The sewer septic tank is designed to collect natural organic waste, sort it, filter it and prepare it for disposal. This node is the penultimate link before underground sewage in an autonomous system. The choice of the type of treatment plant is influenced by the number of consumers, the number of facilities that discharge waste, as well as the seasonality of the structure.
General information on the topic
Sewer septic tank provides the comfort of living in your own home or cottage. The facility provides consumers with hygiene, wastewater disposal and does not pollute the environment.
The more complex the design of the septic tank, the more efficient its operation and waste treatment. The device in question, as well as its installation, can be ordered from specialized companies. Alternatively, the structure is available to manufacture and install independently. To do this, you need to know the device and the principle of operation of an autonomous sewage system. This will help not only during the installation of the structure, but will also allow you to navigate in unforeseen situations in case of a malfunction of the structure.
Autonomous sewer septic tanks includeinside:
- internal and external piping;
- one or more tanks.
An analogue of this structure is a cesspool. Consider the main differences between these two types of home sewage.
What is the difference between a septic tank and a drain pit?
The cesspool also serves to collect wastewater generated in the process of life. The simplest sewer septic tank practically does not differ from it, it is made of brick or concrete, but it has a bottom, which reduces the negative impact on the composition of the soil and the environment.
More complex models provide multi-level cleaning, eliminate the release of unpleasant odors into the air. The units differ in several ways:
- Material of manufacture (metal, concrete, plastic).
- Working principle (deep biotreatment, accumulative type, without bottom).
- Position (vertical or horizontal).
Sewer septic tank installation
Most of the structures under consideration are equipped with at least two working chambers. The first compartment is used for settling wastewater, as a result of which heavy particles settle in the lower part, and light fats and oils with liquid form on top. Partially purified water enters the second chamber for subsequent purification through an overflow connecting pipe.
The second tank usually contains special anaerobic microorganisms that accelerate the decomposition of waste. Exhaust gasesdischarged through the outlet pipe to the surface. This part of the structure must be at least 500 millimeters above ground level. Subsequent cleaning depends on the modification of the septic tank. Some multi-section models produce almost pure water at the outlet, which can be used for technical needs.
In simple cases, the waste liquid should be discharged to special areas that are not suitable for growing edible crops. These territories can be exploited for the construction of flower beds or lawns.
More about species
Sewer septic tanks for a private house are equipped with one or more containers, made from several types of materials that have their pros and cons. Metal products are not very resistant to corrosive processes. Plastic counterparts are easier to mount, but they are not stable.
Polymer models must be adjusted in plan and profile constantly, until they are completely covered with soil. It happens that rodents who manage to gnaw holes in them become the enemy of the owners of plastic septic tanks. The best option would be a fiberglass structure. The main difference between autonomous sewers lies in the technical and functional features.
Selection criteria and installation
Before purchasing a sewer septic tank, you need to decide on a number of parameters:
- How regularly will tenants live in the house?
- The category of soil and the nuances of groundwater flows.
- Financial opportunities.
- The number of people andequipment that discharges wastewater.
If the soil is in a low category, it is advisable to install a septic tank sewer system in the warm season. The minimum distance from the residential sector to the structure in question should be more than five meters. The pit must be prepared taking into account the dimensions of all working elements. In addition, the height of the damping pad in the form of a slab of sand and concrete mortar is taken into account.
Mounting Features
Before you begin to mount a polymer septic tank, it must be filled with water before backfilling. This is necessary to prevent deformation of the walls. It is desirable to weight such a structure in the lower part, in order to avoid its possible ascent. As an anchor, you can use fasteners such as belts fixed on special pins embedded in the lower concrete slab. The lid of the sewer septic tank for a private house should rise above the ground so that the fixture does not flood during heavy rains.
Winter operation
When installing the system, it is necessary to take into account the depth of soil freezing. The entire outer part of the structure is processed taking into account this parameter. Styrofoam or special insulating materials are used as insulation. With proper arrangement, there will be no problems with the operation of the structure under any conditions.
Drainage drains passing through the sewer pipes of the septic tank have a temperature of about 30-40 degrees. It cools down minimally during transport.to the tanks. Additional heating is provided by the generated heat from microorganisms. Consequently, the fixture heats up a little, transferring some of the temperature to the outside soil. This effect can be observed in the form of melting snow near the unit. Additional thermal insulation will increase the efficiency of autonomous sewage even in the most severe frosts.
Sewer septic tank "Topas"
The company produces several modifications of autonomous treatment facilities, is popular in the relevant market. Consider the features of the model with deep biological filtration.
The system is designed for wastewater treatment. The device of the septic tank is simple, does not require electricity, the principle of operation is based on natural processes. The design includes the main tank, which is divided into several compartments, interconnected by means of overflow pipes. There is also a filtration element that performs soil final cleaning. This modification is designed for light soil type, since its installation on clay soil requires significant financial and labor costs.
Principle of operation: first, sewage waste enters the storage compartment, after the first stage of cleaning it is fed into the next chamber, additionally processed with the help of special bacteria. At the last stage, the water bypasses the filter element and enters the soil.
Briefly about other modifications of Topas
The line of this series includes the following models:
- "Topas-5" is designed to serve two sinks, a shower and one toilet. The average volume of processing is 1 cubic meter of wastewater per day.
- Modifications 8/10/15 can serve 8/10 or 15 users respectively.
- Topas-20/30/40 recycles 4/6/7 cubic meters of waste.
- 75th version can serve a small cottage community. The energy consumption indicator is up to 15 kW.
- The 100 version is equipped with two buildings, designed for 100 people.
Helpful tips
If there is a temporary power outage, the flow of wastewater into the tank should be limited. Otherwise, it may overflow and give some of the contents to the environment.
It is not allowed to get into the system materials and substances containing acids, alkalis and other active components that adversely affect the processing microorganisms. In addition, you should not fill an autonomous sewer with sand, polymers, rotten food.
Sedimentary sludge cleaning is recommended at least twice every 12 months.
Decorating septic tanks and sewer manholes with your own hands can be done using polymer or other building materials, as well as by installing artificial turf. The main thing is to provide access to the working parts of the structure.
Some elements of the structure are subject to regular replacement. Please refer to the instructions that come with the product for these points.
Septic tanks from improvised means
The main materials for the manufacture of autonomous sewage for a private house are concrete, brick, metal and plastic. The features of the latter type are discussed above. Let's dwell on the other categories in more detail:
- Metal variant. It is subject to corrosion, requires additional processing. Stainless steel versions are very expensive.
- A concrete septic tank can be made in a monolithic or ring design. The first option has absolute tightness, durability, ease of maintenance. The tank of rings requires careful sealing of the seams and the installation of a concrete bottom.
- Brick modification is done in one brick. The outer part of the structure is treated with waterproofing mastic, and cement mortar is applied inside.
- Large-diameter tires, plastic containers with a capacity of more than 200 liters, as well as Eurocubes are suitable as improvised materials for the manufacture of the system in question.
Differences in the way of placement
Standard vertical septic tanks are used to save space in the selected area. They are mainly volumetric storage tanks that need regular cleaning. Variations of deep biological treatment are also produced. The advantages of vertical structures are compactness and protection of the internal filling from freezing.
If the "squaring" of the site allows you to install horizontalanalogues, they are located in much smaller pits. This results in savings in excavation work. A variety of models allows you to choose an autonomous sewage system, taking into account the proposed territory, financial capabilities, performance and quality of cleaning.
Homemade designs
Ready-made autonomous sewage systems are quite expensive. It is cheaper to make a sewer septic tank with your own hands, although this will require considerable physical effort. A standard home-made system includes two or three reinforced concrete wells, which are interconnected by pipes.
The first tank plays the role of a sump, the second chamber serves for additional filtration. The third compartment is equipped with a bottom of sand and gravel, through which the liquid passes, going out. The principle of operation of a homemade septic tank is practically the same as the factory version.
