How to make a concrete septic tank with your own hands: step-by-step instructions

Although building a concrete septic tank by yourself may seem difficult, it is actually very doable with the correct advice. In addition to saving you money, this project gives you the satisfaction of building an essential component of the waste management system in your house. We’ll take you step-by-step through the entire procedure in this guide to assist you in building a dependable and useful septic tank.

Everything will be covered, including site preparation, concrete mixing, and tank assembly. You’ll ensure the task is done correctly by following these easy instructions, which will help you grasp every step of the process. Regardless of your level of experience doing projects around the house, this guide will give you the useful advice and insights you need to finish your septic tank project with confidence.

Step Instructions
1 Choose a suitable location for your septic tank.
2 Mark the dimensions of the tank on the ground.
3 Excavate the area according to your marks.
4 Prepare the foundation with gravel and compact it.
5 Construct the tank walls using concrete blocks or formwork.
6 Pour concrete to form the tank floor and cover it with a lid.
7 Install inlet and outlet pipes.
8 Fill the tank with water to check for leaks and ensure proper function.
9 Backfill the area around the tank and compact the soil.
10 Cover the tank with soil and landscaping as needed.

Making a septic tank from monolithic concrete

You can build a concrete septic tank by hand, but doing so will require a number of tasks and the use of the required labor, materials, and tools.

The ability to construct structures with the required volume, size, shape, and configuration without the use of specialized equipment—a crane, for example, is required to install reinforced concrete rings—is one of the main advantages of this method.

The following are the key steps in building a concrete septic tank:

  • Design: searching the area, calculating the volume of the structure, determining the required amount of building materials
  • Digging a pit for installing a septic tank, compacting the earth, strengthening the bottom
  • Creation of a metal frame, formwork
  • Installation of overflow pipes
  • Pouring concrete
  • Installation of enclosing structure and ventilation system

Building a concrete septic tank by hand is not hard, but adhering to technology and selecting high-quality materials will determine the overall structure’s quality, the features it offers, and how long it lasts.

Tips for choosing a location

It is not possible to build concrete septic tanks everywhere. Given the prerequisites, it is unlikely that a system could be installed on a tiny piece of land close to the house.

  • Definitely below house level
  • At least 5 meters from the building
  • At a distance of 30-50 meters from the point of water intake (the exact figure depends on the level of soil permeability)

If you take the proper precautions, building your own concrete septic tank can be an affordable and rewarding project. From planning and excavation to concrete mixing and tank assembly, this guide will take you step-by-step through every stage to guarantee you have a long-lasting and efficient septic system that satisfies your requirements. With easy-to-follow directions and helpful hints, you’ll be prepared to take on this do-it-yourself project with assurance.

Advantages

It is a wise choice to construct an independent concrete sewer system for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the material stands out for its exceptional strength, resistance to different stresses, and durability.

Concrete is reasonably priced, practical, and convenient; it can be used to quickly and effectively build any system.

The following are the main benefits of a concrete septic tank:

  • Concrete does not rot, does not corrode, does not melt, is not affected by high and low temperatures, and is resistant to rodents and insects
  • The material does not require maintenance, regular treatments or repairs
  • A monolithic concrete septic tank, unlike a similar plastic one, is heavier, so it does not float under the influence of groundwater, and is not afraid of being squeezed out by the forces of soil heaving during frosts
  • If we are talking about a monolithic septic tank in comparison with a structure made of reinforced concrete rings, then the advantage here is the absence of joints and seams, which guarantees complete sealing
  • Relatively low cost of materials and work
  • Long service life of the septic tank

Choosing a design scheme

The number of people who live in the house permanently, the amount of water used on a daily average, and the features of the land where the structure is to be installed all play a role in the decision to install a concrete septic tank for wastewater. The most straightforward choice would be a single-chamber septic tank, but you can also design a septic tank with two or three chambers if needed.

One chamber

The need to construct a septic tank for a single chamber—also known as a storage tank, settling tank, septic tank, or cesspool—usually arises when a country house or dacha with a seasonal population needs to arrange its sewage system. Gravity forces waste into the septic tank, where it is pumped out as it builds up with a specialized sewage truck.

This kind of concrete septic tank design requires accounting for a minimum of two weeks’ worth of water. This option is not recommended for frequent use because it requires you to pay a specialist and pay for his services in addition to continuously pumping out a certain amount of organic waste and wastewater. Typically, the trench is lined with crushed stone and filter materials, and the design is made without a bottom so that waste can go into the ground and only a portion needs to be pumped out.

  • Location at least 30 meters from the water source, but more is better.
  • Inability to naturally filter waste when groundwater is high.
  • During snowmelt, floods, the septic tank can fill itself.

Two chambers

An overflow pipe must be integrated into the partition of a two-chamber concrete septic tank. The wastewater settles, solid particles settle, and aerobic reactions with the aid of microorganisms take place in the first chamber, converting solid components into sludge. When the water settles and reaches the overflow level, it enters the second chamber with the fewest possible suspended particles.

In certain cases, the second chamber serves as a filtration well even though it lacks a bottom. Concrete septic tanks with two chambers are typically designed for private residences, such as cottages, with average wastewater volumes.

However, such a system will not work if the site has clayey low-permeability soil or high groundwater levels; instead, a second chamber with a bottom must be built, and the wastewater must be directed into filtration fields. Typically, half of the structure is occupied by the second compartment.

Three chambers

Three-chambered reinforced concrete septic tanks are ideal for large country estates, permanent residences, houses with multiple bathrooms, saunas, and swimming pools as they offer deep wastewater treatment.

  • The first compartment is a settling tank where anaerobic processing of solid particles is carried out.
  • The second camera is equipped with a compressor so that the air enters here under pressure and makes it possible to work as bacteria that processes organic.
  • The third camera is performed in the format of a filtration well or a sealed container with a pump, which leads to drainage ditches, filtration fields.

How to make a septic tank on the site

Prior to designing the concrete septic tank on the property, you must choose the design type. You have the option to purchase a fully assembled septic tank or use prefabricated reinforced concrete products that you can pour yourself.

Installation of finished designs

The final result is the most straightforward way to set up a septic tank. Choosing a design at the factory that perfectly fits every requirement won’t be hard because many manufacturers provide dependable, well-designed septic tanks with hatches, covers, and overflow holes. There are models that include drainage pumps so you won’t need to worry about finding a place to empty the septic tank.

Fittings and pipes only need to be installed after a ready-made reinforced concrete septic tank has been purchased. The primary benefits of a prefabricated septic tank are that it can be installed quickly and that it eliminates the need for costly, filthy, and labor-intensive concrete work.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that factory designs ensure robustness, dependability, and error-free design.

The comparatively high cost (of acquisition, shipping, and on-site installation), the requirement to hire lifting equipment, and the need for specialized vehicles are some drawbacks. You will need to think of alternative ways to build a septic tank if the site is small and there isn’t easy access.

Septic tank made of reinforced concrete rings

The process of purifying water through a reinforced concrete ring sewer system works on the same principle as a prefabricated septic tank. Here, you will be responsible for the majority of the work.

How to construct a septic tank out of rings made of reinforced concrete:

  • Choosing a place on the site, making calculations, digging a pit – it is better to use equipment, but you can also do it manually. The size of the pit should be slightly larger than the size of the septic tank.
  • Concreting the bottom – you can use a reinforced concrete slab or reinforce it with steel rods and pour the solution yourself.
  • Installation of rings – lowered into the pit using a winch or lifting equipment, installed one on top of the other. It is advisable to make holes for sewer and ventilation pipes in advance.
  • Sealing joints – treatment with waterproofing materials, sealing with cement.
  • Backfilling – you can use the soil that was dug out, or sand. Fill in 10-centimeter layers, tamp carefully so as not to damage the pipes.

Among the drawbacks of this approach, it is important to note the expenses associated with the delivery and installation of the rings as well as the system’s overall requirement for equipment.

Flooded septic tank

For sewerage system configuration, the least expensive but most time-consuming method is self-pouring concrete septic tanks. However, it turns out that such a structure is sealed, robust, and monolithic.

  • Design, selection of a location, digging a pit in accordance with the volume of the structure, filling a 20-centimeter-thick layer of sand, ramming.
  • Creation of a grid with 20×20 mm cells from steel rods with a cross-section of 10 mm and knitting wire. Fixers or stones are laid out on the bottom of the pit, a metal mesh on top.
  • Pouring the structure with concrete of at least strength class B15, compaction, waiting for hardening for 2-14 days.
  • Pouring walls with preliminary reinforcement and installation of formwork. If the formwork is done carefully, the walls will be even, they can be covered with roofing felt or a two-layer film (then you can do without backfilling the soil). Pipes are installed before pouring the walls. The structure must be monolithic, so it is better to pour it all at once.
  • Dismantling the formwork, grouting cracks with mortar (if any), applying a layer of mastic for waterproofing.
  • Laying a welded frame made of a metal corner along the perimeter of the walls (for the lid), fastening the slate, pouring concrete with reinforcement. Waiting at least 14 days for the concrete to set.
  • Installing hatches, filling the concrete septic tank with soil or sand.

This type of work can be done anywhere (even in places with limited access to specialized equipment), as the structure is seamless and monolithic, preventing groundwater from entering and drains from entering the ground.

Although building a concrete septic tank by yourself may seem difficult, it is certainly doable with the correct planning and procedures. You can guarantee a long-lasting and efficient septic system for your property by adhering to the detailed instructions. As the foundation for the entire structure, proper excavation and formwork are essential first steps.

Always remember to take your time through every step of the process, from curing and final inspections to mixing and pouring the concrete. Your septic tank’s longevity and functionality depend on each stage. You will be left with a dependable septic tank that will serve you well for many years to come if you keep your work precise and follow the instructions.

Remember to adhere to local laws and ordinances when installing septic tanks. This will guarantee legal compliance in addition to enhancing the security and effectiveness of your system’s operation. You can build a high-quality concrete septic tank that fits your needs and endures over time with perseverance and meticulous attention to detail.

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Marina Petrova

Candidate of Technical Sciences and teacher of the Faculty of Construction. In my articles, I talk about the latest scientific discoveries and innovations in the field of cement and concrete technologies.

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