If you are about to purchase a new home with a septic system, the homebuyer's brochure and guide are for you.

These documents provide information homebuyers need to know before purchasing a home with a septic system, how a septic system works, and the importance of having it inspected prior to purchasing a home. The documents also provide information on everyday, preventative, and corrective maintenance for when you are living in your new home.

For more information, contact  Morse Engineering and Construction for more information.

Source: epa.gov

Design and Components

The most common type of septic system is the conventional septic system, which consists of two main components: a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container that holds the wastewater from your home. The tank separates solids from liquids, allowing the solids to settle to the bottom and the liquids to flow into the drainfield. The drainfield, also known as a leach field, is a shallow, underground system of perforated pipes that distribute the treated wastewater into the soil.

How they work

Conventional septic systems work by allowing gravity to transport wastewater from the home into the septic tank. The solids settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a layer of sludge, while the liquids pass into the drainfield. In the drainfield, the wastewater is further treated as it percolates through the soil, where beneficial bacteria and natural processes remove contaminants before the water reaches groundwater sources.

Pros and cons

Conventional septic systems have several advantages. They are simple in design, reliable, and can be cost-effective compared to other types of systems. They also have a long lifespan if properly maintained. However, they may not be suitable for all sites, particularly those with shallow soil, high groundwater levels, or steep slopes. In these cases, alternative septic systems may be necessary.

Cost to purchase and maintain

The cost of purchasing and installing a conventional septic system will vary depending on factors such as tank size, drainfield size, local labor costs, and permits. Maintenance costs are relatively low, consisting mainly of regular pumping of the septic tank every 3-5 years.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction for more information.

Source: aboutseptictanks.com

Most septic system problems are a result of poor initial design, misuse, or physical damage, such as driving heavy vehicles over the leach field. Common conditions that can cause a septic system to perform poorly include:

• House plumbing: clogged or inadequate plumbing vents, blockage between the house and septic tank, or inadequate pitch in sewer pipe from house
• Septic tank to leach field: Blockage between the septic tank and leach field caused by a plugged or broken tank outlet, or a plugged line to the leach field cause by tree roots, or by solids that overflowed from the tank
• Leach field piping: Driving or parking heavy vehicles over the leach field can break the perforated leach pipe, especially if it is not uniformly supported by the gravel bed. Usually tree roots do not penetrate through the gravel bed into the perforated piping.
• Leach field sizing: Drain field may be too small for current flow levels out of the home. Reducing flows though use of flow restricters, and low-flow faucets and fixtures might help.
• High water table: A seasonal high water table can saturate the soil around the trenches impairing the soil’s ability to absorb wastewater. This is sometimes an issue on relatively flat building sites with poor surface drainage. This can often be fixed by installing subsurface drains or curtain drains to intercept the water flow toward the leach field area and to lower the water table locally.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction Industries for more information.

Source: buildingadvisor.com