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Septic System 101 – How Does It Work?


More than one-third of the homes in New Brunswick rely on a private septic system with a residential septic tank. If you live in one of these homes, you should know the answer to the question, "How does a septic system work?"


Otherwise, you might not know how to take care of a septic tank and a septic system as a whole. You also might find yourself putting off septic tank service in Moncton for too long.


Continue reading to learn all about how a septic system works so that you have a better understanding of it.


The Parts of a Septic System

Before we break down how a septic system works, you need to be familiar with the various parts of a septic system. They are as follows:

  • House plumbing pipes

  • Sewer line

  • Septic tank

  • Septic tank outlet sewer pipe

  • Drain field

Each of these parts will work together to eliminate waste and wastewater from your home. But your septic tank will do most of the heavy lifting.


So, what is a septic tank? Well, it's a tank that contains anaerobic bacteria that will get rid of any organic material that makes its way to it.


Now, let's get into discussing how waste and wastewater end up in a septic tank and where it goes once it gets there.


How a Septic System Works

People who have septic systems hooked up to their homes don't always know how they work. If you fall into this category, we're going to explain it in the simplest terms possible.


Here is how a septic system works:

  1. Waste and wastewater flow through a home's plumbing pipes, leave through a sewer line, and land in a septic tank

  2. Watery waste, which is referred to as effluent, fills a septic tank and anaerobic bacteria begin to break it down

  3. Sludge that consists of inorganic materials and byproducts from the bacterial digestion process sinks to the bottom of a septic tank

  4. Scum that is made up of fats, greases, and oils floats to the top of a septic tank

  5. Effluent leaves a septic tank and works its way to a drain field

  6. Effluent seeps down into gravel in a drain field and eventually reaches a layer of soil containing aerobic bacteria

  7. Aerobic bacteria help break down any waste remaining in effluent

  8. Clean water continues to seep down until it reaches groundwater

This process will continue to play out every time you flush a toilet or take a shower in your home. As long as your septic system is working the way it should, you shouldn't have any issues eliminating waste efficiently.


Maintaining a Septic System

While a septic system can eliminate waste on its own, the scum and sludge in a septic tank will remain there until they're removed. It's why you must make it a point to have septic tank service in Moncton performed.


Depending on how big your home is and how well your septic system works, you will often need to have septic tank pumping done anywhere from every year to every few years. Whatever the case, you shouldn't ever put it off since it could lead to problems with your septic system as a whole.


Contact Us for Septic Tank Service in Moncton

Has it been a while since you had septic tank service in Moncton performed? Carter's Septic Tank Service and Portable Washrooms can help you change this immediately.


We can set you up with the services you need for your residential or commercial septic tank. Make an appointment with Carter's Septic Tank Service and Portable Washrooms today to keep your septic system in excellent shape.


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