How to make a septic tank from metal barrels. A do-it-yourself septic tank made from barrels is an inexpensive sewage system for a country home. General principle of organizing individual sewerage

How to make a septic tank from metal barrels.  A do-it-yourself septic tank made from barrels is an inexpensive sewage system for a country home.  General principle of organizing individual sewerage
How to make a septic tank from metal barrels. A do-it-yourself septic tank made from barrels is an inexpensive sewage system for a country home. General principle of organizing individual sewerage

Today you can easily purchase a ready-made septic tank industrial production or build capital treatment plants yourself. But if you need to organize temporary sewerage or wastewater volume in country house is small, simpler and more affordable solutions can be used. For example, build septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands . Such a treatment plant will help make life more comfortable and at the same time cope well with the wastewater treatment tasks assigned to it.

Building a house is quite a long process. In order not to give up your usual amenities during construction, you can build a temporary local sewer system - homemade septic tank. It can be assembled from two 200 liter plastic barrels.

To build such an installation, you can use old, but leak-free plastic barrels. Usage metal barrels impractical, since the metal is quickly destroyed by sewage. An installation made from metal barrels will not last long.

A septic tank made from barrels is easy installation, but it is still more convenient than a cesspool or storage tank. Such a septic tank purifies rather than heats the water, so the need for pumping occurs less frequently.

When can you build a septic tank from barrels?

Today there are many different models of septic tanks offered by manufacturers. But they are all quite expensive to build, so in some cases it is advisable not to spend money, but to assemble a septic tank using plastic barrels. The advantages of this option include:

  • Cheapness. To construct the chambers, you can use used plastic containers with a capacity of 200-250 liters;
  • Simplicity of the device. The construction work of such a septic tank is not complicated.


The main disadvantage of a septic tank assembled from barrels is the limited volume of chambers. The small volume that a septic tank has from barrels is the reason that there will be a need for frequent pumping of sediment.

Advice! It is clear that with a chamber volume equal to the volume of the barrel (200 or 250 liters), the amount of waste should be minimal.

A septic tank assembled from barrels is perfect in the following cases:

  • Dachas that are used only as a place for periodic recreation. That is, dachas where permanent residence is not planned;
  • Traditional baths (without a swimming pool, jacuzzi and toilet), in this case, the septic tank will not require frequent pumping;
  • For construction sheds as temporary installations.

Planning stage

Even the construction of such a simple installation as a septic tank assembled from two barrels must begin with planning. You should choose the location of the septic tank, and also draw up a diagram of the future treatment plant.

Choosing an installation location

Just like any other installation local sewer, the septic tank should be located at a distance from the well or well from which production is carried out drinking water. In addition, the septic tank must be located at least 5 meters from the foundation of a residential building and 1 meter from other structures on the site (bathhouse, garage, etc.).


The possibility of pumping out sediment should also be considered. If a sewage truck will be used for pumping, access to the septic tank must be provided.

Selecting an installation scheme

If the cottage will be used by 2-3 vacationers, then you can choose the following septic tank design:

  • Two or three barrels connected in series, the last of which has no bottom and serves as a filter well;
  • Each subsequent barrel is located 10 cm lower than the previous one;
  • The barrels are connected by overflow pipes. The pipe entering the septic tank is located 10 cm above the exit pipe;
  • Under the first two barrels, which are used as settling tanks, there is a sand cushion of sand 10 cm high;
  • Under the last barrel, which has no bottom, a 30-centimeter cushion of crushed stone and a 50-centimeter cushion of sand are first made. This layer is used for final purification of water that is absorbed into the soil;
  • If the soil waters are high on the site and installing a filter well is not possible, it is necessary to construct filtration fields.


Materials for the construction of a septic tank

  • Two barrels made of plastic, 250 liters in volume. If you plan to install a filtration well, you will need another barrel without a bottom. The use of metal barrels is possible if a temporary sewer system is being built that will be used for several months.
  • Fine crushed stone - size individual elements 1.8-3.5 cm;
  • Geotextiles;
  • Sewer pipes having a diameter of 110 mm;
  • Drainage pipes for the construction of filtration fields;
  • Angles for connecting pipes.

Septic tank installation

Let's look at how a septic tank assembled from barrels should be installed.

Barrel preparation

  • It is necessary to prepare a hole for connecting inlet and outlet pipes. In the first barrel you need to make a hole for the incoming pipe at a distance of 20 cm from the top lid of the barrel. The inlet hole is made on the opposite side of the barrel, moving it 10 cm down relative to the first;


  • In addition, you need to make a hole in the first barrel for ventilation riser. It is better to make the lid of the first barrel removable, since it is in this chamber that solid waste will accumulate the most, so it will need to be cleaned regularly;
  • In the second settling barrel, the hole for the incoming pipe is made at a distance of 20 cm from the top cover. The outlet pipe is located on the opposite side of the barrel, 10 cm above the opening of the inlet pipe. If drainage pipes leading to the filtration fields are connected to the barrel, then it is better to make two holes in it, located at an angle of 45 degrees to each other.

Pit preparation

  • The pit should be larger in size than the barrels. The gap between the walls of the barrels and the sides of the pit should be about 25 cm around the entire perimeter;
  • The bottom of the pit must be well compacted, after which a sand cushion 10 cm high should be made;


  • If possible, fill the bottom of the pit concrete mortar. Embedded metal parts with loops to secure the barrels should be installed in the concrete;

Advice! If a septic tank from barrels is being built as a permanently operating installation, then it is recommended to secure the barrels to concrete slab using bandage straps. If this is not done, then in the spring during a flood the barrels may float to the surface and destroy the entire sewer system.

  • When preparing the pit, you need to remember that each subsequent chamber was located lower than the previous one. That is, the outlet pipe of the previous chamber should be at the level of the inlet of the next one.

Installation of a septic tank

  • The barrels are installed in prepared places, pipes are connected to them;
  • Backfilling of containers is carried out using a mixture of sand and dry cement powder. This backfill will protect the septic tank from damage due to seasonal soil movements;
  • Backfilling must be done very carefully so as not to damage the joints of the pipes with the chambers;


  • Having poured about 30 cm of the mixture, you need to compact it well around the perimeter of the barrel. Then you can start filling the next layer;
  • Simultaneously with filling, you need to fill the barrels with water. Filling containers with water will prevent deformation plastic walls when backfilling.

Construction of soil treatment plants

In order for the water settled in settling chambers to be completely cleared of impurities and contaminants, it is necessary to build filtration fields or a filtration well.

Construction of a filtration well

  • To construct a filtration well, you can use a barrel without a bottom. Additionally, it is recommended to make holes in the bottom of the barrel;
  • Before installing the prepared container, sand is poured into the pit, the layer height is 50 cm. Then you need to pour crushed stone, the height of the layer is 30 cm. The diameter of the backfill layer should be 50 cm larger than the diameter of the barrel in all directions from the side of the barrel;
  • After installing the container in place, it should be filled to a third of its height with crushed stone.


Constructing filter fields

  • Trenches are dug for laying drainage pipes. The trenches must be prepared so that the pipe lies on a slope. The slope size is 2 cm per meter of length;
  • When building a septic tank from barrels, as a rule, the aeration field is constructed from two drainage pipes diverted from the second settling chamber;
  • Ditches prepared for laying pipes are covered with geotextile fabric so that the side sections of the material cover the sides;
  • A thirty-centimeter layer of crushed stone is poured on top of the geotest, on which drainage pipes are laid;

Advice! You can purchase already perforated pipes or make holes in regular pipes intended for assembling systems external sewerage. In the latter case, you will need to drill holes for water outlet yourself.

  • The pipes are covered with crushed stone on top, and then the whole thing is wrapped in geotextiles. The fabric is wrapped so that an overlap of 10 cm wide is formed;
  • The last stage of work is backfilling the trenches with soil.

So, a septic tank made from plastic barrels is an inexpensive and practical solution for a bath, construction shed or dachas. This installation cleans wastewater and does not require frequent pumping.

To make life at the dacha comfortable, it is necessary to carry out basic communications - water supply and sewerage. Often absent in suburban areas centralized network sewerage, so each house owner solves the problem independently. Periodic use of the home does not require the installation of expensive and complex equipment; it is enough to install a septic tank.

Often in dachas, the function of collecting wastewater is performed by a cesspool. If the house is not equipped plumbing system this option is fully justified, but when installing plumbing fixtures and a large volume of drained water, it is not enough. In this article we will talk about how to make a sewer system in your country house with your own hands. different ways(from concrete rings, barrels, without pumping), and we will also demonstrate diagrams, drawings, photos and video instructions.

The sewerage system must be built in accordance with the developed project, which includes external and internal piping diagrams.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. A sand cushion up to 15 cm high is formed at the bottom of the pit. The depth of the pit is 3 meters.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. In the first compartment, the bottom is filled with concrete, a sealed section is formed, which will serve as a sump. Here wastewater will be separated into solid large fractions that sink to the bottom, and clarified water that overflows into the adjacent section. For better decomposition of solid residues, aerobic bacteria can be purchased.
  7. The second compartment is made without a bottom; it can be made not only from monolithic walls, but also using concrete rings 1–1.5 meters in diameter, 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.
  8. An overflow pipe is laid between the two sections. It is installed at an angle of 30 mm on 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.
  9. The ceiling of the septic tank is made independently, using formwork and concrete, or ready-made ones are used reinforced concrete slabs. 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 suburban buildings large area. 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

From exit point sewer pipe It is necessary to lay a pipeline from 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 highway 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 get daily norm 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 m3. Minimum distance from the bottom of the septic tank to drain pipe– 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 installation finished design it is necessary to determine a suitable location for the septic tank. 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 construction 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 electric 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 sewage 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. Any type of insulation can be used thermal insulation material, which 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 the finished plastic autonomous system to clean wastewater, due to its size or cost, then you can make a septic tank from several compartments yourself. Great inexpensive material to implement the plan - 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:

  1. Presence 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.
  2. 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 carried out incorrectly, the septic tank will not be airtight, 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 there is a minimum connection to the sewer system plumbing fixtures, 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 regulations, 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 specific 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 the beginning concrete works, 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 whole line inconvenience. In view of this, it is better not to save on ordering lifting equipment.

Usually the rings are fastened together with a solution, but for greater reliability of the structure they can be fastened 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 slabs/backfill

Finished wells must be covered with special concrete slabs, which have holes for installing sewer hatches. Ideally, backfilling of the pit should be carried out with soil with a large percentage it contains 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.

For arrangement autonomous sewerage According to the principle of the purification system, any containers can be used. 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:

  1. A wide range of plastic containers that can be used to equip a septic tank.
  2. The barrels are highly resistant to the aggressive effects of wastewater. Therefore, they last longer than their metal counterparts.
  3. The light weight of the containers simplifies their installation at a permanent location.
  4. Plastic does not require additional processing, unlike metal.
  5. The high tightness of the barrels eliminates the possibility of penetration dirty waters 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 attached with cables to concrete base(it must first be poured or a reinforced concrete slab 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. Can be used as a lid of the appropriate size wooden blank or the 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 decision, 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.

For installation reliable system It is better to use factory-made polymer barrels for wastewater treatment.

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 things.;
  • 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 cottage/small country house at economical use Standard plastic barrels will do. Install this cleaning system 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 sewage system made from metal barrels does not require large financial investments And complex work on installation. 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.

Pipe laying

Scheme

On initial stage construction cannot be done without the construction of a septic tank for wastewater. This is a rather expensive part of the work, but it is possible to reduce the cost. If it is built small building, for example, a dacha or Summer shower, then a septic tank can be constructed from a plastic barrel. But before installation, you need to understand this issue in more detail.

Advantages

For permanent structures, it is mandatory to install a wastewater collection and treatment system, which can be purchased ready-made. But in terms of costs, the design will not be cheap, and the installation itself is quite complicated. Without such complex installation cannot be avoided, because water is constantly consumed in a residential building, and simple system diversion will not work.

But if it is necessary to provide a septic tank for country house, which is used only in the warm season, or for a temporary structure, it is recommended to install a septic tank from barrels. Such a system holds a small amount of water, but this is quite enough for a small water consumption.

Septic tank barrels can be used either new or used.

Such a structure can be made not only from plastic barrels, but also from metal ones. It is recommended to use plastic for this work, because metal is susceptible to corrosion.

Scheme

A septic tank is constructed from several barrels that are connected to each other in unified system. First, you need to draw up a diagram showing the building and the location of the septic tank installation. The latter will be located underground a few meters from the building's location.

The effluent passes through the drain riser, a pipe that reaches at an angle to the first barrel. A total of at least 2 barrels must be used. Then the wastewater from the first barrel passes through the overflow pipe into the second barrel.

For proper installation For a septic tank in a private house, you should definitely draw a diagram. This stage of work is necessary not only for permitting authorities, but also for the owner himself. The drawings will help you accurately calculate not only consumables, but also the sequence of installation.

If 3 barrels are used for a septic tank, then general scheme looks like that:

  • The wastewater flows through the inlet into the first barrel, which is gradually filled.
  • Large particles settle at the bottom of the first barrel.
  • The liquid from the first barrel enters the second barrel through the outlet.
  • In the second barrel, smaller particles settle at the bottom.
  • Liquid from the second barrel passes through the outlet into the third barrel.
  • The treated wastewater goes into the ground through the bottom of the third barrel.

When drawing up a septic tank diagram, it should be ensured that the inlet and outlet of each barrel are located at different levels: the inlet is higher and the outlet is lower. Due to this, the treated wastewater will pass into the next barrel through the outlet before the liquid level reaches the inlet.

Another one important detail: The system is installed on a slope. This installation will allow the liquid to flow freely through the pipes and not stagnate in some area.

Three-section cleaning is provided for the building where the toilet will be installed. But if you need to clean the drain that will come from the kitchen or bathhouse, then 2-section cleaning is enough.

Preparatory work

Installing a septic tank consists of carrying out calculations. For this purpose it is determined required amount pipes for laying them to the system. Then you should prepare the area where the system will be located. It is cleared of debris, vegetation and other objects.

The location of the septic tank from a residential building must be at least 5 m. It is permissible to maintain a distance of 2 m if the sewer system is installed for a non-residential premises.

It is necessary to ensure a large distance from the septic tank to the river or lake. Effluent must not enter aquifers. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 10 m to the river, and at least 30 m to the lake. If summer cottage trees grow, then you need to maintain a distance of at least 2 m from them, and 5 m from the roadway.

You should also prepare everything you need for work. For country house A septic tank option consisting of 3 barrels of 250 liters each is suitable.

Required materials and tools

To install a septic tank you will need the following materials:

  • Barrels.
  • Sewer pipes.
  • Couplings. Flanges.
  • Crushed stone.
  • Sand.
  • Geotextiles.
  • Wooden pegs.
  • Sealant.

Regarding the choice of barrels it has already been said that best option– these are 3 barrels of 250 liters each. If necessary, the volume of barrels can be increased. The length of the sewer pipes depends on the distance at which the septic tank will be located from the house. The diameter of the pipes must be at least 110 mm.

If the barrels are installed above the freezing point of the soil, then any insulation will be required: mineral wool, foam plastic, expanded clay.

To carry out installation, you need to prepare a rake, a shovel, a building level and a jigsaw.

Rakes are used to clear and level the area. A shovel is used to dig the trench, and a building level will be used to install the system at an angle. A jigsaw is used to cut holes in the barrels.

Do-it-yourself septic tank from barrels. Step-by-step instruction

After preparing everything you need, you can begin installation. This process is carried out in stages:

  • Digging a trench.
  • Bottom cushioning.
  • Laying geotextiles.
  • Backfilling of crushed stone.
  • Installation of barrels.
  • Pipe installation.
  • System check.
  • Backfilling the trench.

Before digging a trench Measurements should be taken carefully. To make your work easier, you can lay out all the parts on the ground: pipes, barrels. Then mark the contours of the system and start digging holes. To facilitate the work, you can use the services of an excavator, due to which the hole will be of the required size.

Then you should pour a layer of sand at the bottom of the trench, which will serve shock-absorbing cushion. The places where the first 2 barrels (filtering) will be located should be concreted. Place for the 3rd (last) barrel covered with geotextile and filled with crushed stone.

Installation

Before as install barrels into the pit, it is advisable to first connect them together with pipes. After all, doing such work in a pit will be very inconvenient. Holes for pipes are cut in the upper side parts of the barrels.

Shouldn't do big hole. The pipe must fit end to end, otherwise leaks will occur.

The joints must be treated with sealant. For these purposes, it is best to use a car one. The first two barrels will filter the wastewater, so they are installed with a bottom. In the first barrel, solid waste falls to the bottom, and in the second, smaller particles settle at the bottom. The third barrel receives 65% purified wastewater, and this liquid goes into the ground. That is why the bottom of the last barrel should be cut off.

The barrels must be connected to each other with pipes through which the liquid will flow from one compartment to the other. When such a structure is ready, it should be installed in the prepared pit. At the bottom of the third barrel it is necessary to pour a layer of crushed stone to a third of its volume. Then a sewer pipe is connected to the first barrel, which departs from the house. In order to guide the pipe at an angle, it is recommended to use wooden pegs, which are mounted at different levels. Using a building level, which is applied to the top of the pegs, the required angle is set. Then a layer of sand is poured, followed by a layer of gravel on top so that it does not cover the tops of the wooden marks.

Ventilation and insulation

Ventilation should be provided installed septic tank. To do this, a pipe with a protective canopy at the top is brought out to protect against precipitation.

If the barrels are installed above the freezing point of the soil, then they should be insulated. When all the parts are connected and the joints are treated with sealant, the system is checked. To do this, water is supplied to the first container, and then possible leaks are checked. If they are missing, then you can backfill the septic tank.

To connect pipes with flanges and fittings, you can use special glue, which is compatible with the pipe material. This will ensure a tight connection.

The pit is completely filled with gravel. Then a layer of geotextile is laid on top of the barrels, and after that they are backfilled with soil. It is necessary to ensure that the lids of the barrels are not covered, otherwise it will be difficult to reach them during servicing in the future.

When building a septic tank, professionals advise taking into account several points:

  • On soils that are not capable of absorbing water (clay, loam, sandy loam), as well as on soils where the groundwater level is close to the surface, you cannot install a septic tank. In this case, a storage installation is suitable, which does not clean, but collects wastewater. Therefore, you will have to regularly use the services of vacuum cleaners for pumping.
  • The septic tank should be installed at a normal distance from the house, garden, road and river.
  • To prevent barrels from freezing, you can immerse several plastic bottles half filled with sand. Due to this, icing of the walls can be prevented.

The most simple circuit installation of a septic tank from a barrel is presented in this video

Building a septic tank with your own hands from plastic barrels will provide good level comfort for a country house. This method is quick installation wastewater system at minimal cost.

Which you will only use in summer time, then there is no point in making or buying an expensive autonomous septic tank. You can use material that ultimately will not incur large financial costs. So, you can make a septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands. But it is important to understand that this design can only be used for small volumes of wastewater.

If a family of three lives at the dacha and only in the summer, it will be enough to install 2 or 3 barrels. The volume of one barrel can be 250 liters. The barrels are mounted one after another with overflow. As a result, a bundle is formed in one line. The overflow is mounted at a slight angle. The difference between them must be at least 100 mm. As for the installation depth of the barrels, each subsequent one is buried 150 mm deeper in relation to the previous one.

Tool and material

To make a homemade septic tank from plastic barrels, you will need to prepare the following construction material and tool:

  • Jigsaw.
  • Rake.
  • Shovel.
  • Building level.
  • Plumbing tape.
  • Epoxy two-component sealant.
  • Glue for PVC pipes.
  • Flanges.
  • Couplings.
  • Perforated pipe (for arranging drainage).
  • Elbows and tees.
  • Sewer pipes Ø 110 mm.
  • 2-3 plastic barrels, volume 250 l.
  • Geotextile fabric.
  • Sand.
  • Crushed stone, fractions 1.8-3.5 cm.

It is necessary to start creating a septic tank by preparing plastic barrels. So, in the barrel, use a jigsaw to cut holes for the overflow, according to the diameter of the pipe. In this case, retreat 200 mm from the top of the container. On the other side of the barrel, drill a second hole, only 300 mm lower in height from the top of the container. Between the two holes you will have a difference of 100 mm. To organize ventilation, a pipe is installed in the first barrel. In order to be able to clean the septic tank from solid waste particles from time to time, the lid must be opened. As for the second barrel, which will serve as a sump, make two holes at the bottom. In relation to each other they should be at 45°. This is necessary to connect the drainage pipe going to the filtration field.

Each pipe-to-barrel connection must be treated with epoxy sealant. This will prevent wastewater from leaking into the ground.

The connection of all these barrels can be done on the surface, so all you have to do is immerse the homemade septic tank in the pit.

As for digging a pit, this is one of the most labor-intensive processes. The barrels should be installed easily, so make the pit width 250 mm larger. You will then fill in the resulting gap between the barrel and the pit. cement-sand mixture, which will prevent destruction or damage to the walls during soil movement.

If there is a risk of the barrel floating outward under the influence of groundwater, then the bottom will need to be covered with a concrete screed. It is also necessary to install embedded metal parts with hinges that will hold the homemade septic tank in place.

Installation of barrels and production of filtration field

At the next stage, the septic tank is installed in the pit. Carefully lower the entire barrel structure to the bottom and secure it with straps to the concrete hinges. If it is not possible to lower the entire structure, then after installing the barrels, all pipe joints are connected and sealed. After this, fill the resulting space between the barrel and the foundation pit with a sand-cement mixture.

As you fill and compact the mixture of sand and cement, fill the barrel with water. This will reduce the risk of deformation.

Now it's time to make the filter fields. At a depth of 700 mm, near the buried septic tank, dig a trench. Place perforated pipes in it. First cover the walls and bottom of the trench with geotextile fabric. The laid pipes from below and above are covered with crushed stone, 100 mm thick. When joining geotextiles, make a slight overlap of up to 200 mm. This is especially important when laying the canvas on top of crushed stone. When the “pie” of perforated pipe, crushed stone and geotextile is ready, the remaining space of the trench is filled with earth. Finally, the field with filtration channels is decorated and sown with lawn grass.

Advantages and disadvantages

The technology of using plastic barrels has its pros and cons. For objectivity, when choosing material for a septic tank, they should be mentioned.

  • Easy installation and transportation.
  • Light weight.
  • It's very easy to make overflow holes.
  • There is no risk of soil contamination.
  • The entire structure is waterproof.
  • Resistance to corrosion under the influence of aggressive substances and water.

Disadvantages of plastic barrels:

  • Reliable fastening of the barrels to the bottom of the pit is required.
  • There is a risk of the barrels floating outwards if installed incorrectly.
  • During the cold season, the plastic material of the tank may be compressed.

As you can see, anyone can make a septic tank from plastic barrels. Once again, it is worth remembering that such a septic tank is only relevant for seasonal use. For permanent residence will need more reliable design. We will be interested in your experience in making a septic tank from plastic barrels with your own hands. Leave comments and feedback at the end of this article. And if you still have questions or certain uncertainties, ask our expert.

Video

From the provided video material, you can see the principle of creating a septic tank from plastic barrels using the example of Eurocubes:

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 plant of this type is quite effective and gives high quality removing impurities.

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.

Drilling through the soil provides optimal results, but this method is not suitable for areas with groundwater. 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,
  • at minimum quantity drains typical for periodic visits 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 conditions sanitary standards The septic tank must accommodate three daily “portions”.

Homemade septic tank from plastic barrels

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

The advantages of such designs are:

  • low cost (used containers are often used),
  • simplicity of design and installation,
  • smaller volume earthworks 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 used most affordable option However, if you have a choice, you should consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

Plastic barrels

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.

Plastic barrels

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 waterproofing coating and periodically checking its condition,
  • a slightly more complex process of making holes that requires the use of power tools.

Metal containers

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

Sewerage from barrels with your own hands requires certain steps preparatory work before starting installation. We will consider the option of making a septic tank from three barrels, but the principle of the device remains the same for a septic tank from two tanks.

Technological holes are made in each barrel.

Preparing a plastic barrel for sewage

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, 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 hardening of the solution, rings or hooks are installed into it, to which clamps will cling to secure 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 the trenches for laying corrugated pipes can be dug at this stage.

Backfilling the septic tank with soil

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 geotextiles, and after installation 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.

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 three-chamber septic tank of the 250 liter barrels is only suitable 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 sanitary requirements relatively permissible distances from septic tanks to certain facilities. 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.