Biological septic tanks do-it-yourself device. A septic tank for the home - a sewer pit without pumping out: a device, a phased do-it-yourself production of concrete rings and other options (15 Photos & Videos)


Many owners of private houses and summer cottages need to build a septic tank with their own hands. Moreover, in rural areas and suburban conditions, timely pumping of sewage, which requires a specialized sewage machine, is of particular difficulty. Therefore, owners of disadvantaged real estate are looking for ways to minimize this problem. There are many options for septic tank devices, among which you can choose the most suitable for yourself.

What is a biological septic tank and schemes of its device

A septic tank is a container for liquid waste. The sewerage scheme of a private house necessarily includes this temporary stationary wastewater storage. A biological septic tank is a self-cleaning structure that does not need to pump out liquid waste. This design will require material and labor costs from the owner of the house, but they will be much less than those needed for the installation of factory structures such as Topas, Astra, Tank.


To understand how to make a septic tank with your own hands, you need to study the appropriate instructions and prepare the necessary materials and tools. Sewerage of a private house may include different amount plumbing devices. Therefore, the first step in the construction of a wastewater storage facility is to calculate the volume of capacity required for this purpose. In carrying out this task, you can focus on the following indicator: on average, 200 liters of drains fall on one person living in a house every day. This figure includes liquid waste from the kitchen, toilet, bathroom or shower room.

It is important to provide for the possibility of an emergency reset and add another 20% to this indicator. After the optimal capacity of the working chamber has been calculated, you can begin to select a sewerage scheme. There are two options for organizing a biological waste storage facility. A description of the construction of each of them will allow you to understand how to properly make a septic tank without pumping.

Option number 1

The sewer septic tank consists of two chambers: the first is a working one that receives drains, the second is a drainage one. Pits can be of any shape: round, square or rectangular. You can dig them yourself or with the help of specialized equipment.

At this stage of work, it is important to observe the main condition: the volume of the working chamber must correspond to the figure obtained as a result of preliminary calculations.

The depth of the pit must be at least 2.5 m.

When digging a pit, it is desirable to reach a drainage layer consisting of sand and gravel. If on site clay soil, it is recommended to reduce the area of ​​work and dig until such a layer of soil is reached that can serve as drainage. In the event that this is not possible, it is necessary to increase the volume of the working chamber by 20-30%. Next to the first hole, they dig a second, drainage.

After both pits are ready, their walls are leveled and compacted. Then they mount the inner formwork for each pit. For this purpose, used or unedged boards. The working chamber is connected to the drainage using a pipe, which is installed at a distance of 5-10 cm below the drain pipe coming from the sewerage of the house.



The inner wall of the formwork is covered with dense polyethylene. A cement-sand mortar is poured into the cavity formed between the boards and the walls of the pit, prepared in a ratio of 1: 3, where 1 part cement of a grade not lower than M400 and 3 parts of sifted sand. After the concrete sets (after 3-5 days), the formwork is dismantled.

The pouring of cement-sand mortar, as well as the construction of formwork, is best done in layers. First, boards are installed in the lower part of the pits and polyethylene is fixed, concrete is poured and the necessary time is maintained for it to set.

After that, the formwork is dismantled and a new one is built, located directly above the one formed inside the pit concrete wall. Thus they move to the top of the pit. This method will significantly save on lumber and reduce the complexity of the work.

The drain pipe entering the working chamber must be insulated with foam or glass wool. On top of both pits, an insulated flooring is built, which will serve as a cover for the septic tank.

To remove gases in the flooring, two pipes are installed (one above each pit). Given all the important points, a do-it-yourself sewer system will work flawlessly for many years.



Biological septic tank No. 2

The principle of this waste storage facility is similar to the one described above. But in this case, building a septic tank with your own hands will be simpler: you only need to dig one hole and divide it with a concrete partition into two chambers (working and drainage). If you carefully study the instructions above, it will become clear how to make a septic tank with your own hands, without involving additional labor.

In order to properly build a storage facility for the biological processing of wastewater, one important point must be taken into account, well known to experienced owners of private backyards.

So that the smell from the working and drainage chambers does not bother the owners of the guests at home, you need to correctly calculate the height of the pipes mounted in the covers of the drain storage. Their length should be slightly greater than the average snow depth in the area.


For greater ease of maintenance of the septic tank, the ventilation pipes are made composite. The lower part is fixed in the cover, an appropriate adapter is installed and the second, upper part is mounted. There is a certain rule: the lower ventilation tube, the less bad smell from the storage facility. Such features, found out by practical owners empirically, help to understand how to properly make a septic tank without pumping out.

Septic tanks from concrete rings and eurocubes

One of simple ways improve your home - make a sewer with drainage into the storage of concrete rings. This construction will require significant material costs: for the purchase, delivery and installation of concrete rings. You cannot build such a septic tank yourself: special equipment will be needed.


When erecting this structure, it is necessary to correctly determine the location of the liquid waste storage. If the site has a high level of groundwater, it is important to consider the direction of their movement. The flow should not be directed to the water intake point: a well or a well.

According to sanitary standards, the septic tank can be located at a distance of at least 5 m from the residential building. If the sewerage system provides for aeration fields, then the requirements are more stringent: no closer than 30 m from residential buildings.

To build septic tanks with your own hands, you need to know what materials are suitable for this purpose. In addition to concrete rings, Eurocubes can be used. These containers come in different sizes, which allows you to choose the optimal one for your purposes. Since it is even easier to build a septic tank from Eurocubes than from concrete rings, this method is most popular with owners. country houses and dachas.

For the full functioning of the system, it is necessary to build a two-chamber structure with a built-in overflow from one container to another. It will be necessary to make ventilation outlets and build pipes of the appropriate length into them. It is best to use asbestos cement or plastic pipes. The total cost of materials required for a septic tank from eurocubes is lower than for a septic tank from concrete rings.

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Each owner of a private house is faced with the problem of arranging a sewer system. There is no escape from this. Still, you want to live with comfort and communal benefits even outside the city. You can, of course, turn to specialized companies that will deal with the task of building sewers. However, this will have to fork out. In addition, highly professional services are definitely not cheap.

However, you can find an option that does not require excessively large amounts of money. We are talking about the construction of a sewer system on your own site yourself. What will be required for this? Perhaps only your diligence, strength and suitable building materials.

Septic is the best choice

Before starting construction, each owner country house puzzled by the question: “What type sewer system better to build? Some five or ten years ago, the most primitive cesspool was the most common option. But those times are gone. Now landowners are more demanding and selective. On the one hand, I want the sewer system to cope with the function of collecting and treating wastewater. On the other hand, you don’t want the sewer smell to be felt on the site at all, and the maintenance of the system would not be too difficult. See also: "".
All these requests are met - a septic tank. This is such an option sewer device, in which effluents are collected in a tank, and if there are several chambers, they can be thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning in septic tanks usually follows the principle of aerobic processes. That is, drains become cleaner due to bacteria, which, in fact, “feed” on waste and organic compounds. What is important, the resulting water can be used, for example, for watering crops.

So, how to make a septic tank in a private house? This question, at first glance, seems complicated. But it's not. The principle of building a septic tank is very simple. And you can choose one of the many models of its design: from inexpensive to more advanced. It all depends on your capabilities. So, for the construction of a septic tank, you can choose old tires, bricks, concrete rings. Or you can make a monolithic concrete structure. Let's take a closer look - how to make a septic tank in a private house?

How to make a septic tank from tires

Answering the question of how to make a septic tank yourself, using only tires, you first need to decide, in fact, where to get these same tires. Obviously, you can visit a couple of auto repair shops. As a rule, old, used tires can be given away for little money, or even for free (read also: "").

And now about the steps on how to make a septic tank yourself in a private house from tires:
  1. A well needs to be dug. Keep in mind that its diameter should be equal to the diameter of the tire, to which 20 cm is added.
  2. The depth should not be less than one and a half meters. But we'll talk more about depth below. It is worth saying that digging a relatively narrow well is inconvenient (read also: ""). Take advantage necessary tools. A bayonet shovel will help loosen and dig the ground. But it's better to raise soil shovel. But at the same time, experts advise for convenience to bend it at an angle of 70-80 degrees relative to the handle. As a result, raising the earth to the surface from the pit will be much more convenient and handy. By the way, if you have large-diameter tires, then you can do without such “tricks” with shovels. After all, then digging a hole will not be difficult.
  3. Next, you need to take a garden drill and drill in the center of the bottom of the resulting well drainage channel. Through it, filtered effluents will go into the ground. How deep you need to make such a channel - depends on the properties of the soil in your area. If it is hard and clayey, then you need to dig a drainage channel deeper. If the soil is soft, then a small deepening of the drill into the ground is enough.
  4. Now insert the pipe into the drainage channel. Better to use plastic. After all, metal - will quickly become unusable due to corrosion. The pipe should rise above the bottom of the well by about a meter. Cover the top hole with mesh. Otherwise, large particles will get inside the pipe, which means that a blockage will quickly form. By the way, along the length of the entire pipe, you need to make small holes for the passage of water. Thus, the drainage channel is ready!
  5. Fill the bottom of the well with crushed stone and gravel. And only then you need to start laying tires. However, before doing this, be sure to cut off the rubber, protruding part of the rim of each tire so that water drains and does not stagnate in these parts of the tires.
  6. In the top cover, make a hole for the sewer pipe through which sewage will flow into the well.
  7. Having carefully laid the tires, be sure to make the top one rise slightly above the ground.
  8. Fill the gap between the walls of the resulting well and the walls of the pit - with simple rubble.
  9. There was a queue for the lid. It can be made from plastic. It will be more reliable and durable. At the end, sprinkle the well with soil.
Now you know how to properly make a septic tank in a private house, having simple, used tires on hand. This is quite within the reach of a person who is ignorant of construction. The main thing is your desire!

The correct location of the septic tank in a private house

If you have definitely decided that you will equip a septic tank on the site, start by reading a document such as SNiP 2.04.03 - 85.

Here are the main provisions that determine where the septic tank should be located on the site:
  1. The distance to the source of drinking water (well, well) should be at least 20 meters.
  2. The distance to the residential building is at least 3 meters.
  3. Also, you can not place the septic tank too close to the fence and the border of the site. Retreat three meters (more details: "").
  4. If the pipeline from the house to the sewer tank is too long, be sure to install inspection wells every 12-15 meters. They will help in case of blockages to quickly detect the problem area and perform necessary actions for cleaning.
  5. If your site is uneven, hilly, then in places where there is a difference in elevation, you need to build a drop well, which will help dampen the speed of wastewater.
  6. The sewer pipe to the well should go at a slope. Approximately 2 cm per meter length.

Depth and volume of the septic tank

When deciding how to make a septic tank yourself, do not forget to correctly calculate its depth and volume. So, the depth should not be more than three meters, if you expect that the sewer machine will clean the well. After all, her hose is designed only for such a depth. It is also important to know how deep the groundwater is in the area.
If they are too close to the surface, then a sealed septic tank must be built. Another aspect is the depth of soil freezing. The depth of the well must be greater than this value.

Now, how do you calculate volume? Experts advise multiplying the number of people living in the house by 200 liters, this is a value that shows how many drains per person per day. Keep in mind, the larger the volume of the septic tank, the less often it will have to be emptied. However, if you have a small family and little house, then a huge septic tank will simply stand idle. This will adversely affect its condition and service life. See also: "".

Purchased or homemade septic tank

Now you know how to make a septic tank in a private house. And most importantly, they are familiar with the rules and regulations for its placement. But if you are not confident in your abilities and the skill of the builder, then you can turn to professionals for help. Today, there are septic tanks of various stripes on sale, and numerous companies offer services for the installation and installation of sewer systems. All this is good. After all, it is still not easy to build a complex and multi-chamber septic tank on the site.

But only septic tanks with water overflow from chamber to chamber are able to show a high degree wastewater treatment. Therefore, if you do not know how to properly make a septic tank with overflow, use the purchase of a ready-made model. By the way, industrial septic tanks will last much longer than homemade ones. Their service and possible repair quite affordable for any owner of a country house.

Dachas and country houses have long ceased to be housing with conveniences "in the yard". New technologies and materials make it possible to build a full-fledged sewerage system in a short time, which will provide drainage from the kitchen, toilet, bathroom or bath. Most often, it is not possible to connect the drain line to a centralized network, so the problem of removing sewage from the site has to be solved independently, using the services of a sewer or dumping wastewater into the ground. Of course, in the latter case, you can build a simple drain pit from improvised materials and thereby avoid financial costs, if not for one caveat: direct discharge of sewage into the ground can lead to groundwater pollution in your and neighboring areas.

In order for “both the wolves to be fed and the sheep to be safe”, it is worth spending a small amount and building a septic tank that will clean the drains and make them safe. And so that the costs of its manufacture and operation do not lead to the depletion of the family budget, we recommend that you do the construction yourself.

Septic tank - how it works

A carefully made septic tank will absolutely not interfere with the site, even if installed in a conspicuous place

The issue of disposal of domestic wastewater in suburban areas can be solved in two ways. The first is the accumulation and subsequent removal of sewage with the help of sewage trucks, and the second covers a whole range of processes for filtering, absorbing and disinfecting them.

Storage type septic tank requires regular pumping

Using a sealed container to collect wastewater is good option in the event that in country house or at the dacha appear on weekends and the amount of water used is small. If regular operation of the bathroom, toilet and household appliances, then the volume of water increases so much that the drain pit will have to be pumped out weekly. To avoid this inconvenience, cesspools of a filtration type are constructed, in which the liquid from the sewer is absorbed into the soil. There, with the help of bacteria, it is processed into water and safe organic matter. In fact, a septic tank is just such a structure, however, its improved design allows you to disinfect drains even before they are discharged into the ground.

Depending on the design of the septic tank can be divided into several types:

  1. Single chamber septic tank. It is a container with an overflow pipe and is used in small households with water consumption of not more than 1 cubic meter. m per day. In spite of simple design, the efficiency of sewage treatment leaves much to be desired.
  2. Small double septic tank. It consists of two containers connected by an overflow system. The simplicity and efficiency of this design makes it the most popular for DIY.
  3. multi-chamber structures. Due to the presence of several chambers, wastewater treatment takes place over a long period of time. This allows you to get water at the outlet, which can be safely discharged into natural reservoirs or used for household needs. Despite the high degree of purification, multi-chamber systems are few in private farmsteads due to their complexity and high cost.

In order to understand how a septic tank works, consider the most popular two-chamber design.

The device and principle of operation of a two-chamber septic tank

After sewage gets from the sewer into the first chamber treatment plant, their gravitational separation into liquid and solids takes place. At the same time, the processing of organic waste by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria begins, which develop in the absence or excess of oxygen. At the same time, not only liquid waste, but also fecal masses are processed into water and harmless organic matter. By the way, the work of microorganisms allows you to repeatedly reduce the volume of the solid fraction, leaving only a small sediment in the form of sludge.

An overflow channel is located in the upper part of the first chamber, through which the purified liquid enters the second chamber, where it is further purified. Below the level of the inlet channel in the second tank there is an outlet pipe, from which the purified liquid is taken for watering the garden or draining into the ground. In the latter case, filtration fields or wells are equipped to increase the contact area of ​​treated water with the soil.

Advantages and disadvantages of septic tanks

The question of which is better - a cesspool or a septic tank, is best considered in terms of efficiency, as well as the cost of manufacture and maintenance. At the same time, it is important to remember about the safety of the structure.

Note that in most parameters it is the septic tank that wins, which is distinguished by such advantages:

  • high degree of purification of domestic wastewater - the water at the outlet of the device can be used for economic purposes;
  • the absence of an unpleasant odor in the area;
  • hermetic design reduces the risk of sewage entering groundwater and makes the structure safe for the environment;
  • there is no need for regular pumping - the removal of the sludge residue can be carried out once every few years.

The disadvantages of septic tanks include:

  • more complex design;
  • increase in the cost of construction;
  • strict requirements for the use of household detergents. Conventional chemistry is detrimental to microorganisms, so you have to use special compounds;
  • a decrease in bacterial activity with a decrease in temperature - at 4 ° C and below, the sewage processing process stops.

Despite some nuances, the use of a septic tank allows you to preserve the nature and health of others, and this is a plus that cannot be crossed out by any difficulties and financial costs.

Design and preparations

The apparent simplicity of the design of the septic tank is very deceptive - in order for the constructed structure to be safe and productive, it is necessary to make small calculations and carefully approach the choice of location.

Choice of site location. Sanitary standards

Scheme indicating the requirements for the location of the septic tank on the site

When choosing a place to install a septic tank, they are guided by the norms of sanitary and epidemiological legislation and acts of SNiP:

  • local sewer facilities are allowed to be installed at a distance of at least 5 m from the foundation of a residential building and 1 m from household and household buildings located on the site;
  • distance from wells and wells is determined depending on the composition of the soil and can be from 20 m for clay soils up to 50 m for sandy soil;
  • installation of a septic tank directly at the roads and site boundaries is prohibited. It is required to maintain a distance of at least 1 m from the fence and 5 m from the road;

In addition, we must not forget that from time to time you still have to use a sludge pump, so you must definitely consider how the sewage truck will drive up to the sewage facilities.

A household fecal pump with a grinder will allow you to do without the services of a sewer

You can do without the services of a sewer if the sludge is pumped out with a fecal pump purchased for this purpose, and the sludge from the septic tank is used as a fertilizer for the garden.

The choice and calculation of the material. Required volume

For the installation of septic tank chambers, you can use both ready-made tanks and do-it-yourself containers:


Quantity calculation required material depends on the volume of the septic tank, so the main calculated value is the daily amount of wastewater discharged. It is not necessary to accurately determine this parameter; it is enough to take a water consumption of 150–200 liters for each family member permanently residing in the house. This will be enough to use the bathroom, toilet, washing and dishwasher. To determine the volume of the receiving chamber of the septic tank, the resulting value is multiplied by three. For example, if five people live permanently in a house equipped with all amenities, then you will need a tank designed for 3 cubic meters. m of liquid waste (5 people × 200 liters × 3 = 3000 liters).

The second chamber is calculated based on the size of the receiving tank. If its volume is taken equal to 2/3 of the entire size of the septic tank, then the dimensions of the post-treatment chamber provide the remaining third of the volume of the structure. If we take the example discussed above, then the working volume of the structure will be 4.5 cubic meters. m, of which 1.5 cubic meters. m is taken under the second tank.

Photo gallery: drawings of future structures

When designing a septic tank, you can use drawings and diagrams of working structures.

Scheme of a two-chamber septic tank Drawing of a two-chamber septic tank Drawing of a two-chamber septic tank

Calculations of external dimensions are carried out using well-known geometric formulas for determining the volume of a cylindrical structure and a rectangular container.

It should be understood that in most regions the septic tank will not freeze in winter due to warm drains coming from the house, soil temperature and the work of microorganisms. However, you still have to deepen the structure. Gap between cover and top level wastewater is taken equal to the value of soil freezing in winter. It is at this depth that the drain pipe enters the septic tank. Therefore, it is necessary to rely on the fact that the calculated working volume will be below this point. In addition, with more high temperature bacteria will more actively process sewage, contributing to an increase in the performance of the septic tank.

Scheme explaining the need to deepen the chambers of the septic tank

Which form is better

The question of which septic tank is better - round or rectangular, can be considered incorrect, since the shape does not affect the performance and degree of cleaning at all. However, the configuration of the structure is of great importance in the choice of materials. Everyone knows that round buildings are the most optimal in terms of spending the necessary funds. The septic tank was no exception. If it is made of brick, then the choice of a cylindrical shape will reduce consumption by 10 - 15%. In addition, round walls perfectly resist mechanical loads from the ground. If you choose a monolithic two-chamber structure, then it is better to make it square or rectangular. Firstly, the reinforced walls will withstand bending forces, and secondly, this is necessary for purely practical reasons related to the manufacture of formwork for pouring concrete.

The cost of septic tanks various materials. To eliminate the effect of devaluation, prices are given in US dollars. e

By the way, we recommend making a concrete structure with your own hands. If we consider the cost of a septic tank, then it will not be much higher than inexpensive brick counterparts (see table). As for the durability and strength of the structure, there can be no question of any comparison, therefore, even a more labor-intensive technology will justify itself many times over. How to build a rectangular two-chamber septic tank from reinforced concrete, we will tell you in detail.

Necessary tools and materials

To build a concrete treatment plant you will need:

  • crushed stone, sand and cement for the manufacture of concrete;
  • steel bars or reinforcement with a diameter of at least 10 mm;
  • metal corners, pipes or channels for the construction of floors;
  • boards, beams and slats for formwork;
  • film for waterproofing;
  • concrete mixer;
  • containers for bulk materials and concrete;
  • Bulgarian;
  • manual tamper;
  • saw on wood;
  • welding machine or wire for the manufacture of armored belts;
  • hammer;
  • building level;
  • roulette.

If it is necessary to insulate a septic tank, this list should be supplemented by the heat insulator used, for example, expanded clay chips.

Do-it-yourself construction and installation of a country septic tank made of monolithic concrete

It is better to dig a pit for a septic tank by asking relatives and friends for help

  1. After determining the size of the structure and choosing a place, they begin to dig a pit. The size of the pit is chosen depending on which formwork will be used. If it is planned to install boards from boards on both sides, then the pit is made 40 - 50 cm wider than the size of the tank, taking into account the thickness of its walls. In the case when concrete will be poured between the formwork and the ground, the pit is dug along external dimensions septic tank. If hired people are used for this, calculate the cost of their work. Be sure to keep in mind that the soil will have to be removed from the site, and this will entail additional costs for its loading. Perhaps the total cost of all earthworks will approach the cost of operating an excavator. At the same time, he will cope with the work ten times faster.

    It is not necessary to take out all the soil from the site. Be sure to leave a part of it for backfill septic tank.

  2. Tamp the bottom of the pit and fill it with a layer of sand 10–15 cm thick. After that, the sand is spilled with water to compact it.
  3. Install formwork around the perimeter of the structure. If a one-sided board fence is used, then the walls of the pit are covered with plastic wrap. This will prevent them from shedding during the pouring of the walls and the base of the septic tank.

    Pit wall waterproofing

  4. Lay pieces of wooden slats at least 5 cm thick on the bottom. They will be needed as spacers for the reinforcement belt, which will be inside the concrete base.
  5. Build an armored belt from a metal bar or reinforcement. To do this, longitudinal elements are laid on the rails, and the transverse elements are attached to them by welding or tying with wire. The size of the cells of the resulting lattice should be no more than 20 - 25 cm.

    A voluminous reinforcing frame is not required in the manufacture of a septic tank: a simple planar reinforcement is sufficient.

  6. Fill the base of the septic tank with concrete and compact it with a bayonet or rammer. The thickness of the bottom must be at least 15 cm. To prepare a mortar from grade 400 cement, you can use the next proportion: 1 part cement is mixed with 2 parts sand and 3 parts crushed stone. When using cement M-500, the amount of bulk materials is increased by 15 - 20%.

    Pouring the base of the septic tank with concrete

  7. After concrete base finally grabs, proceed to the construction of the formwork of the walls and partitions of the septic tank. Reinforcement is also installed inside the formwork to strengthen the structure of the structure.

    If there are not enough boards to build the formwork to the full height, then you can use a low sliding structure, which is poured with concrete, and after it has set, it is moved up.

  8. At the level of overflow channels and entry-exit points of sewer pipes, windows are made by installing large-diameter pipe sections into the formwork or constructing plank frames.

    Construction of formwork for walls and internal partitions

  9. After the chambers of the septic tank have reached the required height, proceed to the construction of the ceiling. To do this, support elements made of steel corners or profile pipes are laid on top of the walls. At the same time, it is important to ensure sufficient strength, since concrete has a significant weight.
  10. When installing formwork and reinforcement, take care of openings for hatches.

    Before pouring the ceiling, be sure to install a ventilation pipe

  11. After the ceiling has dried, a sewer line is brought into the receiving window of the first chamber, and the outlet of the structure is connected to drainage structures.
  12. They fill the septic tank with soil, constantly tamping and leveling it. It is important that the level of the soil above the septic tank is slightly higher than the level of the entire site. This will prevent the treatment plant from flooding during heavy rains or floods.

Arrangement of filtration facilities

In order to divert purified water into the ground, use drainage systems various types. The most common structures are filtration fields and drainage wells.

Device filtration field

The first are a system of pipelines placed in the ground and connected to the outlet pipe of the septic tank. Thanks to the installation at an angle, the movement of treated effluents through the pipes is ensured, and their absorption becomes possible thanks to a system of holes and a drainage layer in which the entire structure is placed.

The latter are a special case of a cesspool without a bottom and can be constructed from perforated concrete rings, staggered bricks, or old car tires. To ensure the absorption capacity, the bottom of the filtration well is covered with a thick layer of crushed stone. I must say that, unlike a cesspool, the performance of a structure connected to a septic tank practically does not decrease with time. This is due to the absence of solid particles and suspensions that can clog drainage holes and pores.

Using a septic tank, it is necessary to radically reconsider the approach to the use of sewage. From the day the system is put into operation, it is forbidden to use chemical detergents and pour any aggressive substances into the toilet or sink. It must be remembered that from now on, living beings - bacteria and other microorganisms - are engaged in wastewater treatment. Of course, this does not mean that you will now have to use ash and simple laundry soap for washing and cleaning, like our ancestors. When using household detergents marked "Bio" or "Eco", nothing will threaten the fragile ecosystem of the septic tank, and you will get a good result when cleaning and washing.

The use of detergents that are free from aggressive chemicals will allow the septic tank to work at full capacity.

Non-organic waste and garbage should not be drained into the sewer - there is a trash can for this. Getting into the storage facility of the sewage facility, they will collect at the bottom and interfere with its normal operation, and when pumping out sludge, they can clog the hoses of the fecal pump.

To improve the performance of the septic tank, special bioactivators are periodically added to the receiving chamber, which include several varieties of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. When choosing biological products, it is imperative to pay attention to their purpose, since such compositions are produced both for normal operating conditions and for cleaning heavily polluted walls of septic tanks, drains with an increased fat content, etc. By the way, the compositions must be used exactly as indicated manufacturer on the packaging, otherwise the bacteria may die.

The use of bioactivators improves the performance of the septic tank

From time to time you will have to check the level of sedimentary deposits. The fact is that their accumulation leads to a decrease in the usable volume and a decrease in the productivity of the septic tank, therefore, from time to time, the sludge will need to be pumped out or removed using a sludge pump, a fecal pump or a long pole with a scoop device. Certainly, mechanized methods rollouts would be preferable.

Video: homemade concrete structure for a private house

Despite the fact that the process of manufacturing a septic tank is associated with certain time and material costs, in the future, a self-built treatment plant will justify itself more than once. You do not have to constantly think about the fact that the sewage system can “get up” at the most inopportune moment or take care of regular pumping out of the tank. The septic tank will be able to function for many years without polluting environment and without causing any problems.

Many residents of private houses that are not connected to the central sewer are faced with the need to build a septic tank - drain pit for waste water and sewage.

If you build a sewer septic tank for a private house in the old fashioned way, then this will lead to frequent pumping out of the drain pit. And, as you know, the first pumping is fraught with an endless series of calls to the sewage service due to violations in the process of moisture removal, after which the soil cannot absorb water. In other words, there is a constant need to pump out water, and no amount of cleaning will help.

Well thought out and high quality installed septic tank can function for years without requiring any intervention.

V modern version A septic tank can last almost forever. The main thing is that it is built correctly.

Where and how to build a septic tank

Types of septic tanks for a private house are mainly divided according to the principle of action - these are:

  • Accumulative type. Septic tanks of this type are sealed containers buried in the ground and connected to a system of drain pipes coming from the house and outbuildings.
  • Septic tanks-settlers with soil after-treatment. They are structures consisting of two or more chambers, made in the form of containers, the last of which is built with an open surface
  • Stations deep cleaning Wastewater. They are used in places where sanitary legislation prohibits the discharge of water of a low degree of biological purification

Depending on what type of septic tank you choose for a private house, the installation scheme will differ.

An approximate diagram of a septic tank in a private house looks like the picture on the left.

Before building a septic tank, it is necessary to correctly determine its location.

In this case, it is necessary to take into account the height of groundwater and the direction of movement.

Important! The septic tank must be "downstream" of the house, outbuildings, and well.
According to sanitary standards, a septic tank should not be located closer than 15 meters from open water bodies and 50 meters from a water well. There should be a distance of 2 meters or more between the sewer septic tank and the fence separating neighboring areas.

The septic tank system in a private house depends on many factors, however, the general sequence of construction work is as follows:

  1. Determination of a place for a septic tank
  2. Digging a pit
  3. formwork preparation
  4. Pouring concrete
  5. Partition device
  6. Cover installation

Pit preparation

The construction of a septic tank in a private house begins with a foundation pit.

It makes no sense to go into calculations of its volume, since properly organized water treatment reduces the volume of a septic tank to almost a minimum. But you need to take care of the availability of free space in the pit.

The optimal volume of a septic tank for a private house is an eight cubic pit with dimensions of 2x2x2 meters.

If you have the desire and opportunities, you can increase it, it will not be worse. Having decided on the size, you can begin the construction of the pit.

We expose the formwork for the septic tank

To dig a hole, it is advisable to hire diggers, since it will not be easy to dig it on your own. In any case, when the pit is ready or being prepared by diggers, you should start preparing the formwork.

You will need:

  • osb sheets
  • Cut plastic sewer pipe

It is advisable to think over everything in advance. To increase the area of ​​water absorption into the soil, it is necessary to provide holes in the formwork for water drainage. For this, sewer pipe trimmings are used, under which round holes are cut in osb sheets (according to the diameter of the pipe trimmings) in increments of about 30 cm.

Because osb is pretty flexible material with low rigidity, it needs to be strengthened. To do this, along the perimeter of the sheet, a beam (20x30 or 30x40mm) is attached to it with the help of self-tapping screws. Vertical stiffeners are added every half a meter. Such sheets must be prepared for at least half of the pit on both sides.

It is recommended to make a collapsible formwork so that later it can be easily rearranged to the other two walls of the septic tank. At the same time, both adjacent walls and the wall itself should be divided into two parts separately. So it is much more convenient to disassemble and mount the formwork.

It is very important that the formwork is securely reinforced and the concrete being poured cannot crush the form, nullifying all the work. This will require a beam, with which the formwork must be firmly wedged in the pit.

After installing and securely fixing the wooden shields in the desired position, plastic sleeves are inserted - prepared trimmings of the sewer pipe. They must pass through the hole in the formwork and enter the ground by about 5 cm. If this recommendation is not followed, heavy concrete will easily knock them out and pour out through the hole in the formwork.

Concreting of a septic tank

Preliminary preparation for the construction of the septic tank is completed and you can start pouring concrete. To do this, you need to purchase a concrete mixer, since it is simply impossible to handle such an amount of concrete manually.

To prepare concrete you will need:

  • Sand (2 parts)
  • Fine crushed stone (2 parts)
  • Cement (1 part)

All this must be filled with water and mixed.

In addition, reinforcement will be required, which will turn concrete into stronger reinforced concrete. Instead of rods, you can use any metal at hand, with the exception of pipes.

After filling the first half of the pit with concrete, you need to let the concrete dry. This will take about two days. After that, the formwork is dismantled and installed on two other walls. Then the procedure is repeated again.

When the walls are ready, proceed to the construction of the internal partition of the septic tank. The pit should be divided into two approximately equal parts. The first is designed to collect solid sewage and silt, which clogs the ducts in the ground to the greatest extent, which disables the septic tank. Settled water will flow into another part of the pit through the wall and soak into the ground without clogging it.

The pier is built of concrete or brick. It is very important to maintain the correct overflow height. It is recommended to arrange an overflow hole 40 cm below the level of the drain pipe leaving the house. In the water in this place is the least silt. Ideally, you need to equip the overflow hole with a special sewer tee, then the settled water will not drain into the overflow directly, but from below.

If you are just thinking about building a house from a bar, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with its disadvantages so that you can prepare for the unexpected.

How to extend the life of a septic tank

When the septic tank is ready, you do not need to start it right away. To extend its service life, it is necessary to use "grandfather's" ideas.

There is such a folk instrument - a bailer. This is a cut of a thick pipe, sharpened and equipped with a long handle. With its help, pits are punched in the ground at least 2 meters deep. They must be covered with a fine mesh and fill the bottom of the pit with large gravel. It turns out excellent drainage, thanks to which water freely flows into the ground.

Another important factor determining the performance of a septic tank is its ventilation. To do this, use a sewer pipe brought to the surface, which will help water soak into the ground and partially evaporate.

After completing these works, the pit is covered so as to provide access for possible cleaning of the septic tank. You can also use concrete for this.

First, stiffeners are laid from a strong corner or channel and covered with a board, leaving a rectangular hole for access by vacuum trucks. It should be located directly above the two halves of the pit at the same time.

After that, the "lid" of the pit must be poured with concrete, having completed the reinforcement in the manner indicated above. This is necessary to ensure safety so that the lid does not crack and fall into the pit at the most inopportune moment.

Basic rules for using a septic tank

When using a septic tank, certain rules must be followed.

It is strictly prohibited:

  • reset construction garbage into the sewer at home. Sand, lime, brick fragments will very quickly clog the first part of the septic tank. To restore its performance, additional cleaning costs will be required.
  • Use sewer for disposal polymer materials. Cellophane bags, cigarette butts, sanitary pads are not recycled by aerobic bacteria. The gravity settling method will also not work due to the small weight of synthetic waste.
  • Use detergents (such as chlorine bleach) that can harm colonies of microorganisms that promote organic decomposition
  • Drain water into the sewer chemicals used for cleaning pipes, machine oil, acids, alkalis

Permitted:

  • Use a septic tank to clean drains
  • Throw toilet paper

Proper arrangement of a septic tank in a private house will extend the service life several times. And if you periodically use modern biological preparations that decompose solid sewage, you can avoid cleaning the drain pit for a long time.

Video about the installation of a septic tank in a private house (scheme)


Video about installing a septic tank in the ground

The dream of the owner of a country house is a sewer system that works without interruption and consumes a large amount of electricity. It is these qualities that a septic tank has, which provides a high rate of sewage treatment. It is not always possible to acquire these mechanisms, because the cost of such structures from well-known manufacturers is quite high. But you can solve this problem by building a structure with your own hands.

Peculiarities

A few years ago, treatment facilities were understood as cesspools, in which wastewater accumulated and then pumped out. The modern construction market offers an improved mechanism used to collect and pump wastewater. In a private or country house intended for permanent residence, a sewer cleaning system is a must.

Before you start making a septic tank with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the diagram of the device.

  1. The design consists of 2 or 3 tanks, which are interconnected by a pipe.
  2. Each container has ventilation holes.
  3. The containers are equipped with tight sealed lids.
  4. Filtration field in which wastewater treatment is carried out. Traditional filters are: drainage well, infiltrator.

The most effective are mechanisms consisting of 3 chambers, in this case, a more thorough cleaning of wastewater occurs. When preparing to perform even a home-made mini-septic tank, one must remember that the design of the future cleaning mechanism will include 2 chambers.

The principle of operation of the purification plant:

  • drains enter the receiving chamber of the mechanism (sump);
  • large waste is screened out by settling;
  • all waste elements undergo a fermentation process through bacteria living in the treatment system;
  • sewage decomposes and emits gases that exit through the ventilation holes;
  • within a certain time, the polluting components dissolve in the liquid;
  • at the outlet of the septic tank, a 95% purified liquid flows out, such water can be used for domestic and household needs.

Budget septic tank without pumping thanks to their performance superior in most respects cesspool, after all it has a lot of advantages:

  • high level of wastewater treatment;
  • lack of unpleasant odors;
  • a sealed system does not allow waste elements to enter the soil layers and does not harm the ecosystem;
  • fluid is pumped out once a year.

The disadvantages of such a device include several features.

  • Complicated design.
  • Strict rules for the use of detergents.
  • Bacterial activity decreases at low temperature conditions and lack of oxygen, which leads to a decrease in the level of purification. For additional ventilation, you can purchase a special aerator.

Design and preparatory work

When placing a sewer system, it is necessary to take into account the remoteness of the structure from residential buildings, open reservoirs, sources of drinking water.

Basic sanitary and technical requirements specified in SNIP:

  • treatment facilities are allowed to be installed at a distance of 5 m from residential premises, 1 m from agricultural buildings;
  • removal from sources of drinking water (well, well), depending on the type of soil, can vary from 20 to 50 meters.

But it is also necessary to take into account that in order to pump out the sludge, you will need the help of a sewage truck, which must freely pass to the cleaning mechanism.

For the installation of treatment plant chambers, both ready-made containers and self-made tanks are used: metal and plastic barrels, monolithic concrete structures, cubic capacity.

The correct calculation of the amount of required building material depends on the volume of the treatment plant. Therefore, the calculation will require the amount of discharged effluents per day. It is not necessary to accurately determine such a value; it is enough to take the water absorption of 150-200 liters per 1 family member. To determine the volume of the receiving compartment of the septic tank, the resulting value is multiplied by 3. If 6 people live permanently in the house, then a capacity of 6x200x3 = 3600 liters is required.

The second compartment of the septic tank is calculated based on the parameters of the receiving chamber. If its volume accepts 2/3 of the liquid of the entire size of the treatment plant, then the parameters of the post-treatment chamber are 1/3 of the volume of the mechanism.

For the design of a septic tank, you can use ready-made working drawings and diagrams of the device.

In most regions of Russia, the treatment plant will not freeze in winter thanks to the warm sewage coming from the house. And also an obstacle to freezing are bacteria that are actively behaving in the septic tank. But the structure will still have to be deepened. The distance between the cover and the upper level of the sewage must be equal to the amount of soil freezing in winter time. At this level there is a drain sewer pipe. Therefore, it must be taken into account that the structure should be located below this level.

If the high level of groundwater does not allow deepening the system below the freezing level of the soil, it is necessary to make insulation. As insulating materials are used:

  1. expanded polystyrene;
  2. Styrofoam;
  3. expanded clay.

How to do it yourself?

There are two variations of making a septic tank with your own hands.

Variation #1

In this case, the sewer treatment plant consists of two chambers. The pits can be various shapes. The depth of the pit should be at least 2.5 m.

When digging a hole, it is recommended to reach a drying layer consisting of a mixture of sand and gravel. After both pits are ready, it is necessary to level and compact the walls. Next, set the internal form for each pit (board). Both chambers are connected by a pipe. The inner area of ​​the formwork is covered plastic wrap. The gap between the boards and the walls of the pit is filled with a cement-sand mixture in a ratio of 1 to 3. When the concrete dries (3-5 days), the internal form of the boards is dismantled.

The incoming sewer pipe must be insulated with insulating materials (foam, glass wool).

Variation #2

The principle of the device of the cleaning mechanism is similar to the previous variation. But in this case, the construction of a septic tank will be simplified: it is necessary to dig only 1 pit and divide it into 2 chambers using a concrete partition.

In the manufacture of a septic tank with their own hands, improvised materials are mainly used, but not all such variations are airtight and durable structures. Mainly used building materials:

  1. a system of plastic containers (from the eurocube);
  2. concrete rings with a bottom and a filter layer;
  3. cleaning mechanism from car tires;
  4. monolithic blocks;
  5. brick;
  6. iron barrels.

When choosing certain materials for the manufacture of a septic tank with your own hands, you need to consider some points.

  • Features of the use of the sewer system (the number of incoming effluents).
  • Depth of groundwater.
  • Quality and performance characteristics building material.
  • Construction skills and financial opportunities. Not all homeowners are able to perform independent masonry, and the installation of a structure of concrete rings will require the help of specialized equipment.

To determine the strengths and weaknesses of the listed building materials, we will consider in detail some variations.

From improvised materials

There are many improvised tools that can be used to make a septic tank.

Car tires

Often, car tires from wheels are used to perform a treatment plant for giving without electricity. The system is designed for a small amount of wastewater. 2 pits are dug under the tires. Tires are interconnected by means of clamps, and the joints are treated with sealant. The bottom of the first chamber is lined with plastic wrap; concrete is used for high-quality mounting.

The advantages of such a structure are:

  • availability of building materials;
  • simple assembly design.

Cons of this design:

  • freezing in winter;
  • loss of shape and tightness in a fairly short period of time.

Eurocube construction

For the manufacture of a septic tank, 2 or 3 tanks are required. One of them has the bottom cut out to create a filtration. Plastic tanks are installed in metal carcass. This will protect the structure from the negative effects of the soil. Before installation, inlet and outlet tubes are inserted into the tanks, holes are made for ventilation. The joints are treated with silicone.

The recess for the tanks is dug under a slope so that the second tank is located 20 cm lower than the first. To fix the Eurocubes, concrete is poured to the bottom of the pit, to which the tanks are attached.

Advantages:

  • tightness of tanks;
  • simple installation;
  • long service life.

The disadvantages include the fact that the installation must be secured to prevent the system from rising to the surface.

Cleaning system made of concrete rings

The depth of the pit should be no more than 4 meters. The structure must be installed at a sufficient depth, this is especially important for a site with a high level of groundwater.

The device will require 4-5 concrete rings of standardized parameters. The height of the rings is a little over 1 meter. The diameter of the rings can vary from 70 to 200 centimeters. When calculating the future system, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the rings. The mass of one ring is 600 kg (sometimes more).

A crane is required for installation. The first ring is laid end-to-end in the area where the cleaning mechanism will be located, then you can start digging a pit. After the upper end is level with the ground, the second ring is installed. The digging of the hole continues. So that the rings do not part, they are connected by means of reinforcement. And you can also use specialized spacers that prevent the displacement of the rings.

After the pit is dug, the joints of the rings and seams are sealed with special cement mortar. The bottom is filled with cement and covered with waterproofing building materials. Waterproofing is also carried out along the walls of the tank. You can mount one well, which will perform a storage function. Waste water will need to be pumped out periodically.

Block fixture

Manufacturing technology of a two-chamber septic tank from blocks:

  • excavation of a pit under the dimensions of an autonomous sewer system with an indent on the sides (25-30 cm);
  • at the bottom of the pit, a sand and gravel cushion is laid, the thickness of which is 15-20 centimeters;
  • the base of the concrete mixture is laid;
  • along the perimeter of the walls, blocks are laid, which also needs to be built in the middle of the structure for the partition;
  • the inner and outer walls of the blocks are covered with bituminous mastic;
  • a cover made of a monolithic slab with hatches is installed on top;
  • ventilation and thermal insulation of the foam system is carried out;
  • the septic tank is backfilled with earth.

When laying blocks, an overflow is installed in the bulkhead, on one side of the wall an entrance is made for the sewer pipe coming from the living quarters. On the other hand, an exit is made into a drainage well or infiltrator. If the second chamber is to be equipped with a drain part, then the monolithic slab concrete foundation, and in the middle of the tank to make a dryer of gravel and sand.

The overflow between the tanks is carried out at a depth of 50-60 centimeters from the cover of the cleaning mechanism. Be sure the input must be located lower than the output.

Sewer pipes are installed with a slope of 2-3 degrees from a residential building so that wastewater enters the septic tank by gravity.

Making a septic tank from metal or plastic barrels

Consider the option self-fulfillment a septic tank of 3 barrels, but the principle of equipment remains the same when making a septic tank of 2 containers.

  • Making technological holes. In the first barrel there is an inlet for sewer pipes and an outlet for overflow into the second tank. In the second barrel there is an inlet for overflowing liquid from the first chamber and an outlet for the flow of effluents into the next barrel.
  • In the third barrel, one hole is made for the flow of sewage from the second chamber, and when equipping the filtration field, two are made in the lower part for pipes.
  • For each barrel, micro-holes are made in the upper part of the structures to create ventilation.

To fill the foundation layer, a stepped formwork is installed. When placing drums with a subsequent lowering of the level, the volume of the containers will be fully utilized. This is important if the small capacity of this type of septic tank prevails.

After pouring the foundation during the period of solidification of the solution, rings or hooks are mounted in it to fix the containers. And also at this stage, a trench is being prepared for laying pipes through which wastewater will be removed from the septic tank to the filtration field.

When the foundation has completely hardened, you can proceed with the installation of containers and their fixing. The trenches of the filter field are covered with geotextiles. The mounted cleaning mechanism from the barrels is covered with earth. plastic barrels It is recommended to immediately fill with water to avoid deformation of the product.

Barrels made of metal must be treated with an anti-corrosion agent.

from brick

If you decide to build a cleaning mechanism out of bricks, then for this purpose it is better to use clinker products. They are resistant to moisture and aggressive environments. Containers can be made both rectangular and round. It is important to properly waterproof the structure. It is recommended to coat the outer walls of the tanks with specialized mastic. Backfilling (the distance between the outer walls of the mechanism and the pit) is done using clay. Minimum Thickness layer should be 20 cm.

Used to seal the inside of a septic tank. cement mixture. The bottom of the structure must be filled with concrete so that drains do not seep into the soil layers.

Manufacturing technology:

  • a pillow is made of sand and gravel, the bottom of the chambers is poured with a concrete mixture;
  • along the perimeter of the inner part of the pit, a brick is laid out, which is connected with cement;
  • in the second chamber, no concreting of the bottom of the pit is performed, and brick products are laid to a minimum amount cement mortar, this will allow wastewater to penetrate into the soil layers.

When building a cleaning mechanism, technical errors should be taken into account, which can lead to improper functioning of the system.

To avoid them, you must follow simple rules.

  1. Provide a certain slope of the sewer pipe towards the septic tank. This is necessary in order for the wastewater to flow by gravity.
  2. Do not allow sharp turns of sewer pipes, thereby preventing clogging of the system.
  3. The inlet pipe must be located higher than the outlet so that waste materials do not exit the system.
  4. It is forbidden to build filter wells with high groundwater levels. This can lead to pollution of the ecosystem.

When using a treatment facility, it is prohibited:

  • throw construction debris into the sewer system - this can lead to clogging of the first chamber of the septic tank;
  • use the design for the disposal of polymer waste (cellophane, cigarette butts, bag, condom);
  • use detergents containing solvents, acids, alkalis, which can lead to the death of anaerobic microorganisms;
  • drain oil products into the sewer - engine oil, gasoline, diesel fuel.