Septic Tanks 101

A septic system is a type of on-site sewage facility that treats your home’s wastewater directly on your property. These types of sewage facilities are common in areas where city sewer mains are not accessible. Approximately 25% of American homes use septic systems to manage wastewater safely. If your home uses a septic system, keep reading to learn more about how this sewage treatment solution works and how you can maintain it to prevent damage to your property and high repair bills.

How Septic Tanks Work

If your home uses a septic system, a septic tank is buried beneath the soil in your yard. Rather than using a sewer drain to transport wastewater from your home to a sewer main, your home’s wastewater is drained into your septic tank. Inside the tank, solid wastes in the water separate into a layer of scum, which floats on the top. Bacteria and other organisms inside the tank process these solids to create energy. The cleaned water is drained via pipes into another section of your yard, called the drainfield. The pipes running through the drainfield are perforated at regular intervals, allowing water to seep evenly into the ground. Organisms in the soil of your yard remove any remaining wastes and allow the treated water to return to the environment.

How to Protect Your Septic Tank

Although your septic tank is largely autonomous, it does need regular care and maintenance or it will fail. Professional inspections every one to three years are necessary to detect problems that could cause backups in your home or flooding in your drainfield. If you notice issues such as plumbing backups, a soggy lawn, or a strong odor coming from your septic tank, you should have it checked by a professional as soon as possible. Your septic tank must be pumped at regular intervals to clear it of all solid waste. This will prevent clogs and other issues from affecting the tank’s performance as well. Factors such as water usage, the size of your tank, and the type of wastes in your water will determine the frequency with which your tank must be pumped. Avoid using septic additives, even those that purport to improve the performance of your tank. There is no research to support the claims made by these products and in most cases, they are unnecessary. Additionally, avoid using chemical drain cleaners—these solutions can kill the bacteria in your tank, affecting its ability to clean your wastewater. Never drive or park vehicles or heavy machinery over your drainfield, as their weight can compact the soil or damage the pipes, affecting drainage. While taking care of your septic tank does require a small investment of time and money on your part, these simple steps will prevent damage that could cost thousands of dollars to repair and the need for an entirely new septic system.

Talk to your Santa Rosa plumber about scheduling regular inspections and maintenance for your septic tank. Check out the articles on our blog to learn more about septic and sewer systems and their importance for your home. If you have plumbing questions or need to speak with a plumber, visit our website to contact a plumbing professional in Sonoma County.