If you are like many people, you may have a septic system without really having a true understanding of how it works. If you need to call for septic pumping or another service, it may be helpful to know what we are checking for when we come to visit your home. This list gives a breakdown of how your septic system works.
It Starts With Your Home – It may seem obvious, but the first step in your septic system cycle is the waste you send from your home through your pipes. This could be from the bathtub, toilet, or sinks.
Septic Tank – From your home’s sewer pipes, waste travels into the septic tank where it is held and begins the process of traveling through the remainder of your system.
Waste Water – Waste water also travels into your septic tank with the waste from your home. It helps carry the waste away from your home and into the containment area.
Septic Tank Containment – Sludge from the waste from your home sinks to the bottom of your septic tank, and additional scum may also rise to the top. There is a layer of water between the two that will keep waste traveling into the next portion of the system.
Baffles – One of the filtration systems used in your septic system includes the inlet and outlet baffles. Once waste is contained in your septic tank, waste water begins carrying waste through the outlet baffle to the distribution box.
Distribution Box – Once wastewater has traveled through the outlet baffle into the distribution box, it is considered treated sewage and is ready to move to the final stage in your septic system.
Drain Field – From the distribution box, grey water then moves to the drain field, which is buried underground outside your home.
Groundwater – The drain field is made up of perforated pipes that safely allow treated grey water back into the ground.
Soil – The soil above the drain field should remain unaffected by traffic or the treated grey water that is filtering underground.
Routine Maintenance – Routine pumping of your septic tank through the access point allows your septic system to continue to operate without clogs or backups.