In most states, septic tank professionals must complete specific training courses and pass a certification exam to be able to design or install septic systems. These certifications ensure that the system is designed and installed to meet state regulations and protect environmental resources.
Regulations often stipulate minimum separation distances from septic tanks to residences, wells, and property lines. Check Septic Tank Services Near Me and your local health or environmental department for specific requirements in your area.
The septic tank is the first step in an onsite wastewater treatment system. The tank collects and stores sewage from the home, separating solid waste from the liquid effluent. Solids that sink to the bottom of the tank become sludge, while scum rises to the surface of the wastewater and floats on top of the liquid waste. The liquid effluent exits the septic tank through a perforated pipe that connects to an absorption field, or leach field.
The septic tank must have adequate capacity to handle the expected load of wastewater from the house, including laundry and garbage disposal waste. The design should take into account the number of bedrooms in the household and any expansion attics. The flow rate and volume of solids in the wastewater will also factor into the septic tank’s capacity.
A septic tank should be constructed from durable materials that are resistant to corrosion, decay, and frost damage. The tank should also be water-tight, and all joints below the liquid level must be sealed and tested.
When a new septic tank is installed, the outlet connections of the tank and each compartment thereof must be provided with either a tee not less than four inches in diameter or a durable baffle. The baffle or tee must be permanently fastened in place and extend below the liquid level by 25 to 40 percent of the total liquid depth.
The septic system must be installed on a site that is free of water and gravel runoff and soil conditions that could cause erosion and movement of the tank or its components. It is recommended that a site evaluation be performed before construction.
It is also important to map out the septic tank and the drain field or mark the location with permanent stakes. This will help homeowners identify and avoid the septic system when working on landscaping, paving, or any other work that may disturb the tank and drain field. It will also help prevent the accidental or intentional damage of septic system components.
Once the septic tank is installed, it is important to backfill the area around the tank and drain the field with soil that will not settle over time. The backfill should be free of clods, large rocks, and frozen matter, and must be amended with crushed rock or pea gravel no smaller than 1/2-inch in size if native material is not suitable.
Maintenance
A septic system requires regular maintenance and responsible operation to preserve its integrity and protect the environment. The state takes this seriously and has strict regulations regarding the design, installation, and management of septic systems to minimize environmental impacts and public health concerns.
All septic tanks have an opening that waste flows through, known as the outlet. A septic tank’s lid is usually secured by a grate to prevent animals or children from entering the septic system and may be locked to discourage tampering. The tank walls must be constructed of strong materials to resist the flow of septic liquid effluent. A septic tank should be pumped regularly to remove solid waste accumulations that are not biodegradable. This is especially important since septic tanks cannot remove all of the wastewater solids that enter the tank, regardless of how well the system operates.
Typically, the septic tank has a PVC “T”-shaped fitting with a short section of horizontal piping leading into a slightly longer vertical section. The bottom of the vertical section must extend several inches below the scum layer. The liquid waste in the septic tank is forced through this outlet to a distribution box or an absorption field for continued treatment.
The distribution box contains perforated pipes that distribute the liquid waste from the septic tank evenly throughout a drain field or seepage pits. The distribution box and the absorption field or seepage pits must be properly sized and constructed to ensure that the system functions correctly and does not pose a risk of environmental pollution.
Besides proper system construction, the maintenance of a septic system includes regular inspection by a professional inspector. These inspections are necessary to check for the proper functioning of the septic system and to detect any potential problems, such as clogging or leaks. Inspectors should look for signs of sludge buildup in the septic tank and ensure that the absorption fields or seepage pits are adequately sized and located to avoid contamination of groundwater or nearby surface water bodies.
Inspection
If you own a home with a septic system, it’s important to stay on top of inspections and certification. This not only ensures that the septic tank, drainfield, and leach field are safe, but also helps keep your home’s value up.
Generally, inspectors will check three elements of the septic system: the septic tank, the distribution box, and the leach field. They’ll look at the septic tank to make sure there are no cracks, leaks, or structural problems and that it isn’t too full or too empty. They’ll also look at the leach field to see if it is well-spaced and properly sized, and that there are no clogs or leaks.
A septic tank must be inspected every two to three years. When your septic tank needs to be pumped, it’s a good idea to use a licensed septage waste transporter (septic pumper). They can inspect the septic tank and determine how much material is in it. They can also help you keep a record of all the pumping and inspections and any maintenance and repairs that are required.
In addition to looking at the septic tank and its components, an inspector will check for other problems such as a soggy yard that’s wet all the time, lush vegetation, or standing water in the drainfield area, as these may indicate a septic system problem. They’ll also look at the D-box, or distribution box, for problems such as damaged outlets that restrict flow, or a tilting or tipping that causes uneven distribution of wastewater.
In the state, septic system professionals are required to pass written, oral, and practical examinations before they can be certified by the State Sanitary Code. This certification demonstrates that they have a thorough knowledge of how to design and install on-site septic systems that meet environmental protection standards, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. Homeowners should verify their septic system designers and installers are certified, and ask for recommendations and reviews before hiring them. They should also check with their local health departments to learn if there are any additional regulations governing the installation, inspection, and maintenance of on-site septic systems in their area.
Certification
Septic tank professionals must pass a rigorous exam to become licensed to install or repair septic systems. The exam covers minimum site conditions, construction criteria, appropriate connections and venting, wastewater disposal, and safety considerations. Licensed septic system professionals can help customers choose the right septic tank for their property and help them maintain their septic system to ensure proper operation and prevent potential problems.
Septic tanks are essentially settling chambers that allow time for scum and sludge to separate from wastewater, so clear liquid can flow into the drainfield or pump tank. A septic tank is typically required to have a capacity of at least 1,000 gallons for a single-family dwelling. For multiple-family homes, the tank size increases by 125 gallons for every additional bedroom.
The tank must be constructed of sound and durable materials that are resistant to corrosion, decay, or frost damage. It must also be watertight and free of cracking, leaking, or buckling due to settlement or backfilling. An inspection port that extends to the finished grade must be provided for each tank inlet and outlet, except for outlets where a baffle, septic solids retainer, or effluent filter is used. These must be directly below the manhole, and the manhole cover shall be a secure, bolted, or locked lid.
A septic tank should be located on a level, well-draining site with a suitable soil type. The septic tank should be at least six feet away from any structure and within three feet of the property line. The tank should be surrounded by a backfill that is free of large stones, roots, and other foreign objects and thoroughly tamped.
The absorption field is a series of trenches or distribution pipes that are filled with washed gravel, stone, or a graveled product where the wastewater is biologically treated by the soil. It is important to properly size and install the absorption field, as the wrong material can lead to costly repairs and system failure.
Homeowners can reduce the load on their septic system by using water efficiently, fixing leaky fixtures, and being cautious about what goes down the drains. They can also help the system work better by getting regular septic tank pumping and by having their septic system inspected by a professional, who can catch any problems early on.