Do-it-yourself septic tank of concrete rings: a step-by-step guide to building

You can’t do without autonomous sewage in the country, as well as without a heating system or water supply. The cesspools are outdated and inconvenient, the purchased septic tanks are too expensive, what could be the best option, affordable and not very difficult to install? There is nothing better than building a septic tank from concrete rings with your own hands.

Carrying out calculations and charting

First you need to determine the number of structures. There may be a different number, but the standard set consists of three:

• chamber for sedimentation of drains;
• chamber for cleaning from pollution;
• well for filtration (can be replaced by a filtration field).

The various arrangement of a septic tank made of concrete rings depends on the number of residents.

Water goes through three levels of purification in the chambers and the filter well, then after-treatment in the soil

Two cleaning chambers are necessary if several people live in the house who are actively using a washing machine, dishwasher, shower, and bathtub. Discharges to sewers will be large, respectively, drains will require more thorough cleaning.

For a small family using a small amount of household appliances, one tank-settler is quite enough, respectively, a septic tank made of concrete rings will have two wells.

Septic tanks from two wells with one cleaning chamber are provided for small families

Suppose 5 people live permanently in a house. On average, each of them uses about 200 liters of water during the day, therefore, the total daily consumption is 1000 liters. There are building codes, according to which the volume of the cleaning chamber should assume the flow of waste in 3 days, that is, at least 3000 liters. Take for example a concrete ring with a volume of 0.62 m³ - this means that 5 rings are needed for each well. Usually for the construction of each chamber use 2-3 rings.

The diagram shows the number of concrete rings, their location and connections

The scheme of a septic tank of concrete rings is made before the start of construction.

Choosing the optimal installation location

When installing a septic tank, the tolerances prescribed in the regulatory documents should be taken into account. Sanitary rules prohibit placing structures in dangerously close to human habitation and sources of drinking water.

The choice of installation location of the septic tank largely depends on the size of the site

Before marking the site, you need to remember about the following provisions:

• The distance from the treatment plant to the apartment building is at least 5 m.
• The large distance to the house (20 m or more) will cause difficulties and additional costs for the construction of the pipeline.
• The distance from the septic tank to the source of water (well, well) is at least 50 m.
• A prerequisite is access for special vehicles.

At the installation site, the groundwater level should not be high.

When installing a septic tank, do not forget about laying the ventilation pipe

Attention! If the pipeline nevertheless turned out to be long, then every 15-20 m and at bends it is necessary to arrange inspection wells.

Preparation of the pit for tanks

In any case, the pit will turn out to be large, since both cleaning chambers and a filtering well should fit in it. The ideal option is the use of special equipment, it will save time. For lack of it or for the impossibility of renting, you can use manual labor, but it will be longer and harder.

The area of ​​the pit depends on the number of planned wells (2 or 3)

Untreated sewage must not enter the ground, therefore, a concrete base should be erected at the installation site of the settling tanks. A sand pad 40-50 cm thick is used as drainage.

Attention! There are concrete rings with a blank bottom. They are ideal for settling chambers and do not require additional concreting of the bottom.

Concreting the base of the wells prevents the entry of contaminated effluents into the soil

The base of the filter well also needs additional preparation. A pillow made of sand, gravel and crushed stone with a thickness of 50 cm or more is the best option.

The process of mounting concrete rings

Most likely, special equipment will be required. Manually digging a pit is difficult, but possible, and installing heavy concrete structures without special equipment will not work. Renting a lift for several hours will pay off with quality installation of structures.

Installation of concrete rings is a crucial moment, therefore it is better to use lifting equipment

The correct installation of a septic tank made of concrete rings implies the successive construction of wells. The rings are installed according to the scheme, tightly interconnected and cemented with cement mortar.

If possible soil movements are suggested, metal plates or staples are used for additional fixation.

After mounting the rings, pipes are let down.

Attention! During the laying of the pipeline, you need to use a pipe with a bend resembling a water seal, this will protect against unpleasant odor of wastewater.

Joint sealing and backfill

The seams between the two rings are closed using ordinary cement mortar or buy a ready-made mixture, for example, “Aquabarrier”. Coating waterproofing is carried out outside; for reliability, weld sealants are used.

Seams and joints close up on both sides - internal and external

Sometimes the design is reinforced with plastic liners - cylinders of a suitable volume installed inside the well. Reliable waterproofing of a septic tank made of concrete rings will prevent runoff from entering the soil, extend the life of the structure and eliminate unpleasant odors.

Due to poor-quality sealing of joints, untreated effluents enter the soil

Backfill is done at the end of installation work. The soil removed from the pit is mixed with sand and distributed around the structures, evenly compacting. A lid is placed on top of each tank - a concrete slab with a hole provided for the hatch.

The cover has a large hole for installing the hatch

Seams are sealed in the same way. This completes the installation of a septic tank made of concrete rings, its service life depends on the quality of the installation and waterproofing work.

Pros and cons of homemade concrete structures

What is a good septic tank of rings?

• Low cost, availability.
• The possibility of self-arrangement.
• Easy to maintain.

Having installed a septic tank from the rings with your own hands, you involuntarily get acquainted with its features, so it is easier to monitor its operation in the future.

One of the minuses of a septic tank made of concrete rings is incomplete wastewater treatment

Cons that summer residents mark:

• The presence of odor. The tightness of the structure is relative.
• Periodic call of cesspool machines.

Attention! Using bioactivators, it is possible to reduce the frequency of service with washers. Active additives minimize the amount of solid waste.

Septic tank made of concrete rings - an easy-to-maintain budget facility

We can say that a septic tank made of concrete rings is perfect for a summer residence: its operation allows you to provide the family with all the necessary amenities.