What is a septic tank and how does it work?

Blog
15.11.2021
What is a septic tank and how does it work?
15.11.2021


When you want to build a house on the outskirts or in a less crowded place, access to sewerage is an inevitable aspect in the construction process. The lack of a sewage system is really a problem and most of the time, the owners use the septic tank to solve it.

What is the former septic?
The septic tank is an underground station at which the waters used in the individual household are collected and cleaned. In most cases, it is found in rural areas, where there is no central sewerage network. There are two ways to dispose of domestic water: either by emptying or by a drainage field. Also, if you opted for the septic tank, you can buy it pre-built or you can build it yourself.

How does the septic tank work?
1. The domestic water from the house passes through the pipes and reaches the septic tank. Here, the solid residues are separated from the liquid ones. Heavier residues remain on the bottom of the tank, and oils / greases remain on the surface.

2. With the help of bacteria and enzymes, the solid particles at the base of the septic tank are decomposed into smaller particles.

3. The treated water is discharged into the soil through the drainage network. This network consists of drilled tubes, installed in the ground, at a considerable depth (at least 80 cm).

Authorizations required for the construction of the septic tank
If you want to build a house on land that does not have a sewer network drawn or even near it, then you need to create your own sewer system. In other words, the technical design must specify where the septic tank or drain basin will be installed. Without this specification, the authorities cannot issue the urban certificate and the construction authorization.

Types of septic tanks
Septic tanks are distinguished by the type of material from which they are built. In this sense, there may be:
• Concrete septic tanks - have a long resistance in time, but can crack after a certain time;
• Plastic septic tanks - can be made of polypropylene or PVC and are a common choice because they are much lighter, install faster and are waterproof;
• Steel septic tanks - it lasts less in time because rust can appear and the metal corrodes;
• Fiberglass septic tanks - are more resistant than concrete or steel, do not break or rust and last longer; being lighter, they are more vulnerable to overweight.

Where can you build a septic tank?
Regarding the location of the pool or tank, there are some rules to keep in mind:
• the chosen land must be flat, free of trees near the area where the tank will be located (their roots can affect the construction and can cause cracks);
• it is indicated that the soil is not compact or porous (in order not to affect its optimal functioning);
• the area above the septic tank must be free, without weights of any kind on it;
• the septic tank must be built at least one meter from the exterior wall of the house and at least 10 m from any water source;
• take into account soil moisture and stability (additional stabilization or waterproofing measures may be needed).

Septic tank maintenance
Even if it has a long resistance in time, emptying and inspection of the septic tank are mandatory. The repetition time of these two processes is directly influenced by the consumption habits and the frequency with which the pit is used. In this sense, it is advisable to avoid throwing solid objects in the toilet, solid food, etc. At a certain time, you can use special solutions for the care of the pit, which can be poured directly into the toilet.

Instead of conclusions
Before making any kind of purchase, it is advisable to consult with a specialist in the field. He will advise you on the capacity and material from which to make the septic tank ideal for your needs.

A material by Mirela Ionita

Photo credit: google.ro
Follow us on our Facebook page to be up to date with the latest real estate offers Sibiu.
Our team updates our real estate offers daily.
New Concept Living - real estate agency Sibiu