up leaking out of the tank.

Tanks that aren’t emptied can end up being huge problems. Overfilled tanks can end up ruining the land your property by spewing waste onto the surface of your land. This is an extreme consequence but it is one that could be a reality for those that don’t take care of their septic systems. This being said, there is a range of measures you can take to ensure that your tank is kept in good condition. Regular servicing & emptying is one of them!

(Visit our post here to see how you can empty a septic tank)

A septic system is an amazing invention that handles waste as well as it needs to. That being said, septic tanks do need to be taken care of & emptied regularly. Sludge & other debris that collects over time can end up damaging your tank over time, making it essential for the property owner to have the tank emptied regularly.

If you need professional septic pumping services in Gloucestershire or any other septic services for that matter, give D.C. Merrett a call! We are leading experts in the field and have been providing professional septic services for decades. Call the number on our homepage to speak to a member of our team! – Septic Tank Emptying

Alex Lee

Alex Lee is a content producer for D.C. Merrett and has been writing for the company for years. Alex Lee has a keen eye for bringing industry news to consumers in an easy to understand manner.