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The team at AAA Dependable Cesspool Sewer & Drain believe that knowledge is power. To properly care for your Suffolk County septic system, it would be wise to understand some cesspool basics.

WHAT IS A SEPTIC SYSTEM?

A septic system is a small treatment and disposal system that is buried underground. The main function of a septic system is to break down solid waste and allow it to be disposed of. A septic system has two main components:
  • The septic tank: The septic tank is an underground chamber that is usually made of concrete. It can also be made from fiberglass or plastic. The basic idea is that a septic tank is an onsite sewage facility that is used to dispose of waste.
  • The soil absorption area: More commonly, this is referred to as the drain field or leaching area. This is the distribution system that is used for soil based disposal and treatment of wastewater.
When solid waste from your household enters the septic system, several things occur:
  • Solid waste material will float to the surface of the system and then form a layer of scum. The bacteria that is present in the septic tank will then biologically convert the scum into liquid.
  • Inert solid waste and bacterial digestions sink to the bottom of the tank and form a layer of material called sludge.
  • Between these two layers, clear water should exist and then flow into the soil absorption area to organically dispose of it.
It is important that no solid material should overflow into the soil absorption area. If this happens, the soil pores will clog and the entire septic system will fail. An overflow can also be caused if there is a presence of bacterial deficiency or a lack of sludge material. It is important that bacteria be present in the septic tank. This is because bacteria is needed to break down the solid waste. Regular household waste usually provides enough bacteria to allow this to happen. However, if the bacteria is contaminated, the process will fail because bacteria are quite sensitive to environmental changes. There are many household products that are frequently used and should never be flushed down the toilet or a sink drain because they will disrupt the septic system. Some of these common materials include:
  • Toilet cleaners
  • Grease
  • Oil
  • Laundry detergent
  • Household disinfectants
  • Polishes
  • Acids
  • Bleach
Although many of these things are common around the house, they should be avoided when it comes to toilets or drains. The effect that they have on the septic system could prevent it from working properly. When a septic system fails to work properly, the safety of your family is put in jeopardy.

WHY IS BACTERIA IMPORTANT?

People usually think of bacteria as a bad thing, but in the world of the septic system, it is actually vital. Bacteria digests the scum which allows for a fluid disposal. If the scum does not get digested, it will accumulate and then overflow causing a major clog. The septic tank’s sludge must be disposed of because it is not biodegradable. If it is not removed it will also cause blockage and a deterioration to the entire septic system.

WHAT IS A CESSPOOL?

A cesspool is a pit into which a concrete or cement wall has been placed. It is here that waste water will flow and drain into the soil. Cesspools serve as overflow pits for the septic tank. In time the drainage area that is around the cesspool becomes saturated, and more pools may have to be dug to handle the volume of waste. This is why routine cesspool pumping and maintenance is vital.

Cesspools which serve only as “overflow” pits from septic tanks are much more efficient than the older systems because they receive much less solid material. However, where there is no septic tank to hold the solids, the cesspool will require much more maintenance. Over time, when the drainage area around the leaching pool becomes saturated, additional pools may have to be dug to handle the volume.

THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A STRONG SEPTIC TANK

If you have a well designed and properly designed septic system in your Suffolk County home, it can last you several decades. It could also potentially fail in several years. That is up to you and how well you care for your waste management. If you rely on the guidance of the professional team at AAA Dependable Cesspool Sewer & Drains, you will have a waste management system for many years to come.

It does not take too much money to care for your septic system. However, it can also be easy to spend thousands of dollars on repairs and reinstallations in the future. The best way to properly care for your septic system is to limit your usage of water, and do not flush anything besides waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Another way of maintaining a healthy septic system is to avoid hazardous materials going down the drains of your sinks. These little behaviors could add up to costly repairs in the future.

HOW DO APPLIANCES AFFECT THE SEPTIC TANK?

Not many homeowners in Suffolk County are aware of this, but the appliances that you use everyday can have a negative impact on your septic system. Certain appliances and home features can disrupt the flow of water to the septic system which causes a potential threat to its function. Some of these household amenities include:
  • Hot Tubs: The fact that draining a hot tub onto the grass is disturbing if you are considering the safety of your septic system. The proper way to dispose of the water in a hot tub is to allow it to cool and then drain off your landscape in the opposite direction of your septic tank.
  • Garbage disposal: It is recommended to not use a garbage disposal at all if you are concerned about the health of your septic system. If you do not use one, you are reducing the risk of scum buildup in your septic tank.
  • Washing Machine: The more water your household uses by doing laundry, the more impact you will have on your septic system. It is wise to limit the loads of laundry done in the house to the bare minimum.

SOME BASIC DO'S AND DON'TS

To properly care for your cesspool and septic tank, here is a list of some basic do’s and don’ts that will help:

Do

Don't

  • Perform regular cesspool and septic tank maintenance including basic cleaning.
  • Only plant grass above your cesspool.
  • Limit your household’s usage of water.
  • Maintain your drain field by not planting any nearby trees or shrubbery.
  • Limit your usage of the garbage disposal.
  • Use high efficiency appliances that limit use of energy.
  • Flush anything down the toilet besides waste and toilet paper.
  • Pour household chemicals down the drain.
  • Waste household water.
  • Install rainwater drainage systems near your drainfield.
By following these suggestions, we know that you will properly care for your septic system. In turn that means you are taking care of the health and safety of your family and that is the top priority at AAA Dependable Cesspool Sewer & Drain. For more information about the function of cesspools and septic systems, please do not hesitate to call us today!