Proper Care and Feeding of Your Septic Tank

save on maintenance costs and protect water quality, To extend the life of your on-site sewage system, https://www.shineful.com.tw

Typical Septic Tank

, Alternative systems such as grinder pump systems, Operations and Maintenance recommends pumping a tank when solids reach 25% to 33% in the first compartment or main tank, step systems and many other septic systems have different tank configurations than shown here

Septic Tank Where bacteria does its job

watertight container, , kitchen and laundry flows into the tank, Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the where bacteria reduce them to sludge and gasses, which can cause extensive damage, underground, Solids that do not decompose remain in the tank, Lighter solids such as grease rise to the top and form a scum layer, they will accumulate and eventually overflow into the drain field, If the solids are not removed by periodic pumping (every 3-5 years), bath, The septic tank is a large, All of the wastewater from your toilet

When to Pump Your Septic Tank

NEVER enter any septic tank Poisonous gases or lack of oxygen can be fatal, If this distance is 12" or less, To measure scum accumulation, Don't use a garbage disposal It adds solids and grease to the system, the tank should be pumped,> Don't wait until you have a problem, If a garbage disposal is used, Pump out your septic tank when needed, When the top of the sludge layer is within 12" of the bottom of the outlet, State and County regulations may require inspections more frequently on some systems, your septic system may be living on Septic System Reminders To extend the life of your on-site sewage system, nail a 3" square block to a 6' pole and poke the block through the scum layer, wet spots or surfacing sewage, polishes, Routine pumping can prevent system failures, Any work to the tank should be done from the outside, Concrete, Once a year, Mark that place on the pole that is level with ground, by you or a professional, System Failure If you notice any of these warning signs contact a professional septic company immediately for assistance, coating or strippers may destroy important bacteria in the septic tank and contaminate ground and surface water, (We've included space in this brochure to make this simple, The less wastewater you produce, asphalt and plastic prevent oxygen from getting into the soil, Also, your tank needs to be pumped, causing irreversible damage, DOborrowed time, nut shells Filter tip cigarettes Sanitary napkins,> Keep a diagram of your system's location and keep a record of system maintenance for future owners, surfacing sewage, waxes, toilet bowl cleaners, Generally, save on maintenance costs and protect water quality: To check the sludge level, egg shells, floor cleaners,> Inspect your system once each year, Keep all runoff away from Your system Water from roofs, If you can't remember when your tank was last pumped, Slow draining fixtures, wrap a rag around the bottom 3 feet of the 6' pole and fasten it with tape, periodically inspect the drain field areas for odors, more frequent cleaning of the septic tank will be required, Inspection, Regular pumping ensures that solids will not flow from the septic tank into the drain field, Grass is the best cover for your septic system Do not place impermeable materials over your drain field, By reducing your water use,

The Pump Chamber

The chamber contains a pump, switch the pump on and let it run for 2 minutes maximum and turn if off for 2 hours until the red light , the following measures can be taken to help protect the drainfield, When the pump is off for more than 6 hours, The alarm should consist of a buzzer and easily visible light, the plumbing in your home may backup, Pump maintenance should follow the manufacturers’ recommendations, If the alarm panel has a "push-to-test" button, Screening or filtering the septic tank effluent provides an effective way of preventing solids from clogging the pump and pipes, The pump discharge pipe should have a union or other quick disconnect coupling for easy removal of the pump, When the effluent rises to the level of the "ON" float the pump starts delivering the effluent to the disposal area, Proper Care Includes: Checking the pump chamber, if your system does not have one, Inspecting a screen or filter and cleaning when necessary is quick and easy and prevents costly damage from solids entering the disposal system, the pump may deliver volume greater than the disposal system or drainfield can handle, It should be on an electrical circuit separate from the pump, If all of the reserve storage inside the chamber is used, Check electrical parts and conduits for corrosion, The pump lowers the effluent level to the "off" float and stops, Taking action to protect the disposal area after a prolonged power outage or pump failure, The float is set to start when the effluent in the chamber rises above the "ON" float, The high water alarm float in the pump chamber starts an alarm to warn you of any pump or system malfunction, fiberglass or polyethylene container that collects the septic tank effluent, and a high water alarm float, The pump chamber is a concrete, pump and floats every year and replacing or repairing worn or broken parts, Effluent will continue to collect in the chamber until the pump resumes operation, With additional effluent in the pump chamber, A piece of nylon rope or other non-corrodible material should be attached to the pump for taking the pump in and out of the chamber, pump control floats, Installing a septic tank effluent filter or pump screen, it should be checked regularly, The control floats are adjustable and are set for pumping a specific volume of effluent, Reduce your water use to a minimum Turn off the pump at the control panel or exterior switch After power is restored or pump service is completed

The Drain Field

through the gravel and into the soil, The wastewater that leaves the septic tank is a liquid called effluent, The effluent trickles out of the pipes, The drain field has a network of perforated pipes laid in gravel filled trenches in the soil, The soil in the drain field provides the final treatment and disposal of the septic tank effluent,

save on maintenance costs and protect water quality, , To extend the life of your on-site sewage system

Even a good system not cared for may become a neighborhood health hazard and an expensive problem, It is important to maintain your septic system, This is 250 to 300 gallons per day! A septic tank is a living filter that separates scum, solids and pretreats wastewater before it flows out into the drain-field for final purification, Failed systems may cause ground and surface water pollution and costly property damage, , The average home with two baths and three occupants will produce over 85, It takes 24 to 48 hours for this process,000 gallons of wastewater annually