Septic Solutions for Your Home
How A Septic System Works
The most common septic system in Arizona is a conventional systems. Conventional septic systems typically consists of two major components: the septic tank and the absorption field (also known as the drain field/leach field ).
Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank via the sewer line. A septic tank is a watertight structure constructed of either concrete, fiberglass, or plastic and is designed to take in and hold wastewater. This wastewater is held in the septic tank long enough to separate into three distinct layers. The top layer is the scum layer that is composed of grease, oils, and floatables. The bottom layer is the sludge layer that consists solids and waste that cannot float. Anaerobic bacteria present in the sewage help break down some of the waste in the septic tank. The middle layer is the liquid effluent layer "water layer", which is allowed to flow out of the septic tank through T-shaped baffles. This effluent layer flows out into the absorption field/leach field.
The leach field usually consists of a series of trenches that allow the liquid effluent to slowly be emitted. Each trench consists of a porous pipe on top of a media such as sand and/or gravel. The liquid effluent is allowed to slowly percolate into the media and surrounding soil where the remaining pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are naturally treated.
Benefits of using a conventional system include:
- Low maintenance
- Low cost of operation
- No electricity needed
Disadvantages of conventional systems include:
- Cannot be installed in sensitive areas and as many soil types as aerobic systems can
- Produces a lower quality effluent than aerobic systems
how to care for your septic
Most people are attentive to maintaining our vehicles, having regular oil and filter changes. We also maintain our homes with carpet cleaning, touch up painting, AC service, roof repairs etc. Similarly, our Septic system represents a significant part of home. However, since it is buried under ground, the septic system is treated as an "out of site - out of mind" home component. A properly designed, installed and maintained onsite system can be expected to provide 20 to 30 years of service if not more.
However, little to no care and maintenance of the system can result in problems or premature failure. Septic system repairs are expensive and replacement or repair costs can range from the $3,500 to $35,000 or more. A full system failure or under designed septic system can negatively affect your Homes value and could pose legal liability consequences.
Installing a new conventional septic system can cost from $9,500 to $15,000 +/-. And, Alternative systems can cost in the range of $22,000 - $35,000 or more.
It is more cost efficient to maintain and prevent septic problems than they are to fix.
With a Shield Septic warranty program it will save the homeowner time and money. We will inspect and maintain the system on a monthly or yearly basis to monitor how the system is functioning. Depending on which program the homeowner selects, every crucial component of the system can be covered. Shield Septic will pump the septic tank every 3 to 5 years (as needed), service the effluent filter, remove grease blockages, make any and all necessary repairs, service pumps & alarms, snake sewer drains or replace the entire system with no huge out of pocket expense to the homeowner.
