How do septic tanks do their job?
You already know that when you flush the toilet, pour water into your sink, or step into the tub, the water goes somewhere. But have you ever thought about where it goes and what it does? Large cities have sewage or water treatment systems that are just as big and complicated. These systems try to get as much usable water out of the waste water as possible. If you live in a smaller or rural community, like 25% of Canadians, you are more likely to have a septic system on your property than to share a sewer with your neighbors.
How does a Septic System work?
A private on-site septic system that is made to work and be clean. It basically takes all the water waste that comes out of your home's plumbing and cleans it so that the soil on your property can use the water that is left over. A septic tank, in a nutshell, separates solid waste from liquid waste. The septic tank is where the trash is kept. Solid waste comes in two forms: scum, which is a top layer of grease, and sludge, which is a bottom layer of solids. In a septic tank, the liquids that are separated from the solid waste are called effluent. A leaching system spreads the effluent all over the soil on the property. The leaching system is part of the septic system and is often buried right next to the septic tank. The leaching system makes it easier for the waste water to flow from the septic tank into the ground.
In One Sentence?
The wastewater that comes out of a home's plumbing is sent to a septic tank, which treats it until it is safe for the environment. Then, the septic tank sends the usable part, called waste effluent, back into the ground around the property.
A Brief Description of the Septic System
Here is an overview of the main parts of a septic system:
- The sewer line is the main waste line that runs from the plumbing in your home to the septic tank.
- A septic tank is an underground tank that holds and treats the water waste from your home.
- Leaching system: This is the drainage system that lets waste water soak into the ground.
Now that you know how a septic tank works on a basic level, you should know that if you want to buy a house with a septic tank, you should check the tank before you buy the house.
Old septic tanks can be dangerous.
Because buying a home is such a big investment, you should have a home inspector look at it before you sign the contract. In the same way, septic systems are very expensive, so you should make sure to inspect it or have it inspected so you know what you're getting into. If your house is older, it may have a steel or wooden septic tank. If that's the case, you'll have to think about getting a new septic tank.
Steel tanks will always rust, so they will need to be replaced. In the same way, septic tanks made of wood will eventually rot and need to be replaced. Septic tanks are made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene these days. These materials have been shown to last longer and work better. If the house you want to buy has an old septic tank made of wood or steel, you may want to use that as a bargaining chip or move on to another house to save yourself the trouble.
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