How to install a septic tank from concrete rings
A septic tank made of concrete rings allows you to organize wastewater treatment in a private house with a high degree of efficiency. Moreover, the cost of such a facility will be much cheaper than buying a ready-made treatment system. For those who plan to install septic tanks on their own, it is necessary to study the issue thoroughly and use the recommendations of specialists.
Advantages and disadvantages of concrete septic tanks
Another plus is the ability to save money on installation, if you do not use equipment for digging a pit for septic tanks. Quite a fast course of work is also important, since concrete rings are quite easy to install. After the completion of the work, such a septic tank looks laconic and aesthetically pleasing.
The disadvantages of this wastewater treatment organization are also present:
- if earthmoving equipment is involved in digging a pit, the cost of installation increases (an alternative approach is to dig by hand);
- concrete rings have a significant weight, therefore, equipment will be needed for delivery;
- for lowering the rings into the pit, it is also desirable to use equipment (an alternative is to descend along a wooden slope).
For what types of septic tanks can concrete rings be used
Concrete rings for a septic tank are a material with which you can vary the capacity of the treatment plant and the degree of purification.
Single chamber septic tank
The simplest organization option is a sedimentation tank. At its core, it is a sealed container in which waste water accumulates. The size of such a chamber is determined by the number of rings used in the construction. A single-chamber septic tank made of concrete rings has a significant drawback - it requires frequent cleaning.
The estimated capacity should allow calling in the sewers no more than twice a month.
Bicameral
To implement the project, a larger pit and two chambers will be needed. In the first tank, the initial settling of wastewater will take place. The second chamber will receive the overflowing liquid without sediment.
The overflow process will occur as the first chamber is filled. A two-chamber septic tank made of concrete rings with your own hands must be organized taking into account that the bottom of the first chamber must be waterproof, and the second must not. There must be good drainage in the last chamber under the bottom so that the treated water gets into the ground.
Three-chamber
The presence of 3 containers will provide better cleaning. The layout of a septic tank made of concrete rings has a more complex organization, and will require more space.
In this case, in the 1st and 2nd chambers, the sedimentation of sewage water will occur with the settling of suspended particles. And from the third chamber, purified water through the drainage will flow into the ground.
In case of loose soil, instead of the third container, filtration fields can be used.
What are concrete rings and how many are needed
There is no clear standard for the size of concrete rings. They differ in both height and diameter. Concrete rings for a septic tank are as follows:
- diameter (2 m; 1.5 m; 1 m);
- the height of the rings (most often 90 cm is chosen).
Based on the listed parameters, the calculation is performed. The volume is calculated based on this data. For a ring with a diameter of 2 m the volume will be about 3 m³, for a diameter of 1.5 m - 1.5 m³, for 1 m - 0.7 m³.
The calculation of the required number of rings is determined based on the number of people living and the approximate volume of water used. If the calculation of a septic tank from concrete rings is carried out, taking as a guideline the consumption of each family member 200 liters per day, then for a family of 4 people this figure will be approximately 2.5 m³. This volume is provided by 2 rings of 1.5 meters in diameter.
If the house is used for temporary residence as a summer residence, and water is consumed very sparingly, 150 liters of water per person per day can be taken into account. It is important to take into account in the calculations that the uppermost ring should not be filled by more than 1/3 of its volume. To organize a two-chamber septic tank, the resulting number of rings should be doubled, for a three-chamber septic tank - three times.
Where to locate septic tanks for cleaning
Before you start installing a septic tank from reinforced concrete rings with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with such important factors:
- soil composition;
- groundwater level;
- sanitary standards.
The type of soil on the site for the location of the septic tank is of paramount importance, since the choice of a specific filtration system depends on it. To accurately determine the species, it is necessary to dig a hole or a well.
In accordance with SNiP, a self-made overflow septic tank made of concrete rings should:
- be at least 5 m away from residential buildings;
- to defend from the source of drinking water (well, well);
- take into account the groundwater level.
It is necessary to provide access to the septic tank for special vehicles.
Septic tank from concrete rings: stages of work
At the initial stage, you should decide on the number of chambers and the average volume of drains based on the number of people living. Next, you need to calculate the required number of rings and proceed to drawing up a diagram. The device of a septic tank in the country from concrete rings can be either the simplest single-chamber, or two or three-chamber.
Construction stages:
- Study of the soil and the nature of the terrain.
- Choosing a site for a sewage treatment plant.
- Creating a schema.
- Marking on the ground.
- Digging a pit taking into account the number of chambers and the total volume of concrete rings.
- Implementation of a "concrete cushion", which will ensure tightness.
- Purchase of rings, sewer caps and other materials.
- Installation of a septic tank from concrete rings (it is most convenient to carry out it with a crane) by installing the rings on top of each other.
- Tight sealing of gaps between rings by filling with liquid glass.
- Filling the free space around the containers with earth.
Sewerage organization
Simultaneously carry out the installation sewer drain pipes... In the very first container, the pipe leading from the house should enter at an angle. The location of the pipes between the containers must be lower than the level of the incoming pipe. If there are 3 containers, then the pipe between the second and third should be lower than between the second and first. A difference of 0.2 m is considered sufficient.
Role drainage the last of the wells is played with crushed stone or gravel, which is poured to the bottom. If additional cleaning is required, special bacteria, algae can be used. This precaution will even allow you to drain the treated water into the reservoir.
Features of the bottom concreting
How to concrete the bottom of a septic tank made of concrete rings? This part of the work must be performed carefully, since the absence of leaks will depend on it in the future.
"Pillow" is a multi-layer structure:
- crushed stone (15-20 cm);
- sand (10-15 cm);
- filling with waterproofing.
For concreting:
- Polyethylene is laid out.
- Steel mesh is laid.
- A screed is performed (10-15 cm).
- Once cured (ideally 28 days outdoors, or less if chemical or heat treatment is used).
Depth of placement: choosing the best option
The depth of a septic tank made of concrete rings should take into account such factors:
- The relief of the area where the installation is carried out. The flow of effluent should be at an angle. If there is not enough slope to comply with this condition, then the pit will have to be made deeper than originally planned. Or you will have to use a special pump, which will increase the cost of the project and create additional inconveniences.
- The depth of soil freezing in winter. If it is impossible to arrange a septic tank taking into account this requirement, additional insulation must be applied using a special outer box, for example, with foam crumbs. The contents of the containers must not freeze.
- Ground water level. Despite the cleaning, it is necessary to provide for the location of the septic tank in such a way that there is a distance to the groundwater. Groundwater in a septic tank from concrete rings can cause flooding, a violation of the tightness of the structure. The ring drainage system will help to cope with the situation.
Expert recommendations
In order for the work to progress quickly and in order to avoid mistakes during the construction process, it is recommended to adopt the following recommendations:
- If the excavation of the pit is carried out manually, it is advisable to involve at least two people (the first one digs, and the second one lifts the excavated soil upward with the help of a winch and a bucket).
- Unimpeded access of equipment to the construction site should be organized.
- It is better to dig a pit and prepare a concrete pad in advance, before the concrete rings are delivered to the site. In this case, the unloading of the machine will occur simultaneously with the installation of the septic tank.
- Sewerage lagoons made of concrete rings should have sealed seams to prevent sewage from entering the soil and water bodies.
- Additionally, the rings are recommended to be cemented from the inside.
The construction of a private house in the absence of a centralized sewage system requires a solution to the issue by organizing a septic tank. One of the best options is to use concrete rings.