Whether you are living with a septic system or think about Septic construction in albany, it pays to learn the basics of how it works. Your knowledge will help you learn ways to extend the life of your septic system, understand what to do when something happens, and assess your options if you have to expand the system in the future.  A septic system has a typical life expectancy of 25-30 years. Keep reading to know how septic systems work:

Every septic system is composed of a tank and a drain field. The tank is where the solid matter settles to the bottom while the drain field is where the water disperses. The tank is often 1000-2000 gallons in size and is designed to trap solids and grease. Also, it offers primary sewage treatment which is without oxygen and produces a raw effluent high in bacteria and pathogens, as well as organic nitrogen and ammonia. Typically, the sewage flows by gravity to the drain field where it soaks into the soil and where the majority of the treatment occurs.

Septic tanks must have all the sludge pumped out regularly to avoid several issues that can be catastrophic for the entire system. Pumping out of the sludge of typically done every 3-5 years, but it is best to have annual professional inspections to determine when the next pumping must be and gauge the system’s overall health.

Today, the majority of tanks use multiple chambers and battles to maximize holding time in the tank. With this, solid waste has more time to separate and bacteria to digest it, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in the drain field. As incoming waste is directed downward, the disruption of the rest of the tank contents is reduced.

The drain field is composed of a perforated pipe set along the top of gravel-filled trenches. The trench’s bottom and sides offer the absorption area for the effluent to soak into the soil.

Septic systems are a lifesaver for people who live in remote, rural locations and other areas where sewer systems cannot be built. However, since they are onsite, homeowners have to take a greater degree of responsibility to treat them right. They should not park cars and trucks on the septic tank or drain field. Also, they must install driveways, decks, carports, patios, sports courts, and storage sheds because these can pack solid and may result in pipes breaking.