Septic Tank Operation

We see it time and time again. Someone will will open the lid of their septic tank and be alarmed to see that the tank is "full". Even if they aren't experiencing any issues in the house, they will call us in a panic requesting that the tank needs to be pumped ASAP because it looks full. When in reality, this is normal. It's the operating level of the tank (PICTURED BELOW). It's always nearly full, because the drain pipe for the tank sits near the top of the tank. ​The purpose of a septic tank isn't to trap and retain all the waste water you generate. It's job is to separate the incoming liquids and solids. Trapping the solids in the tank, while allowing the liquid to pass through the tank to the leach field. The leach field is constantly taking water from the tank and puts it back into the ground, BUT!!! If you do have an overflowing septic tank, there are a few things that could be causing this and will need further diagnosing. If the tank isn't draining out to the leach field, then the water has nowhere to go except out the top, or worst case, backing up into the house. Pumping out an overflowing septic tank is only a temporary fix in many cases. And unless the problem is diagnosed and corrected the tank will keep overflowing.

It's important to have the septic tank cleaned out periodically, every 3-5 years on average. All the solid waste going down the drains is being trapped, building up and accumulating in the tank. If sludge buildup on the in the tank becomes excessive, it begins to push out of the tank. 

The trapping and settling of solids in the tank is assisted with the help of a component called a baffle. Your tank will have 2 baffles. One at the inlet of the tank and one at the outlet of the tank. The baffle at the inlet is designed to direct incoming wastewater downward. Moving the heavier solids to the bottom of the tank and minimizing incoming water turbulence in the tank. It also prevents the floating scum layer from crowding the inlet pipe, potentially causing a blockage. Then there's the outlet baffle. This is the most important baffle in the tank. It allows the "clear water" from the middle liquid section of the tank to exit and prevents the floating scum layer in the tank from flowing out into the leach field, causing premature leach field failure. And on newer systems the outlet baffle will be equipped with a filter to catch and prevent even more solid matter from exiting the tank. This filter will often times require cleaning every 6 month.