What Determines the Size of Your Septic Tank?

Do you have a septic system on your property? Do you know where it is located? How often are you emptying the tank? If you own property, in Portland, Dallas, Miami or any city in the United States, and you have a septic system in place for the disposal of household waste water, then are a couple of areas with which you need to be familiar.

Location

First of all, you need to know where your septic tank is located on your property. Generally, the septic tank is usually approximately 1,000 gallon capacity and is buried in the ground around your home along with several gravel filled trenches for the drain field. It will be located in either the front yard or back yard depending on the appropriate sized area needed to accommodate the tank and septic drain field. In many cases, the tank can be found by looking for an elevated mound of grassy area but, if you are unsure as to its location, you will need to refer to the building blue prints if they are available or rely on the expertise of a septic service company to locate it for you.

It is important to refrain from placing heavy items on the ground above the tank and drain field. Activities like parking motor vehicles and heavy equipment on the ground above and around the tank and drain field can create pressure in the layers below that causes stress and possible breakage of plumbing lines and tank valves. When this happens, waste water leaks from the system into the ground around it and contaminates the ground water. Remember to watch the ground area around your septic tank and drain field for unusual wetness as this will be a sign of possible leakage below the surface. Repairs to your septic system can be quite costly.

Tank Capacity

The capacity of your tank determines how often it needs to be emptied. The amount of waste material that your system processes is also a large determining factor of both the capacity of the tank as well as the pumping schedule. The capacity will also affect septic tank cost.

The volume of waste water to be processed will vary from household to household based on the number and ages of the occupants and their water usage habits. Toilet flushing has largest impact on waste water outflow. Older fixtures will require more water per flush than newer, more efficient models. The amount of solid materials flowing into the system also affects the tank capacity and the frequency of emptying.

Reliable Septic Service

Your system should be pumped and inspected regularly based on the above noted conditions. A reliable septic service company will be able to help you determine the frequency of your tank pumping and can provide the inspection services required to keep your system working safely and efficiently. This will save you a great deal of money in septic backup and damage to your system, your home and your property, not to mention the frustration and inconveniences associated with these messy backups.


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