Maintaining a septic system is a critical responsibility of homeowners whose properties aren’t connected to municipal lines. Without it, the waste generated in a home can’t be safely processed. To keep your system operating efficiently, you should understand its components. Here’s what you should know.

A Guide to Septic System Operation

1. Water Fixtures

Septic processing begins inside the home with its water fixtures. Anything that goes down the drains in your sinks, bathtubs, showers, and toilets has to work its way through the system to your septic tank.

2. Primary Drain Line

All interior plumbing connects to the primary drain line, which carries waste and water from your home to your tank. Trap food, grease, hair, soapy scum, and cotton before they get washed into your plumbing. Otherwise, they’ll eventually clog the primary drain line. When waste doesn’t flow efficiently into your tank, call a reputable contractor to have your drains cleaned.

3. Septic Tank

When sewage enters the septic tank, bacteria and enzymes break down solid waste. Over time, a layer of sludge builds up. Septic tank pumping removes sludge, allowing more waste in and preventing it from backing up into your drains.

4. Distribution Box

After waste is treated, the distribution box guides water into the drain field. A box has several pipes to facilitate even distribution of effluent across the field. Sometimes these pipes may clog, or the drain field may become oversaturated. If a tank is unable to release water into the drain field, call a septic service to unclog the pipes.

5. Drain Field

Once the distribution box guides effluent out of the tank, it works its way into the soil surrounding the tank. Over time, water cycles back into subsurface aquifers or evaporates into the atmosphere. Ground covered with rainwater, can’t accept effluent. As a consequence, it’ll remain in the tank until the soil is less densely saturated.

 

Understanding how a septic system works will help you maintain it. When problems occur, contact the experts at King’s Sanitary Service in Bristolville, OH. This locally owned and operated company’s team of licensed and insured technicians will inspect your sewage system, diagnose issues, and make repairs to keep your system operating efficiently. Call (330) 889-0034 to request a quote, or learn more about their services online.