Septic System Components

There are several components that make up a septic system. Each component has a specific purpose in the smooth operation of the system. In my several years of installing septic systems I’ve found that if one part is omitted, the system may fail.

Septic Tank
The septic tank is the percolator for the entire septic system. A tank may be constructed of concrete or plastic and contains a baffle in the center, which helps in the separation of liquids and solids inside the tank.

Sanitary Tee
There are two sanitary tees inside a septic tank. One directs incoming sewage straight down into the tank. The other contains a filter for the exiting liquids. Without the sanitary tees, the solids would clog the septic system, causing a backup.

Septic System Filter
The septic system filter is inserted into the sanitary tee on the exit end of the septic tank.

Diversion Box
A diversion box is used in the septic system when a leach bed does not run in alignment with the septic tank. Diversion boxes come in several shapes and sizes. The box is to divert the liquid from the septic tank into equally distributed directions. The diversion box is usually used in small lots where one straight leach line is not possible.

Leach Rock
Although leach rock sounds like a preparation, it is a necessary component for your leach bed to function properly. Leach rock is a two-inch rock in the leach bed that allows the liquids to disperse into the ground evenly.

Leach Cloth
Leach cloth is a meshed fabric that protects the leach bed from sifting dirt into the leach rock when backfilling your septic system.

Perforated Leach Pipe
Perforated leach pipe is used inside the leach bed to evenly distribute liquids throughout the leach system. This pipe is usually four inches in diameter and has two rows of holes on one side of the pipe and printing on the opposite side.

End Caps
The end caps are placed on the ends of the perforated leach pipe. The end caps stop the flow of water like a dam, allow the depth in the pipe to build to the perforations equally.

ABS Pipe
ABS pipe is a black pipe, usually three inches in diameter that is used to connect your septic tank to the house sewage line.

Clean Out
A clean out is a tee shaped connection that comes in a one-way or two-way operation. It is usually placed on the ABS pipe about four feet from the house. A two way is usually best for this location, so that a clogged drainage pipe can be cleaned in both directions.

A septic system with the right parts is a happy system that will serve for many years without failure. A system without all the right parts fails and causes messy cleanups to be done.

Source: Personal experience