How a Septic Tank Works | Long Island Cesspool & Septic Services | www.NYSeptic.com

How a Septic Tank Works

The septic tank is defined as “A tank in which waste matter is decomposed through bacterial action.” Today’s septic tank is a watertight box usually made of precast concrete, concrete blocks, or reinforced fiberglass.

A septic tank is a small, on-site treatment and disposal system buried in the ground. the septic system has two main parts, one - the septic tank and two - the soil absorption area. When waste water from your home enters the septic tank this is what happens:

1. Organic solid waste floats to the surface and forms a layer of what is commonly called “scum.”  Bacteria in the septic tank biologically digest and convert this material to liquid.

2. Inorganic solid materials and the by-products of bacterial digestions sink to the bottom of the tank and form a layer commonly known as “sludge.”

3. There’s only clear water between the scum and sludge layers. It is this clear water – And only this clear water – that should overflow into the soil absorption area.

Solid material overflowing into the soil absorption area should be avoided as it is extremely harmful.  It is this solid overflow that clogs soil pores and causes system failure.  Two main factors cause solid material to build up enough to overflow: bacterial deficiency, and lack of sludge removal.

Bacteria must be present in the septic tank to break down the organic solids.  Normal household waste provides enough bacteria to digest the solids unless any harm is done to the bacteria. Bacteria are very sensitive to environmental changes.  Check the product labels on cleaning agents you normally use in home to make sure they’re not harmful for your septic tank. Products carrying harsh warnings such as “HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED” will harm bacteria.

Detergents
Bleaches
Cleaning compounds
Disinfectants
Acids
Toilet cleaners
Polishes
Caustic drain openers

People don’t really think of the effects of these products on the septic tank system when the products go down the drain. Bacteria is necessary to digest the scum. If not digested, the scum will accumulate until it overflows, clogging the soil absorption area.

The sludge in the septic tank is not biodegradable and will not decompose.  If not removed, the sludge will accumulate until it ultimately overflows, clogging the soil absorption area.

#Cesspool #Cesspools #NewCesspool #NewCesspools #CesspoolPumped #CesspoolsPumped #Septic #SepticTank #SepticTanks #SepticSystem #NewSepticSystem #SepticTankPumped #Overflow #Overflows #OverflowPumped #OverflowsPumped #Grease #GreaseTrap #GreaseTraps #Drywell #Drywells #Drainage #Drain #Drains #StormDrain #StormDrains #CatchBasin #CatchBasins #RainDrain #RainDrains #WestSayville #Sayville #Bayport #BluePoint #EastPatchogue #Patchogue #CenterMoriches #Moriches #Brookhaven #GreatRiver #Medford #Bohemia #Holbrook #Ronkonkoma #Holtsville

Murphy's Cesspool & Septic Service

Email: Service@NYSeptic.com Phone: 631.758.4171 | 631.476.5484 Fax: 631.569.724.2299 Url: http://www.nyseptic.com 269 Orchard Road, Patchogue, New York, 11772 Long Island, NY 11772