Do-it-yourself sewerage in the country from a barrel. Do-it-yourself septic tank from plastic barrels Septic tank from a 200 liter barrel

Making a septic tank with your own hands from barrels is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to ensure wastewater treatment. Its production does not require much time, and the materials are available. At the same time, a treatment facility of this type is quite effective and provides high quality removal of impurities.

In septic tanks of this type, wastewater is treated primarily mechanically:

Partial clarification during the deposition of the largest particles of impurities occurs mainly in the first of three series-connected containers.
Smaller inclusions settle in the second tank, into which water flows from the top of the first barrel.
The “native” bottom of the third barrel is usually removed, and when installing a septic tank, the lower part is backfilled with sand, gravel or expanded clay. This material acts as a filter.

Passing through the ground achieves optimal results, but this method is not suitable for areas with groundwater located close to the surface. To ensure sanitary safety in such cases, drainage of treated wastewater through filtration fields is organized. Such structures are perforated pipes insulated with geotextile, which come out of the third barrel at an angle of 45° to each other and are located in trenches parallel to the surface.

The use of septic tanks from barrels

It is advisable to build a septic tank at the dacha with your own hands from barrels in the following cases:

as a temporary structure during the construction phase of a house before the sewer system is installed,
with a minimum amount of waste, typical for periodic visits to a suburban area without permanent residence.

Such requirements are due to the small volume of tanks. The capacity of large barrels is usually 250 liters Therefore, the volume of a septic tank from three tanks will be 750 liters. At the same time, according to the terms of sanitary standards, the septic tank must accommodate three daily “portions”.

It is advisable to build a septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands as a separate treatment facility, for example, for shower or bath.

The advantages of such designs are:

low cost (used containers are often used),
simplicity of design and installation,
less excavation work due to the small volume of tanks.

Pros and cons of the materials used

Do-it-yourself sewerage in a dacha can be made from a barrel using plastic or metal containers. Usually the most affordable option is used, however, if a choice is possible, the pros and cons of each option should be taken into account before making a decision.

Advantages:

light weight, ease of transportation and installation,
ease of making holes for pipes,
absolute waterproofness, eliminating the possibility of soil contamination,
resistance to corrosion from water or aggressive substances that may be contained in detergents.

Flaws:

due to their small weight, plastic barrels require reliable fastening to the foundation in order to prevent them from floating during a flood, which can lead to destruction of the sewer system,
Due to the plasticity of the material, there is a danger of squeezing soil reservoirs during the cold season.

Iron barrels

Advantages of a septic tank made of metal barrels:

high strength,
structural rigidity,
waterproof provided the walls and bottom are intact.

Flaws:

instability to corrosion, requiring a waterproofing coating and periodic inspection of its condition,
a slightly more complex process of making holes that requires the use of power tools.

It should be noted that more often a homemade septic tank from barrels is made using plastic containers.

Materials and tools

Before making a septic tank from a barrel, in order to avoid unplanned interruptions during the work process, it is better to prepare everything you need in advance.

Main components:

metal or plastic barrels,
sewer pipes (most often used with a diameter of 110 mm), the total length of which is 1-2 meters greater than the length of the main line,
tees corresponding to the diameter of the pipes,
sewer covers for barrels,
pipes for ventilation (in some cases sewer pipes can be used),
covers for ventilation (purchased or home-made protective canopies),
corner fittings,
flanges, couplings.

Installation materials:

PVC glue (if plastic containers are used),
sealant,
cement,
sand,
crushed stone,
fastening cables or clamps.

Tools:

Bulgarian,
shovel,
electric mixer

Septic tank installation

Do-it-yourself sewerage from barrels requires certain preparatory work to be completed before installation. We will consider the option of making a septic tank from three barrels, but the same remains for a septic tank from two tanks.

Technological holes are made in each barrel.

In each of their barrels, in addition, holes are made at the upper end (or lids, which are often provided with tanks for ease of cleaning) for ventilation pipes.

In each tank, the inlet is located 10 cm above the outlet.

Important: When making a septic tank from iron barrels with your own hands, the metal barrels for sewerage are coated with an anti-corrosion compound inside and out.

The pit for the septic tank is dug out of the barrels in such a way that when installed, there is a gap of 25 cm on each side of any tank. The bottom of the pit is covered with crushed stone or a sand cushion is arranged.

To fill the foundation, step formwork is installed. When placing barrels with a sequential decrease in level (each is 10 cm lower than the previous one), the volume of the tanks will be fully used, which is very important with the small capacity of septic tanks of this type. If the removal of purified liquid is provided through the bottom filter of the third barrel, the last tank is installed directly on crushed stone, without a foundation.
After pouring the foundation at the stage of solidification of the solution, rings or hooks are installed into it, to which clamps will cling to fix the containers. Just in case, it is better to “anchor” not only plastic, but also iron tanks.

If wastewater removal will be carried out through a filtration field, then trenches for laying corrugated pipes can be dug at this stage.

Once the foundation has gained strength, you can begin installing and securing tanks, installing pipes and sealing joints at their entry points. Experts recommend not using silicone for these purposes, preferring other types of sealants, for example, epoxy.

The trenches of the filtration field are covered with geotextile, and after laying the perforated pipes, the material is wrapped with the edges overlapping each other.

A fully assembled septic tank made from barrels is filled with soil. It is better to fill plastic containers with water at this time to avoid deformation. During the backfilling process, the soil is periodically carefully compacted.

In a separate article on the site, it will be easier to create a treatment facility with it, but it will still not be possible to completely do without loading equipment.

Installation of a sewer system for a private house. Selecting a location, conducting internal and external communications.

Types of plastic drainage wells are presented. Scope of application and installation.

Nuances of construction

When installing septic tanks from barrels in the country with your own hands, you should take into account some nuances and rules:

Rules for choosing the volume and location of septic tanks

The daily water consumption rate is 200 liters per person, and the septic tank must be able to accommodate wastewater. Collected within 72 hours or 3 days. Thus, subject to permanent residence, a three-chamber septic tank made of 250-liter barrels is suitable only for one person. Therefore, septic tanks of this type are used only for temporary residence or for treating wastewater from one point (for example, from a bathhouse). In most cases, they try to somehow increase the capacity of septic tanks, which is why among treatment facilities made from barrels there are practically no two-chamber options (they have too small a volume).

It is important to comply with sanitary requirements regarding permissible distances from the septic tank to certain objects. For example, the distance from the source of drinking water should be at least 50 meters. Garden plants and fruit trees must be located at least 3 meters from the treatment plant. The distance to the road is at least 5 meters.

A country house, a small bathhouse, a summer camp site, or temporary living quarters being built during the construction of a permanent structure will not be comfortable enough for living without a sewerage system. But purchasing an expensive local treatment plant is not always advisable.

As an alternative solution, you can consider a simple septic tank made of lightweight polymer barrels, which are very easy to bring to the site and install with your own hands in a short time. There are also barrels made of metal, but due to the susceptibility of this material to corrosion, their use is not recommended. Wooden containers are even less durable. Their service life is no more than two seasons.

Principle of operation

Since a septic tank is a system in which household wastewater and waste not only accumulate, but are treated. For construction, you will need two or three barrels, which will become loading and secondary cleaning chambers. To make the system as efficient as possible, it is worth thinking about installing a drainage or storage well into which purified water from the septic tank will flow.

Let's consider the principle of operation of a two-chamber septic tank made of barrels, equipped with a storage well.

Used water (from the shower, toilet, etc.) enters the drain hole, from where it flows by gravity through the internal and external sewerage pipes into the first loading barrel-chamber.
The first chamber is called a “settlement tank”, since here, with the participation of constantly acting gravitational forces, wastewater settles. Light fractions and fats float to the top, heavy particles precipitate. In the center of the container, a layer of primary purified technical liquid is formed, which is transported through the overflow pipe into the second chamber-barrel.
The second post-treatment chamber is designed for better treatment of wastewater. Here, in an airless environment, colonies of microorganisms “work” (they are formed 2-5 weeks after the system is put into operation). For greater efficiency, preparations can be loaded into the post-treatment chamber to quickly decompose all sewage into water, sediment that falls to the bottom, as well as gases escaping through the ventilation pipe.
The degree of purification in the first two chambers can reach 80-90%. To increase the quality of cleaning, you can install another septic tank chamber, which will work on the principle of a post-treatment chamber. If the result suits you, then this measure is not relevant, and technically purified water will be transferred to a storage well.
The storage well has a sealed bottom, preventing water from penetrating into the ground. Disposal of liquid from the well is carried out using a sewer truck or drainage pump, subject to the installation of filters.

Instead of a storage well, you can install a filter (drainage) well. In this case, all the liquid enters the well container, where, passing through a crushed stone filter, it is absorbed into the soil. The method is not applicable at high groundwater levels and clay soil types with low filtration capacity.

Where to begin?

Any sewerage construction requires a minimum design. As prescribed by the standards, cleaning chambers must not only be located at a distance from green spaces (at least 3 meters), the foundation of the house (5-10 m), reservoirs and wells (30-50 m), but also at the same time be located within the reach of a sewer truck. place. Of course, if you plan to carry out preventive cleaning of the septic tank with a drainage pump or bucket, the last rule loses its relevance.

Note! The septic tank should not be too far from the building to avoid the need to lay an excessively long pipeline. It is also not recommended to plan the laying of pipes with turns, as this may cause clogging of the pipe and an additional need for installing a rotary (inspection) well. The best option is a septic tank located 7-10 meters from the house and connected to the internal sewerage system by a direct pipeline Ø110 mm. For a pipe section of 10 meters (the difference between the opposite ends of the pipe) will be 20 cm.

It is important to have information about soil type and groundwater levels. The nuances of installation and the method of disposal of the purified liquid will depend on this.

Septic tanks differ from conventional sewage systems in the volume of wastewater processed. If, when connected to a central system, the volume of water consumption does not matter, then a small installation of barrels implies economical use of water (maximum washbasin, shower and toilet). At the same time, there is no question of connecting a washing machine. A three-chamber septic tank with a volume of about 250 liters is quite suitable for temporary living arrangements for 2-3 people. For more users, it is recommended to choose larger capacity barrels.

It is also theoretically necessary to register the fact of installing a septic tank at the SES, but this design of barrels is unlikely to be approved, so obtaining official permission is left to the discretion of the owners.

Preparation of materials and tools

During the construction of a summer house or country house, the arrangement of a sewerage system and wastewater disposal system is of no small importance. If the expected total amount of wastewater is small, then there is no need to connect to a centralized sewerage system, and if this is not possible, purchase expensive industrial treatment facilities. If you have basic construction skills, most owners of suburban areas are quite capable of making a septic tank from a barrel with their own hands. In the last article we looked at how a septic tank works, so later in the article we will describe step-by-step instructions for making a treatment plant for a country house with a small amount of domestic waste.

Preparatory work

Like any important undertaking, the construction of a treatment plant requires proper calculation and compliance with certain rules and recommendations.

Construction materials

To set up this treatment plant you will need the following materials:

Advice! To avoid freezing of water in sewer pipes in winter, as well as their deformation due to frost heaving of the soil, it is recommended to lay the wastewater line to a depth that is below the standard soil freezing depth in your region. The value of this depth for your region can be found fromSNiP 2.04.02-84Water supply. External networks and structures.

Excavation

After the site for installing the septic tank has been selected and prepared, it is necessary to dig a pit for it and trenches for laying sewer pipes. Using a tape measure and a hydraulic level, check the angle of inclination of the bottom of the trench and the height difference from the house to the septic tank. The dimensions of the pit around the perimeter should be 300 mm. more septic tank design in each direction. The depth should be such that the upper part of the installed septic tank is below the level of soil freezing depth.

The bottom of the pit and trenches must be compacted using a manual tamper or vibrating plate, filled with crushed stone and a sand cushion made of at least 100 mm thick. If possible, the ideal option would be to make a concrete pad at the bottom of the pit. When pouring it, you need to provide in advance the fastening elements with which the barrels will be attached to the base. This is done so that during spring floods, when there is not enough water in the barrels, the entire structure is not squeezed out to the surface under the influence of the forces of Archimedes.

Advice! To prevent blockages in the drain system, the sewer system from the house to the septic tank must run in a straight line. When digging trenches, try to keep them straight.

Manufacturing of water treatment elements

In order to make a septic tank from barrels at the dacha with your own hands, you will need some modification of the main components, that is, the barrels. Next, all the necessary stages of work will be described:

In the top lid of one of the barrels, let's call it chamber No. 1, it is necessary to cut a round hole for the inlet pipe, 110 mm in diameter.
On the side of chamber No. 1, at a distance of 200 mm. cut one hole with a diameter of 110 mm from the top edge. for a transition pipe made of a plastic angle of 90°, with the help of which it will be connected to chamber No. 2.
In the top lid of the second barrel, we will call it chamber No. 2, cut a hole with a diameter of 110 mm. for the transition angle with which it will be connected to chamber No. 1.
On the side of chamber No. 2, at a distance of 200 mm. from the top edge, at an angle of 90° relative to each other, cut two more holes with a diameter of 110 mm. for outlet pipes through which water will be supplied to the filtration field.

Installation of a cleaning system

When all elements of the system are ready for installation, you can proceed directly to assembling the septic tank at the site of its installation. Below is a sequential description of further actions:

Install cameras No. 1 and 2 in the pit. If there is a concrete pad, you need to secure the barrels, paying attention to their correct installation. The inlet pipe of barrel No. 1 should face the house.
Connect the barrels using sewer pipes, according to the photo and description.
Coat all connections with sealing compound.
Supply water to chamber No. 1 until the entire system is completely filled with water. A sign of filling is the overflow of water from the outlet pipes of chamber No. 2.
Fill the pit with a dry cement-sand mixture, periodically compacting each layer of backfill.
Build an inspection well with a ventilation riser above the top cover of chamber No. 1. It will serve to clean the system and remove solid particles of debris that have entered the drain.
Take measures to thermally insulate the inspection well. Thick construction foam can be used for this purpose.

Advice! To seal the elements of the treatment system, it is best to use bitumen-based roofing construction sealant, as it is more reliable and durable than silicone sealant.

Construction of a soil treatment system

After the wastewater has undergone primary treatment in a two-chamber septic tank, it must be sent for final treatment and disposal, for which a filtration field is used. They are constructed as follows:

In a prepared place, preferably with a natural slope, dig a wide trench.
Place geotextiles in it so that it completely covers the bottom and sides of the trench.
Pour a layer of crushed stone 300 mm thick on top of it. lay two drainage pipes on top of the crushed stone, connected to the outlet pipes of chamber No. 2. Equip the blind end of each drainage pipe with a ventilation riser.
Cover the drainage system with crushed stone and wrap it with the remaining geotextile.
After this, you can fill the trenches with earth, and sow the area of the filtration fields with flowers or garden grass.

Conclusion

As can be seen from the description, building a septic tank from barrels for a summer residence with your own hands does not present any difficulties. To do this, you need to have the desire, and the minimum set of necessary materials, which can always be purchased at a very affordable price. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic, and if you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments at any time.

stroimsamydom.ru

The location of the septic tank is influenced by several factors:

the terrain of the site, the movement of water is carried out by gravity, so it is important to take into account the slope;
groundwater depth;
frost mark in winter;
location of drinking water supply or water source;
Soil composition – sandy soil easily allows liquid to pass through, so it can cause groundwater pollution.

Installing a septic tank requires compliance with certain conditions: the distance from the house must be at least 5 meters, the distance from the drinking well is 30 meters, and from green spaces is 3 meters. The place is equipped with the possibility of a sewer truck entering.

Work on the installation of internal sewerage

Having a diagram of the location of all points of the system, and having purchased the necessary material, you can begin its installation. The central riser is installed first. Its diameter is chosen to be about 110 mm, and to remove gases, the upper part protrudes above the roof level or is led into the attic. Two types of pipes are used:

PVC - the material is chemically resistant, is not subject to corrosion and overgrowing, the smooth inner surface allows drainage to pass through unhindered, installation is carried out using the socket method. PVC prices are quite affordable.
Cast iron is reliable and durable, but has a large mass and is difficult to install. The cost of such pipes is significantly higher than plastic ones.
Ceramic - have excellent characteristics, but are expensive.

After installing the main riser, located 4 meters from the windows, horizontal pipelines are laid. The ability to monitor the condition of pipes and perform cleaning is provided by inspection hatches, which are located above the toilet and at the lowest point of the system. When installing pipes, avoid turning at a 90-degree angle, which impedes the movement of drains.

Each plumbing fixture must have a siphon with a water seal that prevents the penetration of unpleasant odors into the room. The pipe from the toilet is connected directly, with a pipe of at least 100 mm in diameter.

If a 90-degree rotation device is needed, it can be implemented using two 45-degree corner elements.

To connect a sink and bathtub, pipes with a diameter of 50 mm are sufficient. The lines should be positioned at an angle that allows for water movement. The installation of a sewer system in a dacha involves preliminary preparation of a hole in the foundation for the drainage of the sewer pipe to the outside. A check valve must be installed at the outlet to prevent wastewater from flowing back.

General rules for SNiP

During installation, pipes made of the same material are used.
The pipeline must be sealed.
The connection between the main line and the riser is made with an oblique cross or tee.
The slope of a pipe with a diameter of 110 mm is 20 mm, and a pipe size of 50 mm is 30 mm per linear meter.
For country houses, a non-pressure sewer system is used; the drainage flows by gravity.
A hidden option for installing pipes is allowed, and the connection to the main riser must be open.

Septic tank installation

If it is not possible to connect the internal sewage system of the dacha to the central one, a septic tank is installed. This device is designed to collect and purify wastewater. Septic tanks differ in design, material and cleaning method. Before installing sewerage in your dacha, you need to decide on the choice of wastewater receiver. To construct septic tanks, the following are used: plastic or metal containers, brickwork, reinforced concrete structures. Treatment of contaminated water is carried out through soil filtration, biological treatment or wastewater is accumulated and pumped out by a sewer machine.

The easiest way is to install a sealed container in which wastewater accumulates; after filling, it is pumped out using special equipment. The disadvantage of this method is the significant costs of regularly ordering the services of vacuum cleaners.

A more complex device has a septic tank that can partially purify wastewater. There are several options for such a device on sale, but their price is quite high. With a little knowledge and a desire to save money, you can make a septic tank yourself.

Two-chamber septic tank

The most convenient option is to install a collector consisting of two chambers connected by an overflow pipe. Let's find out how to arrange it yourself.

Work begins with digging a pit in a place chosen taking into account all sanitary requirements. The volume of the structure depends on the number of people living in the country house. You can dig a pit manually or using an excavator.
A sand cushion up to 15 cm high is formed at the bottom of the pit. The depth of the pit is 3 meters.
It is necessary to install formwork made of boards or chipboard. The design must be reliable. Next, a reinforcing belt is formed from metal rods tied with steel wire.
It is necessary to make two holes in the formwork and insert pipe cuttings. These will be places for the entrance of the sewer main and the overflow pipe between the sections.
The formwork is filled with concrete, which is distributed throughout the entire volume using a vibrating tool. The design of the septic tank must be monolithic, so it is advisable to fill the entire formwork at one time.
In the first compartment, the bottom is filled with concrete, a sealed section is formed, which will serve as a sump. Here the wastewater will be separated into large solid fractions that sink to the bottom, and clarified water that flows into the adjacent section. For better decomposition of solid residues, aerobic bacteria can be purchased.
The second compartment is made without a bottom; it can be made not only from monolithic walls, but also using concrete rings with a diameter of 1–1.5 meters, stacked on top of each other. The bottom of the well is covered with a thick layer of sedimentary rock (crushed stone, pebbles, gravel) to filter the wastewater.
An overflow pipe is laid between the two sections. It is installed at an angle of 30 mm per linear meter. The height of the pipe is located in the upper third of the wells. The number of sections is not necessarily limited to two; a four-section septic tank can be made, which provides better cleaning.
The ceiling of the septic tank is made independently, using formwork and concrete, or ready-made reinforced concrete slabs are used. Be sure to install a hatch that allows you to control the filling of sections and the hood. The pit is filled with sand and selected soil. The sump tank of such a system will be cleaned every 2–3 years.

Due to the ease of installation, many summer residents prefer to make a septic tank from concrete rings.

If the soil on the site is clayey or the groundwater is located very close to the surface, it will not be possible to install a septic tank of this design. You can settle on a sealed container of sufficient volume, securely installed and secured to a concrete slab in the pit.

Another option is a biological treatment station. Local stations are convenient and efficient; they are indispensable for large suburban buildings. The installation and commissioning of the device is carried out by specialists; the cost of such a station is acceptable for a narrow circle of summer residents.

Laying the external main

It is necessary to lay a pipeline from the point where the sewer pipe exits the house to the septic tank. The main must lie at a slope that ensures the drainage of contaminated water. The larger the diameter of the pipes you use, the smaller the angle of inclination required for their operation, on average it is 2 degrees. The depth of the trench for laying pipes must be greater than the amount of winter freezing of the soil. If the depth of the trench is small, provide thermal insulation of the line.

The average depth for laying a sewer system is 1 meter; in warm regions it is enough to go down to 70 cm, and in cold regions you will need to dig a pit up to 1.5 meters. The bottom of the dug hole is covered with a dense cushion of compacted sand. This procedure will protect the pipes from soil displacement.

The best option would be to lay a direct pipeline to the collector. If it is necessary to make a turn, this place will be equipped with an inspection well. For the main line, you can use plastic and cast iron pipes with a diameter of 110 mm; their connection must be airtight. After installation, the pipeline is covered with sand and then with soil.

The design, which does not require regular pumping of wastewater, consists of several tanks operating simultaneously. These can be two/three-chamber septic tanks. The first tank is used as a sump. It is the largest in volume. In two-chamber septic tanks, the septic tank occupies ¾ of the structure, and in three-chamber septic tanks ½. Here, preliminary wastewater treatment takes place: heavy fractions settle, and light fractions are poured into the next compartment as the first one is filled. In the last part of the septic tank, the final wastewater treatment takes place. The water is then directed to the filtration fields/drainage well.

The first 2 compartments must be sealed. The last chamber has holes in the walls/bottom. In this way, purified water seeps into the ground, which helps avoid systematic pumping of waste without causing irreparable damage to the soil.

It is worth considering that in addition to organic matter, wastewater also contains insoluble impurities. In view of this, such a structure will also have to be pumped out periodically to get rid of the sediment accumulating in the sump. This can be done with a fecal/drainage pump. The frequency of septic tank maintenance depends entirely on the size/volume/composition of wastewater.

To independently construct such a septic tank, you need to correctly calculate its volume. It depends on the water consumption of your household. The water consumption rate per person is 200 liters per day. So, multiplying this amount by the number of household members, you will get the daily water consumption in the house. Add another 20% to the resulting figure.

18 m3. In this case, you need a septic tank that has a depth and length of 3 m, and a width of 2 m. By multiplying all sides, you get 18 m 3. The minimum distance from the bottom of the septic tank to the drain pipe is 0.8 m.

The advantage of the treatment system is that the sludge is processed by anaerobic bacteria, as a result of which it settles to the bottom in a much smaller volume. Gradually this sediment becomes denser and rises. When the sludge reaches the overflow level, the septic tank must be cleaned immediately. You should resort to cleaning a septic tank quite rarely. This is due to the fact that the volume of sludge in 6 months will be from 60 to 90 liters.

Volatile septic tanks have built-in pumping units. Their non-volatile analogues should be cleaned manually or using sewer equipment.

However, not so long ago, biological products with special enzymes appeared that convert sludge into acid, and then into methane and carbon dioxide. To remove these gases, you just need to install ventilation in the septic tank. Thus, your septic tank will become an absolutely waste-free, safe and energy-independent treatment facility.

Bacteria need to be “fed” with oxygen to make their work more efficient. You can buy containers for a septic tank or make your own.

Before installing the finished septic tank structure, it is necessary to determine a suitable location for this. The minimum distance between the septic tank and the house is 5 m. The sewer pipes leaving the house must be directed directly to the septic tank. It is better to avoid turning the pipeline, because it is in such places that blockages form.

The septic tank should not be installed near trees, as their roots can damage the integrity of the body. The depth of the septic tank and sewer pipes directly depends on the level of soil freezing.

If groundwater is close to the surface, then reinforce the bottom of the pit with a concrete slab/screed. The dimensions of the pit will depend on the size of the septic tank. If you have to install a compact structure, then it is easier to dig a pit manually in order to save money.

The pit should be slightly wider than the septic tank body. The gaps between the walls and the ground should be at least 20 cm, and preferably more. If there is no need to strengthen the bottom, then you should still lay a sand cushion 15 cm thick (meaning the thickness of compacted sand).

The top of the septic tank should rise above the ground. Otherwise, melt water will flood the device’s equipment in the spring.

After constructing the base of the pit, lower the septic tank into it. This can be done using cables placed in the ribs of the septic tank. In this matter you cannot do without an assistant. Next, connect the device to the communications, having previously dug trenches for the pipes, laid a sand cushion and installed the pipes. They should be laid at a slight slope - 1–2 cm per linear meter. The pipes are laid to a depth of approximately 70–80 cm.

The septic tank should be installed strictly according to the level. It will work better in a horizontal position.

To connect the sewer pipe to the septic tank, a hole of the appropriate diameter should be made in it. This is done according to the instructions for the cleaning system. After this, you need to weld the pipe to the hole. To solve this problem you will need a polypropylene cord and a hair dryer. When the pipe has cooled down, you can insert a sewer pipe into it.

If you are connecting a volatile septic tank, then after these steps you need to connect the electrical cable. It is carried out from the panel to a separate machine. It must be laid in a special corrugated pipe and placed in the same trench as the sewer pipe. There are special holes with marks on the septic tank. The cable is connected to them.

If the level of soil freezing in your region is high enough, then insulate the septic tank. The insulation can be any heat-insulating material that can be used for laying in the ground.

After connecting the electricity and pipes, the septic tank should be filled with soil. This is done in layers of 15–20 cm. To equalize the pressure during the process of filling the soil, you need to pour water into the septic tank. In this case, the water level should be slightly higher than the level of backfilling of the pit. So, gradually the entire septic tank will be underground.

If you are not satisfied with a ready-made plastic autonomous system for wastewater treatment, due to its size or cost, then you can make a septic tank from several compartments yourself. An excellent inexpensive material for realizing your plans is concrete rings. You can do all the work yourself.

Among the advantages of a septic tank made of reinforced concrete rings, we note the following:

Affordable price.
Unpretentiousness during operation.
Possibility of performing work without the help of specialists.

The following disadvantages deserve attention:

The presence of an unpleasant odor. It is impossible to make the structure completely airtight, and therefore the formation of an unpleasant odor near the septic tank cannot be avoided.
The need to clean the chambers of solid waste using sewage disposal equipment.

You can reduce the frequency of the need to pump out the septic tank if you use bioactivators. They reduce the amount of solid fractions by accelerating the process of their decomposition.

If the installation of the rings is not carried out correctly, the septic tank will be leaky, which will increase the risk of untreated wastewater penetrating into the ground. But, with proper installation, the septic tank will be sealed, so this disadvantage of the system is rightly called conditional.

The design of a septic tank, as a rule, includes 1–2 chambers designed for settling and purifying wastewater and a filtration field/filter well.

If there are few people living in your house and a minimum of plumbing fixtures are connected to the sewer system, then you can easily get by with a septic tank consisting of one septic tank and a filter well. And vice versa, if you have a lot of household members and many devices are connected to the sewer system, then it is better to make a septic tank from two chambers and a filtration well.

How to calculate the required volume for a septic tank has already been described above. According to building codes, the septic tank chamber must accommodate a three-day volume of wastewater. The volume of the reinforced concrete ring is 0.62 m3, which means that to build a septic tank for 5 people you will need a septic tank of five rings. Where did this amount come from? For 5 people you need a septic tank with a volume of 3 m3. This figure must be divided by the volume of the ring, equal to 0.62 m 3. You will get a value of 4.83. It needs to be rounded up, which means that to install a septic tank in this particular case you will need 5 rings.

The pit must be of such a size that it can accommodate septic tank chambers and a filter well. This work, of course, can be done manually, but it takes a long time and is very difficult, so it is more cost-effective to order digging a pit from a company with earth-moving equipment.

The bottom of the pit at the site where the settling chambers are installed must be concreted in order to avoid the possibility of untreated wastewater penetrating into the ground. Before starting concrete work, part of the bottom of the pit should be drained to install settling tanks by laying a sand cushion on it in a layer of 30–50 cm.

If you do not want to concrete the bottom, then you can purchase reinforced concrete rings with a solid bottom. They will need to be installed first in a vertical row.

The place for the filter well also requires preparation of the base. Under it you need to make a cushion of sand, crushed stone and gravel at least 50 cm thick.

To install the rings, you will have to order the services of lifting equipment. Performing these tasks manually is very difficult. You can, of course, install the rings by digging under the bottom ring. But this method is labor-intensive. And the bottom will have to be filled after installing the last ring, which will entail a number of inconveniences. In view of this, it is better not to save on ordering lifting equipment.

Usually the rings are fastened together with mortar, but for greater structural reliability they can be fastened with metal plates or staples. In this case, your septic tank will not be damaged due to soil movement.

Now it’s time to organize an overflow, and for this you need to connect pipes to the rings. It is better that they work on the principle of a water seal, that is, they need to be installed with a bend.

To seal the joints you need to use a solution with an aqua barrier. The outside of the tanks must be treated with coating or weld-on waterproofing.

Another option is to purchase plastic cylinders that are installed inside the well. In this case, the likelihood of dirty water entering will be minimized.

Installation of ceilings/backfill

Finished wells must be covered with special concrete slabs, which have holes for installing sewer hatches. Ideally, backfilling of the pit should be done with soil containing a high percentage of sand. But if this is not possible, the pit can be filled with soil previously removed from it.

Now the septic tank can be put into operation.

The system for treating wastewater from barrels, like a similar structure made of reinforced concrete, can be two- or three-chamber. Sewage will flow into it by gravity, so it must be installed below the sewer pipes. The operating principle of this device is similar to the design of reinforced concrete rings.

To set up an autonomous sewerage system based on the principle of a treatment system, you can use any containers. These could be old metal/plastic barrels. The main thing is that they are airtight.

If you decide to make a septic tank from metal barrels, then they should be pre-treated with an anti-corrosion agent.

Plastic containers have a number of advantages over their metal counterparts:

A wide range of plastic containers that can be used to equip a septic tank.
The barrels are highly resistant to the aggressive effects of wastewater. Therefore, they last longer than their metal counterparts.
The light weight of the containers simplifies their installation at a permanent location.
Plastic does not require additional processing, unlike metal.
The high tightness of the barrels eliminates the possibility of dirty water penetrating into the ground.

Plastic barrels must be securely fastened when installed in the ground, because due to spring floods or winter frosts they can be squeezed out of the ground. In view of this, plastic barrels are secured with cables to a concrete base (it must first be poured or a reinforced concrete slab must be installed). To avoid crushing plastic barrels, backfilling of soil should be done extremely carefully.

For seasonal use, sewerage from metal barrels is also suitable, but for stationary use this is not an option.

The popularity of metal containers for sewerage installations is associated with their compactness and ease of installation. As a lid, you can use an appropriately sized piece of wood or one provided by the manufacturer. To install a metal septic tank, you need to dig a corresponding pit, which also needs to be concreted - the walls and bottom.

Metal containers do not have a long service life even after they are treated with anti-corrosion compounds. Therefore, installing them as a septic tank may be unprofitable. Buying stainless steel containers is not an option, as these products are very expensive.

Maybe you decide that in this case you can buy barrels with thin walls. However, this is also not the best solution, since during operation such a septic tank can be pushed out. And such barrels have a limited capacity - up to 250 liters, which is not suitable for a large family.

To install a reliable wastewater treatment system, it is better to use factory-made polymer barrels.

To make a septic tank from 220 liter barrels, you will need the following materials:

geotextiles – 80 m2;
sewer pipe Ø110 m, length 5 m;
crushed stone fraction 1.8–3.5 cm, approximately 9 m3;
corner for sewerage at an angle of 45 and 90º – 4 pcs.;
plastic barrel with a volume of 220 l – 2 pcs.;
coupling, flange – 2 pcs.;
wooden peg – 10 pcs.;
Y-shaped sewer tee – 4 pcs.;
building level;
drainage perforated pipe in the filter 5 m – 2 pcs.;
epoxy two-component sealant – 1 pc.;
glue for PVC – 1 pc.;
plumbing tape – 1 pc.

Tools you will need:

Shovel.
Electric jigsaw.
Rake.

For a dacha/small country house, if used sparingly, standard plastic barrels are suitable. Installing such a cleaning system is not difficult. If you do not pour black waste into the sewer, the septic tank will be unpretentious in maintenance. If there is a toilet in the house, then the sewerage system will have to be cleaned regularly by calling a sewer service.

For private homes with permanent residence, barrels will not be enough. For sewerage, it is better to purchase plastic cubes/tanks/tanks. The process of installing them in the ground is no different from installing barrels.

The distance of the septic tank from the house should not exceed 15 m. Too much distance will complicate the process of connecting the sewerage system to the house:

there is a need for a large depth of the pipeline;
On the way to the septic tank you will need to install an inspection well.

A sewerage system made from metal barrels does not require large financial investments or complex installation work. To begin with, as in previous cases, you need to prepare a pit, and then install 2 barrels, each of which has a volume of at least 200 liters. Then pipes are installed to transfer liquid from one barrel to another and transfer to the filtration fields/drainage well.

Each subsequent container must be located below the previous one in level.

The joints must be sealed, and the barrels must be insulated using polystyrene foam. After this, the pit and septic tank are filled up. Since, as mentioned above, metal barrels do not last long, you need to be prepared for the fact that after 3-4 years they will need to be replaced.

After watching the video and completing all the work correctly, all that remains is to check the system and enjoy the benefits of civilization.

Do-it-yourself septic tank from a Eurocube (diagram).
How to defrost a sewer pipe using chemicals.

Video

This video describes the general principle of installing a sewer system in a country house:

Photo

kakpravilnosdelat.ru

Choosing a place for a septic tank

When choosing a location for a future septic tank, pay attention to the location of drinking water wells and residential buildings. According to the standards, the septic tank must be located no closer than 5 m from the living space and 15 m from the source of drinking water.

Installation of plastic barrels

So, you have chosen a place for installation and decided to build a septic tank from plastic barrels. You can start doing the work:

For a small summer cottage, two or three barrels with a capacity of 200-250 liters are enough. Taking a little more space than the diameter of the barrels, mark the area for the pit. Keep in mind that the distance between the barrels should be 25 cm and they should be in one line.
Get started with the hardest soil work. The depth of the pit is dug in steps. First, a hole is dug to the height of the first barrel. Each next barrel will be installed 15 cm deeper than the previous one.
The bottom of the first two holes is covered with a sand cushion 10 cm thick. After this, it is well leveled and compacted. If your finances allow, the bottom can be concreted. Concrete is poured into the reinforcement, bent in the form of a loop with a protrusion outward. The barrels will then be tied to these loops.
The bottom of the hole under the third barrel is covered with a layer of sand of about 50 cm. A layer of crushed stone of 30 cm is poured on top of the sand. This layer will filter the wastewater that goes into the ground.
Place barrels with bottoms at the bottom of the first two holes. They will serve as settling tanks. If the bottom is made of concrete and there are hinges, then using belts we fasten the barrels to the hinges. This device will protect the barrels from floating in the spring.
Install the first barrel with a removable top lid. You will use it to clean the container from sediment. From the top of the barrel, remove a riser from a sewer pipe with a diameter of 50 mm to allow gases to escape.
If the design of the septic tank provides a filtration field, then cut holes in the second barrel located one above the other at an angle of 45 °. Pipes leading to the filtration field will be connected to these holes.
In the third barrel, cut out the bottom with a jigsaw or grinder, and place it on the filter bottom of the pit.
The barrels will be connected to each other by overflow pipes. Therefore, holes with a diameter of 110 mm must be cut in the sides of the barrels for sewer pipes. The hole of the pipe leaving the barrel should be 10 cm lower than the incoming one.
Using a sewer pipe, connect the barrels together. Seal the joints with sealant.
After the entire installation procedure, backfill the pit. The pit is backfilled in layers. As the layer is added, water is poured into the barrel so that the pressure does not crush the barrel. And fill the space between the walls of the barrels with a dry mixture of sand and cement. Each layer is compacted as it falls asleep.

Photo

Filtration field

If the groundwater is deep, a filtration field can be added to the septic tank installation. In this case, installing a third filter barrel is impractical and is not installed. Let's take a quick look at how to make a filter field correctly:

A trench is dug near the installed septic tank. Its width should accommodate 2 perforated pipes, and its depth should be about 70 cm.
A geotextile fabric is laid in the trench.
A perforated pipe is laid on top of the canvas and connected to the second barrel.
The top of the pipe is covered with crushed stone and covered with the remaining edges of the canvas. The edges of the canvas should overlap each other by 15 cm.
The wrapped pipes are covered with soil. If desired, the filtration field can be seeded with lawn grass.

Installation of metal barrels

If you have 200 liter metal barrels lying around, you can save money by buying plastic ones. The fact is that you can also make a septic tank from metal barrels. The installation diagram and procedure are the same as when installing a septic tank from plastic barrels. Just to cut holes in the sides of metal barrels you will need a jigsaw with a metal file. You will also need a welding machine that can be used to weld overflow pipes and a pipe for the release of gases from the first barrel. To increase the capacity of the septic tank, the barrels can be welded vertically with each other. Jumpers are welded at welding points for strength. Metal tends to rust quickly, so it is advisable to treat the surface of the barrels with a protective compound before installation. This could be bitumen or any other similar product sold in a hardware store.

stroysvoimirukami.ru

Operating principle of the treatment plant

In septic tanks of this type, wastewater is treated primarily mechanically:

Partial clarification during the deposition of the largest particles of impurities occurs mainly in the first of three series-connected containers.
Smaller inclusions settle in the second tank, into which water flows from the top of the first barrel.
The “native” bottom of the third barrel is usually removed, and when installing a septic tank, the lower part is backfilled with sand, gravel or expanded clay. This material acts as a filter.

The use of septic tanks from barrels

It is advisable to build a septic tank at the dacha with your own hands from barrels in the following cases:

as a temporary structure during the construction phase of a house before the sewer system is installed,
with a minimum amount of waste, typical for periodic visits to a suburban area without permanent residence.

It is advisable to build a septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands as a separate treatment facility, for example, for shower or bath.

The advantages of such designs are:

low cost (used containers are often used),
simplicity of design and installation,
less excavation work due to the small volume of tanks.

There are now ready-made plastic storage containers for sewage on sale. Read more about this in our separate article.

An overview of popular Grundfos pump models for sewage systems can be found here.

Pros and cons of the materials used

Advantages:

light weight, ease of transportation and installation,
ease of making holes for pipes,
absolute waterproofness, eliminating the possibility of soil contamination,
resistance to corrosion from water or aggressive substances that may be contained in detergents.

Flaws:

due to their small weight, plastic barrels require reliable fastening to the foundation in order to prevent them from floating during a flood, which can lead to destruction of the sewer system,
Due to the plasticity of the material, there is a danger of squeezing soil reservoirs during the cold season.

Iron barrels

Advantages of a septic tank made of metal barrels:

high strength,
structural rigidity,
waterproof provided the walls and bottom are intact.

Flaws:

instability to corrosion, requiring a waterproofing coating and periodic inspection of its condition,
a slightly more complex process of making holes that requires the use of power tools.

It should be noted that more often a homemade septic tank from barrels is made using plastic containers.

Before making a septic tank from a barrel, in order to avoid unplanned interruptions during the work process, it is better to prepare everything you need in advance.

Main components:

metal or plastic barrels,
sewer pipes (most often used with a diameter of 110 mm), the total length of which is 1-2 meters greater than the length of the main line,
tees corresponding to the diameter of the pipes,
sewer covers for barrels,
pipes for ventilation (in some cases sewer pipes can be used),
covers for ventilation (purchased or home-made protective canopies),
corner fittings,
flanges, couplings.

Installation materials:

PVC glue (if plastic containers are used),
sealant,
cement,
sand,
crushed stone,
fastening cables or clamps.

Tools:

Bulgarian,
shovel,
electric mixer

Septic tank installation

Technological holes are made in each barrel.

In each of their barrels, in addition, holes are made at the upper end (or lids, which are often provided with tanks for ease of cleaning) for ventilation pipes.

In each tank, the inlet is located 10 cm above the outlet.

Important: When making a septic tank from iron barrels with your own hands, the metal barrels for sewerage are coated with an anti-corrosion compound inside and out.

To fill the foundation, step formwork is installed. When placing barrels with a sequential decrease in level (each is 10 cm lower than the previous one), the volume of the tanks will be fully used, which is very important with the small capacity of septic tanks of this type. If the removal of purified liquid is provided through the bottom filter of the third barrel, the last tank is installed directly on crushed stone, without a foundation.
After pouring the foundation at the stage of solidification of the solution, rings or hooks are installed into it, to which clamps will cling to fix the containers. Just in case, it is better to “anchor” not only plastic, but also iron tanks.

If wastewater removal will be carried out through a filtration field, then trenches for laying corrugated pipes can be dug at this stage.

The trenches of the filtration field are covered with geotextile, and after laying the perforated pipes, the material is wrapped with the edges overlapping each other.

A separate article on the site presents a diagram of a septic tank made of concrete rings - it will be easier to create a treatment facility with your own hands, but it will still not be possible to do without loading equipment.

The design of a sewer system for a private house is described here. Selecting a location, conducting internal and external communications.

Types of plastic drainage wells are presented here. Scope of application and installation.

Nuances of construction

When installing septic tanks from barrels in the country with your own hands, you should take into account some nuances and rules:

Rules for choosing the volume and location of septic tanks

okanalizacii.ru

Advantages of a homemade septic tank

Despite the fact that manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of treatment systems, the design and construction of homemade septic tanks (for example, from barrels) is quite relevant.

The hand-held device option is in demand for the following reasons:

the ability to reduce costs to a minimum by purchasing components, as they say, randomly - where it is cheaper, and secondly, using existing means at hand;
installation of equipment can be carried out according to the so-called modular scheme, having previously calculated options for adding and complicating the system.

Let's say you first equip a toilet. In the future, you connect a bathhouse, a kitchen sink, even a garage sink to the cleaning system. Of course, this will be easily feasible only if the “tie-in” points are prepared in advance - pipe bends brought to the surface or close to it, reserved for a time.

No one knows the weak points of the treatment system and its capabilities better than the master who built the septic tank. Although you should not allow shortcomings, only he will take them into account during operation. It is no secret that manufacturers and sellers of any equipment, as a rule, do not inform buyers about the shortcomings, “stressing” only the advantages of the product. A self-builder will know what can let him down.

Knowing the approximate norms of water consumption by the family, taking into account the frequency of residence and the characteristics of the area around the house as a whole (type of soil and groundwater level), you can avoid both unnecessary expenditure of effort and money, as well as “accidents” caused by poor throughput of the purification system.

Varieties of designs and schemes

A homemade septic tank constructed from barrels consists of several containers (chambers) installed in a given order. They are sequentially connected to each other by pipes so that the sections are filled in a strictly defined order. This is achieved by installing cameras at different height levels.

The entry and exit of pipes into the chambers is made in such a way that water begins to flow into the next container before the water level rises to the inlet pipe. Gradually accumulating in the chamber, the water settles. The heaviest particles of contaminants settle at the bottom of the tank, while smaller and lighter particles continue their path through the system.

In order for the methane generated during wastewater treatment to be freely removed from the system, it is necessary to arrange ventilation. It is installed vertically at the exit from the house or at the exit of the last section of a homemade septic tank.

In addition, at the drainage of water from plumbing fixtures, sinks, toilets, shower stalls, etc., it is necessary to provide a siphon - at least made in the form of an “elbow” - so that the unpleasant odor does not poison the existence.

The operating principle of a septic tank is based on the gradual separation of solid insoluble components and the liquid component of the wastewater. The more sections the sewage mass passes through, the higher the final degree of purification.

The most common is the three-section septic tank design, used for processing gray and brown waste streams. However, if it is necessary to purify contaminated water coming from a bathhouse or kitchen, using one or two barrel sections will be sufficient.

From the last barrel, access is made to the filtration field, which completes the cleaning process. This post-treatment system is an underground structure assembled from perforated pipes - drains. The drainage pipeline is laid in trenches selected specifically for them, lined with geotexile, on top of which pipes are laid and a sand-gravel mixture is filled.

The function of ground post-treatment of gray wastewater supplied by baths, washing machines, kitchen drains, etc. can be safely entrusted to an absorption well built in the outermost barrel of the sewer system. In this case, the bottom of the container is cut out, and it itself is filled with gravel and sand so that the layer of this backfill is at least 1 meter.

As you can see, the scheme is quite simple, but its implementation in practice will require a lot of physical effort. Particularly labor-intensive work is associated with the development of a pit for sections of a septic tank and trenches for a sewer pipeline.

Construction of a septic tank from plastic barrels

Homemade treatment structures can be divided into groups according to the material from which the chambers are made, these are septic tanks:

from plastic barrels;
from metal containers (welded cubes, cylindrical barrels);
from concrete rings;
from car tires.

A metal tank is more rigid. In addition, it is easier to secure it from floating. But the main disadvantage of iron barrels is their poor ability to resist corrosion.

A septic tank made of concrete rings requires the use of special equipment when constructing sewer wells. It is difficult to ensure a tank made from tires with the proper degree of tightness if there is no experience working with such materials.

A homemade septic tank made from plastic barrels has more advantages:

light weight, which facilitates transportation, installation in the pit and assembly;
corrosion resistance. This point is important not only from the point of view of reducing the hassle associated with replacing tanks, but also as an additional guarantee of cleanliness on the site;
the optimal method of construction, because Electric welding is not required for installation of the system;
the tightness of the containers, due to which there is no need to carry out work on waterproofing the sewerage structure;
manufacturability of the source material. Polymer containers are much easier to process with cutting tools.

If necessary, minor cutting flaws can be easily corrected using cold welding tools.

Basic requirements for placement

In the event that you have to obtain permission to install a septic tank from regulatory authorities (SES, etc.), then carefully study SNiP No. 2.04.03-85. SNiP - “Building Norms and Rules” - a document similar to the standard (GOST), and it is the specified one that establishes the basic rules for the construction of external sewerage networks and treatment facilities.

Sanitary requirements are regulated by SanPiN - Sanitary Rules and Norms.

In any case, adhere to the following requirements for distances from the septic tank to the following objects:

house foundation – 4-5 meters;
well, borehole – 30-50 m;
lake, pond – 30 m;
bushes, trees – 2-4 m;
road – 5 m.

Before installing an autonomous septic tank made of plastic barrels, its location must be discussed with the owners of neighboring plots. Although the regulations stipulate a distance from their fence to the septic tank of 2 m, the owners of a nearby estate may not be satisfied with the proximity of the sewer structure.

When deepening the bottom of the structure below 5 m, it will be necessary to obtain construction permits from the local administration.

But even if permission is not required, take into account the characteristics of the site. It makes no sense to install sewerage systems with ground treatment systems in clay soils that do not have the necessary filtration properties.

The lack of ability to pass water will be indicated by stagnation of flood waters during snow melting and periods of heavy precipitation. This means that the section is dominated by clay soils that do not allow water to pass through or into them.

On clay soils, sandy loams, clays, loams, storage tanks are installed. They only accumulate wastewater for pumping by sewage trucks, and do not process it. A similar decision should be made if the groundwater level is close to the surface. Water-saturated soils will also prevent the disposal of the purified and clarified liquid component of wastewater.

Instead of a storage tank, a biological treatment station can be installed. It purifies wastewater by 98%, which allows it to be discharged onto the terrain.

Features and design standards

Having solid experience in constructing such systems, all the required calculations can be made “by eye”. But drawing up a detailed plan and developing a project, at least in sketch form, can be of great benefit.

Firstly, having determined the installation locations of the cameras and the laying of the main line, you will accurately calculate how much and what materials you need to purchase. If time is of the essence, then before you start work, it is quite possible that you can get some of what you need for free.

And legally - people, as a rule, easily part with things that they consider trash. It has been proven in practice more than once that you can even assemble a car by spending funds comparable to the price of, say, a new bicycle.

Secondly, careful execution of the sketch contributes to the adoption of new decisions and also disciplines. In addition, a well-executed scale drawing can reveal flaws in the original design and save you from unnecessary expenses. It may well turn out that the scheme can be simplified by discarding the superfluous.

When drawing up your plan, consider the following:

even if you do not need official permission to install a septic tank, try not to disturb the ecology of the site;
the septic tank sections should be located so that there is at least 5 m between them and the foundation - a distance that prevents soil erosion in the event of emergency flooding of the septic tank and leaks;
the route of sewer pipes must be designed so that it is, if possible, without turns that contribute to clogging of the pipeline;
the external line of the autonomous sewerage system must be provided with an inspection well for inspection and cleaning.
For every 25 m of the sewer main, an additional inspection well must be constructed.

If the site is not pleasing with its dimensions, and the choice of location is a decided matter, then, if necessary, strengthen the walls of the pit.

If you plan to build buildings in the future, the functioning of which will require the use of water (bathhouse, sink, any kind of handicraft production), provide places for the “integration” of water drainage from them into the treatment system. Moreover, the discharge of water from the bathhouse can be carried directly into the last chamber of the septic tank, since there will be no large particles of dirt in the wastewater.

If you do not intend to use the services of a vacuum cleaner, do not make the first chamber too bulky so that it can be easily cleaned manually. In addition, provide either the possibility of easy dismantling of the camera or access to its contents for quick cleaning.

If, in accordance with the clayey type of soil, only the installation of a storage tank is possible on the site, then the design should be carried out taking into account the unobstructed passage of sewage disposal equipment.

Preparing building materials for work

The main materials needed to make a septic tank from barrels with your own hands include:

pipes for the main with a diameter of 110 mm;
fittings, angles, etc., in quantities appropriate to your project.
the barrels themselves, intended for septic tank chambers. Select their sizes based on the approximate water consumption in the house, based on direct observations.

It is advisable to use barrels with thick enough walls so that the joining of pipes to them is as rigid as possible - otherwise the seam may lose its tightness due to mechanical stress.

Work out in advance the issue related to the freezing of cameras at subzero temperatures. You can use the old village method - place wooden sticks in containers. At the very least, the ice expanding during freezing will compress the tree, which “took” part of the impact. Plastic bottles filled with sand will also help.

But in any case, the thermal insulation of barrels will not be unnecessary - take care of purchasing available materials in the required quantity.

Supporting materials will also be required. You need to buy a sealant to seal the seams. For this purpose, do not use silicone, it will not last long, and it will not be possible to cover it with any protective layer - no coating will stick to silicone.

The best option would be to use car body sealant - it has good adhesion (ability to stick), mechanical strength, and can be coated with paint, mastic, etc. Polyurethane sealant has the best characteristics, but it is quite expensive;

It is necessary to purchase cement, sand, and reinforcement for pouring the bases for the barrels. Sand should not have any special requirements in terms of quality. Let it be with pebbles, no big deal, the main thing is that it does not include lumps of loam and organic pollution. Any steel rods are suitable as reinforcement. There is no need to cook the reinforcing mesh - just fasten the rods with wire.

You will need crushed stone, gravel, granulated slag or similar materials to fill the bottom of the pit (pit) before filling with cement;

A plastic barrel is lightweight, and therefore, when the container is not filled, it can be “pushed” to the surface by groundwater. To avoid this, prepare metal hooks, threaded rods - something to “anchor” the barrel.

It is appropriate to use commercially available threaded rods - it is convenient to make hooks from them, on the straight ends of which iron plates can be secured with two nuts, which need to be “sunk” in cement.

Construction of a pit with a concrete slab

How you decide to make the main pit - manually or using an excavator - decide for yourself. Calculate its area so that after installing the barrel in place it is convenient to compact the earth, poured into the gap between it and the wall of the pit. You can also provide for thermal insulation of the container - slag wool, polystyrene foam - in general, whatever will be more accessible.

Before pouring a concrete slab at the bottom of the pit, you need to check whether its depth is sufficient. To do this, you can install one of the barrels in the hole and see if it is deep enough to install a concrete base. If everything is in order, you can start filling the bottom of the hole with cement. It is absolutely not necessary to make formwork, but it is advisable to fill it with sand and compact the bottom before doing this.

If there are doubts about the strength of the walls of the pit, then before pouring they must be strengthened with a board. Then it is enough to fill the bottom with a thin layer of liquid cement. After it has dried, you can lay the reinforcement and fill it “cleanly” - leveling the horizon. Don't forget about the embedded parts for anchoring the barrels!

Mix cement with sand - 3 parts sand to 1 part cement. It is very convenient to use an electric concrete mixer, but purchasing it only for this job (if there are no plans to build something else) does not seem advisable. It is enough to choose a suitable trough that is convenient for shoveling.

Mix sand and cement first without water - on the contrary, avoiding its premature entry, and then gradually adding liquid, bring the solution to the required consistency. To prepare small portions of cement, you can also work on a sheet of iron or plywood - if there is no trough. Before filling the foundation itself, wet the backfill with water to compact it.

To level the fill, use a tool similar to a mop with a flat bottom. Pressing the sole to the surface, level the solution with light translational movements. This way, by the way, you will achieve better filling of the future site with mortar.

To prevent the mortar from cracking when drying, especially in hot weather, cover the poured area with a thick cloth after the cement has “set” and water it with water. For this purpose, a tarpaulin or similar synthetic fabric is better suited - the important thing here is not wetting the surface of the site, but slowing down the evaporation process.

Start installing the pipes when the barrels are installed, but not completely secured. Only when the entire structure is assembled can its elements be fixed. It is advisable to fill the barrels with water for stability. All these points are important to take into account due to the fact that the final stage of assembly will be the treatment of the joints of pipes and barrels with sealant - while it dries, it is necessary to ensure the immobility of the structure.

Before applying the sealant, treat the places of its contact with the plastic with coarse sandpaper (No. 80 -100) - for better adhesion and durability of the seam. By the way, you can also install triangular gussets on the same sealant for rigidity, 3-4 pieces per joint, between the barrel wall and the pipe. While the sealant is drying, wrap the gussets with wire, masking tape, etc. – so that they don’t “slip.”

After testing the system for water permeability, proceed to the final filling of trenches and holes. Compact the soil gradually, filling the soil in layers. You can throw stones, bricks, etc. into the gap for rigidity.

In those places where filled pipes and holes may be hit by equipment, make a protective flooring of at least boards before filling the surface layer of soil.

Assembly and connection of the structure

So, all materials are ready. The next step is cutting holes in the barrels for the pipes. There is no point in describing this procedure. The only thing I can advise is that you don’t immediately make the holes to size - let the pipes be inserted with force, and if necessary, trim the excess.

Next, you should take care of fixing the pipes in advance, otherwise when filling and compacting trenches and holes, the integrity of the seams can be compromised. Pipes can be fixed using all available means - wire, scraps of boards, bricks, whatever.

Before digging trenches and pits, it would be useful to assemble the entire structure, without fixing the parts, and place everything on the ground. The pipes can simply be placed on the ground next to the barrels. This will help you make more accurate markings on the ground. Having marked the contours of the highway and pits with poles and twine, you can begin digging.

In the first part of the installation work, the components of the septic system were prepared and the receiving tank was installed in the pit. Next, we construct a chamber that performs the functions of an absorption well:

The installation stages of the receiving and absorption chambers have been completed. Now we are starting to build a soil tertiary treatment system, for which we have already installed a beacon in the form of the first peg and made a device that determines the slope.

The installation of the septic system with a filtration field is completed, all that remains is to fill the pit with soil and put the structure into operation:

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The use of plastic barrels in the manufacture of septic tanks:

The final stages of the device:

The general principle of organizing an autonomous sewage system:

When your homemade septic tank made from plastic barrels is ready for use, work out the rules for its use for family members. Be sure to insist that non-degradable items - rags, cigarette butts, small items made of synthetic materials - are not thrown into sinks.

If you clean the chambers yourself, you can prepare a waste pit in advance. Practice shows that organic sludge extracted from a septic tank, mixed with soil and mown grass, turns into ordinary fertile soil after three years.

sovet-ingenera.com

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Since, due to this, the size of the cesspool is limited, it is permissible to use metal barrels only in summer cottages, where it is not planned to live permanently, and the amount of wastewater will be small. A small sewage tank would be inappropriate in a house where several people live permanently.

The main advantage of metal containers is their high strength, due to which they can withstand severe mechanical loads.

However, they have many more disadvantages, which is why their use is limited:

Advantages of barrels made of polymer materials:

corrosion resistance, so the containers can last 30-50 years;
high mechanical strength, which is almost similar to metal products;
most types of plastic are resistant to aggressive chemical compounds that are part of sewage;
The plastic sewer barrel is completely sealed and does not require additional waterproofing.

However, such containers also have a significant drawback - despite their large volume, their weight is insignificant. For this reason, the tank can be pushed to the surface under the influence of groundwater or frost heaving of the soil. Therefore, the construction of a septic tank requires that the sewer tank be well secured.

How to bury a tank with your own hands

Before burying a sewer container, you need to decide on its location. You also need to know in advance how to properly bury a septic tank so that you don’t have to redo everything later. There are certain sanitary standards regarding the distance to residential buildings, water sources, and site boundaries. It would be a good idea to entrust the choice of location for installing a septic tank to a specialist who will take into account the location of buildings on the site, communications, groundwater level and other nuances.

A plastic barrel for sewerage is installed in a pre-prepared pit; its dimensions must be larger than the tank. Thanks to this, if necessary, it will be possible to insulate the structure and securely fasten the barrel. The depth of the pit should be such that the intake hole and the supply sewer pipe are at the same level.

How to bury a barrel under a sewer, procedure:

At the bottom of the pit, a crushed stone or sand cushion more than 20 centimeters thick is created.
After this, the base is concreted, and a frame with anchors or hinges is installed for further attachment of the container.
After 5-7 days, the concrete foundation becomes strong enough and the barrel can be installed.
The container is attached to the foundation using steel strips or a bandage of cables.
If necessary, the septic tank is insulated with polyurethane foam or extruded polystyrene foam (read: "").
Before backfilling the soil, the container must be filled to a certain level. During this work, it is important to take into account the manufacturer’s recommendations - depending on what polymer material the barrel is made of, the features of backfilling may differ.
The barrel is connected to all inlet and outlet communications, the ventilation pipe, after which it is finally covered with soil.

Currently, containers made of polymer materials are the most common - this is due to their advantages over metal products. An important role in this is played by their durability and ease of installation.

Sewerage from barrels is created quite simply with your own hands, which makes it possible to save on the services of specialists. If the barrel was securely fastened, and all installation requirements were followed, including the manufacturer’s recommendations, then the container can last for several decades.

Owners of private households, trying to save money, install an economical version of containers for sewage - a septic tank made of barrels, designed to create home comfort in a country home. Local sewerage, with an autonomous cleaning system, allows you to launch a convenient infrastructure in populated areas where there are no centralized systems. In suburban areas at dachas, there is no point in installing expensive septic tank options, because suburban dacha plots come to life only in the summer.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of cleaning systems, however, many prefer to design and manufacture a homemade septic tank at their dacha, the price of which will be minimal. Such an independent cleaning system with a septic tank as the main working element is easily built from scrap materials at hand.

Let's analyze how to make a septic tank from barrels with your own hands if the purchase of a finished structure is postponed. The article describes the technological nuances of manufacturing and installing homemade containers and provides step-by-step instructions with photo illustrations. The video will help you understand the process better.

If there is no centralized water supply and sewerage network near the site, there is a need to build an autonomous system. A self-made septic tank from barrels disposes of wastewater in accordance with hygienic standards.

The design is designed to withstand a certain volume of sewage, taking into account the people living in the house. Installation of a homemade device is recommended for the following reasons:

Reduced costs.
Independent purchase of components + use of existing materials.
Use of available tools.
The equipment is installed according to a modular scheme, that is, the possibility of additional equipment is calculated in advance - connecting additional drain pipes to reserved entry points.

Only a person who has built his own drainage system understands the weaknesses of the design and knows its maximum capabilities. By calculating the approximate norms of water consumption of a family, the frequency of residence and by studying the features of the land plot, you can avoid unnecessary financial costs, physical losses, and prevent “emergency situations” caused by low capacity.

On a note! The principle of operation of a cesspool made from barrels is the construction of multi-level settling tanks, as a result of which overflowing, waste settles and the separation of wastewater into water and sludge is ensured.

After the process is completed, about 65% of the water is discharged into the ground, and sediment accumulates at the bottom until it is pumped out of the treatment plant.

What are the pros and cons of plastic and metal barrels

The basis for the construction of an autonomous sewer system is a tank-barrel. For arrangement, two types are used - metal or plastic. Since making a septic tank from barrels with your own hands is not so easy, the choice of container is up to the owner. Metal containers usually have a capacity of 200 liters. Plastic - available in large sizes. Based on economic considerations, it is better to install existing containers. But when you plan to buy containers, you should explore different options.

Plastic version

Pros of use:

Little weight;
Ease of installation;
Ease of making holes;
Completely waterproof;
Corrosion resistance.

Disadvantages of products:

The low weight of the product requires stable attachment to the foundation to avoid “floating” when flooded due to excessive rainfall;
The elasticity of the material leads to compression of the containers by soil.

Iron version

Advantages of iron barrels for the construction of a cesspool:

High rigidity and strength of products;
Sufficient water resistance;
Stability of the structure.

Flaws:

Susceptibility to corrosion, which requires the application of a waterproofing coating;
The labor-intensive process of making holes using power tools.

The main disadvantage of a barrel sump is the small volume of the chambers. This is the reason for the frequent pumping of sludge.

Please note! If the volume of the chambers corresponds to barrels with a capacity of 200/250 liters, the discharge of wastewater must be regulated.

How a homemade sewer sump works

All waste flows into the sewer lines, and from there into the reservoir, the so-called pit. In this barrel, the wastewater is “filtered” and most of the pollutants are deposited. Through a connecting pipe, wastewater from the first tank enters the second tank. The process of filling sections occurs in a strictly regulated order, which is achieved by placing containers on a ladder at different levels.

The outlet and inlet are positioned so that water enters the next tank before its level rises to the inlet pipe. Gradually, the heaviest dirt particles fall to the bottom, while small and light ones continue to move through the structure. To ensure that waste flows freely through the sewer lines, a homemade septic tank made from barrels is made with a slope.

In addition to mechanical cleaning, the process also involves colonies of microorganisms that form in containers after 2-5 weeks and process organic contaminants.

After processing in the second chamber, wastewater is sent to a storage facility or drainage system. In the first case, the accumulated water is drained after some time. If a drainage well is used, the liquid is discharged into the ground. In the settling tank, discharges are purified by 65-80%. If a higher level of purification is needed, use a third barrel. The more departments the discharges pass through, the higher the degree of purification becomes. For a summer cottage, a double level is sufficient.

Methane generated during wastewater treatment is removed using ventilation. It is placed vertically at the sewer exit from the house or near the last section of autonomous equipment. To get rid of unpleasant odors, a siphon can be installed in the shape of a “knee”.

How to choose a place to install a septic tank

If you decide to install a septic tank from barrels in your country house with your own hands, choose the right place. The structure must be removed from:

Wells, wells and other sources at 30-50 m;
Building foundation - 5-10 m;
Green spaces: shrubs/trees - 3-5 m;
Underground pipelines - 10-15 m;
Basement and garden beds - 10-20 m.

Wastewater enters the system in small portions, since owners of country real estate do not visit their dacha every weekend. Construction and health restrictions must be adhered to at all times. Any sanitary standard has its reasons; violating it will lead to health and legal problems.

Important! Strictly maintain a distance between the source of drinking water and the septic tank. This will avoid contamination and reduce the likelihood of water contamination and the spread of infections.

When setting up a homemade septic tank from plastic barrels, do not place the object near the foundation; the treated wastewater will begin to destroy its foundation. When choosing a location, the following factors are taken into account:

Composition and properties of the soil - sandy soil easily allows water to pass through; clayey, loamy and other dense soils are unsuitable for absorbing large amounts of moisture, so storage tanks are built or the drainage system is expanded with the addition of large amounts of sand and crushed stone.
The terrain of the site - the house should be located above the sump, and not vice versa, since the process occurs by gravity and a slope in the opposite direction will not allow wastewater to move in the right direction.
Depth of groundwater - close-lying groundwater may become contaminated by runoff or waterlogging of the soil near the tanks may occur due to excess moisture. In this case, the drainage pit is concreted.
Climatic conditions – it is necessary to ensure that the chambers do not freeze at low temperatures. If the pipe is installed above the freezing level, it is insulated with waterproof insulation.
Free access for sewage trucks - you need to create access roads for the machine to extract sewage.

What features does the design have?

The more sections the wastewater passes through, the cleaner it becomes at the final stage. The most common model is a three-section one, designed to filter viscous dark brown wastewater.

At the final stage, a hole is made in the last barrel that opens onto the filtration field. This post-treatment drainage mechanism consists of perforated pipes located underground. The pipeline is placed in trenches, where geotexile is preliminarily laid, and sand/gravel is backfilled on top.

Note! Such a complex structure is recommended to be installed to clean the dirtiest sewage.

To clean light dirt from a bathhouse or kitchen, one or two compartments are enough. The simplest two-chamber system consists of tanks and an outer plastic pipe with a diameter of 110 mm. If the diameter is smaller, the structure will not cope with a large amount of waste. Iron barrels are installed if groundwater is below 8 meters; if the level is slightly higher, there is no better option than plastic containers.

The slope of the sewer line is 0.03. The vertical value is 3 cm per meter. The post-treatment of light wastewater is carried out in an absorption well located in a second tank filled with gravel/sand.

What materials and tools are needed

After preliminary calculations of the chamber septic tank: volume, sewage range, hydrogeological status of the soil, freezing depth, dimensions and required slope - you can begin to build a septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands.

To work you will need:

Two or three barrels made of polymer material with a volume of 200/400 l.
Corrugated plastic + sewer pipes for installation. The length is determined by the distance from the house to the containers with sewage + a margin of several meters.
Ventilation pipes with a neck diameter of 110 mm. Pipe length no more than 1.5 m.
Angles and tees.
Couplings, flanges.
Cement.
Fine crushed stone with 49 mm granular elements.
Adhesive for joining PVC components.
Epoxy sealant.
Rubber seal to seal the pipe inlet.
Sand.
Sewer covers.

If there is a possibility of waterlogging, concreting of the lower layer of the pit will be required. For this you need:

Concrete mixer;
Electric mixer;
Mixing tank;
Adapter fitting and steel cables for fastening barrels at the bottom.

If the soil is soft, strengthening the walls of the pit with wooden or steel mesh is absolutely necessary. Mineral wool for pipelines, foam or polystyrene are needed to construct an insulating layer for sewerage equipment.

What is the sequence of work

To properly make a septic tank from a barrel, you need to remove the sewer pipes from the house before starting excavation work. From the outlet site, start digging a trench forward to the wastewater sump. The sewage system depends on the following procedure:

Important! After installation, fill the barrels with water 20-30 cm below the neck. This will help protect the septic structure from deformation under soil pressure.

After testing for water permeability, we proceed to the final backfill. We gradually lay it layer by layer. Rocks, bricks and other construction debris can be thrown into the connectors to create a rigid structure.

The upper part is insulated and optionally covered with foam. Only tank drain covers and vents should remain above ground.

General principle of organizing individual sewerage

When the septic tank is ready for use, general rules for its use are established for each family member. Small tank volumes require more careful attention to the number of liters used. It takes three days for partial filtration of water to occur. Therefore, make sure that the containers are not overfilled within 72 hours.

Do not dispose of poorly or completely non-degradable items in the sink. Only organic matter is suitable for this method of getting rid of waste. If you plan to clean the chambers yourself, then the sludge from the barrels should be placed in a fertilizer pit and mixed with weeds and soil. In a couple of years they will turn into excellent fertilizer.

Don’t put off the problem of waste disposal until tomorrow; start planning your model today. Since making a septic tank from barrels with your own hands is the best solution that allows you to create an autonomous sewage system in your country house with a minimal investment.