What is a Septic Tank and How Does it Work

As a homeowner, you may have questions about what a septic tank is, what to expect from the installation process, and how a septic tank works.

At Valentine Plumbing, our plumbing pros been helping homeowners understand and maintain their septic systems for many years since we first opened our doors in 1973.

Let’s explore what septic tanks are and how they function:

What is a Septic Tank?

In short, a septic tank is an underground wastewater treatment system commonly used in areas without access to centralized sewage treatment facilities.

A septic tank system treats household wastewater from bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms through a natural process of settling and biological decomposition.

Understanding Septic Tanks: The Basics

Your home’s septic system is usually comprised of two components: the septic tank itself, and a drain field. These two components work together to filter and purify your home’s wastewater before it returns to the groundwater system.
The functionality of your septic system is to collect wastewater from your home, retain any solid materials, remove the pollutants, and return the treated water to the surrounding soil on your property.
The most common types of septic systems include septic tanks, conventional systems, aerobic treatment units, mound systems, chamber septic systems, and drip distribution systems.

How Septic Tanks Work: Explained Step-by-Step

Step 1: Wastewater Collection and Separation

When wastewater flows from your home into the septic tank, the first stage of the treatment starts right away. The tank is designed to hold the wastewater long enough for solids to settle to the bottom and oils and grease to float to the top.

Inside the septic tank, the waste naturally separates into three layers:

Scum layer (top): Oils, grease, and floating debris
Effluent layer (middle): Liquid wastewater
Sludge layer (bottom): Heavy solids that have settled

Step 2: Bacterial Breakdown

At this stage, the septic tank will create an oxygen-free environment where beneficial bacteria breaks down the organic matter in the sludge layer. This biological process works by reducing the volume of solid waste and starting the water treatment process.

These naturally occurring bacteria work continuously to decompose waste.

Step 3: Effluent Discharge

Next, once the liquid effluent in the middle layer reaches a certain level, it will flow out of the tank through an outlet pipe into the drain field.

This is partially treated wastewater that will still contain nutrients and some bacteria that need additional filtering.

Step 4: Filtration into the Drain Field

Lastly, the effluent will undergo final filtration and purification as it passes through the soil. The soil acts as a natural filter, removing harmful bacteria and nutrients before the water reaches groundwater sources via the drain field.

The drain field is comprised of perforated pipes buried in gravel beds in the soil.

Have questions or ready to schedule a service? Please contact our plumbing pros at (920) 788-5369 today!

Schedule a Service Request

Regular Maintenance is Key to Septic System Health

We’ve talked a little bit about what a septic system is and how it works, but now let’s cover the importance of maintenance.

Once you get a new septic system installation for your home, it’s important to regularly maintain it for the best health and longevity possible, which helps to prevent costly repairs in the future.

You should note that most septic systems will require pumping every 3-5 years, depending on your household size and overall usage. Regular septic system maintenance will include the following:

Pumping: Removes accumulated sludge and scum
Professional Inspection: To check for leaks, damage, or component wear
Filter Cleaning: Maintains effluent filters if present
System Assessment: For overall performance and efficiency

If your system is having performance issues, you may start to notice signs of odors, high groundwater levels, or even sewage backup into your home. We detail more in our article here on when septic systems need to get replaced.

Best Practices for Septic System Care

To maximize your system’s lifespan and efficiency, you should pay attention to what goes down the drain. Please avoid flushing any non-biodegradable items, excessive grease, or harsh chemicals. Another recommendation we have is to fix leaks and use as water-efficient fixtures as possible.

In addition, always keep your vehicles and any heavy equipment off the drain field area.

Lastly, be sure to schedule regular inspections as directed by your plumbing company to help catch problems before they become more costly, and keep detailed records of pumping dates and inspections, and make notes on necessary repairs.

Summary

A septic system is a system with two key components: a tank and drain field. This system is an important investment for any residential areas without any access to a centralized sewage treatment facility. While a septic system requires an upfront initial investment and ongoing maintenance throughout its lifespan, it can often be a more economical choice than connecting to municipal systems in rural areas. In addition, proper care can extend your septic system’s life to 20-30 years or more.

When properly maintained, a septic system will provide quality wastewater treatment while also protecting your groundwater resources. A good performing septic system will remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and excess nutrients, and will also help to reduce the burden on municipal treatment facilities and provides good wastewater management for rural areas.

If you’re ready to discuss a septic system installation or maintenance plan, contact the Valentine Plumbing team today! We detail more about which is the right size of septic system for your home in our article here.

Contact Valentine Plumbing for Septic System Solutions!

At Valentine Plumbing, we’re your trusted partner for all your septic system needs. Our experienced team provides a wide range of septic services including septic system installations, ordered upgrades, maintenances, pumpings, repairs, and inspections.

We serve the cities of Appleton, Menasha, Neenah, Oshkosh, and Green Bay. Check out all our septic products from trusted industry brands here.

Whether you need routine maintenance, emergency repairs, or are considering a new septic system installation, Valentine Plumbing has the expertise and equipment to get the job done right. Our commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction since 1973 has made us a leading choice for local septic services in the Fox Cities!

For more resources, please check our our septic links and tips page here. If you need an estimate, please call us at (920) 788-5369 or contact us online today.