Septic Tank Systems Information For Buford, GA
You can find an abundance of septic tank systems information online, but much of what you’ll find is either outdated or inaccurate – particularly for our area. Every septic system is different, so the best way to find out the relevant septic tank system information for your particular model and all of its fixtures is to call Ms. Rooter, so our qualified septic technicians can perform an inspection of all aspects of your system. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with and will be aware of any repairs or maintenance that need to be done.
Even if you’ve already called us and scheduled an appointment, you may want to learn more about your system before the technician arrives. To help you, we’ve provided some general data below, to help you better understand what your unit does and how all of the parts work together.
Septic Tank Systems Information: Tanks
The heart of every system in the tank. Every drain in the building empties into a mainline, which connects to the tank. The tank is outdoors and is usually buried, so some homeowners aren’t even aware they have one until they experience an issue from failing to maintain it. You may be able to see the absorption field, which we will talk about next.
The tank is responsible for the initial processing of all the building’s wastewater. Most of today’s models are either fiberglass or concrete and have two chambers, but there are other materials used and some have only a single chamber for processing. There are some other materials as well, particularly for older tanks. These models can be made out of concrete, steel, or some combination of materials. In really old models, repairs can be made in one material, but the tank itself is another material!
The wastewater enters the tank through an “inlet” where something called a “baffle” helps encourage it to divide into three layers: scum, effluent, and sludge. Scum floats on the top and is made up of buoyant materials, such as oil and grease, and sludge contains dense materials, like detergent and waste. Effluent is suspended in the center, and is mostly free of debris, and is just a clear liquid made of water and other materials.
Septic Tank Systems Information: Absorption Fields
As the levels rise in the tank, the effluent exits through an “outlet” into a sort of absorption field. It’s here that the liquid is returned to the earth, where the soil’s natural bacteria finishes cleaning it. Most units use a leach field or drain field to accomplish this. A leach field consists of a series of underground perforated pipes that slowly and evenly distribute the effluent into the soil. Most leach fields have rocks or gravel around the lines to allow the effluent easier passage out. Soil and grass usually cover the leach field, so it’s undetectable to an untrained eye.
A good drain field isn’t even identifiable to the naked eye. Sometimes there is grass over it that will be thicker and greener, and other times it just looks like a rock pit. Even so, you absolutely should not see liquids coming through the ground. If you do, it is time to call a Buford septic tank professional – and stay away from the water.
Septic Tank Systems Information: Care and Maintenance
Over time, the scum and sludge in the tank build up and need to be pumped out. Homes should have this done every 3-5 years, though if garbage disposal, spa, or another big contributor is hooked up, annual pumping may need to be done. At this time, all the components should also be inspected, to ensure everything is in good repair and functioning properly.
Contact Ms. Rooter for Detailed Septic Tank Systems Information from Our Reliable Team
Our septic experts handle everything related to your unit. Whether you’d just like an inspection to learn more about your components, are ready for your regular maintenance, or are experiencing an issue, they can help. Call (770) 763-7979 to schedule an appointment today.