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Waste removal is one of the most important aspects to any home. In large metropolitan areas, the city has a system to drain the waste to a treatment plant. In rural areas, homes are too far apart so they rely on a septic system to collect and treat the waste. Homeowners need the help of one of the septic companies in Flowery Branch to lay the system out as well as keep it running for many years. Here is some more information about how private septic systems work and the maintenance they require. Tank The main part of a septic system is the holding tank. Waste is flushed from the house into the septic tank. There are three levels of materials in the holding tank: water, scum, and sludge. The tank is designed with a drain hole to let the water out into the leaching field. On top of the water is a layer of scum, oil, and grease that cannot dissolve in the water and is too light to sink to the bottom. As this layer cools, it can solidify causing clogs in the both the drain from the house and the drain to the leach field. Finally, all of the solid materials sink to the bottom to form the sludge. As the sludge builds, it can also clog the drain holes and overflow the tank. Regular maintenance on the system should include pumping out the scum and sludge. Drainfield The other half of the septic system is the leach or drain field. All of the liquid exits the holding tank into a series of perforated pipes laid out in an open field. Whereas regular maintenance can keep the tank working right, the success of the drainfield happens during planning and installation. The drain field relies on gravity for the water to travel through the pipes. If the angle is too steep, all the water rushes to the ends and the ground becomes too saturated. If the angle is zero or slopes back into the tank, nothing will come out and it will overflow the tank. The soil composition is also key and needs to be addressed during planning. As the water seeps out of the pipes it needs to be able to flow quickly through the soil. A septic company will perform percolation tests in different areas of the property to determine the best soil for the drains. Then they will lay the drain pipes in a channel of gravel to aid in the quick disbursement of the water. Other Planning and Installation Considerations There are several connecting areas that should receive the same consideration when planning a septic system. The drain line from the house needs to be at the proper angle to allow the wastewater to flow to the tank. The tank should also have an access hatch to monitor the scum and sludge levels as well as aid emptying. There also monitoring points in the drain field to ensure the pipes do not clog up and can continue to drain the water to the ground. Avoiding Septic Failure Failure not only comes from lack of maintenance. It can also come from improper installation. Homeowners should partner with one of the quality septic companies in Flowery Branch to make sure their system is installed the right way to avoid unpleasant and expensive failures.
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