Installing a septic tank “Tank” with your own hands: installation and maintenance instructions

You can handle the task of installing an autonomous sewer system in a suburban area on your own without any problems.To organize its storage and treatment points, a wide range of designs are produced. They need to be correctly installed in the pit and connected to the sewer pipeline.

However, for the system to operate normally, it must be built in strict accordance with the installation requirements. As a clear example, let’s look at how a Tank septic tank is installed. This is a typical non-volatile sewerage treatment facility designed for wastewater treatment.

You will learn everything about choosing a container suitable in terms of volume and the rules for installing a treatment point from the article we propose. We have outlined the steps for assembling and installing a septic tank in great detail. Taking into account our recommendations, you can build a trouble-free system.

Device and principle of operation

Traditionally, in the private sector, a drain well or pit without a bottom is installed. However, this method is unacceptable given the modern standard of living with the frequent use of chemical detergents. The ecosystem of the site and the entire surrounding area is suffering. An unpleasant odor is a common drawback of such a structure.

Installing a sealed storage tank will only help with periodic living.Otherwise, the costs of vacuum cleaner services, especially if there is a shower and washing machine in the house, become significant.

A septic tank is a local structure that is dug into the ground on its own site. In essence, it is an underground settling tank in which first mechanical and then biological purification of wastewater occurs.

After a septic tank, the degree of water purification reaches 75%, so it is imperative to install an additional additional treatment device - a filtration field, an infiltrator, a filtration well

When combining a septic tank and a ground filtration device, a degree of water purification equal to 96-98% is achieved.

A septic tank is a cast container made of polypropylene, the internal volume of which is divided into three sections. The chambers are connected to each other by internal overflows, the latter is equipped with a powerful eco-filtration system.

The body of the device is lightweight and durable at the same time. Thick, elastic, ribbed walls withstand soil pressure without deforming. There are service hatches in the upper part. The design of the Tank is block-modular, which allows you to obtain any required volume of water disposal by connecting several devices in series.

A septic tank is selected depending on the daily volume of water consumption. All Tank models are quite compact and can be mounted almost anywhere on the site

Each chamber of the septic tank performs a specific task. The first is the receiving area - all wastewater from the house enters it and undergoes primary treatment. As a result of settling, heavy particles sink to the bottom and form a layer of sludge, while light fatty and organic fractions float to the top.

The next section receives conditionally pure water from the middle region.Here the process is similar - additional settling occurs.

In the last chamber, the liquid passes through a floating module - a filter made of polymer fibers, in which colonies of anaerobic bacteria settle. Under their influence, waste decomposes, and the remnants of the process settle on the bottom.

The manufacturer recommends cleaning the septic tank chambers from sludge once a year.

The operation of the septic tank Tank does not depend on the availability of electricity and occurs in a completely autonomous mode

To completely purify the water, the system must be supplemented with a soil purification device. Since the installation of a septic tank Tank is most often done by hand, the most convenient structures are industrially manufactured infiltrators. They allow you to organize a wastewater treatment system in the shortest possible time and do not require complex installation.

Structurally, the infiltrator is an oblong tank with ribbed strong walls and no bottom. Outwardly, it resembles a lid. At the ends there are nozzles - inlet and outlet.

The output is used to connect several modules in series or to output a ventilation pipe. There are models without an outlet pipe - they have a ventilation hole in the upper part of the body.

The use of an infiltrator in an autonomous sewer system can significantly increase the degree of wastewater treatment. The shape of the device body promotes the direction of wastewater only downwards (+)

The filter layer is a cushion of sand and crushed stone or gravel, on which the body of the device is installed.Passing through such a purifying natural filter, all undecomposed impurities and substances remaining in the water settle, and water enters the ground, comparable in purity to technical water.

Advantages and disadvantages of septic tanks Tank

Among owners of houses in cottage and holiday villages septic tank Tank are in constant demand due to their advantages:

• Robust and reliable monolithic design;
• The ability to increase the productivity of the cleaning system at any time by including an additional septic tank and infiltrator into the circuit (thanks to the block-modular device);
• High efficiency of wastewater treatment in combination with infiltrators;
• Long service life;
• The septic tank operates autonomously, without any energy sources;
• The small size of the containers and their light weight allow you to carry out installation with your own hands;
• Low labor costs during installation;
• There is no need for frequent maintenance - it is enough to use the services of a sewer truck once a year and pump out the sludge;
• Affordable cost - these septic tanks belong to the average price category among similar products on the market.

The high-quality plastic from which the container is made is not subject to corrosion and erosion under the influence of aggressive inclusions in soil, water erosion and cracking. Resistant to the aggressive effects of wastewater. Therefore, a sewer system with such a septic tank has a long service life, at least 50 years.

Installing several septic tanks in a daisy chain can increase the productivity of the sewer system. The number of infiltrators is also proportionally increased (+)

Tank tanks also have disadvantages:

• Mandatory purification of the liquid leaving the septic tank is necessary;
• Improper installation and operation lead to the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the sewer;
• If groundwater is located close to each other, additional drainage systems are required.

It is necessary to take into account the location of groundwater throughout the year. Spring flooding can become a serious annual problem when the filter layer of the infiltrator simply becomes filled with liquid and poses the threat of an excessive rise in groundwater levels.

If the area of ​​the site allows, it is better to arrange for disposal of settled and clarified water. filter field. This option will allow the recycled liquid component of the wastewater to be discharged into the upper layers of the geological section. They usually absorb water quickly because... have high filtration properties.

Therefore, in areas with a characteristic seasonal appearance of flood waters, it is necessary to provide for the installation of basic drainage well with a submersible pump for pumping out excess liquid and discharging it onto the terrain (into a drainage ditch).

How to choose the right model?

When choosing elements of a wastewater treatment system, the determining factor is the number of people permanently residing in the house. According to the standards, each resident needs 200 liters per day. Therefore, the minimum productivity of a septic tank for a small family of three people is 600 liters per day.

In combination with Tank septic tanks, Triton-400 infiltrators are used. Their quantity is also selected taking into account daily water consumption. The absorbency of soils is also taken into account - for clay representatives, the number of buildings is doubled.

The number of infiltrators depends not only on the performance of the septic tank to which they are connected, but also on the filtration properties of the soil

Tank septic tanks are available in different modifications, each of which is equipped with manufacturer’s recommendations:

• Tank 1 – suitable for serving three permanent residents and a daily wastewater volume of up to 600 liters. It has overall dimensions of 1.2 m x 1 m x 1.7 m, weight – 75 kg. One infiltrator is mounted in a chain with it when installed on peat and sand deposits, and two on clay soils.
• Tank 2 – processes up to 800 liters of wastewater per day, can serve up to four people. Dimensions – 1.8 m × 1.2 m × 1.7 m, installation weight – 130 kg. Two infiltrators go to it, and four are installed on clayey rocks.
• Tank 2.5 – daily capacity is one thousand liters, dimensions – 2 m × 1.2 m × 1.85 m. Suitable for four to five people. Weight – 140 kg. The number of infiltrators is similar to the Tank 2 installation.
• Tank 3 – the septic tank provides water disposal in the amount of 1200 liters, serving five to six family members. The weight of the installation is 150 kg, dimensions are 2.2 m × 1.2 m × 2 m. In areas with peat and sandy soils, three infiltrators are connected to it, in sandy loams and loams - six.
• Tank 4 – installed to drain wastewater from one or more buildings and serve up to nine permanent residents. Productivity – up to 1800 liters per day. The weight of the septic tank is 230 kg, overall dimensions are 3.6 m × 1 m × 1.7 m. Together with it, four infiltrators are installed on sand and peat, eight – on clay and loam.

If the amount of wastewater constantly exceeds the recommended amount, then insufficiently purified water will be discharged into the ground and the ecosystem of the site may suffer.

Too large a septic tank volume will not be economical and will require more space. It is worth choosing a tank with greater productivity if the house often receives guests or if the number of residents is planned to be replenished.

The septic tank model is chosen taking into account the volume of water consumption, which depends on the number of residents of the house

Step-by-step installation instructions

Installation of elements of an autonomous cleaning system is simple. However, it has its own subtleties, so before starting work you must carefully study the installation instructions for the Tank septic tank, infiltrators, sewer pipelines and strictly follow the technology.

The stages of work include preparatory work, ground work, installation itself, connection and backfilling.

Step #1 - carrying out preparatory work

To avoid problems during operation, it is necessary to thoroughly prepare the site, the necessary materials, tools and structural elements.

First of all, choose the installation location. Any modern septic tank is a sealed and durable structure. However, the cleaning system poses some threat to the environment, since the possibility of pipe rupture or depressurization of connections cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, accommodation is planned taking into account sanitary standards:

• Sewage elements are removed from the water intake point at a distance of 20-50 m (depending on the type of soil), from the water supply - at 10 m, in order to eliminate the potential possibility of contamination of the source of drinking water;
• The minimum distance to the house is 5 m, so that the water filtered and absorbed into the soil layers does not wash away the foundation, the maximum is 15 m, otherwise it will be difficult to maintain the slope necessary for gravity movement of wastewater;
• It is necessary to provide free passage to the place where the tank is installed, since the septic tank must be cleaned;
• It is prohibited to install treatment facilities close to the border of the site - the minimum distance from the neighbor’s fence should be 2 m, from a public road with heavy traffic - 5 m, from the driveway - 2 m;
• Distance from the gas pipeline – at least 5 m;
• Cleaning products should not be installed near plants with a strong root system - the distance from trees should not be less than 3 m, from bushes - 1 m.

Taking these rules into account, the site is marked for the location of all elements of the treatment system, and the laying of the main line from the house is planned.

It is advisable to install the pipeline in a straight line - blockages will form at turning points. If you cannot do without them, then at the points of change of direction they will equip inspection (inspection) wellsto allow cleaning.

In addition to maintaining the required distances, the terrain of the site should also be taken into account. Sewage elements should be located lower on the slope of the area than the source of water intake - a well or well

Determine the depth of groundwater and the type of sedimentary rocks on the site.The depth of the pits, the number of infiltrators and the need to install additional drainage elements will depend on this.

Prepare the necessary materials. To install a septic tank you will need:

• coarse sand;
• cement;
• gravel (crushed stone);
• geotextiles;
• plastic construction mesh;
• insulation.

In case of high groundwater, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of pushing the container to the surface. To do this, prepare a concrete slab or concrete solution to pour it on site.

Step #2 - preparation of pits and earthworks

They are preparing a pit for a septic tank. Its width and length should exceed the corresponding overall dimensions of the tank by 25-30 cm.

The depth is calculated taking into account the height of the container, the thickness of the sand cushion, the presence of a concrete screed and ensuring the required slope of the sewer pipeline. The depth of the upper wall of the housing relative to the level of the day surface should not exceed 1 m, but at the same time be sufficient for effective insulation of the tank.

Sand is poured into the bottom of the pit in a layer of 30-40 cm and compacted tightly. To separate the natural soil and the bulk sand cushion, geofabric is laid.

If the groundwater level is low, then this is enough. Otherwise, it is necessary to lay a reinforced concrete slab on top of the sand cushion, or make a concrete screed.

The concrete slab (screed) must contain metal loops, the distance between which is greater than the dimensions of the body. If there are no hinges, you can install anchor eye bolts.

The sand layer is compacted and carefully leveled horizontally using a level to avoid inclined installation of the tank

Next, you need to dig a pit for the infiltrators. The minimum distance from it to the pit for a septic tank is 2 m. The distance from the side walls of the pit to the walls of the device is 50 cm. The dimensions of the pit depend on the number of infiltrators installed.

The walls of the prepared pit are covered with geotextiles, a construction plastic mesh is laid on the bottom, and 40 cm of a mixture consisting of gravel (crushed stone) and coarse sand is placed on it.

For laying pipelines, trenches are constructed from the house to the septic tank and from the septic tank to the infiltrator. Their width should exceed the diameter of the sewer by 40 cm (20 on each side). Their bottom is also covered with sand - 10-20 cm thick; it should not be compacted too much.

Step #3 - installation of infiltrators

It is better to install the tank using a crane, since the septic tank body will need to be installed without displacements or distortions, exactly in the center of the prepared pit. Lighter models can be carefully lowered using ropes or panels of fabric - for this you will need to involve at least three assistants.

Proper drainage and the shape of the tank prevent it from floating under the influence of groundwater. However, in areas with characteristic sudden flooding of the soil (seasonal, as a result of river floods or after heavy rainfall), it is recommended to anchor the septic tank.

To do this, bandage belts are thrown over the upper surface of the body and securely fastened in the loops of metal embedded fittings.

The tank is installed in the pit exactly in the middle, avoiding distortions. Then a hose connected to the water supply is connected to it

The required number of devices is placed in the pit prepared for the infiltrators.A ventilation riser is mounted on the last housing in the chain.

Step #4 - connecting elements to the house sewer

They lay a pipeline from the sewer outlet from the house to the septic tank and from the septic tank to the infiltrators. Lay pipes with a slope, ensuring spontaneous movement of wastewater to the treatment point.

For connections, it is recommended to use rubber connecting cuffs so that the connections are tight, but not rigid. This will protect plastic sewer pipes from cracks and destruction during seasonal displacements of soil layers.

Sewer line must have a slope from the house to the last element of the system. Its optimal value for a pipeline with a diameter of 110 mm is 2 cm per linear meter. In this case, smooth and silent drainage of wastewater is guaranteed and the accumulation of solid fractions and the formation of blockages is practically eliminated.

Before each subsequent stage of work, the angle of inclination of the pipeline should be checked so that incorrectly installed elements do not interfere with the free flow of settled and purified liquid

It is imperative to install the main line in the section leading to the septic tank. ventilation riser for the removal of gases formed as a result of decomposition processes. It can be attached to the building from the outside, discharged through a separate channel in the ventilation shaft of the house, or discharged in the immediate vicinity of the tank.

Step #5 - backfilling and insulation of the main line

Cleaning devices must only be filled manually to eliminate the risk of damage. To move containers, do not pick them up with sharp or piercing objects.

Pits and trenches are filled with mixtures based on coarse sand - for a septic tank, a cement-sand mixture is prepared in a ratio of 1:5, for an infiltrator and pipes, sand is mixed with soil. Such an environment will help reduce the load on structural elements during seasonal displacements of soil layers and soil heaving.

The pit with the container is filled in stages - the prepared mixture is evenly distributed in layers of 30 cm on all sides of the container and thoroughly compacted. To avoid deformation of the septic tank body, it is gradually filled with clean water - you should ensure that its level is higher than the level of the compacted sand-cement layer.

The pit for the infiltrators is also evenly filled and compacted. Trenches above the pipeline are compacted only from the sides. Tamping is not carried out over the nozzles.

Cover the system elements with prepared sand mixtures to a level of 10-15 cm above their upper surfaces. Next, the entire line, including the pipeline, is covered with insulation to protect against freezing. For this, you can use both rolled materials (isolon) and sheet materials (penoplex).

Freezing of any part of the main threatens to completely stop the operation of the sewer system due to the formation of ice plugs. Therefore, all elements are carefully covered with insulation.

Fill pits and trenches with soil to the surface. It is worth considering that even a thick layer of sedimentary rocks will not protect the body of the septic tank from the load that occurs when vehicles pass over the place of its installation.

If such situations cannot be avoided, then a reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 250 mm or more is installed above the tank.

When installing a septic tank, you should strictly follow the technology and recommendations of professionals (+)

Rules of operation and maintenance

Septic tanks Tank do not require specific maintenance and the invitation of technical specialists, and are unpretentious in operation. They calmly tolerate almost any type of household waste - food residues (during washing dishes), toilet paper, and small amounts of cleaning and detergents are allowed to enter the sewer.

However, some handling rules should still be followed:

• Once a year, clean out solid waste that settles at the bottom of settling chambers. When using biological products with bacteria that liquefy sediment, the frequency of this procedure is reduced - pumping is carried out once every 3-5 years.
• Do not allow antibacterial detergents, alcohol, alkalis and acids, antifreeze, chemicals, or medications to enter the system. Such substances kill bacteria necessary for wastewater treatment.
• Aggressive bacteria should not enter the container. Contained in pickles, mushrooms, rotting foods and water used to wash household filters. They interfere with the proper operation of the septic tank and can cause it to completely fail.
• You cannot keep the service hatch open for a long time in winter.
• If residents live in the house only during the summer season, then the system should be mothballed for the winter. To do this, clean water should be poured into it in an amount of 50-70% of the total volume of the tank. The liquid will preserve the vital activity of the bacterial colony, compensate for the load of soil on the body and prevent the septic tank from floating.

By following these recommendations, home owners will be able to use an autonomous sewer system for many years, without the cost of repairing or replacing individual devices.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A video from the manufacturer shows how to properly install a septic tank Tank with an infiltrator:

Professional installation of a septic tank, infiltrator and drainage well:

Installing a wastewater treatment system yourself should take into account the recommendations of the manufacturer and professionals. In this case, its uninterrupted operation and the comfort of residents will be guaranteed.

Please write comments in the block below. Tell us about how a Tank septic tank or a similar structure was installed on your site. Ask questions, share useful information and insights, post photos related to the topic of the article.