People living in larger cities do not have septic tanks and do not know what they are yet if they ever moved to the country they will find out all about septic tanks. Most people use some form of a drainage system in their home without thinking about where the water or wastes go.

The septic tank is the system used to dispose of the wastes of water, showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and toilets from the home. The septic tank is generally buried in the back yard of the home with either a drywell (second tank for the water and liquid) or a field system (little fingers for the water to be distributed in the yard under the top soil). The tanks are not visible from the ground surface unless there is a riser for the lid. The riser is a metal or concrete lid for the tank.

The tanks last for a long time with proper treatment and maintenance from the homeowner. The ways the take is managed adds to the live of the tank as well as the performance levels. It is recommended the tank be pumped or emptied every two years for proper functioning.

To fully understand the importance of the septic tank for the home several facts about how it operates need to be stated. The liquids of the home are transferred to the tank through plumbing pipes in the lower unit of the home to through the walls of the foundation or basement into the septic tank. Once the liquids have been placed in the tank, the heavier partials, or substances of the drainage sinks to the bottom of the tank. The water is released to the field system or drywell. Once in the field system, the liquid is absorbed into the surrounding ground.

The substances that sink to the bottom of the tank break down due to bacteria within the septic tank, creating a substance called sludge. The sludge continues to form and deteriorate over the years yet will be required to be removed to keep the system at peak performance about every two years.

To keep the septic tank functioning properly it is very important to realize the substances that are deposited into the sinks and other drainage areas of the home. Certain substances will harm the septic tank and system so they should be avoided from being deposited into the drainage areas of the home.

Avoid placing eggshells, coffee grounds, grease, and food into the drainage areas. The food will break down in the system yet it takes longer and disrupts the natural cycle of the bacteria. The grease, coffee grounds, and eggshells are not considered biodegradable within the septic tank. They all will eventually plug the workings of the septic tank resulting in the system to be replaced, which is quite costly.

Use the system wisely and it will last for years. May homeowners living in homes over fifty years have the same system since they have used the proper techniques for all of their drainage of the home.

Jonathan Pitts

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