Homeowners who have septic systems in Sagamore or anywhere else in the United States, owe a debt of gratitude to John Mouras. Mouras is believed to be the inventor of the modern septic tank system.
The history of the septic system begins on or around the year 1860 in France. Mouras designed a basic septic tank and created a prototype that was made out of concrete. He created piping that was made out of clay, which he then used to remove water waste from his home out to the septic tank that he placed in his yard.
Mouras then dismantled the unit some ten years later and was amazed to discover that the tank he had created was virtually empty of any solid waste and only contained a layer of liquid effluent scum. He was so impressed with the results that he submitted an application to patent his invention. He was granted a patent in the year 1881. By 1883, the septic tank began to appear throughout the United States.
Simple, Genius Construction
The standard septic tank typically holds anywhere between 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of waste and waste water. There are usually two openings available for inspection, one inlet opening that comes from the house or building, and an outlet that goes to the distribution box.
Not all septic systems have distribution boxes, however the ones that do use it as a junction between the septic tank and the drainfield. Distribution boxes help to evenly distribute the effluent material to the drainfield for the final stage of processing.
Inside the septic system there are three layers of waste: the top scum layer, the bottom sludge layer and the liquid layer that lies in between. The liquid layer is also known as the effluent layer. Systems that are not properly maintained will be impacted by the effluent layer, which is what seeps through the top of the drainfield or back into the home or building during failure.
The Drainfield
The modern drainfield is based on Mouras’ original design and is made up of three-and-a-half to seven inch perforated piping that runs anywhere between 60 and 140 feet in length from the distribution box or septic tank. This perforated pipe is buried underneath the soil anywhere between two and six feet beneath the surface.
The pipe is layered in gravel that is typically made of 2B and 1B gauge stone. The waste water travels through the perforated pipe and is then absorbed into the drainfield for a final filtering process.
Septic System Maintenance in Massachusetts
It is important for homeowners and business owners that rely upon a septic system to know about proper septic system maintenance in Massachusetts, or wherever you happen to live. The amount of maintenance required for your particular set-up will depend greatly upon your usage of the system and the condition of the equipment itself.
A septic tank system is designed to effectively accommodate the number of people that live in the home or regularly work in a commercial or industrial building. Tanks that are properly designed, installed and maintained should have enough space for anywhere between three and five years worth of safe usage. However, proper preventative maintenance, which includes annual check-ups by a certified technician, should also be done to prevent problems or issues that can arise.
Homeowners with septic systems in Sagamore or anywhere else in Southeastern Massachusetts, Eastern Rhode Island or anywhere in the United States who neglect proper system maintenance could experience dangerous levels of sludge which prevent proper separation of solids, liquid and scum. When this occurs, overflow can migrate into the drainfield and cause thousands of dollars in damage and repairs.
Professional septic system maintenance in Massachusetts involves regular check-ups to ensure the proper break down of solids through the septic tank system to ensure a safe and healthy process. The volume of waste water flow in your system is determined by the type of household activities, such as washing dishes, doing laundry and taking showers, as well as the frequency of those activities. Good water usage is also one of the ways to limit the strain and help keep septic systems in Sagamore and all across the country in good working condition.
Get Started Today
Homeowners and commercial customers can get started on preventative septic system maintenance in Massachusetts, eastern Rhode Island or out on the Cape, just by calling All-Clear Septic & Wastewater Services. Located in Acushnet, Massachusetts, All-Clear services customers all over the South Coast region. Contact them today for information on preventative services, repairs, inspections and other septic system related services.