How often do you think about your septic system? Unless you’re a septic contractor or just an especially conscientious property owner, the answer is probably, “Not very much—unless there’s a problem with it.” While there’s no need to be an expert about septic systems—after all, that’s what your contractor is for—having a basic working knowledge of the different parts of your septic system and how they work together can help you in troubleshooting and caring for your septic system. As a sanitation service in Bethel, OH, septic parts and their functions are common knowledge to us, so we thought we share some basic information with our customers and friends.
- Pipe: When we flush the toilet or pour dirty dishwater down the sink, usually we don’t think too much about where it goes once it disappears. When you flush wastewater down your toilet, the first step of its journey is running through a pipe that connects your home plumbing system to your outdoor septic system. If this pipe bursts or malfunctions, the wastewater can’t get where it needs to go, and you’ll likely have a bit of a mess on your hands.
- Septic tank: Perhaps the most familiar part of any septic system, a septic tank is just what it sounds like: a large container that holds your waste. It is typically made of fiberglass, concrete, or polyethylene. While some may think that wastewater’s journey is done once it reaches the septic tank, in truth, the tank only serves to separate out the oil and grease from your wastewater. While in the tank, the solid and liquid parts of your waste separate, and the scum rises to the top. Thanks to the septic tank’s carefully designed opening, the scum stays behind in the tank while the rest of the waste travels on to the drain field.
- Drain field: Also sometimes called a leach field, a drain field is a patch of land where your wastewater can combine with soil, grass, rocks and dirt for treatment. As a new batch of wastewater comes in, the already existing wastewater goes through more and more treatment. Sometimes a drain field can become overfilled with water, which is when your drain field will appear to be excessively wet and flooding. Sewage will also rise to the top of the drain field, and the entire septic system will become clogged and backed up. If you notice your drain field looking particularly wet, have a septic tank specialist over to look at it as soon as possible.
- Soil: Now you know that wastewater travels to the drain field for treatment, but you might be wondering what exactly that treatment is and how it works, which brings us to soil. Treatment is the process of removing harmful viruses and bacteria from the wastewater so it is safe. Soil’s healthy nutrients and bacteria allow it to absorb and remove the harmful materials in wastewater. Remember, choosing the right kind of healthy soil for your drain field is crucial.
If you have any questions or concerns about your septic parts in Bethel, OH, please don’t hesitate to give Gullett Sanitation Services Inc a call.