Recognize the Signs of Septic Tank Damage

When your property is situated to where you cannot connect to and rely on a city sewer connection to dispose of your home's sewage and wastewater, the only other option is an on-site septic system. Because a septic system is your own personal sewage treatment system, it is important that it is installed in the right way and continually works properly so you don't end up with a smelly and toxic mess in your home or outside on your property. Here are some recommendations to help you ensure your septic system is installed properly on your property for full sewage waste disposal.

Ensure Proper Sewage Flow

When the sewage exits your home from toilets, sinks, or showers, it naturally will flow downward through the waste pipes to exit your home. At this point, the waste will need a downward sloping pipe leading to your septic tank to keep it going in the right direction and to not settle within the pipe. For this reason, your septic tank needs to be installed well enough below the height of your home's waste pipes so that it will follow this slope and with the help of gravity it will collect into the tank. 

Your home's waste pipe will need a slope of at least one-fourth of an inch slope for each foot of length leading from your home to the septic tank. This, for example, would make an inch of slope for every four feet. If your home and property soil levels are set up in a situation that would not allow you to create this slope and install the tank at the right depth, you will need to install a pump on your septic system. This may occur if, for example, your property contains a large amount of bedrock a few feet below the soil surface and it is difficult to excavate to the right depth.

Check Into Soil Percolation

The drainage lines in your effluent drain field site for your septic system also needs to be installed within soil that contains the right mixture. For the drain field lines to drain the water waste into the soil where it will percolate into the surrounding areas, your soil needs to contain a good drainage mixture of sand, gravel, and soil. If it contains too much clay or loam, it will prevent the water waste from seeping down into the soil and you will end up with a lot of standing water in the area, creating a swampy, stinky and hazardous mess. 

Make sure you complete a soil percolation test on the soil site you intend to install your drain field within. Your septic professional can arrange for this test through a testing service so you can make the right decision on your septic system's installation site.