Connecting your septic tank to a faucet is easy and will save you money. Just remember to follow basic septic system rules and you’ll avoid problems in the future.
First, you must connect the septic tank to your home’s plumbing drains with a watertight 4-inch diameter Schedule 40 PVC pipe that slopes 1/4 inch per foot (a minimum of 1/8 inch per foot) toward the tank. Install cleanouts (Figure 3) every 50 feet along the pipe or wherever it turns corners sharper than 45 degrees.
Second, measure the depth of liquid in the septic tank. If the scum layer is higher than half the available liquid depth, it’s time to pump out your septic tank. The scum and sludge measurements should be taken from the top of the tank to the bottom.
Usually, septic tanks accumulate sludge over time, which is why you must have them inspected regularly to keep the system functioning properly. You should have the system inspected once every one to three years, depending on the sludge and scum accumulation rates.
You should also have a professional inspect the system’s pipes and mechanisms, as well as inspect the drainage field to ensure that it is properly percolating wastewater into the ground. This is the only way to ensure that your septic system will perform as it was designed to do and will not cause you any problems down the road.
Finally, you should upgrade your toilet and faucets to energy-efficient models that require less water and are more environmentally friendly. This will not only save you money in the long run, it will also help to extend the life of your septic system and protect the environment from harmful sewage pollution.
A septic tank is a large, watertight, buried container that receives raw sewage from your household’s plumbing drains. In the tank, anaerobic bacteria partially digest waste, separating out solids. This allows the liquid to pass through the septic tank into an underground drain field where gravel and soil act as biological filters to purify the wastewater as it sinks into the ground.
Septic tanks come in rectangular, oval or round shapes and vary in size according to their design capacity. Generally, the tank should retain at least two days (48 hours) of sewage flow from your house.
The septic tank must be installed in your yard, away from any trees or other plants that may root into the septic tank or clog your sewer line. Tree roots can sever and damage the piping or even cause the drainage field to collapse.
It’s best to use a concrete or fiberglass septic tank that is covered inside and outside with a bituminous coating, which makes them highly resistant to corrosion. Metal septic tanks can be installed, but they are not recommended unless they are covered with a corrosive-resistant coating that is approved on a case-by-case basis by the regulatory agency in your area.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the concrete or fiberglass tank, consider plastic septic tanks. These are available at a lower price, but they can be prone to leakage or other problems. You should have a qualified septic company install your new tank and check it for leaks before you can use it.