Caring For Your Septic System

How Septic Systems Work

Before we jump into providing pointers on how to maintain your septic system, we need to first cover the basics of how a septic system works. A septic system consists of 2 main components: the septic tank and the absorption field. When you flush your toilet, run your faucets, drain your tub, have your dishwasher drain, your washer empty, or your water softener discharge the brine, the waste water runs down your sewer lines, and empties into the septic tank. The average person uses 100 gallons of water per day. In the septic tank, the solids sink to the bottom and the liquids drain out through the laterals into the absorption field. Solids from human waste have bacteria in it that breaks down the solids in the tank. If the septic tank is kept at equilibrium where the proper amount of anaerobic bacteria constantly breaks down the solids entering, then the tank should be pretty self-sufficient. There’s also aerobic bacteria in the laterals that breaks down the liquids as it drains through the absorption field. If maintained properly, a septic system should last a very long time.

A Septic System’s Location

A septic tank must be a minimum 15′ from the foundation, a minimum 10′ from surface water, a minimum 50′ from a well, and a minimum 10′ from a property line. The absorption field must be a minimum 30′ from the foundation, a minimum 50′ from surface water, and a minimum 100′ from a well. The trench for the absorption field is typically 4′-5′ deep by 100′ long.

Your Tank’s Size

To make sure your septic tank is sized properly, the general rule of thumb is a 1,000 gallon tank matches up to a 2 bedroom or smaller home while a 1,500 gallon tank matches up to a 3 bedroom home.

What NOT To Put Down the Drain

If you live on an acreage and you have a garbage disposal, you need to use it with caution. You can’t use it like you do in a city. There’s no sewage treatment facility to magically clean up your mess. If you dump foods heavy with starch or stringy greens down your drain, they float and will clog your laterals. Things like sanitary wipes, diapers, condoms, etc. should NOT go down the drain. If you’re using chemical cleaning products and they aren’t labeled ‘septic safe’, they may have an adverse effect on the bacteria in your tank. This can cause more sludge or solids to build up faster than normal leading to your laterals becoming clogged. Something as simple as using two-ply toilet paper instead of the 1-ply ‘septic safe’ stuff can mess up your system. If the toilet paper takes too long to biodegrade, it sits on top of the water and clogs up the laterals.

Keeping Your Absorption Field Healthy

In the summer, the absorption field evaporates approximately 60% of the water off. This is why it’s crucial to never impede the field’s surface drainage. Do not pour concrete or asphalt over the absorption field. Do not plant trees or shrubs in the absorption field as their roots can clog the laterals. Do not drive your truck, car, or heavy equipment over the field as this can crush or break the laterals. You also want to limit the volume of water discharging into the tank at any given time. If you have too much water discharging into your septic system too fast, this hydraulic overload can lead to solids and sludge churning, in turn, clogging your laterals also. Space your laundry out and turn your water softener off if you have one. When the water softener is discharging the brine, it dumps a large volume of water into the septic tank which can lead to issues.

Septic Tank Pumping

You want to regularly have your septic tank pumped. Solids and sludge will build up over time. The more you misuse it, the more frequently you’ll want to have it pumped. Under normal conditions, you’ll want to have your tank pumped every 2-5 years. If you have lots of family members or ignore the above mentioned tips, you’ll want to have it pumped more often to try to avoid have your laterals become clogged. If the laterals become clogged, the only solution is to dig up your absorption field and install a new one.

Septic Inspections

In Nebraska and Iowa, you need to be state licensed to perform a septic inspection. When you hire a state licensed contractor to conduct the inspection, they should check the water level in the tank, then push 100 gallons of water into the tank and monitor the tank level. If the water level rises, then that is an indicator of a clogged or partially clogged lateral. They should judge the thickness of the sludge, inspect the sidewalls for cracks, check the condition of the inlet and outlet baffle, check the condition of the access port, and use a ‘T’-bar to probe the laterals. If the ‘T’-bar finds moisture, that’s an indicator that the absorption field is partially saturated. The ‘T’-bar is also used to determine the size of the septic tank.

Many thanks to Jim Sandvold of S&S Pumping out of Blair, Nebraska for attending our home inspector chapter meeting and sharing his knowledge. His company performs septic inspections, pumps the tanks, and installs them also in the Blair and Omaha area.

To learn more about maintaining your home properly, visit our website atOmaha-Home-Inspection.com. Also published at Caring For Your Septic System.