If you are like many homeowners, you may find that your septic system and its various components are among the most mysterious parts of your entire property. Learning about your septic system will help you ensure that it is properly maintained throughout the years and seasons. A company that provides septic tank service in San Francisco will be able to provide you with detailed information about how your septic system works. Here is a quick overview of the essential components of a septic system.
Septic Tank
The septic tank is one of the most important parts of any septic system. Whenever you flush the toilet, your wastewater will travel through your pipes until it arrives at the septic tank. Once the wastewater has entered the tank, it will naturally separate into liquids and solids. The solid waste will remain in the tank and the liquid waste will flow out into an area that is known as the drain field. As the solids sit in the tank, they will decompose until they are pumped away.
Drain Field
The drain field is the area that surrounds the septic tank. Once the solids have settled down in the septic tank, the liquid effluent will start to drain out into the drain field. Throughout the drain field, you will find solid pipes that are designed to carry liquid waste. These pipes allow the effluent to disperse evenly throughout the soil.
Soil
The soil is another essential component of every septic system. The job of the drain field is to allow the liquid effluent to pass naturally through the soil. Particles in the soil will filter out any bacteria and other organic compounds that are present in the wastewater. In order for your septic system to operate effectively, it is important to make sure that the surrounding soil is coarse enough to allow for proper water flow, but not so coarse that the wastewater is not treated effectively.