How does a septic system work?
You can think of your septic tank like a holding tank- when you flush your toilet, the liquids and solids run through your sewer line into the septic tank
A septic system is a mini wastewater treatment plant for your home. When you flush a toilet, take a bath or do laundry, all of that water and waste has to go somewhere, and if your home has a septic tank, that is where it goes.
You can think of your septic tank like a holding tank- when you flush your toilet, the liquids and solids run through your sewer line into the septic tank through what is called the “Inlet-T”. The tank holds all of the water and debris until the solid organic matter is able to fall to the bottom of the tank, leaving just gray water on top. Natural bacteria slowly break down the organic matter that fell to the floor of the septic tank.
The water then slowly drains from “Outlet-T” of the septic tank to the distribution box. The distribution box acts as a referee of sorts- it manages how much water gets distributed to the different parts of the “Drainfield” in your yard. Once the water leaves the distribution box, it is dispersed into your yard through the drainfield.
How ofter should I have my septic tank cleaned or pumped?
Over time, unwanted sludge builds up, restricting the growth of septic-feeding bacteria that are good for your system. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure you keep your septic system in good working order. At minimum, VA State law requires anyone within the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) to have their septic tank cleaned/pumped every five years. The VA General Assembly enacted the act in 1988. For more information, visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/chesapeake_bay_local_assistance/theact.shtml.
Five years is the maximum amount of time you should allow between cleanings. Certain situations, like large families, high water usage or multiple tanks will require more frequent cleaning. If you contact us we can help you determine how often you should have your system cleaned.
If you have a garbage disposal we recommend having your septic system cleaned every 1-3 years.
Do’s and Don’ts of Septic System Ownership and Maintenance
Do’s
- Do have septic tanks, boxes and the drainfield system evaluated regularly; pump and clean all tanks and distribution boxes once every 3-5 years.
- Do pump grease traps for garbage disposals every 1-3 years.
- Make sure you use water saving fixtures and try to conserve water. Make sure all faucets and fixtures are in working order and not leaking.
- It is a good idea to keep a record of the septic tanks, distribution boxes and drainfield design layout and of your cleaning schedule.
- Make sure to consult your local health department before installing home additions, swimming pools, decks, patios, parking lots or other soil disturbing additions.
Dont’s
- Do not use excessive amount of water in short periods of time (for example laundry).
- Do not save all of your laundry for one day, instead do one or two loads daily.
- Do not place bark, saw dust, or plastic mulch over drainfield systems.
- Do not place lawn irrigation systems on or near drainfields.
- Do not plant maple, weeping willow, sycamore, cottonwood, locust or bamboo in or near a drainfield.
- Do not use the drainfield area for growing a vegetable garden.
- Do not park, place structures, cut and fill, or otherwise abuse the drainfield or the reserve drainfield or any area within 25 feet of the drainfield.
- Do not destroy old drainfields after a repair. They will become serviceable after 5-8 years.
- Do not discharge wastewater from water treatment equipment or swimming pools into a septic system. Sodium from this process causes soil to lose structure, which is essential for good percolation. Failure of the system will result from improper discharge from these systems.
- Do not dispose of grease, coffee grounds, household or automotive chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, petroleum products, sanitary napkins or tampons, disposable diapers or plastic or synthetic rubber products in a drainfield system. Septic systems are not designed to decompose these materials.
- Do not use excessive amounts of drain cleaner, plumbers helper, yeast, bacteria, enzymes, etc. These materials are not conducive to the natural organic process and in our opinion are a waste of money.
Your Drainfield
Cars and Your Drainfield
Cars, trucks, tractors or other heavy equipment should never be driven or parked over the septic tank or drainfield. Doing so can cause your septic tank to cave in and your drainfield to collapse, rendering it useless.
Trees, Shrubs, Gardens and Your Drainfield
Any water loving tree or plant such as a weeping willow, maple, locust, sycamore, cottonwood, tree of haven or bamboo should be removed if within 50 feet of your drainfield lines. Plants such as these have an affinity for water and can enter distribution lines, boxes and drainfield trenches, which can cause clogging and failure of the septic system.
You should not plant vegetable gardens near a drainfield either. Common sense dictates that the production of home gardens and sewage disposal are not compatible practices.
The best use of your drainfield is to maintain it as a grassy lawn area. A non-edible flower garden can be planted, but you cannot use mulch. Some trees and bushes can also be planted near the drainfield area. Contact your local nursery on advice for the best grass and plants to grow.
Jacuzzis and Your Drainfield
We recommend that homes with indoor hot tubs, Jacuzzi tubs or large jetted bath tubs have a separate absorption system or dedicated septic tank for the disposal of this water. The sudden release of 40-100 gallons of water into the primary septic tank will cause suspension of sediment within the tank. Solids suspended in the liquid in the tank will subsequently flow into the drainfield system and can lead to premature failure of the system.
Garbage Disposal and Your Drainfield
If you would like to install a garbage disposal, the kitchen plumbing should be plumbed to a separate outlet and a 1250 or 1500 gallon septic tank/grease trap installed to receive only kitchen effluent. Liquid from this tank can flow to the primary drainfield or to a separate drainfield. This new septic tank, also know as a grease trap, should be pumped to remove grease and solids once every one to three years. We do not recommend that kitchen garbage disposal units be installed with conventional septic drainfield systems which do not have dedicated septic tank/grease trap.
Buried Utilities and Your Drainfield
It is the responsibility of the builder, developer, utility contractor, sub-contractor, realtor, and the homeowner to be sure that cable routes for buried utilities (e.g., electrical, natural gas, water, telephone, cable tv) do not cross the drainfield/reserve drainfield. When someone digs a trench or disturbs your drainfield it can cause the water to move opposite of your drainfield. By loosening and disturbing the dirt you have the potential for water to rise to the surface and puddle instead of seeping in the ground.
Contractors and sub-contractors must be made aware of the problems and held responsible for staying clear of designated drainfield zones. Detailed site plans are recommended for their use.
Mulch and Your Drainfield
We do not recommend the use of bark, sawdust or plastic sheeting mulch on drainfield areas. Septic tank drainfield systems are designed to percolate water into the soil system and evaporation is principal part of the removal of water from that system. Mulches are designed to prevent evaporation and hold water in the soil. The use of mulch over drainfields often contributes to premature failure of the system.
Spray Irrigation Systems and Your Drainfield
Spray irrigation systems should not be installed over or near the drainfield and reserve drainfield sites. Septic tank drainfield systems are designed for percolation of water into the soil system. The design takes into consideration annual rainfall but does not allow for irrigation. Spray irrigation systems may lead to failure of the drainfield system because additional water being placed in the drainfield area and improper design and installation of piping system.
Service Area
We service the Great Richmond community including Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Powhatan, Goochland, New Kent, Mechanicsville, Charles City, Hopewell and Prince George.