Exploring Your Home Septic System: The Tank

Owning a home comes with many responsibilities that reach far beyond maintaining your investment and paying your monthly bills. As a homeowner, you have a responsibility to your community and the community at large. This rule especially applies to those homeowners who operate septic systems. If a septic system is not properly maintained, homeowners run the risk of inflicting disastrous damage to not only their family but community as well. Most malfunctions concerning septic systems occur due to the homeowner’s lack of knowledge surrounding key components and functions of their system. SES, Northern Virginia’s leading septic system maintenance and repair company, will be developing a series of articles concentrating on the ins and outs surrounding a variety of components belonging to your system. By providing you with this valuable information SES hopes to not only protect the health of your system but the health of your family, friends, neighbors, and the Northern Virginia community at large.

The next component we will explore in our “Septic Tank Component Series” is the septic tank itself. The septic tank houses your homes personal on-site sewage treatment system. In North America, nearly 25% of the population relies on septic systems for waste disposal. A septic system generally consists of a tank between the size of 1,000 and 2,000 gallons. A series of pipes are connected to the tank; one waste pipe coming from your home and another leading away from the tank to a drainfield. Septic refers to the bacteria that are contained in your tank. These anaerobic bacteria are responsible for creating an environment in which the waste deposited into your tank can be broken down. Septic tanks are supplemented with a variety of chemicals as well as bacterial agents to ease the decomposition process. Properly disposed waste can move into your drainfield where it is further processed.

If you are a homeowner who operates a septic system it is important to know the location of your tank. Construction on or around your tank can cause irreversible damage to your tank or system as well as put you, your family, and your community at risk. Be sure to clear all trees and heavy shrubbery from the area. Roots from trees and bushes can do damage to your tank. Oils and grease, paper towels, and cotton should not be flushed into your septic tank. These items can prove hazardous to the environment inside your tank. Homeowners must also regulate how much they are flushing into their system. An excessive amount of water flowing into your tank can cause the system to overflow and creating problems for other important components belonging to your septic system.

Located in Warrenton, Virginia, SES offers 24-hour emergency response for septic system malfunctions. SES has been serving residential and commercial customers alike since 1987. Contact SES today for all Northern Virginia inspection, service, maintenance, repair, and reports surrounding your system.

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Is Your Water Safe to Drink?

The EPA & Health Department Recommend You Have Your Water Tested Annually For…
  • Total Coliform Bacteria
New Well Owners – Test Now and Again in 3 Years For…
  • Total Coliform Bacteria
  • Lead
  • Nitrates/Nitrites
Keep your family safe and healthy by having your home’s water tested today!