Get Answers to Seven Septic System FAQs

Pumping frequencies are determined by the size of the tank and the number of people using the system. Most systems need to be pumped every one to five years depending on whether they are aerobic or conventional systems. The most accurate way to determine if your septic or aerobic system needs to be pumped is to have a qualified company with highly trained personnel, like Brannon Septic, come out to your home or business to inspect and measure the sludge level in the septic tank and, if necessary, the aeration tank and pump tank. We thoroughly check your entire system. Typically, if the sludge level is within a foot of the bottom then your septic or aerobic system needs to be pumped. For simplicity's sake, we recommend staying on a routine pumping schedule to ensure the optimal performance of your system.

Over time, solid materials build up in your septic tank(s). It forms a semi-hard, thick layer at the top of the tank and is known as the crust or scum and a soft, dense layer on the bottom of the tank known as sludge. As these layers build up, the critical middle space in your septic tank that allows solids to settle to the bottom and food, grease, and lint to float to the top disappears. Without space to settle to the bottom or float to the top, the remains will flow into your drain field, clogging it up and causing failure. Drain fields, laterals, and sprinkler heads are not designed to take solid material and will clog up, which can cause expensive repairs and replacement costs. We recommend staying on a routine pumping schedule to maximize the life of your septic system. 

A conventional septic system is consists of a septic tank or more typically standardized septic tanks with a drain field. The septic tanks are located in the ground near the house to provide primary treatment of the wastewater. Wastewater flows from the house into the tanks. The solid waste material settles from the water and falls to the bottom forming a layer of sludge. The grease and lighter materials form a scum layer on top of the wastewater. The clarified wastewater in the middle enters the drain field through a watertight pipe. The liquid then passes through a perforated pipe for absorption into an engineered river-rock bed trenching system and thence into the soil or is evaporated into the atmosphere. 

Wastewater flows from your edifice, structure, or house into the pretreatment rubbish chamber. The waste is septic at this point because the material is anaerobic at this stage of the journey. The wastewater then filters into the aeration chamber, where the liquid is aspirated and the sewage is aerated, churning into a frothy mixture. From that stage, it enters the clarifying chamber where the clear, odorless effluent rises and passes through the chlorinate chamber for disinfection. The disinfected wastewater remains in the end-stage effluent discharge chamber until a floating device triggers an on/off switch for hydraulically activated spray heads.

A conventional system naturally requires the least amount of service, if it is thoroughly cleaned every year and initially installed by a highly competent technician in good soil. However, they do not work in all conditions, and thus the need for an aerobic system.

Only bodily excretions and lavatory or toilet paper should be flushed. Anything else should never be flushed, including the following items.