How does a septic tank work
To know what kind of septic tank is needed for a summer residence, you need to imagine principle of operation
this device.
A septic tank is a special design for wastewater treatment. It consists of several chambers, each of which performs its own function. According to the principle of wastewater treatment, septic tanks are divided into anaerobic and aerobic, but there are also accumulative ones.
When cleaning, you can use aerobic bacteria
, and then the efficiency rises to 98%, but for their normal life, during which the decomposition of organic matter in wastewater occurs, oxygen is needed. It is supplied using compressor units that automatically turn on after a certain period of time, and electricity is needed for their operation.
- the simplest structure, which usually consists of one chamber. It is tight enough to accumulate sewage, which then needs to be pumped out, and for this, use a sewage machine and the services of professionals. In some septic tanks of this type, tank filling sensors are provided. This option is preferable for those who are very rarely in the country, and the arrangement of more technologically advanced cleaning does not make sense or is generally impossible for other reasons.
Now there are two main ways to equip your summer cottage with a septic tank: this is a purchase finished building
or its self-construction. The first option is simpler and faster, because you only need to connect the sewer pipes to the finished structure. At the same time, all dirty construction processes are absent, and installation can even be carried out independently.
Typology and arrangement of metal septic tanks
Like other septic tanks, metal can be divided primarily by the number of chambers used in them, 
which can be from one to three. This number is chosen based on two key factors: the required quality of treatment, as well as the volume of wastewater entering the septic tank on a daily basis. Sometimes, instead of installing several cameras, they act differently - they install several single-chamber solutions, but at different levels. But the most commonly used option is a sump with two chambers. This is especially optimal when the cottage or country house is not very large.
In general, a septic tank is a tank mounted on a concrete foundation and made of stainless or carbon steel, which is coated on both sides with anti-corrosion compounds.
Then the drains are cleaned and begin to be discharged into the ground, where the filtration is carried out to the end. The area where, in fact, wastewater is absorbed is the so-called filtration field. There are no paths made, no adjustments are erected - just thirty square meters of mostly sandy soil for high-quality cleaning and the absence of discomfort.
How to make a septic tank out of metal with your own hands
The best budget solution is the manufacture of a facility for the purification of domestic water from ready-made old containers. For example, barrels made of aluminum or steel from fuel and lubricants or tanks from trucks are well suited for this purpose. To choose what capacity liquid tanks are needed, they proceed from the maximum volume of outflowing effluents. So, for a family of 4, 2 barrels of 200 liters each are suitable.
Production and installation of a 2-chamber septic tank from metal containers:
- Holes with a diameter of 110 mm are made in the walls of the finished structures for inlet and outlet pipes, and a distance of 10 cm is maintained between them so that the outlet pipeline is located below the inlet.
- For cleaning with access to the filtration field, a hole is made at the bottom of the second tank at an angle of 45° for further connection of a pipe that discharges treated effluents to the site.
- On the lid of the septic tank, a hole is provided for pumping out the mass from the drive.
- At a distance of at least 5 m from the house, markings are made.
- In the intended place, they dig a pit a little larger than the diameter of the finished barrel. The dimensions of the pit should be such that 2 structures can freely fit into it, and the distance between the barrels should be 40-50 cm.
- With multi-stage cleaning, it is recommended to install 1-chamber tanks at different levels. For the first barrel, they dig a hole with a depth corresponding to the height of the drive, for the second - 20-30 cm more.
- On the basis of the pit, a sand cushion 20 cm thick is made, rammed. The concrete bottom is equipped with reinforcing loops for fixing the tanks.
- The treatment tanks are installed using a lifting mechanism.
- A sewer pipe is inserted through the top of the first tank.
- Connect all installation pipes.
- The joints are treated with sealant.
- The space between the walls of the pit and the barrels is covered with earth and compacted tightly.
- The sewage treatment plant is covered with a lid.
A septic tank can be made from sheet steel, with welding skills and the necessary welding equipment, or use the services of a professional welder. Pre-calculate the dimensions of the structure, perform a sketch of the model.
Sheet steel is metal in the form of sheets or wide strips. Rolled metal is universal and in demand in production and construction, it is characterized by high strength, ductility, ease of processing and affordable price. Sheets are available in various thicknesses. Standard sizes - 2000x1050 mm, 2500x1250 mm, 6000x1000 mm, etc.
For the manufacture of a sewer installation for summer cottages and country houses, 3 sheets of steel 2500x1250 mm 3-4 mm thick are suitable.
To make a septic tank out of metal with your own hands, perform the following steps:
- According to the developed pattern, blanks of the required dimensions are cut out of the sheets.
- In the middle of each strip, cuts are made with a grinder and bent at a right angle along the marks.
- The sheets are joined together, grabbing the edges.
- The structure is assembled in the form of a parallelepiped, welded with welded seams.
- For reinforcement, corners 50x50x4 mm are welded along the long sides.
- The seams are cleaned with a metal brush, the sags and formations obtained during the welding process are removed.
- Make holes for the pipeline and the neck of the tank. The neck can be round or square.
The product is ready for installation. Further installation work is carried out similarly to a 2-chamber structure from ready-made containers.
A septic tank from sheet metal can be made cylindrical. For the manufacture of the structure, the sheet must be bent on a special bending machine. The product has a minimum number of welds and is sealed, durable and reliable.
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Septic tanks by type of material
All purification tanks can also be divided into categories and according to the type of material used for their manufacture. Since the use of certain types of containers is relevant for one type of soil and may not be suitable for another at all. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze all the capacities offered by the market.
So, we compare septic tanks by type of material. Reservoirs are:
- Brick cleaning systems;
- Concrete tanks;
- Metal tanks;
- Plastic containers.
Brick septic tank
The most standard type of treatment tank in a country or suburban area.The popularity of such containers is due to the ability to use waste building materials, which saves the family budget.
When building a septic tank from brick, it is necessary to observe the tightness of its walls, since building stone can create cracks and gaps when laying. To avoid this, you can use a sealant or penetrating mastic.
Concrete tanks
This type of treatment plant is more powerful and durable.
A feature of the construction of tanks made of concrete is the need to dig a pit. If the septic tank is very large, then you will have to use sophisticated equipment.
Two types of treatment facilities can be built from concrete:
- Monolithic;
- Made.
In the first case, a pit is dug and reinforced concrete is poured into the installed formwork. In the second case, the septic tank is assembled from concrete rings. They are mounted one by one.
Metal septic tanks
The rarest type of tanks for wastewater treatment. The analysis shows that such containers have rather negative features than positive ones. And the most important of them is metal corrosion, which one day will lead to depressurization of the cleaning system.
PVC septic tanks
Comparison of septic tanks from different materials clearly speaks in favor of plastic. Such containers are made of sand-reinforced polymers by hot extrusion (extrusion under high pressure). The result is a strong container that can withstand high mechanical stresses in compression and tension. Especially if the tanks have special stiffeners.
The features of such tanks are entirely positive:
- Strength and durability;
- Resistance to aggressive environments;
- Environmental friendliness of materials;
- Excellent 100% tightness of the treatment system;
- Light weight.
The last advantage can also play the role of a disadvantage. So, plastic containers for a septic tank are at risk of being thrown out of the ground under the influence of temperature changes and groundwater. To prevent this from happening, they (PVC tanks) are installed in special pits with subsequent concreting. And you can use a special anchor system for their installation.
There are also septic tanks from any materials at hand. But this type of equipment is not professional and is used most often in small dachas, where the owners come periodically to harvest or harvest for the winter. In this case, simple barrels, car tires, etc. can be used.
Classification
All septic tanks that are currently used to install a sewerage system can be classified according to the following criteria:
Working method:
- accumulative;
- with soil filtration;
- with deep cleaning.
According to the material of manufacture:
- brick;
- reinforced concrete monolithic and conventional prefabricated from well rings;
- metal;
- based on polymers and fiberglass;
- from other materials.
Diagram of a septic tank made of concrete rings.
Depending on the location:
- vertical;
- horizontal.
According to the location of the chambers of the tank for cleaning:
- surface, that is, located above the surface of the soil;
- underground, laid in specially prepared trenches.
By the method of connection to engineering networks:
- volatile, that is, powered by an electrical network;
- autonomous, not requiring electricity in operation.
How to choose and install a storage septic tank
In order for the local sewage system to serve for a long time, properly and not cause unnecessary trouble and cost, it is necessary to determine the volume of the tank. It depends on the intensity of use of the system and the number of people living in the house. According to building codes, about 200 liters of wastewater per person per day.
True, this is the case if the house has running water and a bath or shower is installed.In country houses where there is no central or autonomous water supply, this figure can be an order of magnitude lower. Choosing the right tank size will save you a lot of system maintenance costs.
The next thing you should pay attention to is the material from which the tank is made. It is also necessary to check the integrity of the structure: cracks in the body, lack of tightness - all this makes the storage septic tank unusable
It is also important to choose a place to install a septic tank. Despite the fact that a high-quality storage septic tank is a sealed design, it is not recommended to install it near a water source, for example, a well
Also, do not place the local sewage system close to water bodies.
At the same time, it is important that there is free access to the septic tank for cleaning it. Vacuum trucks and sludge pumps have rather long working sleeves, but it is better to place the tank closer to the entrance to the site
In the event of an overflow of the septic tank, such a nuisance as the flooding of the bathroom in the house can occur. Therefore, it is desirable to install check valves on pipes.
Despite the fact that the storage septic tank is quite simple to install, it is recommended to entrust this work to professionals. The specialists of the Moskomplekt company are ready to carry out the whole range of works with high quality and in a short time: from designing and choosing the optimal location for the location of the septic tank to complete connection and subsequent comprehensive maintenance. We have extensive experience in this field and offer our services at competitive prices.
| The volume of the septic tank, l. | Dimensions, mm | Weight, kg.) | price, rub. | ||
| Length | Width | Height | |||
| 1100 | 1366 | 1366 | 1650 | 70 | 17 700 |
| 2000 | 1700 | 1100 | 1650 | 125 | 24 900 |
| 2 500 | 2000 | 1100 | 1650 | 160 | 31 700 |
| 3000 | 2350 | 1300 | 1650 | 190 | 40 700 |
Neck and lid sold separately. The cost of the cover is 1,899 rubles, the neckline 300 mm - 1,800 rubles, 500 mm - 2,200 rubles.
How to buy a septic tank
In order to purchase equipment for local sewerage, just call the numbers listed on the site. Our consultants will help you decide on the choice of device, depending on its power, manufacturer, operating conditions (year-round or country “summer” version) and others. In addition, wishes regarding the cost and the possibility of installation on a specific site will be taken into account.
At the moment, there is a very large selection of various septic tanks that differ in the processing capacity of household waste and are suitable for installation even in household plots with a very high level of groundwater.
Increasingly, in our time there is a need to build autonomous sewer systems. This is due to the fact that suburban construction is developing at an exceptionally active pace. But, of course, one cannot do without comfort outside the city, and such objects do not have a centralized sewage system, so it is necessary to build a separate, separate
Whether it is a motel, a holiday home, a private house, a summer house or another object, it is important that a waste-type water collection tank, that is, a septic tank, be installed there.
From polymer to metal
All septic tanks can be made from different materials, many options can be found on the market. In addition to plastic and metal offered by manufacturers, there are options for brick septic tanks and even containers made from old tires. All of them differ in their characteristics.
Inexpensive, but very durable septic tanks, which are used in the construction of the sewer system, have become very popular. These containers are lightweight and very durable. Often fiberglass septic tanks have special stiffeners that can withstand even great pressure.
The scheme of the septic tank.
But there are also disadvantages, among which is such an important factor as light weight.The barrels are easily pushed to the surface, so it is necessary to create a concrete slab in the pit as a base, to which the septic tank will be attached with a chain. This will avoid extrusion, ensure strength and reliability. The pit itself is recommended to be concreted so that the soil does not exert excessive pressure, it is recommended to fill the space between the walls with gravel, lay insulation. When choosing plastic barrels, preference should be given to those that have stiffeners.
masonry efficiency
For small summer cottages, brick cesspools are popular. How to use them? Such a septic tank is a pit in the ground, which is laid out with bricks from the inside. After laying, the walls are rubbed with cement mortar, a wooden shield cover is constructed from the outside, and ventilation is removed.
Septic tank with brick walls.
Of the advantages, it should be noted that the installation of such a septic tank is extremely simple, as is the use. It is only necessary to regularly clean it from the effluents that accumulate in it. But there are also disadvantages: ventilation goes directly outside the soil, that is, a rather unpleasant smell can be observed on the site, which is difficult to get rid of. If the dacha is used only for growing horticultural crops, then this does not matter much. But if there is a year-round house on the site, you need to choose another option.
Reinforced concrete buildings
Reinforced concrete septic tanks can be in a variety of interpretations:
- monolithic, for their installation, a foundation pit is dug, after which a formwork, a reinforced belt is arranged, concrete is poured;
- prefabricated from reinforced concrete for the construction of a sewer well.
Both options are quite strong and reliable, they are easy to operate.
When building a septic tank from rings, great attention must be paid to sealing the joints with a special sealant and tow. In this case, the effluents simply will not be able to penetrate the soil and infect it.
Reinforced concrete septic tank.
Metal tanks as septic tanks have been used less and less in recent years, as they are highly susceptible to corrosion, the walls can quickly leak, which means that untreated sewage will enter the ground. As containers, large metal barrels and old tanks are used, in which holes are made for the flow of effluents. Such barrels can be deepened into the ground or placed outdoors without special supports. Nowadays, experts recommend abandoning them, since their cost is high, and their use is not as effective.
improvised materials
Quite often, home-made septic tanks are installed in summer cottages. Experts do not recommend installing them yourself if you do not have the necessary experience, but you can still often see brick containers or septic tanks from an old metal barrel that are buried in the ground or arranged on special supports above ground level.
One of the most unusual homemade septic tanks is a container made of rubber tires. Although it is convenient, there are a number of significant disadvantages. Barrels do not have a bottom, their walls are not airtight, that is, when used, soil contamination is possible. Therefore, they must be used carefully, only if the volume of effluents is small.
Types of septic tanks
Septic tanks are different. They differ in the principle of operation and the materials from which they are made.
Table. Types of septic tanks.
| View | Description of equipment and principle of operation |
|---|---|
| This is the simplest type of septic tank, which in its structure is similar to the usual cesspool. That is why it is sometimes called a cesspool. This is a large container in which all the dirty drains that come through the pipes from the house are collected. This type of septic tank is airtight and does not allow liquid to seep into the ground. The tank constantly needs to be cleaned as it fills up; wastewater is pumped out using sewage equipment.Such a septic tank is installed if the groundwater on the site lies close to the surface, there is not enough space near the house to organize a normal treatment system, or there is a source of drinking water nearby. The drive is inconvenient in that if it is completely full, then you cannot use the sewer until the septic tank is empty. It makes sense to install it only if a small amount of polluted water is received. | |
| This is a more advanced septic tank. It consists of several hermetic tanks connected in a row (usually 2-3), in which water goes through certain stages of purification - under the influence of gravitational forces, pollutant fractions settle to the bottom, and the liquid, becoming cleaner each time, flows sequentially into the next tank. Thus, it reaches the latter, which is a filtration well - it does not have a bottom, and almost pure water begins to seep into the ground, additionally being cleaned. Instead of a filtration well, the system may end in filtration fields, where the same post-treatment process takes place. | |
| The drains in this case, having passed through the septic tank, will be as purified as possible and after cleaning they can even be drained into a reservoir. You can install a septic tank anywhere - even where groundwater is close. This device does not emit odors. The fact is that cleaning in the device occurs due to special bacteria that decompose water pollutants. The main drawback of the system is its very high cost. But these facilities do not need cleaning at all, and clean water can be used for irrigation. |
Septic tanks also differ in the materials from which they are made. There are plastic, concrete structures. They are made of brick and metal. The best solution is to use it to build a septic tank with your own hands. Well, in stores you can buy ready-made plastic installations, which are enough to install correctly on the site - and you can start using the septic tank. In this case, not much work will have to be done to prepare the equipment for work.
Cumulative septic tanks prices
Before purchasing a storage septic tank, it is recommended to clarify the installation conditions and the completeness of the installation. Some models may not be produced with a solid neck. If necessary, it can be increased for an additional fee, for example, the manufacturer of the Bars septic tank takes 350 rubles for every 100 mm
Please note that the manufacturer of Bars is Aqua-Hold, although some may act under their name. Company website www.akvahold.ru.
For convenience, it is better to dwell on "smart" storage septic tanks, which are equipped with a float sensor, such as those of Bars-N. When a certain level of container fullness is reached, the sensor transmits a signal to a signal board (a red light comes on), which is installed in any convenient place in the house. This signal means that it is necessary to clean the septic tank using a sewage machine, and you can set the signal level yourself. In the factory version, a signal will come when there is still 10 cm left before the tank is filled. The sensor has a significant service life and does not require maintenance.
Before choosing, consider the following factors:
-
The optimal volume of the septic tank
can be calculated either on ours or by the formula:
V=K*Q*7,
where TO
- the number of people permanently residing in the house;
Q
- water consumption for each person, so according to the norms of SNiP, this is about 100-200 liters per day;
7
- indicates the fill factor of the septic tank with wastewater for 7 days;
To clean the sewerage in household plots, autonomous sewage treatment plants are used. They are purchased ready-made from manufacturers or made independently.Home-made structures are made of different materials, most often they use brick, concrete or metal. Metal installations are designed for seasonal operation and are more reliable and practical.
A metal septic tank is a cylindrical or rectangular container made of carbon steel or stainless steel. The simplest installation for the collection and treatment of sewage waste is a 1-capacity storage tank. It has this device:
- Camera.
- incoming pipe.
- Lid.
Domestic sewage flows into the tank through a pipeline. The mass inside the tank is gradually stratified into solids and light suspensions. The septic tank is cleaned by a sewer as it accumulates.
Adding a second metal chamber to the design improves the wastewater treatment process. The biomass in the sump ferments and decomposes into particles. Solid particles settle to the bottom and turn into sludge. The ventilation pipe allows you to remove the harmful gases formed during the fermentation process to the outside. The light mixture is sent to the second tank.
There is no ventilation in the second tank, no air enters. The organic matter inside the chamber decomposes and flows by gravity through the pipeline to the filtration field - a land area of up to 30 m², on which wastewater is absorbed by the soil and final filtration is carried out. The septic tank is cleaned no more than 1-2 times a year and depends on the filling with sewer waste.
Pros and cons of metal septic tanks
The main advantage of metal septic tanks can be considered the fact that, due to the heaviness of the structures, they cannot be forced out to the surface of the site under pressure on the bottom and walls of the soil and groundwater.
Robust metal tanks are able to withstand accidental damage during installation and deformation loads during operation of the treatment plant
Hermetic structures make it possible to completely exclude the possibility of leakage, due to which they solve two problems at once: they protect the soil from the penetration of dirty drains, and the contents of the tank from overflowing in case of groundwater ingress.
Among the disadvantages of metal septic tanks is the vulnerability of the material to corrosion damage. But it is irrational to use stainless steel containers as storage tanks, since this option will cost twice as much.
The high thermal conductivity of the metal contributes to the rapid freezing of the structure in winter.
In addition, heavy structures are quite problematic to install without the use of lifting equipment.
Cumulative septic tanks prices
Before purchasing a storage septic tank, it is recommended to clarify the installation conditions and the completeness of the installation. Some models may not be produced with a solid neck. If necessary, it can be increased for an additional fee, for example, the manufacturer of the Bars septic tank takes 350 rubles for every 100 mm
Please note that the manufacturer of Bars is Aqua-Hold, although some may act under their name. Company website www.akvahold.ru.
For convenience, it is better to dwell on "smart" storage septic tanks, which are equipped with a float sensor, such as those of Bars-N. When a certain level of container fullness is reached, the sensor transmits a signal to a signal board (a red light comes on), which is installed in any convenient place in the house. This signal means that it is necessary to clean the septic tank using a sewage machine, and you can set the signal level yourself. In the factory version, a signal will come when there is still 10 cm left before the tank is filled. The sensor has a significant service life and does not require maintenance.
Before choosing, consider the following factors:
-
The optimal volume of the septic tank
can be calculated either on ours or by the formula:
V=K*Q*7,
where TO
- the number of people permanently residing in the house;
Q
- water consumption for each person, so according to the norms of SNiP, this is about 100-200 liters per day;
7
- indicates the fill factor of the septic tank with wastewater for 7 days;
All owners of dachas, cottages and country houses are well aware of the problem of wastewater disposal. If the house does not have a connection to the central sewer system, then an autonomous sewerage device is required. Previously, cesspools were equipped for this, which required regular cleaning, and in themselves they are not a reliable and safe structure. Now, it is much easier to solve the problem of wastewater in the country, because you can use septic tanks, but when choosing them, you need to take into account a lot of factors.
