Learn About 6 Different Types Of Septic Systems And Their Uses

There are many types of septic systems, and they all have different features that make them better or worse for certain circumstances. Some people may not even know what a septic system is in the first place. When you flush your toilet, it doesn't just disappear down the drainpipe to be magically whisked away by some underground force; that's where your septic tank comes into play! There are two main components to a typical home septic system: a storage tank (the septic tank) and an absorption bed (also called an "absorption field"). In this article we'll discuss how these parts work together and explore the various types of tanks available on the market today. So let’s get started!

Piping System

The piping system is more costly than a septic tank, but it delivers efficient results. The main advantage of this system is that the waste water remains in contact with the soil longer period of time compared to a septic tank. This means that there are more chances for contamination to occur through leeching and such.

Since the waste water remains in contact with the soil, it allows the soil to absorb and filter out contaminants from the waste water.

The piping system consists of a number of pipes buried underground that connect the septic tank to a series of different absorption filters. Depending on the size of your home or business, there may be additional piping and filters used for certain areas. In some cases there will also be a filtration system that cleans the water as it is pumped back into the ground.

The main advantage of this type of system over a septic tank is that it takes additional measures to ensure contamination doesn't occur as easily. This is done by using more absorption filters connected together. The more filters there are, the more time it takes for the water to be treated. It's important to maintain the piping system properly because if you don't, there is a chance that bad smells will occur within your home or business.

Conventional System

This system consists of a septic tank underneath the ground that is connected by pipe work to a drain field. A conventional sewage treatment system does not use an air vent in the way that other systems do. Instead, there is a grating on top of the opening which allows for excess water and solid waste to enter into the tank from above via gravity.

Because this system uses a septic tank for treatment, it is not as effective in removing contaminants from the water before release into the soil. A conventional wastewater system is more likely to leach into groundwater sources than the absorption fields and filtration of an aerobic system.

The only advantage to this system is that it costs less than an aerobic septic system.

Conventional systems are best used for rural residential areas where there are no contaminants from other neighboring homes or businesses and the groundwater supply is isolated from nearby water sources.

The installation process of these conventional systems is fairly straightforward in comparison to other types of wastewater treatment methods.

Septic Tank Systems Components

A conventional septic tank is usually made of concrete and sits below ground level. It is lined with a synthetic material such as fiberglass or carbon that helps filter contaminants from water during the wastewater treatment process. The most common sizes for these tanks are 3,000 gallons and 5,000 gallons.

A typical septic tank includes a grate or cover that allows gases to escape the wastewater so it doesn't become overly concentrated in dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane. Septic tanks used on chamber systems do not have this vent system because it is not necessary for decomposition purposes.

An inlet pipe allows wastewater to enter the septic tank, while an outlet pipe carries it away after treatment.

Septic tanks are generally buried below ground level and surrounded by a dike or mound of dirt. This prevents any wastewater from leaking into groundwater sources and nearby bodies of water such as streams, lakes, rivers or oceans. The mound of dirt also keeps the tank in place and maintains a certain amount of privacy.

If you have multiple levels on your property, try to put the septic tank on the lowest level.

Drip Distribution System

Your wastewater moves from the septic tank into a drip distribution system, which consists of an underground pipe network that distributes wastewater throughout your property. The amount of pipe and wire covered by the ground will vary based on your home's or business' needs. This tubing is often made of synthetic material such as fiberglass to help prevent corrosion over time.

It is important to keep the drip distribution system well maintained and free of roots, dirt or other obstructions so that your wastewater can be dispersed as evenly as possible among plants and grasses. This will help concentrate any harmful microbial activity on a smaller area, allowing the soil to break it down more effectively.

It is important not to cover the underground drip distribution system with topsoil or other types of mulch, because this can interfere with its function and actually increase your chance of wastewater contamination. It also prevents oxygen from reaching the waste material for proper treatment which increases the risk of foul odors escaping into the air.

If you do need to cover any portion of the drip distribution system with mulch, apply it only to the top layer because this will be easy to replace in case you ever need to access the piping for maintenance purposes.

Aerobic Treatment System

The wastewater from the septic tank is eventually carried to an aerobic treatment system, which spreads your waste out over a large area that can be used by vegetation. The amount of surface area needed depends on the size of your property and its vegetation needs.

You can use anything from shallow trenches dug in the ground to multiple rows of planks placed vertically side by side. You will need to make sure the trenches or planks are covered with a synthetic material that is resistant to microbial activity, such as grating or paving material, wood chips or straw.

Aerobic treatment systems are also referred to as seepage fields , trickling filters and vegetative treatment systems. They can be located nearly anywhere on your property. For example, if you are building a new home, you can incorporate this type of wastewater treatment system into its design.

If your site is already developed and the only option for an aerobic treatment system is to dig trenches in the ground, try to make sure they all run downhill so that gravity will help move wastewater away from your property.

Aerobic treatment systems are permanent fixtures, although they do need to be inspected and maintained regularly. They cannot be moved once the wastewater has been introduced because any obstruction in the pipes or trenches will prevent it from working properly.

Chamber System

The chamber system is the most basic form of wastewater treatment, and also the least expensive. This type of disposal system uses a septic tank to break down wastes just like an aerobic one, however it does not use an air vent for ventilation purposes.

Septic tanks in this kind of system are typically smaller than those used on other systems (typically from 200 gallons to 500 gallons) and have a lower production capacity.

There is no wastewater treatment beyond the septic tank, so it's up to the user to use organic materials that break down more quickly instead of those that take longer periods of time. This will help reduce odor production in your home or business. To avoid having to empty the septic tank on a regular basis, try to use natural materials that break down quickly.

If you have a chamber system and are using an air vent, it's important to keep it open so that your wastewater can receive the oxygen it needs for treatment. Without adequate airflow, decomposition will not take place properly allowing for gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane to be released into your living space.

The chamber system's primary advantages are that it is less expensive than the other types of treatment systems, and requires a smaller space for installation purposes.

Another advantage is that if you ever decide to sell your home or business property, this type of system will be much easier to replace than others.

A primary disadvantage of the chamber system is that it has limited capacity and can be used for only one household at a time. Each septic tank will need to be pumped out on an annual basis to avoid having to empty the chamber itself. If you have more than one family living in your home or business, you may want to consider buying a larger tank so that you can have a longer period between pumping.

Because the chamber system uses no chemicals and relies strictly on gravity to move waste from one tank to another, it is important to make sure that your septic system piping runs at the highest point of your property where it can drain downhill toward any groundwater sources. Do not install the chamber system in an area where it will be difficult to access.

FAQS

What is the working principle behind a septic system?

A septic system is based on anaerobic bacteria which thrive in oxygen free environment. The septic tank, all along with pipes and soil layer form an anaerobic zone where such bacteria can grow well without getting harmed by oxygen. Further, solids settle down at one end and scum rises up at the other end of the tank. This two layers of waste are collected periodically for disposal in a safe manner.

What happens if my septic system is overloaded?

Overloading can occur if too much waste gets accumulated within the tank or if there is too big flow coming into this tank all of a sudden. The former may happen due to repeated use of water which is comparatively more or if there are too many people residing within the same vicinity.

However, it can be solved easily by disposing off the waste regularly. The latter one is a serious issue and should be reported to the local agency before things get out of control.

How long does the septic tank last?

The longevity of the septic tank depends on its capacity and usage. Normally, a small toilet can be served by 50 to 100 gallons tank easily for about 20 years or more if it is used only during emergencies. However, it is better to change the septic at regular intervals (once in every 10 years) so that there are no hassles in future.

What treatment should be given to septic tank?

What you need to do is flushing the tank at least once a year and ensure that it does not get choked with solid wastes on a regular basis. Meanwhile, ensure that it is regularly serviced by a professional cleaning agency which will check and take care of any problem that can arise anytime.

How do I know about the condition of my septic tank?

For any issue, it is better to get the tank checked by a professional for early detection in order to save your time and money on repairs as well as disposing off wastes. It will simply help if you contact a reliable agent or agency who can visit your home at regular intervals to inspect the condition of this tank.

Can it keep working forever?

The longevity of a septic tank depends on various factors such as type, capacity and the amount of wastes generated through the household. Though it can last for many years but people usually think about replacing it after one decade or so.

What happens if my septic tank leaks?

If your tanks are leaking then you should first find out the source of it.

It is always a good idea to check the tank using a professional and if it has been ascertained that there is something wrong with the pipes or tank then you can contact an experienced septic repair company who can fix the problem within few hours.

What about the disadvantages?

There are many disadvantages of a septic tank. One of the main problems is that you cannot simply buy one and install it at your home without any license or permission to do so. Normally, this could pose as an issue especially if there is no particular approach on how to build this system in your house. However, you can always

Which type should I choose?

There are few types of septic tanks which you can consider for your house.

One of the easiest ones is a pre-engineered tank which comes with all the components needed to install it. All you need to do is place the concrete base and then assemble the tank on top as per instructions given in this manual. This will ensure that it cannot get damaged or leak anytime soon.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many different types of septic systems. Hopefully this article has made it easier for you to understand them and the differences between each one. Thanks for visiting my site!

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