From the article you will learn how to install a septic tank from concrete rings with your own hands. After all, life in a house cannot be considered comfortable without high-quality sewage. If you live in an apartment building, then you do not suffer from this issue, because there is an excellent central system into which you can dump a large amount of waste. But when building a country house, there are no such privileges, as a rule. Therefore, the water discharge system needs to be considered independently.
You can make a simple system - dig one hole, overlay it with bricks or even tires, it will last for several years. But it will be much better if you install a septic tank - a design that allows for high-quality wastewater treatment. And at the exit you can get water that you will use for irrigation. And it should be noted that when using concrete rings, you will be able to buildhigh-quality and reliable septic tank. We will talk about how to make a septic tank from concrete rings on our own in our material.
Design features of septic tanks
It is recommended to install reinforced concrete septic tanks on soil that drains well and is not prone to heaving during cold weather. The basis of the septic tank is concrete rings placed on top of each other. Nothing complicated, but some design features should be taken into account. Even if there are projections for fixing and high-quality fasteners, soil heaving can easily move the rings.
As a result, the tightness of the structure will be broken, it will be necessary to carry out repairs. It is also worth mentioning that the price of a septic tank made of turnkey concrete rings is high - it can reach 50-60 thousand rubles. Therefore, it is unforgivable if such a system collapses very quickly.
And there is no guarantee that after the repair there will be no re-shift. For this reason, it is best to install septic tanks of this type on sandy and sandy soil types. In the case when the groundwater is low and the soil drains water well, a pipe can be removed from the septic tank to the drainage column. This device is optimally suited for our system. If the groundwater is high, then the treated effluents must be discharged to a drainage field. But it is worth noting that their arrangement requires a large free area.
The principle of operation of a septic tank
A septic tank consists of two chambers that are located at a distance from each other. They join onepipe (overflow). In these sealed containers, wastewater is cleaned. The third column is a drainage well or filtration field. At the bottom of the well there is a hole through which purified water flows into the soil. The device of a septic tank made of concrete rings allows you to maximally clean the drains from various kinds of pollution.
Now let's consider what processes are running in the system. First, the effluent enters the first container, which is sealed and almost no air enters it. It is in the absence of air that the process of decomposition of waste occurs. All organic components are processed by bacteria and microorganisms. Thanks to bacteria, the organic constituents decompose into almost pure water and an insoluble precipitate (it always accumulates at the bottom, since it is heavier than water).
Now water with a minimum content of pollutants flows through the pipe into the second chamber. There, too, the cleaning procedure begins, but everything happens with the participation of oxygen. For this reason, the second chamber must be equipped with a ventilation pipe. Organic matter also settles to the bottom in the form of sediment. Almost pure water enters the drainage column. But it is not drinkable, but it can be used for technical needs.
Determining the volume of a septic tank
One chamber should have a volume that is equal to three times the daily water consumption of the residents of the house. At the same time, when calculating, it is assumed that one person consumes approximately 250 liters of water per day (this is 0.25 cubic meters). If a family of 4, thenper day, it will consume exactly 1 cubic meter. m, and in three days - 3 cubic meters. m. Therefore, the volume of each chamber must be at least 3 cubic meters. m. Please note that when calculating it is not necessary to take into account the dimensions of the filter column - this is a completely different design, it is not cumulative. Carefully study the construction of a septic tank made of concrete rings and decide which parts of the system are responsible for what.
It is worth noting that in Europe the standards are slightly different: oddly enough, but the "thrifty" inhabitants of the capitalist world use more water. Although they bathe and wash much less often than the average family in Russia and the CIS countries. But back to our building. Most of the waste is in two containers longer if the volume of the tank is large. And this means that cleaning will be much better.
It is still recommended during design to make tanks about half the maximum daily discharge. This will be especially useful when the house has a bathroom, washing machine, dishwasher, etc. Based on the size, you need to choose concrete rings.
A little about concrete rings
And now let's figure out what sizes concrete rings can be. Their diameter is 80-200 cm, but more can be found - about 250 cm. The height of one ring is from 0.5 to 1 m. When making calculations, it must be taken into account that in fact the column should have a volume with a margin. After all, the drains will never fill the containers completely, they will riseonly up to the level of the overflow pipe. It is from this level that you need to start counting.
Counting the number of columns
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that three accumulative chambers can be used. Except, of course, the filtration column. Sometimes it happens that such a device is more practical, if it is necessary to install more than 6 rings in each column. If you do this, then to install 6 rings you will need to dig a very deep pit. It is much more profitable and more convenient to make an additional column. And in each you need to install 4 rings of concrete. And do not forget that the price of concrete rings for a septic tank is quite high - at least 1000 rubles (depending on size).
But you can do another option. For example, you need a small septic tank. This often happens in dachas, which are rarely visited and inhabited by a small number of people. In this case, one column can be made, and the rings can be separated from the inside using a sealed partition. Inside this partition, you need to make an overflow hole at the right level.
General rules for the manufacture of storage containers
Linear designs of septic tanks are the most common. The columns are installed strictly on one line. The storage tanks are located next to each other, and the filter well is at a distance from them so that the drains do not fill the soil too much and do not freeze. This is done in order to exclude the appearance of heaving.
It is recommended to purchase rings that have locks. They are installed mucheasier, less often displaced during heaving. In addition, they have a high degree of sealing. Be sure to treat the rings with a waterproofing material before starting the installation. And for this, mastic based on bitumen or deep penetration impregnation, based on cement, is used. If this is not done, then it is possible that sewage will seep out of the tank, and groundwater may get inside.
Basic rules for installing septic tanks
And now let's consider what are the rules for the installation of concrete rings of the sewer system.
- It is necessary that between the storage tanks there is a distance of more than half a meter. This gap, which is filled with earth, will be able to act as a buffer against ground movement.
- At the bottom of the pit, it is imperative to pour and compact a layer of gravel. Its thickness should be about 20 cm. Ramming is carried out until the maximum density is reached, it is best to use a vibrating plate. Please note that the bedding must have a horizontal and even surface. The plane must be checked using a building level, the length of which is about one and a half meters.
- Then it is necessary to install a concrete ring on the gravel. A septic tank made of this material is obtained as airtight as possible. Install it evenly so that the walls are vertical. Only in this case will you ensure the strength of the column.
- You can also pour a monolithic concrete slab under the septic tank. The thickness should be about 30 cm, and preferably more. It needs to be 20 cm largerrings. Be sure to level the slab and make sure that its surface is horizontal. Concrete should dry for about a month. Only after that it is allowed to start the installation of the system. A layer of waterproofing must be laid on the concrete slab. After that, the first concrete ring is installed.
- On top of the first ring, the subsequent ones are being installed. All joints must be carefully sealed. It is allowed to lay one layer of Aquacement-type mortar before starting the installation of the ring. This solution is able to provide high-quality waterproofing of all joints. But still, after mounting all the rings, it is necessary to grease the joints both from the inside and from the outside.
It is not recommended to use toxic substances, since all the bacteria that are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter will die. As a result, the septic tank built for the house from concrete rings will not be able to work.
Assembly of rings
In order for the fixation to be as strong as possible, the rings must be connected with metal brackets. They are mounted from the outside. Be sure to staples need to be concreted and coated with a layer of waterproofing. The upper part of the structure must be insulated. For this, polystyrene foam or any suitable material is used. Of course, the sewage is initially warm, but if the frost is severe, then there is a possibility that an ice crust will form on top. This will reduce the efficiency of wastewater treatment. The article shows a standard scheme of a septic tank made of concrete rings.
Sewer pipeis buried, as a rule, lower than the depth of soil freezing. If we are talking about the middle zone of Russia, then this is about one and a half meters. It is also necessary to make a slope so that the drains move by gravity to the tank. It is necessary that the slope be about 2 degrees. This is enough to keep the water inside the pipe from stagnating.
Making the neck
And now let's figure out how to make a neck and from what materials. Often use concrete covers with hatches. They can be purchased in the same place as concrete rings. They are simply installed on the top ring, fixed, a metal or rubber standard cover is applied on top.
You can also use monolithic reinforced concrete. This is the option with the lowest cost. The cost of a septic tank made of concrete rings will be minimal, especially if you decide to do all the work yourself. But you have to spend time and apply the skills of a builder. If they are, of course. After all, you will have to collect formwork, knit a frame from reinforcement, and also pour concrete. Moreover, the design will be ready in at least a month.
You can also lay out the neck of the brick. Then plaster on both sides, treat with waterproofing. This option is good because you can set the dimensions and height of the hatch yourself. But you still need to purchase a concrete slab or pour it yourself.
Pipe position
The overflow pipe, which is located between the tanks of the septic tank, should be about 120 mm in diameter. The use of both plastic and asbestos materials is allowed. The entrance and exit must be carefully sealed. The inlet pipe coming from the house and the overflow must be equipped with tees. With this you will direct all the drains down, the crust will not develop. This is necessary in order for the septic tank to process drains better. Some tees have pipes that go down. The installation location of the overflow pipe depends on the level at which the inlet is located. On the opposite wall, the overflow should be 5 cm lower than the entrance level. But between the second tank and the sump or filtration well, the overflow is allowed to be done at the same level as the inlet of the first pipe. It is allowed, of course, to lower it by 5 cm, but no more.
A little about the filtration well
When making a filtration column, it is necessary to dig a pit to the ground, which drains water well. Then a layer of gravel should be poured onto the bottom, its thickness should be about 25 cm. A layer of sand is poured on it, the thickness should be about 40 centimeters. After that, rings without a bottom are installed. You can install a perforated ring. Moreover, there is no need to make holes of 5 cm, since there are such products manufactured in factories. The cost of a turnkey concrete ring septic tank is quite high - at least 20,000 rubles. The price includes both labor and the purchase of materials, and even drafting a project.
If you install perforated rings, it is recommended to remove around themsoil and cover gravel. In this case, the water will leave much better. In general, the design of a filtration well made of concrete rings is similar to the scheme of storage tanks.
How to bury concrete rings
The most common and easiest way is to dig one pit, which will be common to all containers. Then, using a crane, all concrete rings are installed under the septic tank. After that, overflow pipes are laid, all cracks and joints are sealed, covered with a layer of waterproofing. And only after warming it is possible to fill up the soil and compact it. The method is ideal, but you just have to dig a very large pit.
To do all the work quickly, you can use an excavator. After all, you understand that doing it manually takes a very long time, even if you hire a team of diggers. In addition, it will be more expensive than ordering special equipment. And you need to take into account that with the help of technology you will make a pit in just a few hours. And if you find a team, the process will last several days, or even a week.
There is another way, but it is more expensive, since it is quite difficult to excavate inside the rings and under the walls. But you can lower the ring under its own weight. But this way you can bury a ring without a bottom. If you do this, you will have to fill the bottom separately. In this case, of course, the reliability of the design of the septic tank is reduced. Also, when using this option, it is not possible to insulate the structure. Still need to dig trenches forinstallation of overflow pipes. This method is problematic, but it can be used as a last resort.
Contact the experts if you are not sure that you can install a septic tank from concrete rings on your own. The turnkey cost ranges from 20,000 to 60,000 rubles. But it all depends on the region.
