Installing a septic tank in winter: step-by-step instructions and analysis of possible errors

What you need to know before you "settle" a septic tank on the site?

A septic tank, although a useful thing, can carry a real environmental hazard to others, namely:

• Pouring of wastewater into the ground due to depressurization of containers or pipes.
• Poisoning of groundwater by sewage in case of improper placement, too close to groundwater.
• Contamination of the site, which may occur due to the overflow of the contents of the septic tank during floods, downpours or snowfalls.
• Flooding of buildings.
• Waste in liquid form enters a well or any other source of water.

To avoid such problems, before you start placing a septic tank, you need to answer the following questions:

• What is the distance from the septic tank to the house?
• What is the distance to the well, well?
• What is the distance to different types of water bodies?
• What is the distance to the road?
• What is the type of groundwater occurrence?
• How far is it from the neighbor's fence?
• What is the distance to the road?
• What is the level of soil freezing?

How to start installation?

It is important to correctly place the septic tank relative to housing and neighbors, as well as the road, so that unpleasant odors do not annoy anyone, including you. According to building codes, the septic tank must be located in a place on the outskirts of the site: if it is hilly, then it would be an excellent option to place it at the highest point of the site, then in case of precipitation or snowmelt it will not be flooded

An important point is the location of groundwater on the site, this indicator must be known before installing a septic tank at their summer cottage. If this indicator is high, then it is very likely to get a poor-quality installation, even when it is carried out by professionals. It is also likely that your septic tank will be affected by seasonal floods. In this case, it is better to provide a concrete slab at the bottom of the pit, to which, in fact, the septic tank will be attached.

Please also note that the septic tank should be located just below the freezing line

Recommended reading: Types of septic tanks

Whether the septic tank is factory-made or hand-made, it must be installed in accordance with SanPin standards. It is best to mark on a piece of paper using a scale the location of all strategically important objects, such as a house, a well, a neighbor's fence, a road.In the case of equipping a septic tank in an undeveloped area, it must be designed in advance in order to later place other buildings, based on the existing location of the septic tank.

Norms and rules

The legislation clearly spells out the rules for installing a septic tank, they must be followed:

• From the house to the septic tank should be at least five meters. Under the house is meant any residential building, its foundation.
• If there are reservoirs with stagnant water near the site, then the distance to them should not be less than 30 meters. If there are flowing reservoirs, then in this case this distance is at least 10 meters.
• To the source of drinking water at least 50 meters.
• To bushes and trees one and three meters, respectively.
• Please note that the distance to the road, more precisely to its border, should be at least five meters.
• It is four meters to the border of the site, five meters to the underground gas pipe.

“Why is everything so tightly limited?”, One might ask. Now we will explain it

We want to pay special attention to the distance to drinking sources, houses and reservoirs. Such a distance from home in the first place makes it possible to protect you from trouble.

Wastewater, even if it has been filtered, still goes into the ground, which means it can wash away and destroy the foundation, flood basements.

If the discharge takes place close to a reservoir and a source of drinking water, it is highly likely that the effluents will mix with “good” water, and then you will have to worry not about the integrity of the buildings, but about the health of those who will drink this water.Experts call the optimal location from the house five to seven meters, in which case it is convenient to clean the septic tank, as there will be a place for the entrance of a sewage truck.

These rules also regulate the distance from the septic tank or filter field to the water pipes. This distance should not be less than 10 meters. It is this distance that guarantees safety for drinking water if a depressurization of the water supply occurs.

It is also worth noting that the septic tank should be located relative to the water intake point below the well, along a natural slope.

Tips & Tricks

When choosing a septic tank from a particular material, special attention should be paid to the performance of the system and the quality of the product. A failed sewer system can instantly paralyze the work and life of the whole house, and cause significant harm to the surrounding water bodies and soils.

Do not neglect the rules and regulations for the installation of autonomous sewer systems. Before you start equipping the system, you need to familiarize yourself with all the requirements, and then coordinate the project with the sanitary and epidemiological station.

Having studied the offers and reviews on the market, the characteristics and type of equipment, the terms of the product warranty, you can navigate the variety of choices and choose the right option for you.

For more information on how to choose the most optimal septic tank, see the following video.

Rules for the conservation of treatment facilities

Usually, the operation of the septic tank is suspended with the first cold weather - as soon as the temperature drops to 0 ° C

It is important not to wait for frosts and start conserving the treatment plant until the ground begins to freeze. This period is considered the best, because.the groundwater level is already lowering to the minimum level, and the soil is stabilizing (movements are practically excluded)

If all measures for the preservation of the septic tank for the winter are carried out correctly, enough viable bacteria will remain in the tanks, which will begin to multiply intensively as soon as the first sewage flows with the necessary organic substances arrive. Very quickly, they will be able to process wastewater at the proper level, although at first the quality of treatment will not be the highest.

Method 1: preparation of industrial septic tanks

Septic tanks of industrial production are convenient not only in installation and operation. The order of their conservation is described in detail in the technical documentation. Each model has its own characteristics, so before stopping work, you should carefully read the instructions.

There are several general rules that should be followed when mothballing any volatile wastewater treatment plant:

• De-energization. Biological treatment stations are connected to the mains. They are turned on and off using a special automatic switch in the house and / or a button on the control panel.
• Partial dismantling of electrical equipment. It is mandatory to remove the compressor fixed in the working compartment. To do this, you need to disconnect the clip-locks.
• Dismantling the pump. Some models have a pump for forced pumping of filtered water. It also needs to be removed, inspected, cleaned and, if necessary, repaired.
• Water level gauge. For conservation, it is necessary that the septic tanks are filled to 2/3 or 3/4 of the total volume. If there is not enough liquid, you need to add the missing amount.
• Thermal insulation of the roof of the building.This is an optional event. It is performed only if there is a risk of freezing of the septic tank. The roof is insulated with any available material - polystyrene foam, polystyrene, straw, dry grass, sawdust, etc.

A properly preserved septic tank will not float or suffer from ground instability. It can be put into operation almost instantly - immediately after installation and connection of the compressor.

Before stopping the operation of the septic tank for the winter season, it is recommended to clean the airlifts and chambers, remove silt deposits. In regions with a harsh climate, it makes sense to install several floats in the liquid chambers, which will protect the hull wall from damage due to ice crust.

Making floats for a septic tank is very easy. To do this, take several plastic bottles from drinks with a volume of 1.5-2 liters and pour sand into them to such a level that the containers are about half immersed in the liquid and do not sink. Ready-made floats are tied to a long nylon rope so that they can be easily pulled out if necessary. The rope itself is firmly fixed on the outside.

Method 2: stop the work of a homemade structure

An industrial septic tank is convenient, efficient, but expensive. Many owners of summer cottages choose cheaper home-made structures. Usually these are non-volatile structures, with the conservation of which there can be no particular difficulties.

The septic tank is cleared of sludge. If any electrical equipment is installed (compressors, pumps, etc.), it is dismantled and preventive maintenance is carried out.If necessary, replenish the liquid level in the same way as in the case of an industrial septic tank - by 2/3 or 3/4 of the volume of the chambers.

If insulation is needed, special materials or straw, dry leaves, sand are used. In the case of using polystyrene foam boards, polyethylene or other insulators that do not allow air to pass through, several holes should be made so that aerobic bacteria receive the oxygen necessary for their life.

Details

How to install a septic tank

A septic tank with two cameras is not difficult to install. Concrete rings are considered the most common material for a septic tank. To install the structure, you need to dig a hole in which the wall is folded.

The upper part of the structure requires waterproofing. Also, a cover should be mounted on top to protect against rain and snow. Next, pipes are installed so that water enters and exits the septic tank.

It is important to make ventilation, the ventilation system pipes must rise above the ground over two meters

The device of a three-chamber treatment plant

The three-chamber design is presented in the form of a container, which is part of the treatment system. The process of splitting wastewater occurs due to bacteria, the constant separation of solid fractions in each of the chambers. The end result is a liquid suitable for watering the beds.

Advantages and disadvantages of a septic tank with three chambers

A three-chamber cleaning device has its advantages. These include the following qualities:

1. In septic tanks, drains are cleaned up to 75 percent.

2. It costs less to install a facility than a biological treatment plant.

3. septic tanks meet the requirements of ecology.

4.rarely have to pump out sewage with the help of sewage equipment.

5.Buildings are durable.

Septic tanks do have their downsides. These include the following properties:

1.concrete structures weigh a lot.

2. It is necessary to install with the help of special equipment, for this it is necessary to provide transport access to the site.

3. Odors are released during the oxidation process.

4. The septic tank works on the basis of anaerobic bacteria.

5.Filtration fields must be arranged.

Device types

Devices are divided into types according to two factors that affect the design features. There are criteria such as:

1.type of soil.

2. depth of groundwater flow.

Given these factors, septic tanks come in the form of a well with filtration, which can be built at a low depth of soil water, and if the soils are sandy. Or you should arrange a septic tank with a filtration field if groundwater occurs at a depth of about 1 meter.

How does a 3-chamber septic tank work?

The septic tank is considered an improved model of a treatment plant with many chambers. The device purifies waste water to the point that it can be reused for technical purposes. The work of the septic tank step by step:

1.Effluent enters the first compartment, where primary treatment takes place, the solid fractions settle to the bottom, the clarified liquid enters the other compartment through the overflow pipe.

2. In the second chamber, the water is purified even better, the process is carried out with the help of anaerobic bacteria.

3. In the third compartment, aerobic bacteria multiply and break down the remains of organic matter, because oxygen, which they need for life, enters it.

4. as a result, a liquid with a high degree of purification is obtained at the outlet of the septic tank.

Attention! This septic tank has a high performance, the device is enough to serve the whole village.

The nuances of conservation and re-preservation

If the Topas septic tank is supposed to be used seasonally, for example, from spring to autumn, then the device should be properly preserved for the winter period. But if the sewage system is used in winter at least once a month, it does not make sense to conserve it, standard winter preparation measures are enough.

If the Topas septic tank is cleaned and rinsed correctly before conservation, the water pumped into it will be much lighter than the usual mixture of water and neutral sludge

The Topas septic tank is preserved as follows:

1. Pump out the contents from each compartment of the septic tank.
2. Flush the septic tank in accordance with the instructions.
3. Perform flushing of pumps, airlifts, nozzles and other equipment.
4. Clear all filters.
5. Fill the container with water approximately 80% of the total volume.
6. Turn off the power supply.
7. The compressors are dismantled and cleaned in a warm place.
8. Close the lid of the septic tank and insulate it additionally.

Work on pumping out the contents of the septic tank is carried out in several stages. Separately, each of the compartments of the septic tank is emptied and filled with clean water by 40% of its volume. Pumping with filling is performed several times until clean water is pumped out of the chamber. In this way, each compartment is washed sequentially.

It is forbidden to empty two compartments at the same time, moreover, this should not be done with all chambers. Pumping with flushing should be started from the sump, then proceed to the aeration tank, then to the receiving chamber.

It is impossible to completely drain the water from the septic tank if it is installed on a site with a high groundwater table. In the autumn it may emerge. In winter, the empty building will be squeezed out by freezing soils. Therefore, it is not left empty for the winter, but filled with water about 1.8 m from the bottom of the septic tank.

Some inexperienced summer residents, when preserving a septic tank, simply drain all the liquid from it, acting by analogy with the procedure for preserving a heating system. This is completely the wrong approach. The mixture of water and sludge is a habitat for bacteria. Lack of water in the tank will lead to their death.

Before the onset of cold weather, the Topas septic tank should be filled with water by 70-80% of the working volume of liquid. If this is not done, frozen ground can squeeze a light septic tank to the surface.

Before conservation, airlifts with nozzles are washed, the power is turned off, the technical equipment is removed and closed for the winter with an insulated lid. In this form, the structure should stand until the moment of re-preservation.

When the septic tank is reactivated in the spring, this problem will manifest itself, it will be necessary to carry out additional cleaning of the device, as well as repopulate it with microorganisms. It is also not recommended to drain all the liquid from the septic tank because there is quite a lot of pressure on the walls of an empty device from the outside.

When spring comes, the Topas septic tank must be properly re-preserved. If the device has wintered normally, then restoring its performance will be quite simple. First, a layer of insulation is removed from the lid and opened. You can immediately inspect the internal elements of the device and assess their condition.

There are two compressors inside the Topas septic tank. During conservation, these devices are removed, and during re-preservation, they are installed in their original place.

Then the removed compressors are installed in place, and power is supplied to the septic tank.Now you need to make sure that the liquid level corresponds to the state recommended by the manufacturer. If necessary, simply add the required amount of water to the device.

Now you can turn on the compressors and start the cycle of the septic tank to make sure that all components and mechanisms are working in normal mode. If necessary, you can immediately flush and replace the filters. The first few days after reactivation, it is worth carefully observing the operation of the septic tank, assessing the smell of the resulting sludge and the purity of the water at the outlet.

If these indicators do not correspond to the norm, it may be necessary to correct the composition of microorganisms. But if all operations for conservation and re-preservation are performed correctly, then such a need does not arise, since the composition of bacteria for septic tanks is renewed spontaneously.

Step 2. Preparation of the pit

Before you start digging a pit in the country, purchase the cleaning system itself, pipes and sand (3-4 cubic meters). Otherwise, a dug pit in a day or two may be flooded with water or its walls will crumble.

Below is a summary table of the dimensions of the pit for KLEN septic tanks, taking into account the depth of 0.5 meters and 1 meter.

	KLEN-5	KLEN-5N	KLEN-6N	KLEN-7	KLEN-7N
0.5 meters	1.6 x 2.0 x 1.5	1.6 x 2.3 x 1.5	1.6 x 2.8 x 1.5	2.0 x 2.0 x 1.7	2.0 x 2.3 x 1.7
1 meter	2.1 x 2.0 x 1.5	2.1 x 2.3 x 1.5	2.1 x 2.8 x 1.5	2.5 x 2.0 x 1.7	2.5 x 2.3 x 1.7
	H.xD.xW.	H.xD.xW.	H.xD.xW.	H.xD.xW.	H.xD.xW.

The photo shows a finished pit for a KLEN septic tank.

Pit preparation

Having determined the optimal place for installing a sewer system, you should not rush to start digging a pit.If you dig a hole in advance before acquiring a structure, then there is a high probability of making errors in size, and there is also a risk of sprinkling the inner layer of the earth and flooding the pit with groundwater.

The dimensions and number of pits are calculated based on the configuration and dimensions of the purchased septic tank, as well as instructions in the instructions for the location of the tanks. Do not forget that the place in the pit should be with a small margin so that the structure can be easily lowered to the bottom, as well as for laying insulation.

As with the installation of any foundation, the bottom of the pit must be laid with a "cushion" of sand and gravel, on which a concrete slab is placed on top to anchor the septic tank. This is done so that in the process of changes in the soil the position of the installation is not disturbed, it does not raise the septic tank to the surface, does not deploy or tilt it. Otherwise, the material of the container may be damaged, depressurization of the tanks may occur, and the operation of all parts of the sewer installation may be disrupted. The anchor plate is installed strictly according to the level, the tank is attached to the plate with steel brackets with anti-corrosion treatment or polymer belts that can withstand an aggressive soil environment.

Simultaneously with the pit, trenches are being prepared for laying sewer pipes. The depth of the pipes is calculated separately, since they must be at a certain slope so that water and sewage evenly flow down without forming blockages.

The most common causes of operating errors

gas errors Baxi boilers are output to display as coded messages. To decipher the message, you need to use the correspondence table

It is worth paying attention that for each model it has its own, so it cannot be used as a universal one. This can lead to misdiagnosis and useless actions that are not aimed at troubleshooting.

Malfunctions of Baksi wall-mounted gas boilers with one working circuit will concern only the heating system. Moreover, electronics break more often, because the mechanical parts are made of durable metal, which undergoes additional processing and hardening. As a result, it will be able to last for many decades, and it will not even show visible signs of wear.

When cleaning the combustion chamber, the nagaa must be removed very carefully so as not to damage the protective inner layer. If this happens, then the wear rate will increase many times over and the boiler will not be able to work out the entire announced period of time. Similarly, it is worth behaving when cleaning the burner. The diameter of the tool must be smaller than the holes so that they do not become loose, otherwise the device will become unusable and you will have to change it.

Malfunctions of Baksi double-circuit gas boilers will already affect both heating and the water heating system. There are many more options for breakdowns, since the system is more complicated than a single-circuit model. Diagnosis can take more time, and repair work is much more difficult to carry out. So in this case it would be better to trust the professionals so that they take all the trouble on themselves.

To avoid breakdowns and extend the life of the unit, you need to properly configure the Baksi gas heating boiler. This is quite easy to do if you use the practical recommendations from the instructions.In addition, the “smart” automatic control system itself will prompt the user for the optimal parameters that are best suited for his system. In general, you need to carefully monitor the readings of automation, as they can tell about impending problems. Timely diagnosis increases the chances of success.

Advantages of a constructive device at low temperatures

The advantages of installing in the winter are as follows:

low level of groundwater, which guarantees the absence of water in the developed pit

This is especially important in areas with elevated levels of underground sources and in the presence of open water bodies near;
garden and garden activities are not carried out, which leads to the absence of people in the country and will not cause additional inconvenience to the owners for the period of installation;
in winter, there is a significant decline in orders for the installation of autonomous sewerage, which allows you to get discounts, and for specialists to carry out installation without haste and with maximum productivity. This fully compensates for the difficulties of excavation, although in warm weather it is much easier;
for professionals, the work will not cause any particular difficulties, the only exception is a negative temperature below 15 degrees, at which it is difficult to solder polypropylene.

Step 3. Installation of a septic tank

Please note that to install septic tanks you will need ropes, foam and sand.

We tie the ropes to the technological ledges on the sides of the septic tank and lower it into the pit. This will require 4 people.

We level the septic tank according to the level - for this we stand on its upper part and swing it, or you can add sand under the septic tank itself. A slight slope towards the drive is allowed - 1 cm by 1 m.

After installing and leveling the septic tank, insert the neck extensions and completely fill all sections with water.

Attention! According to the instructions, it is not necessary to attach the septic tank to a concrete slab in order to avoid extrusion to the surface of the earth, because. this will not happen anyway - the septic tank is constantly filled with water and has a special shape

Now, along the edges of the septic tank and on top, we lay the foam - for this you need a sheet of 1x2 meters 5 cm thick. See photo, the foam is indicated by a dotted line.

From all sides we fill the septic tank up to half with sand, which we then spill with water to seal the backfill.

Preservation of a septic tank for the winter

If a visit to a country residence is not planned during the cold season, it is advisable to mothball the septic tank closer to winter. This will help reduce the impact of freezing soil on the walls of the structure.

It is very important to remember that before conservation it is impossible to completely drain all the liquid from the chambers, by analogy with heating radiators. Otherwise, when snow melts in spring, groundwater can push the septic tank out of the pit in accordance with the teachings of Archimedes

Another option is also possible: the container may burst due to soil movements. The conservation of the septic tank can be ordered from a specialized company. This will give confidence that all work will be carried out without errors and the functionality of the structure will quickly recover in the spring. But you can carry out such a procedure yourself, having studied the instructions of the manufacturer of the septic tank.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. First you need to turn off the power supply of the septic tank with the button on the case and disconnect the air pumps. There are no special problems at this point, since all the elements are conveniently located in the tank compartment and fastened with special fasteners.
2. Then it is necessary to drain the waste liquid to 3/4 of the volume of the chamber or add water if it is not enough.
3. At the last stage of work, the septic tank cover and pipeline must be insulated.

Important! A month before the preservation of the septic tank, it is recommended to pour a preparation with aerobic bacteria into its system. They will help remove solid sediments that smell bad from the bottom of the tank.

If the conservation procedure was carried out correctly, the temperature in the tank will be positive in winter, which will help reduce the risks of many problems associated with the performance of an autonomous sewer.

How to preserve a septic tank for the winter

If the installation of a septic tank is carried out in winter, but no one plans to use it yet, the system must be mothballed

It is important not to leave the building without water for a long time

A number of recommendations on how to preserve a septic tank for the winter so that it does not freeze and break will help you do everything right and avoid mistakes:

1. Disconnect and dismantle electrical equipment: pump, grinder, etc.
2. Fill the septic tank to at least 70% water. If there is less water, the structure may float; if there is more, it may crack from the expansion of frozen water.
3. Place a container of sand in each chamber. Plastic bottles on a string will do. Fill them with sand, but in such a way that the bottle retains its buoyancy. Such a simple technique will reduce the load on the body.
4. Close the lid tightly and replace the thermal insulation.

If the above cannot protect the water inside the septic tank from freezing, it can prevent equipment failure or deformation of the hull.

If your sewage treatment plant is frozen, do not rush to panic.

Since all elements of the system are in order, you only need to melt the ice and continue to use the autonomous sewer

Hot water or saline solution will help to melt the icy pipes. In this way, it is easy and cost-effective to bring the septic tank back to life in winter and continue to use it.

More information about the conservation of a septic tank for the winter, the rules for maintaining a treatment plant in the cold season are written in the articles:

1. How to preserve a septic tank for the winter: step by step instructions
2. Rules for maintaining a septic tank in winter: cleaning measures and preventive work

Installation of a septic tank pump in a private house

Before you connect the septic tank, you need to complete the installation of all systems. When the septic tank is filled up, it is necessary to connect a pump to it, which ensures the movement of purified water towards the drainage system (read: “Septic tank pump - types and principle of operation“).

The connection of the pump to the septic tank must be carried out with a 32 mm tube, which is screwed to the pump. The float of the pump must be in the latch so that the distance between the float and the body of the device is 3 cm. Further, the place of fixation is strengthened with clamps and the wire of the pump itself is attached. Two holes are drilled in the tank pipe, one of which will provide the introduction of a wire, and the second is needed for mounting a 32 mm pipe. After completing the installation of the pump, you need to fill the septic tank with soil.Care must be taken to ensure that the neck extensions do not tilt, and if they do, then they need to be corrected. To check the pump, you need to connect it to the mains and see if it pumps water out of the septic tank. If the water level falls below a certain level, the pump will turn off by itself. It is advisable to conduct several such checks in order to accurately verify the operability of the structure. It will be useful to carry out ventilation for the septic tank so that its operation is as efficient as possible.

Today there is a fairly large selection of septic tanks. You can often find companies offering services for the installation of autonomous sewer systems. However, many owners do the installation of a septic tank with their own hands, since all the work is quite simple, and the efficiency of the system will directly depend on the level of human interest. This article addressed the question of how to conduct a septic tank in a private house.