If you are looking to purchase a home with a septic system or own a home with a septic system but do not understand how it works, this explanation can help you. There is a vast difference between a Chappaqua, NY, septic system installation and a septic repair.

Related: What Does Septic Installation Entail In Cortlandt, NY?

The Workings of a Septic System

If you care about environmental issues, then a septic system can be a boon. With no power of any type, a septic system can remove waste from your home to keep it running smoothly.

After the waste is flushed, it flows through the pipes into the tank which is buried beneath the ground. Once there, it separates into layers. The bottom layer is composed of solids which sink and start the decomposition process through beneficial microorganisms and bacteria. The middle layer is the water that filters out through a pipe into a drain field where it slowly seeps back into the ground to return to the groundwater. The last layer is on the top and is composed of the scum, or the grease and oils that won’t decompose and simply float on the top of the water. 

Septic Repair

A septic repair can become necessary when several things happen.

Roots: The roots of any type of plant grow toward a water source so when a septic pipe has even a tiny crack, a tree or shrub root can work its way in toward the water source. Once the root has penetrated the pipe, it continues to grow into the pipe causing the waste not to flow successfully thought the pipe to the tank. This must be remedied by a septic professional.

Toilet Back-ups: When your toilet or washing machine or sinks back up, this can be a sign that something is not right in the pipes. If you flush too much grease down the sink, over time it can build up within the pipes to cause a problem with the flow. A septic professional must clean out the pipes to bring back the free flow of waste from your home to the septic tank.

Full Tank: Depending on how many people live in a home, a septic tank can fill up and need to be pumped to remove the waste that is hindering the flow of waste from the house. A septic company can come out to pump the tank which can typically return your system to good working order. 

Septic Replacement 

While a septic system is typically an efficient waste removal system, sometimes the tank becomes unable to perform the function of waste removal and must be replaced with a new tank. This can occur when the tank is old, most often over 25 years old, or when the tank has to be pumped over and over to function correctly. 

A reliable septic service can evaluate your system to determine if it simply needs a repair or if the tank must be replaced. If it is too old, a septic expert can explain the exact process of replacing your Chappaqua, NY, septic tank so that there is no question whether it can be salvaged. 

When searching for a reputable septic service, look for the one with more than 40 years of experience in skilled, responsible septic drainage.

Related: Too Late For Repairs? When Is It Time For Septic Tank And Field Replacement In Cortlandt, NY?