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Septic
Systems
Onsite wastewater
treatment
systems,
simply
known
as septic
systems,
are a
viable
and effective
means of
treating
domestic
wastewater
requiring
very little
maintenance
and cost
in comparison
to standard
sewer connections.
Septic systems
do not connect
to the local
sewer system
infrastructure,
but dispose
of the wastewater
directly
into
the ground
to help
re-fill
the Florida
aquifer.
The solids
are contained
in the septic
tank for
future disposal
by a licensed
septic contractor
(like Lapin
Services)
to be
disposed
of at a
septic processing
facility.
 This
section
will help
you understand
the basics
of how a
septic system
works by
following
the steps
from your
house's
drainage
system all
the way
through
to the end.
-
Wastewater
flows
by gravity
from the
drains
in
your house
(toilets,
showers,
sinks,
dishwashers,
washing
machines,
etc.)
to a single
pipe that
exists
from your
house
below
ground
level.
This pipe will
flow directly
into the
septic
tank.
-
The
septic
tank is
usually
about
1,000
gallons
in size
made
of concrete
or thick
plastic.
As the
wastewater
flows
into
the
tank
it impacts
against
inlet
tee before
dispersing
with
the
rest
of
the wastewater
in the
tank.
The
septic
tank
will
always
be full
(except
right
after
cleaning,
of course).
The
inlet
tee
prevents
the
incoming
wastewater
from
stirring
up the
contents
in the
tank.
As wastewater
comes
into
the
tank
an equal
amount
of wastewater
will
exit
the tank
from
the
other
side
through
the
outlet
tee.
From
there
it will
flow
through
another
4” pipe
to the
distribution
part
of the
septic
system.
In between
the inlet
and
outlet
of
the
septic
tank
is where
a lot
of the
processing
of the
wastewater
takes
place
through
natural
bacterial
breakdown
of the
solids
and settling.
A baffle
in the
tank
helps
prevent
the
settled
solids
from
getting
out
of the
tank.
A filter
in the
outlet
tee
also
prevents
floating
scum
from
exiting
the tank,
as well.
Settled
solids
and
floating
scum
will
do fatal
damage
to the
operation
of the
drainfield
portion
of a
septic
system
so it
is
very
important
to
keep
this
from
happening.
This
can
be prevented
by
regular
pumping
of
the
tank
and
cleaning
of
the
filter.
-
Once
the
wastewater
exits
the
tank
through
the outlet
tee
it flows
to
the
distribution
area of
the
septic
system
called
a header
system.
This
consists
of a single
4” pipe
that
splits
the
distribution
of
flow
equally
in
two
directions.
These
two
pipes
flow
in opposite
directions
to additional
tee
sections
that
distribute
the
wastewater
evenly
into
the
drainfield
at
different
points.
The
objective
is
to
dose
the
drainfield
equally
and
in
lesser
amounts
over
a
larger
area.
The
larger
the
drainfield
the
better
it
will
work
and
longer
it
will
last.
-
As
the
wastewater
flows
out
of
the
different
pipes
of
the
header
system
it evenly
flows
through
open
chambers
underground
or perforated
pipe
bundles
(depending
on the
type
of drainfield
you
have).
All
drainfields
are
made
of plastic
and
the
plastic
sits
directly
on top
of sand
or
sandy
soils.
As the
wastewater
flows
over
this
sand
it will
seep
into
the
ground.
The
drainfield
is the
largest
portion
of the
septic
system
in square
foot
area.
-
The
sand
or
sandy
soils
under
the
drainfield
absorb
the
wastewater
by
gravity.
As
the
wastewater
drains
through
the
sand
and
soils
on its
way
to the
Florida
aquifer
the
wastewater
is cleaned
up by
the earth's
natural
means.
Additionally,
the
layer
of dirt
on top
of the
drainfield
should
contain
grass.
This
along
with
the
sun's
natural
heat
will
also
help
absorb
the drainfield's
moisture
through
the
top
soils.
This
is
why it
is
important
not
cover
the drainfield
with
anything
like
a
concrete
pad or
deck.
Septic
System
Do's
and Don'ts:
Do:
-
Pump-out
your
septic
system
regularly.
The
frequency
varies
depending
on
what
you
put down
the drain
on a regular
basis, how
many people
live in the
house, the
size
of
the
tank,
etc.
A
minimum
of
every
two
years
is
a
good
rule.
-
Utilize
Septicworx
bacteria
treatment
on
regular
basis.
Lapin
Services
is
the
exclusive
seller of Septicworx
for septic
system maintenance
(also use
our
Pipeworx
for
treating
your
drains).
-
Have
your
system
inspected
at
least
every
3
years.
This
is
to
ensure
that
you
are
not
building
up
to
a
future
problem
with
your
drainfield
or
other
system
components.
-
Maintain
healthy
grass
over
the
drainfield.
To
ensure
proper
absorption
through
the
upper
layer
of
the
system
grass
should
be
maintained
over
the
drainfield.
-
Conserve
water
as
much
as
possible.
Conserving
water
is
not
only
good
for
the
current
health and
environment
of
Central
Florida, but
is also extremely
helpful in
extending
the
life
of
your
drainfield.
-
Install
a
gray
water
system.
A
simple
gray
water
system
is
similar
to
your
septic
system,
but is designed
for the
run off
of your laundry
washing machine
(and a
few
other
appliances)
to
lessen
the impact
of this
high-water-consuming-device
on
your
septic
system.
Ask
Lapin
Services
about
our
gray
water
system
options.
-
Overload
the system
with too
much water.
Your system
was designed
to handle
a
certain
volume
of
water
per
day,
surpassing
this
may
cause
system
failure.
-
Drive
anything
heavier
than
a
lawnmower
over
the
septic
system.
Even
lightweight
cars
can
crush
the
drainfield
or tank.
-
Plant
trees
or
bushes
over
or
near
the
septic
system.
The
root
system
no
matter
how
large
or
small
will
find
its
way
into
the
system
and
clog
its
regular
operations.
-
Use
household
cleaning
chemicals
in
large
amounts.
Limit
the
use
of
chemical
cleaners
such
as
bleach
to
small
amounts
as
these
will
kill
the
natural
processes
taking
place
in
your
septic
tank.
-
Flush
non-biodegradable
products
down
the
drain.
Rags,
coffee
grounds,
paper
towels,
dental
floss,
feminine
hygiene
products,
condoms,
diapers,
cotton
swabs,
cigarette
butts,
cat
litter,
etc.
will
build
up
quickly
in
your
septic
system
potentially
causing
failure, not
to
mention
these
things
may
also
get
stuck
in
your
pipes
before
the
septic
tank
causing
a
backup.
-
Neglect
a
leaking
faucet
or
toilet.
These
continuous
amounts
of
water
into
the
system,
no
matter
how
small,
can
have
a
larger
impact
on
your
system
than
you
may
realize.
-
Allow
grease,
fats,
or
oils
into
your
system.
These
things
will
cause
fatal
damage
to
your
system
as
well
as
clog
up
your
pipes.
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