In modern
homes, drains have a way of remaining innocuous. Unless the toilet's overflowing or the bath spigot is
filling the tub with blood, plumbers and exorcistsaren't usually in our minds. About one-third of Americans have a
septic system treating the waste in their homes. By design, these systems are
fairly simple. All drains in the home converge to a single pipe that leads to
the septic tank buried outside. When the waste water from your toilet,
shower, sinks and washing machine leave your house, it's combined.
When it hits the septic tank, however, it begins to separate. The heaviest
particulate matter in the waste, called sludge, sinks to
the bottom. At the top of the tank, fats, oils and proteins form the floating scum layer. In the middle is the
comparatively clear liquid layer called effluent or gray water.
Combined, these components are called septage.
Septic systems are designed so that only the effluent is discharged from
the tank into the drain field also
called the leach field. This
is simply a set of pipes with holes drilled into them that release the effluent
below ground (but above the water table). The effluent is degraded enough to be
well-filtered by good soil. There's plenty of organic material left in the
effluent, though, which acts as a fertilizer. This is why the drain field usually
boasts the healthiest segment of the yard above it.
Simple as their design may be, septic systems require the homeowner to
monitor them before problems arise. Usually, once a problem becomes obvious,
it's too late for any simple solution. Fixing big septic problems often
requires thousands of dollars worth of parts and labor. Fortunately, a little
maintenance can go a long way in avoiding problems.
Even with a healthy microbial ecosystem breaking down
the septage, a well-functioning septic system and
well drain field, the sludge and scum layers in your tank will build up over time. The sludge and scum should be
pumped out periodically -- generally when the bottom of the floating scum layer
is within 6 inches of the outlet pipe or the top of the sunken sludge layer is
within 12 inches of it This is
why it's recommended that people with a septic tank have their system checked
every year. Having your system inspected includes getting your sludge and scum
levels measured, checking the system's pipes and mechanisms and inspecting the
drain field to make sure it's percolating the effluent properly. The Septic tank pumping NYC usually requires every one to three years. Without
regular Septic tank pumping NYC, the system can overflow. Sometimes overflow
can lead back to the house, where toilets and drains belch forth what's supposed to be in the
septic tank. Overflow can also lead to a sudden deluge of unprocessed waste
flooding the drain field. When this happens, water can seep
above ground, which leads to a flooded yard and run-off into nearby water
bodies like creeks and rivers. Below ground, this flood can cause further
damage, tainting groundwater. Together, these intrusions of waste can
contaminate the water people use and drink. Septic tank pumping NYC is really necessary.
