Montgomery County Septic Pumping
Septic tanks should be pumped a minimum of every 2-3 years.
Proper design, installation and maintenance of your Washington DC septic system will maximize your system's life.
How The Septic System Works:
A Montgomery County septic system has two major components: a septic tank and soil absorption system (drain fields)
Septic Tank:
Waste water flows from the house to the septic tank. The tank is designed to retain waste water and allow heavy solids to settle to the bottom. These solids are partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge. Grease and light particles float, forming a layer of scum on top of the waste water. Baffles installed at the inlet and outlet of the tank force the water to move slowly through it, and prevent scum from exiting the tank.
Soil Absorption (drain fields) :
A solid pipe leads from the septic tank and channels the water into one or more perforated pipes in trenches of gravel. Here the water slowly seeps into the underlying soil. Dissolved wastes and bacteria in the water are trapped or absorbed to soil particles or decomposed by microorganisms. This process removes disease-causing organisms, organic matter and most nutrients. The purified waste water then moves to the ground water or evaporates form the soil.
Dry well:
An alternative to the drain fields is a Seepage Pit/Dry Well. In this type, liquid flows to a pre-cast tank with side wall holes surrounded by gravel. Liquid seeps through the holes or joints to the surrounding soil.