Do-it-yourself septic tank for a permanent home made of concrete rings - step-by-step instructions

If there is no access to a centralized sewerage system, you have to think about where to dispose of the wastewater. A septic tank for a permanent residence is the only possible option for a sewer system.

If there is no centralized sewerage system, what to do with the wastewater?

Choosing the right installation location

When choosing a place to build a septic tank without pumping it yourself, you need to be guided by the requirements of sanitary standards and the recommendations of specialists. According to them, the treatment plant should be located:

• no closer than five meters from residential buildings. But you shouldn’t move the septic tank too far from the house. The fact is that the longer the line, the greater the risk of blockages in the pipe. The best option can be considered 10-15 meters from the building;
• no closer than 50 meters from the water source (well or well). Everything here will depend on the soil at the dacha and the direction of groundwater flow. If the ground is permeable (for example, sand), then the distance from the water source should be more than 50 meters. Also, the septic tank cannot be located higher in the direction of groundwater flow from the well or borehole;
• You cannot install a septic tank near an adjacent area. Not a single person will be happy with such a neighborhood. Therefore, it is worth retreating at least a meter from the fence or fence, and preferably more.

In addition, experts do not recommend building a septic tank in areas where trees or other large vegetation grow nearby. Their roots can damage the sealed first compartment, causing harm to the environment.

Where to install a septic tank

When choosing a location for a septic tank, consider the distance to the nearest objects. The minimum indicators should be:

• to a residential building - 5 m (with the exception of sealed septic tanks. In such devices, the distance to the walls of the house does not matter);
• to the nearest source of drinking water, for example, a well, a well - from 50 m ;
• to the reservoir - 30 m ;
• to a stream or river - 10 m ;
• to the border of the site - 2 m ;
• to the road - 5 m ;
• to trees - 3 m ;
• from the conventional day to the groundwater level - 1 m .

Failure to comply with these requirements has negative consequences that can cause epidemics. Thus, proximity to sources of drinking water leads to its contamination, which causes various infectious diseases to arise.

If the house is located on a slope, then a place is chosen for the receiver at the bottom of the site.

Attention! If the groundwater level is high, then it is better to refuse to build a septic tank with your own hands. Otherwise, the sanitary and epidemiological service may fine the owner of the house.

In such cases, only a sealed container is used and high-quality waterproofing is ensured.

The tank must be positioned so that a sewage truck can drive up to it.

Features of the device depending on the material

You can build a septic tank without pumping and smell yourself. For this use:

Let's look at each design in more detail.

Option #1 - brick septic tank

To make a septic tank without pumping, clinker bricks are chosen. The shape of the sump can be round or rectangular. For better waterproofing, it is advisable to treat the external walls of the septic tank with a special mastic and cover it with clay around the entire perimeter by about 20 cm. The internal surface is treated with cement mortar.

The bottom of the chambers, except the last one, must be concreted so that untreated waste does not seep into the ground. The bottom of the last tank is covered with a layer of sand and crushed stone, and the walls are laid out with small gaps. This will help excess filtered water seep into the soil. The tanks are connected to each other using tees.

The walls of the last chamber of the septic tank are laid out from bricks with small gaps so that excess moisture drains into the ground through them.

Option #2 - monolithic concrete structure

To seal the first chambers of a monolithic septic tank, the base is poured with concrete on top of a sand “cushion”. After the solution hardens, formwork is constructed and the walls of the structure are poured with concrete. In this case, it is necessary to arrange overflows between the chambers. For this purpose, sewer tees are used. The top of the structure is also filled with mortar. In this case, control holes are left, which are covered with hatches. To improve drainage, pipes are dug into the bottom of the last chamber, and the ground is not filled with mortar, but covered with crushed stone.

The size of the first chamber of a three-chamber monolithic septic tank can be half of the entire structure or be equal to each of its components. The walls and bottom of a monolithic structure must be completely sealed

For the strength of concrete, when constructing a monolithic septic tank, it is necessary to use reinforcement.

Option #3 - septic tank made of concrete rings

The diameter of the reinforced concrete rings is different, which must be taken into account when calculating the size of the septic tank. Typically, no more than 4 concrete products are used for one tank. Due to the heaviness of the components, it is advisable to use special equipment for the construction of such septic tanks. Bury the rings sequentially.

Having installed the first element in its location, they make a dig under it. As the first ring is lowered, the following elements of the septic tank are installed. The parts are fastened together using protruding reinforcement. The seams between the rings are carefully sealed with mortar and covered with waterproofing. The bottom of sealed structures is concreted.

After installing the rings for the septic tank, the seams between them are sealed with mortar and covered with a waterproofing compound. This prevents untreated waste from seeping into the soil

To seal the seams between the rings, waterproofing agent, bitumen mastic, hydrotex or other waterproofing compounds are used.

Having thus constructed the required number of tanks, overflow pipes are laid between them. All chambers are covered with hatches from above. For security, a clay “castle” is made around the structure.

Option #4 - using plastic containers

Eurocubes are often used as plastic containers for septic tanks. Before installing them, it is necessary to make holes for transition and ventilation pipes. After which the containers are welded or fastened together using reinforcement and lowered into a pre-prepared pit. To avoid the structure being squeezed out by groundwater, anchoring must be done.

Eurocubes are fully prepared for installation in the ground. To prevent them from moving relative to each other, a durable metal frame is welded

Regardless of what the septic tank is made of, it must be reliable and durable. We must not forget about the safety of such structures. Therefore, septic tanks without pumping can only be built in places with low groundwater levels.

Construction technology of a concrete septic tank

Installing a sewer system from concrete rings is labor-intensive, but not difficult. The main thing is to follow the technology that will be described below.

Tanks for receiving and settling wastewater can be placed close to each other or even use one large container with a continuous partition. And the filter well must be spaced at least half a meter to ensure unhindered filtration from all sides.

Design

Having decided on the design of the septic tank, you need to choose a location for it and calculate the optimal volume of the storage tank.

• Instructions for the construction of sewage treatment facilities require compliance with the conditions for their location on the ground. It is advisable to choose a place whose level is lower than the level on which the residential building stands, so that in the event of depressurization of the septic tank, wastewater does not leak under the foundation. You should also maintain standard distances from the structure to infrastructure, water sources and plantings.

Minimum permissible distances from the septic tank to other objects

• To effectively process wastewater, bacteria need to “work” with it for at least three days. Therefore, the size of settling tanks is determined based on the total volume of wastewater over three days.

Advice. To avoid complex calculations, determine the required volume according to water consumption standards. Subject to the use of household appliances, it is equal to 200 liters per day per person. For example, if 4 people live permanently in a house, the required volume will be 4x200x3 = 2400 liters or about 2.5 m3.

The resulting figure must be increased by one and a half times. This is done for two reasons:

• Firstly, the inlet pipe, and especially the overflow pipe, are located below the upper edge of the container, so the liquid does not fill the entire volume;
• Secondly, there are situations (emergency discharge of water into the sewer or the arrival of a large number of guests) when the volume of the storage tank is not enough to hold wastewater for three days.

The most popular rings for installing local septic tanks are 90 cm in height and one, one and a half or two meters in diameter.

The most common sizes of concrete rings for sewerage

Their internal volume can be calculated using the well-known school formula: V = 3.14 x R2 x H.

For example, the volume of a one and a half meter ring is 1.58 m3. If the storage tank consists of two rings stacked on top of each other, its volume is quite enough to process wastewater from 4 people.

Materials and tools

In general, everything has already been said about the choice of sizes and number of rings. As for the design, it is advisable to choose rings with a locking connection: this will simplify the process of installation and sealing of joints, as well as prevent displacement due to ground movements.

It is also worth paying attention to the rings with a bottom as the lower part of a sealed storage tank. And for a filtration well, you can purchase products with perforated walls. These design features will allow you to spend less time arranging the sewer system.

In addition to the rings, you will need sewer pipes with a diameter of at least 110 mm and fittings for them.

External PVC sewer pipes

As well as the following materials and tools:

• River sand;
• Crushed stone;
• Cement;
• Container for mixing the solution;
• Waterproofing compounds for sealing joints;
• Polyurethane foam;
• Buckets and shovels (for manual digging);
• Rope;
• Ladder;
• Hammer;
• Building level.

DIY tools for constructing concrete septic tanks

Excavation

Local sewage system for a dacha made of concrete rings includes, in addition to the septic tank, pipelines coming from the house and connecting individual containers. Therefore, in addition to the pit, you will also have to dig trenches for them.

It doesn’t matter how this is done - manual or mechanized. Their choice depends only on the possibility of placing equipment on the site and the time allotted for work. Financially, the services of an excavator and a team of diggers cost approximately the same.

It’s cheaper to do everything yourself, but this will require a lot of time and physical effort.

Advice. Excavation work is best done in the summer or during the first frost, when the groundwater level is lowest.

The algorithm for performing the work is as follows:

Note. If the lower ring has a bottom, there is no need to make a cement screed; a well-compacted crushed stone backfill is sufficient.

Installation of settling tanks

Installation of the rings begins after the concrete bottom has hardened. Cement mortar is placed on it around the circumference, the lower ring is lowered and the walls are leveled until the walls are strictly vertical. The slightest distortion will disrupt the stability of the structure and the strength of the joints.

Instead of concreting the bottom, you can lay a concrete platform on it, as in the photo

Additionally, the joint between the ring and the base is coated with bitumen mastic or waterproof cement compounds such as Aquacement or Penetron.

Then the next ones are installed on this ring one by one, carefully sealing all joints. Additionally, they can be fixed using metal brackets or plates.

It is important! Toxic compounds cannot be used for internal sealing. They can cause the death of bacteria that process organic matter.

Before backfilling, overflow pipes are installed, but this will be discussed in detail below. Having completed the installation of the rings, the space between their outer walls and the walls of the pit is filled with previously removed soil, periodically compacting it and spilling it with water.

Backfilling of pit sinuses

The resulting tanks are covered on top with slabs with necks and holes for hatches with lids. And the second compartment is equipped with a ventilation pipe 60-80 cm high from the ground surface.

Construction of a filtration well

A filtration well is easier to install than a storage well. But it only makes sense to install it on a base that allows water to pass through well.

Therefore, the pit is dug a meter deeper than the height of the well, and the excess space is filled with a soil filter with an increase in the backfill fraction:

• First 30-40 cm of sand;
• Then the same layer of fine gravel;
• And 20-30 cm of crushed stone or coarse gravel.

Filter well on gravel bed

Concrete rings are installed using the above technology, but without waterproofing the seams. And the pockets between the walls of the pit and the rings are filled with crushed stone.

For reference. If filtration fields are constructed instead of a well, then the soil is removed to a depth of about a meter, a gravel-sand cushion 40 cm thick is laid, perforated pipes are installed, covered with geotextiles and backfilled.

Diagram of the filtration field structure

Installation of overflow pipes

In order for the sewage system in a country house made of concrete rings to work properly, the entry point of the drain pipe into the first tank is determined by the distance from the house and the slope of the trench. But it should not be higher than the freezing level of the soil, so that the drains moving by gravity do not freeze.

Installation of overflow pipes

On the opposite wall of the storage tank, using a hammer drill, another hole is made for the overflow pipe. It should be located 10-20 cm below the entrance. The same hole is made at the entrance to the filtration well.

The pipes are first fixed in place using mounting foam, which acts as a deformation gasket in the event of ground movements. And then the insertion points are carefully sealed.

Advantages of a cesspool without pumping

A rationally designed and constructed sewage system will not only make a summer cottage comfortable for living. The system has many advantages:

1. Ease of self-construction;
2. Possibility of using various materials, including concrete;
3. Increased time interval between pumping cycles.
4. Low cost and minimal maintenance costs.

When planning a sewer system without the need for pumping, consider several nuances. Carefully choose the installation location, control the absorption capacity of the system, and specific odors in the property. Avoid using household chemicals to clean the system - they may react with organic matter.

Details

Facilities. Review

For initial use, certain products should be used. These include:

1. Bioforce Septic Shock, which is sold in one liter bottles. Contains enzymes and aerobic bacteria. For a one-cube septic tank, one bottle is used. If the volume of the septic tank is larger, you will have to buy several bottles of the product. One container costs about 900 rudders.

2. Doctor Robik 509 in the form of a liter container. The drug is used to effectively clean the septic tank. First, you need to pump out the old drains and add the product, calculating that one bottle is needed for a septic tank volume of 2 thousand liters. A bottle costs approximately 630 rubles.

To support the fermentation processes, and also for post-cleaning of pits, special preparations are used. These include:

1.Doctor Robik marking 309 is used all year round. The product has the form of a liquid and is sold in a 1 liter bottle. One bottle is used for a septic tank of 2 thousand liters. The product must be injected into the inspection hole. A bottle of the product costs approximately 750 rubles.

2.Doctor Robik marking 409 is used to clean the cesspool all year round. It is better to pour the product into the hole in spring or summer. A bottle of 409 is enough for a septic tank of 2 thousand liters. The product costs 630 rubles. for one bottle.

Solutions for silting a septic tank with a bottom

The bottom part of the septic tank can become silted in septic tanks manufactured at the factory. Such septic tanks have a bottom. The reason for this phenomenon is a small number of bacteria in the container.

Attention! Microorganisms can die from alkali, acids or bleach contained in cleaning solutions

How to get rid of grease and soap

Fats and soap scum that fall into bottomed sumps cause septic tanks to overflow. Plaques do not allow wastewater to move quickly through the system, causing plugs to form.

Attention! Grease traps will help combat the formation of fat plugs. Grease and soap plugs can be removed using two methods:

Grease and soap plugs can be removed using two methods:

-mechanical,

-chemical.

The chemical method is more effective compared to the first. It is easy to put into practice. You need to pour a special preparation into the sink or toilet. This process should be repeated until the sewer capacity is restored.

To remove soap scum and fat deposits, special preparations should be used. These include:

1.ROETECH K-87 is an effective culture that can cope with paper splitting, soap, and grease. One bottle is enough for a 1 cubic meter septic tank. The product costs 800 rubles.

2.BIOFORCE DRAINAGE COMFORT is a highly effective product, available in sachets that must be dissolved in a 10-liter bucket. One bag is enough to clean 50 meters of sewer pipeline from fat and soap deposits. One package contains ten sachets. The drug costs 2 thousand 770 rubles.

3.Doctor Robik marking 809 is a special product for dissolving soap deposits. Cleans overflow pipes well, the first compartment of the septic tank. One bottle is enough to clean a two cubic meter septic tank of stones and soap deposits. The product is poured into the toilet or introduced through the inspection hatch. The bottle costs 630 rubles.

How to make a drain for treated wastewater

If the septic tank overflows with water from a large number of residents, then it is necessary to build a well for drainage or a filtration field. If the septic tank does not have sufficient power, the problem will not be solved. If the daily water discharge exceeds more than 1/3 of the total capacity of the tank, it means that it is necessary to build a well or construct a drainage field.

Attention! In this situation, you can dismantle the septic tank and install a new structure of the required size. https://www.youtube.com/embed/PjoTGbHNLcI

Operating principle

If you want to set up an autonomous sewage system at your dacha or country house, then you cannot do without a device such as a septic tank.
You can create such a system with your own hands. The main thing is to know the operating principle of the septic tank and its components. So, the wastewater treatment system includes:

• two or more containers connected to each other by tubes;
• ventilation system (holes or shafts) for each section of the septic tank;
• sealed lids (hatches) over each container.

Wastewater from the sewerage system enters the first container. It plays the role of a sump, so it must be absolutely sealed. Here solid fractions settle to the bottom. They are subsequently processed by anaerobic bacteria. These microorganisms enter the septic tank naturally, because they are constantly present in the environment. But for more efficient operation of the device, you can introduce bacteria manually, simply pour biological products (they are sold in specialized stores) into the sewer system.

During their life, microorganisms produce gases. To prevent them from accumulating in the container, it is necessary to provide ventilation. To do this, it is enough to equip a hole in the upper part of the container; you can build a shaft above it (install a pipe). Since the process of decomposition of organic compounds under the influence of microorganisms occurs slowly, a sharp unpleasant odor will not appear in the dacha.

Clarified water (after solid fractions have precipitated) flows through connecting tubes into the second container. If your septic tank installed in a country house or country house consists of more than two sections, then the second of them is also made airtight. Here the process of decay under the influence of anaerobic microorganisms will continue. These bacteria will appear here from the first container, but you can introduce them yourself through the upper hatch.

If the septic tank contains only two containers, then the second one is made without a bottom. More precisely, its base will be made of a layer of crushed stone and sand. Through such a bottom, water that has already been purified in the sump and under the influence of microorganisms will freely flow into the soil.

In order for such a septic tank to work effectively at your dacha or homestead for many years, you should follow some rules:

• Firstly, no solid inorganic objects should fall into the sump. They simply will not be processed by bacteria and will gradually fill the entire container, which will force you to clean the septic tank ahead of time;
• secondly, chemicals (especially those containing chlorine compounds) should not enter the sewer system in large quantities. Such effluents will harm the colony of microorganisms, and therefore reduce the efficiency of the septic tank. As a result, you will have to purchase biological products to restore the bacteria population.

If you follow these simple rules, the sewage treatment device will work for 15-20 years. In this case, there will be no need to call a sewer truck to pump out accumulated sewage.

How to clean an autonomous sewer

The septic tank is pumped out using a special technique - a sewer truck . It is equipped with a tank that removes all waste at one time. A pump is installed on the sewer truck, the type of which determines the pumping method.

Sludge pumping is an affordable and effective procedure. Such a vacuum cleaner, along with wastewater, removes bottom silt and partially soil. Thanks to this, the absorption capacity of the soil is restored.

Hydrodynamic cleaning is convenient because in addition to completely removing the contents, the walls of the tank are washed.

The septic tank is cleaned using a sewer machine.

The advantage of vacuum pumping is the high speed of work. In addition, this is the only method without the formation of dirt and unpleasant odors. This service is the most expensive .

After pumping, the sludge is transported for disposal to designated places.

The main criterion when determining the cost of the service is the volume of the septic tank. The distance of the object also matters.

Self-pumping of septic tanks

If for some reason the service of a septic tank is unavailable, then the septic tank is cleaned independently.

• Chemical cleaning. At the first stage, chemical reagents are poured into the sewer tank, which cause oxidation and neutralization reactions. Then biological products are added, which thin out the waste. This method can only be used in a country house where sewerage is not used all the time. In other cases, chemical cleaning will slightly delay the need for mechanical pumping.

Prices for live bacteria for cleaning country toilets

Live bacteria

Biological products will help clean the septic tank

• Mechanical cleaning. The easiest way to clean the tank yourself is with a bucket and rope. However, I rarely do this because of the unpleasant smell. It is also possible that the soil in the area where the work is being carried out may be contaminated.

Pumps simplify the task. They are:

• Superficial . Such devices are installed next to the storage tank into which the hose is inserted. They are easy to operate and allow you to pump out high-temperature wastewater, but have low power. The size of solid components in pumped liquids should not exceed 5 mm . The permissible hose length is 8.5 m .
• Semi-submersible , or vertical. In this model, the engine remains on the surface, the rest of the device is immersed in the drains. The pumping depth does not matter, but it does not have a grinder. Therefore, the size of the solid particle fraction should be no more than 50 mm , or even less, which depends on the diameter of the pipe.
• Submersible . This is the most powerful and most expensive type of equipment.

The pump will allow you to refuse the services of sewerage machines

After pumping out, the sludge is placed in a compost pit.

The principle of operation of the design without pumping

Waste is discharged into the first tank. Pre-cleaning is performed there - heavy particles settle on the bottom surface, and light particles are discharged into a second container. Here they are finally filtered and discharged into one or more drainage wells. To prevent waste from entering your area, the chambers are sealed. The exception is the last one, on the walls or bottom of which small holes are made. They are designed to remove excess moisture. Solid particles settle on the walls and need to be removed periodically. The appearance of sediment can be prevented in several ways:

• prevent solid objects from entering the sump;
• control the removal of inorganic materials into septic tanks;
• reduce the access of chlorine-based chemical products into sewer lines.

By following the rules for the effective functionality of a septic tank, you can extend its operation up to 20 years without the need for sewerage services src=»https://mr-build.ru/wp-content/uploads/4/4/f/44faece9b522ee61bedc602ed68cdd6b.jpg» class=»aligncenter "width="850″ height="574″[/img]

How to put a septic tank into operation

In order for the system to begin to function effectively, the constructed septic tank must be saturated with anaerobic microflora. The natural accumulation process takes several months, so it is accelerated by saturating the septic tank with imported microflora.

You can do this in two ways:

• The new septic tank is filled with wastewater and left for 10-14 days. Then sludge sludge from an existing anaerobic septic tank is loaded into it (2 buckets per cubic meter).
• You can purchase ready-made bioactivators (bacterial strains) in the store (the main thing here is not to confuse them with aerobes, which are intended for other treatment systems).

Types of sewer septic tanks without pumping

Systems are classified depending on the cleaning mode. A two-chamber structure is serviced once every 2-3 years, and waste from a three-chamber structure goes into a drainage well.

Two-chamber design - features of self-construction

The collector, consisting of two chambers, is convenient to use when people do not live independently at the dacha. The work is carried out following the technological sequence of actions:

1. A pit is dug 3 m deep, the location for which is chosen according to the requirements of SNiP and the location of groundwater. Digging is carried out with a shovel or excavator.
2. The bottom surface is covered with a cushion of sand and crushed stone, raising it by 15 cm.
3. Formwork made of lumber is installed, reinforcement is carried out with ligation with metal wire.
4. Two holes are made in the formwork where pipes are inserted. They form the beginning of the highway and the overflow channel.
5. The formwork is filled with concrete mortar and distributed evenly with a rubber mallet. The entire cement mass is poured in one step.
6. The bottom of the first tank is made of concrete, controlling the tightness of the section. In the sump, the waste liquid is separated - the solid fractions settle, and the water is poured into a second container. Solid sediments are decomposed with special preparations and an anaerobic complex.
7. The second chamber is made without a bottom. Instead, a layer of crushed stone and gravel mixture is poured onto the ground, which filters wastewater.
8. The overflow pipe is fixed, maintaining a slope of 30 mm per 1 linear meter. The height of the element is 1/3 of the well.

The septic tank is covered with similar concrete slabs. You can make them yourself or purchase them. The hatch cover is placed to check the filling of the chambers. The hole is filled with sand and the removed layer of soil. Clean the system every 2-3 years.

Sewerage without pumping - stages of arrangement

A septic tank without regular pumping of wastewater is relevant when people live permanently in a country house, private house or country house. The optimal option for sewer lines is three-chamber. The settling tank is made large, about ½ of the entire structure. Heavy waste settles in it, and the liquid enters the first compartment, from where, as it is full, it flows into the second. The last chamber of the septic tank ensures complete treatment of wastewater with its subsequent discharge into the drainage tank. To remove insoluble impurities, a pumping station is used. Pumping is carried out at intervals that depend on the volume of the sewerage system. To install a treatment facility from ready-made concrete rings, follow the following algorithm:

1. Buy 9 concrete rings. For every 3 products you will need one cast iron hatch.
2. Dig 3 pits, focusing on the diameter of the rings. Installation of tanks of standard parameters is carried out in pits 3 m deep and 2.8 m wide.
3. Cover the first trenches with concrete pads.
4. Lower the products into the ditches using a crane.
5. Make holes in the finished tank through which you connect the connecting pipeline or perform ventilation. Seal the joints with concrete-based mortar.
6. Fill the cavities between the rings and the soil with liquid glass, waterproofing, and bitumen mastic, which seal the communications and give them stability.

After installing the concrete forms, place hatches on them.

What is a septic tank

This is a container that is a sealed housing. It can be divided into several combined or separate sections. A sewer line is connected to it via a pipe on one side. On the other hand, treated (purified) waste comes out through the pipe. As a result, approximately 90% of suspended solids are retained in settling tanks. The water is then subjected to biological treatment in sand and gravel filters or underground filtration fields.

Example of a three-chamber septic tank

Such a system is not complete, since there is no independent waste disposal. Therefore, pumping out of the cesspool is necessary. Cleaning occurs quarterly. But the frequency depends on the volume of the container and the filling speed.

How does the design that does not require pumping work?

The design, which does not require regular pumping of wastewater, consists of several adjacent tanks. Usually two or three-chamber septic tanks are built. The first tank is a settling tank. As a rule, in a two-chamber septic tank, the volume of the first tank occupies three quarters of the entire structure, in a three-chamber septic tank, half.

Once in the first chamber, the wastewater undergoes preliminary treatment. In this case, the heavy fractions settle at the bottom, and the lighter ones flow into the second tank as the first one fills. In the last tank, the final purification of wastewater occurs, after which relatively clean water is sent to filtration fields or to a drainage well.

A layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the last chamber of the septic tank for drainage. This helps excess moisture go into the ground and not accumulate in the septic tank.

All tanks of such a septic tank, except the last one, are made airtight. Depending on the design, holes are made in the last chamber in the walls or bottom of the septic tank. This helps remove excess moisture and avoid having to pump out waste regularly.

Since in addition to organic substances, household waste contains insoluble impurities, even such a design must be periodically removed from the sediment that will accumulate at the bottom of the septic tank. This is done using household drainage pumps. The pumped out sludge can be used as fertilizer. The frequency of septic tank maintenance depends on its size and volume and composition of wastewater.

Rules for operating a septic tank

It is prohibited to throw or drain into the home sewer system

• vegetables and their remains;
• construction garbage;
• biodegradable waste - plastic bags, films, hygiene products, cigarette butts and similar waste;
• water containing chlorine, potassium permanganate, oxidizing agents;
• medications;
• a large amount of pet hair.

Vegetable waste must not be disposed of down the drain.

The number of bacterial colonies in a septic tank is constantly decreasing. In order for the decomposition of organic matter to occur equally actively, they need to be replenished. To do this, special preparations are poured through the toilet 1-2 times a month. The serving size depends on the capacity of the tank.

Every septic tank is regularly cleaned of waste and sludge. You can easily check whether it's time for cleaning by opening the lid. For a more accurate determination, even at the stage of installation of an autonomous sewer system, the tank is equipped with an exhaust pipe, to which a cord with a plumb line is connected. A knot is made on the cord at a height corresponding to the maximum filling of the container. When not in use, the cord is wound onto a spool and stored under the umbrella of the chimney.

Note! Some septic tanks are equipped with tank fill level sensors. This relieves the home owner from unpleasant responsibilities.

To ventilate a septic tank, you need a ventilation system. Often the air is discharged from a drain pipe connected to the ventilation riser of a residential building.

Simple septic tank ventilation system

What does the sewer system consist of?

An autonomous waste disposal system involves the construction of a septic tank. Before you start designing communications, it is worth understanding what the pumping mechanism consists of. A typical home cleaning system includes:

• storage tanks that are connected using pipes. The containers consist of 2 or 3 chambers. The first tank, the sump, should be filled ¾, and the second - ½.;
• ventilation shafts made in each of the containers;
• sealed hatches.

All components of septic networks ensure complete elimination of odors and effective disposal of sewage.

Recommendations: how to save on construction

When a homemade septic tank is being installed and there is no possibility or desire to involve special equipment or a team, you can do this: remove the soil as the ring is lowered into the pit. The ring, under the influence of its own weight, sinks into the hole, and the master simply digs up the soil.

Then the bottom is concreted after and only inside the container. In this case, it is impossible to make high-quality hydro- and thermal insulation from the outside. And the design turns out to be less reliable, but still, this method has a right to exist.

Source: https://1beton.info/stroitelstvo/septic/perelivnoj-iz-betonnyh-kolets

Correct start of the sewer system

The start of operation of the septic tank begins after checking the sealing of the seams. The normal operation of the sewer system is checked as follows:

• the characteristic hydrogen sulfide odor is not felt;
• The filtration compartments are filled immediately after they enter the sewer main.

A properly constructed structure will effectively cope with the task of waste disposal. To speed up the settling of the mass in the soil, you can use reagents for biological disinfection.

Construction of a sewage system at the dacha based on rings of durable concrete without the possibility of pumping is a costly process. However, the financial costs are compensated by the reliability and durability of use when installed in areas with low levels of soil moisture.

What to pay attention to before starting work

If the area has a high aquifer:

1. The seams of the septic tank are carefully sealed, otherwise it will constantly be recharged with groundwater and overflow. There will be additional costs for calling a sewage disposal truck.
2. The installation of a filtration well becomes meaningless; For additional treatment and drainage of water from the septic tank, another option is needed.

Increased structural strength:

• To protect the building from possible ground movements and shifting of the rings, they are additionally secured with metal ties.
• To reduce the subsidence of the septic tank and improve its thermal insulation and drainage, during installation a cushion of sand, crushed stone or gravel is placed around it.

How to make a cleaning mechanism correctly

The organization of cleaning stages is carried out during the installation of the sewerage system. Each of the three rings is an independent cleaning chamber. The tanks are divided into two stages - in one, solid particles are collected, the second ensures water filtration, and through the third the masses are discharged into the ground. For uniform waste separation and efficient system functionality, a tee for a centralized septic tank is used. In the third chamber, the masses are filtered. A filter pad based on gravel and crushed stone would be optimal. If water flows are discharged into the pond, active bacteria are used. The sewer pipes into the first well (with a concrete pad) are laid at an angle. The connection line between the third and second wells is placed 20 cm lower than the previous one.

How to choose a place for a septic tank made of concrete rings

Before wastewater penetrates into the ground, it must be cleaned and neutralized. This is the purpose of the treatment plant.

Here, the organic component of fecal and sewage accumulations is separated into safe sludge and water suitable for irrigation of the territory. The septic tank as such does not affect its contents, but it creates conditions in which bacteria develop, decomposing organic matter into safe elements. IN

The choice of location for a septic tank is regulated mainly by SNiP 2.04.03-85 “Sewerage. External networks and structures.”

In addition to compliance with the regulations of this document, you need to obtain a hygienic certificate, which gives the right to install a treatment station in the selected location, as mentioned in SanPiN 2.1.5.980-00.

According to these documents, a proper septic tank made of concrete rings must be built at least 50 m from the borehole or well shaft, and the discharge of water from the septic tank must be at a distance of at least 30 m.

The septic tank should be installed at least 4 m from the house and water pipes near it, and at least 5 m from the road. To build a septic tank in a chosen location, you need to contact the sanitary and epidemiological station or the district administration for a permit for construction work and a certificate.

You can build a septic tank without coordinating the construction with the local administration. However, if violations of legal requirements are detected, fines will not be long in coming, as will the requirements to move the capital structure to another location.

Determining the size and installation location of the septic tank

To build a septic tank for a dacha without pumping, you need to correctly calculate its volume. It is determined in accordance with water consumption. The water consumption rate per person is taken as a basis, which is 200 liters. daily. Using it, the daily norm is determined for all residents and three times the value obtained is taken. Then another 20% of the result is added.

After determining the volume, you need to calculate the size of the septic tank itself. Let’s say you need a structure with a volume of 18 m³. This means you can build a septic tank 3 m deep, 3 m long and 2 m wide. Multiplying all sides gives the required volume. It is imperative to take into account that the distance from the bottom of the structure to the drain pipe must be at least 0.8 m.

Also, it is very important to choose the right location for the structure. It is not recommended to approach the house closer than 5 meters

However, building too far from housing is also not worth it. Otherwise, this will increase the costs of laying a sewer line.

Since a septic tank is being built without pumping, it is necessary to remove it from the water source by more than 50 m. In this case, the direction of movement of soil water should be taken into account. To avoid troubles with neighbors, you must retreat at least a meter from the property line

The longer the pipeline, the more likely it is to become clogged. Therefore, control wells will have to be installed.

Ways to check the sediment level in a septic tank

How do you know when your septic tank needs to be pumped? To do this, determine the level of sediment in the tank. This can be done using a long wooden stick. We lower it through the hatch to remove the solid fraction into the container; the stick should reach the bottom. Then we take it out and determine the level of sludge. Before doing this work, you should find out how deep the septic tank is.

There is no need to pump out the septic tank if the sediment level is less than one-third of the depth of the tank. When the level is located 10 cm below the outlet pipe, the sewer system cannot be used until the septic tank is cleaned.

If the tank overfills within a short time, it is necessary to check the condition of the drainage layer. To do this, you need to pump out the wastewater, remove the sediment, and then remove the filter element layer. It can no longer be used and needs to be replaced. Then you will have to remove 10–15 cm of soil located under the drainage. Instead, a layer of sand is laid, and crushed stone is poured on top.

If the filter element fails, it is not recommended to use special chemicals for cleaning. Their use will be ineffective. The maximum you can achieve with their help is to extend the life of the septic tank by 30–60 days. In addition, these chemicals will pollute groundwater and kill colonies of bacteria living in the ground.

Project activities

Country communications for waste disposal require proper design. You need to start with calculating the volume of the septic tank, then draw up a diagram and carry out preparatory insulation.

How to calculate sewer volume?

Two factors are taken into account - groundwater level and the average level of ground freezing. In addition to external factors, the construction of communications takes into account the features of buildings:

• the presence of household appliances, the intensity of their operating mode;
• frequency of use of the house and the entire site;
• number of people who reside permanently;
• complexity of plumbing systems.

In buildings that are used year-round, one resident consumes approximately 200 liters of water. The septic tank removes wastewater in 3 days, so to calculate its volume, the formula is used: Y x 200 l x 3 days = V, where Y is the number of residents, and V is the volume of containers.

Drafting

When designing communications, their type is taken into account - reinforced concrete containers on formwork, installation of ready-made reinforced concrete forms, construction of a brick tank or installation of plastic chambers. The best option for self-construction is sewerage without pumping based on concrete products. It is characterized by speed and simplicity of arrangement.

The need for thermal insulation

For a stable cleaning process, regardless of weather conditions, it is important to maintain an optimal temperature. The close location of groundwater makes it impossible to deepen reservoirs

For this purpose, experts recommend thermally insulating the structure. The materials used are foam chips, expanded clay or polyurethane foam.

Laying internal lines

According to the communication layout diagram, the installation of the pipeline begins. First, the central riser with a diameter of 110 mm is fastened. Gases are removed through chimney ducts. Work with pipes made of several materials:

• PVC products are resistant to chemical components and do not rust. Plaque rarely forms on them, and thanks to the smooth inner surface, wastewater is removed efficiently. The line is secured using the socket method.
• Cast iron systems are more expensive than plastic ones, but the costs are justified by their reliability and durability. Pipes are difficult to install by one person, so work with an assistant.
• Ceramic elements are made from clay and then fired. The wear resistance of sewer networks and heat resistance indicators provide for the high cost of products.

The main riser is placed at a distance of 4-5 m from the window openings, and then horizontal elements are laid. Monitoring the condition of the pipeline and the quality of cleaning are provided by special hatches. Inspection compartments should be placed at the bottom of the system, behind the toilet. The turns of the main should have an angle of up to 90 degrees, so the waste is discharged evenly and does not clog the pipes. Plumbing equipment is selected with a special siphon. The water seal creates an obstacle to a specific odor. The pipe connects directly to the toilet. The sink and bathtub are connected with pipes 50 mm in diameter, checking the quality of water movement. The pipeline is led out through the foundation. If the internal sewage system is problematic to connect to the central sewer system, a sewer septic tank is organized.

The process of connecting sewerage tanks into one network

To simplify the process of laying pipes from one container to another, you must immediately order rings that have side holes from the factory specifically for laying pipes through them. Otherwise, you will need to make niches, which complicates the whole process.

The main thing that you should pay special attention to is that the flow from one container to another will occur independently, which means that you need to very carefully make the necessary slopes. So, at the entrance to the first container (or to the chamber, if there is only one), the slope of the pipe should be 2 cm for each meter of its length. For this reason, it is not recommended to build a septic tank far from home, otherwise the depth of the containers will increase significantly, which means additional costs of money, effort and time.

It is important to place the pipes connecting the wells below the level of the entrance to the receiving tank. Otherwise, there will be no natural flow of wastewater from one container to another and the septic tank will not work. The seams are sealed with mortar, treated with waterproofing and sealant.

Rules for digging a pit

Measures for the construction of sewer lines without the possibility of pumping involve digging holes into which reinforced concrete rings are inserted. There are several rules for digging a pit:

1. If the soil waters are close, the trench is deepened by 1.5-2 m. If the waters are deep, a hole dug 1 m is sufficient.
2. Concrete rings should be placed tightly in the sump trench. There should be a cavity of no more than 5 mm between the wall of the product and the soil.
3. The bottom of the pit is made with a slope of 25-30 degrees. The tilt must be done in the direction where the hatch is planned to be placed. This will ensure that solid sediment remains on the surface of the tank.
4. A network of perfectly level trenches is drawn to the cesspool pit. This prevents large waste from settling on the walls.
5. In relief areas, it is necessary to maintain the angle of inclination of the highway - about 45 degrees.

After the pit has been dug, it is advisable to make formwork.

Creating a filtration well

Such a well is installed exclusively on the ground, which freely passes/absorbs water. Treated wastewater goes well into the ground layers through sand, gravel, pebbles, and crushed stone.

The well is filled a meter deep with a soil filter, reducing the fractions in height: first a layer of sand of 35 centimeters, then fine gravel with a layer of 35 centimeters, and on top of large crushed stone with a layer of 25 centimeters.

If the drains must go through the bottom and walls, the lower ring of the structure is made with perforation. They are installed as usual, the voids between the rings and the foundation pit are filled with crushed stone.

When arranging a filtration field, perforated pipes are used, which are placed on a bed of gravel and sand, covered with a layer of geotextile on top, and covered with soil.

Construction of formwork

The type of formwork (removable or permanent) should be determined taking into account the possibility of insulating the base. It is advisable to install thermal insulation in regions with frosty winters. Lumber is selected based on the characteristics of the soil. On loams, the formwork is made of alder or pine; in sandstones, oak can be used. The wooden frame for the sewerage is formed in a certain sequence:

1. The outer ring is made of wooden boards, knocked down into two circles. The diameter of the product is identical to the parameters of the external part of the reinforced concrete element. To make the circle stable, it is secured with wooden rivets.
2. The inner ring is made without formwork, the rivets are simply knocked down into an element that is 5 mm smaller than the previous one.
3. The external formwork is installed into the external one. The surface adjacent to the concrete base is coated with liquid roofing felt.

The formwork frame must be removed after 24-72 hours. If you leave the products for longer, there is a risk of damage to the outer part of the rings.

Frequency of well cleaning. Cost of service from a private owner

We all understand that the cleanliness of a well depends on how well it is equipped, as well as on proper care of it.

To carry out general cleaning less often, you need to follow some rules:

1. We all imagine a well, which usually has a round shape and is open at the top. If you leave everything as is, then dust, leaves and other debris will get into it, which will lead to instant water pollution. The simplest and most logical solution is to close it. The easiest way is to make a lid (wooden or plastic), but we recommend building a full-fledged mini-house with a well inside.

2. Approaches to the structure must be protected from entry by animals, in particular cats and dogs. Their fur is also a source of pollution. To do this, you can make a fence.

3. Make it a rule to inspect the walls of the well at least once a year, armed with a flashlight. To do this better, lower a powerful flashlight on a rope inside the shaft. This will allow you to see a larger area.

4. It is also necessary to make the structure safe for children by fencing it.

5. If you find any object in the water, you need to remove it very quickly, and if it turns out to be a dead animal, then you must clean the water from the well. To do this, you will need a pump to bail out all the water, disinfect the shaft, and then fill the structure with clean water. If you need to go down, it is strictly forbidden to do it alone; you must be secured from above in order to help you get out if something happens.

Having fulfilled all the care requirements, the frequency of cleaning will be approximately once a year, and sometimes less often. It is worth understanding that in any case, during operation, various deposits and bacteria will accumulate on the walls. Due to seasonal temperature fluctuations, cracks may appear, concrete rings may shift, and dirt may accumulate in the resulting cracks.

The water may become cloudy and have an unpleasant odor. After some time, these signs will disappear, but this only means that all suspended particles, i.e. dregs, settled to the bottom. These and other deviations will be the reason why you need to immediately clean the well and the water in it.

Well, and, in addition, proper installation of the structure from the beginning, the construction of a clay castle, laying the filter on the bottom, etc. is of great importance.

You do not have to do all the cleaning work yourself, because often there is not enough time for this, and if you are willing to pay for this service, you can turn to a private contractor. The price for this type of service starts from 4,000 rubles. and depends on the degree of contamination and depth of the well. The cost of repairs and other work is usually negotiable.