Septic systems perform the essential task of treating wastewater produced by different properties. They are typically used in the areas that sewer systems cannot reach.
If you’re planning to start a business that will likely produce plenty of wastewater, you may be wondering about the type of septic system you will need to install. Can you use something similar to the septic system at your home, or will your venture require a different type of tank? Are there even significant differences between the two?
Find out the answers to those questions by reading on.
The Key Differences Between Residential and Commercial Septic Systems
There are indeed significant differences between residential and commercial septic systems. Let’s discuss them in greater detail below.
The Size of the Septic System
First off, residential and commercial septic systems differ from each other in terms of size. This probably comes as no surprise, but commercial septic systems are bigger than their residential counterparts. They need to be because they must process a significantly larger volume of wastewater.
Commercial septic tanks need to be bigger to accommodate the waste produced by the establishments they service. However, not all businesses have room to accommodate the larger tanks.
To counter that problem, some businesses will utilize vertically aligned septic systems. These vertical tanks allow businesses to process large volumes of wastewater without sacrificing valuable real estate.
The Method of Treating the Wastewater
Since commercial septic systems have to process significant amounts of wastewater regularly, it’s not enough for them to simply be bigger than the average tank. That alone may not suffice for their increased workload.
More often than not, commercial septic systems also have to come loaded with features that will enable them to treat wastewater faster. To be more specific, commercial tanks rely on features that pre-treat the wastewater to aid in processing.
Pre-treating the wastewater results in the solids breaking down faster. Because the solids are also broken down, the wastewater can be treated faster and more efficiently. The addition of pre-treatment features also prevents the commercial system from getting bogged down.
Residential septic systems usually don’t need pre-treatment features, but their commercial counterparts rely heavily on them.
The Maintenance Requirements
Lastly, residential and commercial septic systems also differ from each other in terms of their maintenance demands. Pumping is required for both, but one demands it more often.
Residential septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years. Lean towards the lower end of that estimate if you have a large family.
Meanwhile, commercial septic tanks should be pumped every one to three years. Wait any longer than that, and you risk running into serious problems.
Although maintenance requirements differ for residential and commercial septic tanks, the need to work with the right companies remains the same. Make sure you hire reputable residential and commercial septic services to ensure your tank’s maintenance will be handled properly.
Residential and commercial septic tanks fulfill the same functions, but they differ in some significant ways. Account for those differences as you watch over the tanks servicing your properties.