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Without your septic system, your home would stink—literally. Septic systems are responsible for draining and treating the wastewater that flows through your house. Sinks, tubs, toilets, and showers all flow through this important system. When working correctly, your drains flow as they should. If the septic system is not maintained as it should be, your drains could back up into your home or cause your yard to flood. How does your septic system in Winder work? - First, all of the water from your drains meets up in one main pipe. Your shower, toilets, sinks, and any other drain pipes come together into one main pipe that then flows into your septic tank.
- Your septic tank is buried underground and is normally made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It’s deep underground to ensure that you can’t smell it, unless there is a problem. Within the tank, your waste is separated into 3 different layers. The bottom layer is known as the sludge layer. This is where the heavier materials and solids end up. Human waste and other sludge all sink to the bottom once they hit the tank. These solids are slowly broken down by good bacteria already existing within your tank. The middle layer is where the water and liquid remain. Once separated from the heavier materials, the water rests on top of it. Finally, the top layer, known as the scum layer, is where oil, grease, and other lightweight scum rise once they enter your septic tank.
- Once separated, the liquid layer is pushed through to the other side of system by incoming waste. It then exits the septic tank through another pipe.
- After exiting the septic tank, the filtered water then settles into the drainfield. The drainfield is a covered area that usually consists of soil, gravel, or small stones. It’s usually covered by grass or dirt. By pumping the wastewater layer into this area, it filters through the soil and eventually disperses into groundwater.
- After the water percolates through the soil, it is cleaned of harmful bacteria.
While it may seem like a fairly maintenance-free system, your septic tank does require care. Over time, your septic tank becomes filled. If it’s overly full, it can’t filter the waste and pump it through to the drainfield as it should. When this happens, you could end up with sewage backup in your home. You may also end up with a flooded drainfield. It’s important to have your septic tank pumped as frequently as recommended for your septic system in Winder. Don’t ever put harmful chemicals down your drain as these can kill the good bacteria that help to break down the solids. Also, avoid putting food items, diapers, coffee grounds, and kitty litter down the drain as these are difficult to break down. By understanding how your septic system works and how you can maintain it, you ensure that it remains in working order for you and your family.
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