In our short article we will talk about the autonomous sewage systems of Andrei Ratnikov. Few have heard the name of this engineer, but everyone knows about multi-chamber septic tanks. After all, it should be noted that it is multi-chamber septic tanks that can purify all wastewater. But this opinion can also be called erroneous, since not every design can provide a biochemical need for such a component as oxygen (and this is about 2 mg / l). It is with this oxygen content in the wastewater that they can be dumped into the ground without additional cleaning.
When you can not make a multi-chamber septic tank?
Like it or not, but there are such cases when it is forbidden to install septic tanks. It’s possible to equip the sewer system, but it’s unlikely that it will work correctly. Septics for Andrei Ratnikov’s country house can’t always be done; there are several cases when installation is prohibited or not recommended:
- In cases where the site is located on a sanitary-protected territory.
- The installation of multi-chamber septic tanks on rocky terrain is also prohibited. The reason is that the soil throughput is very low. And he will not be able to filter waste water.
- When the site is located on steep slopes. The reason is that even with slight overmoistening, landslides are possible.
How to choose the right place for a septic tank?
When constructing the sewage system of Andrey Ratnikov, it is necessary to pay attention to legislative norms. It is in the legislation that the minimum distance from the septic tank to the structure in which people live should be at least 5 meters. At the same time, the distance from the septic tank to the border with the neighboring site is more than 4 meters. These data must be taken into account during construction, otherwise the result will be disastrous - the soil under the structure will gradually be washed out.
In the same case, if you plan to install sewage treatment plants in the garden, consider the distance to the trees. It is recommended to maintain a distance of 2-4 meters so that the root system does not violate the tightness of the containers.
Correct calculation of the volume and number of cameras
When designing autonomous sewer systems for cottages, Andrei Ratnikov uses the same principles as in the calculation of standard septic tanks. But the design is a little different. Let's talk about how the calculation is done correctly. If one person lives in the apartment (house), then he will send about 200 liters of liquid to the sewer (it is rather difficult to call it water). And this is the minimum amount, it is not worth taking it as a standard in the calculations, as this will be wrong. Because the degree of wastewater treatment decreases. Therefore, you can run into trouble, for example quarrels with neighbors due to unpleasant odors from the sewer.
For example: suppose 5 residents live in a house. Therefore, a septic tank designed for a three-day stay of wastewater should be at least 3 cubic meters. m. In the event that precipitation is removed twice a year, it is allowed to reduce the amount by no more than 20%.
Some homeowners complain that it’s hard to work with septic tanks that have concrete rings with a height of 50 cm. The problem is that they weigh about a ton and sometimes more. Therefore, some engineers resort to the use of concrete rings with smaller sizes. And in order not to make one large capacity, you can put two small ones. And already connect them in series with pipes.
As a result, it should turn out not one, but a two-chamber septic tank. That's just it will work in the same way as a single-chamber. To use a three-day septic tank, it is important not the number of chambers in it, but their total volume. To save money, it is more expedient, of course, to equip single-chamber septic tanks.
One of the advantages of multi-section septic tanks is that additional containers can be used to extend the life of structures that are used as underground filters. If you have finances, it is best not to partition a three-day septic tank, but to purchase additional sections to increase the amount of sewage.
Proper preparation of the pit
Please note that Andrei Ratnikov’s autonomous systems can be installed if the groundwater level is at least 3 m. And if you plan to equip the floor for underground filtration, then the distance should be 1.5 m. Therefore, when arranging the foundation pit, it is important to consider all factors. In particular, if you suddenly notice that the soil has become wetter, it is recommended to stop excavation at this stage.
In the event that the depth of the excavated pit is less than a meter, then it will not work to equip a septic tank in it. It is recommended that the pit be done 30 cm more than the tank. This is necessary in order to cover it with gravel in a circle. If you plan to equip a multi-chamber septic tank, then graveling should also be carried out. Only the last section is covered with gravel, the rest with soil.
Sump installation
Below we will consider an example, which clearly shows the installation of a two-chamber septic tank. First of all, when the excavation pit is excavated, it is necessary to level its bottom and fill it with a layer of sand - about 15 cm. Then pour water on top so that the layer of sand sags as much as possible. Please note that not all concrete rings have a bottom. Therefore, it is quite possible that it will be necessary to carry out concreting of the bottom of the pit and waterproofing, so as not to subsequently clog the soil with sewage.
The second ring is mounted on concrete mortar. For preparation, you need to add one part of cement to three parts of sand. You can add a little liquid sand to the resulting solution. Concrete mortar should be used immediately after preparation.
Please note that in the presence of soil movements, it is recommended to install metal brackets. This will allow more reliable fixation of concrete rings. When installing multi-chamber septic tanks, a sump made of concrete rings must be placed on a solid foundation. It is made of concrete, which improves stability. In addition, sewage is prevented from entering the soil.
The well for filtration is necessarily sprinkled with gravel, it will clean the drains. Place a simple cover and hatch over the rings. The sump is necessarily covered with hot bitumen - two layers are enough. Such waterproofing is done from the inside. From the outside, it is also recommended that the well be insulated with roll materials.
Installation of a filter well
The base of the filter should be at a distance of about 1 meter higher than the depth of the groundwater. If the distance is 2 meters or more, the load can be increased by about 20%.
As the bottom, you can use a filter - small pebbles, slag or gravel. The embankment layer is about 30 cm. Whether permeability exists at the seams or not, it does not matter. Therefore, you can use a concrete solution prepared without adding liquid glass to it.
Overflow installation
When laying overflows, you need to make a slope of 2 cm to 1 meter. Place the supply pipe 5.5 cm above the discharge pipe. Do not use plastic pipes to route the line outside. Otherwise, the entire system will fail much earlier than it should.
To direct the flow of waste water down, you need a sewer tee. It must be installed vertically: through the lower branch that water will be taken, which is located below; and through the top will be cleaning.
If you use this design, you will prevent small suspended particles from entering the sewer pipe. Also, you can avoid the occurrence of frequent blockages, the whole system will last much longer.
How ventilation is installed
The only requirement that is put forward for ventilation of the sewage system of Andrey Anatolyevich Ratnikov is a reliable riser, its height should be about 70 cm from the ground. In order to completely get rid of the appearance of unpleasant fecal odors, it is advisable to remove the riser above the roof of the building by about 0.15-0.3 m. Andrey Ratnikov in the articles does not recommend making this distance too large, because the pipe will begin to freeze in winter. And this means that all the equipment will not be able to function physically in winter.
Many people make one mistake in the manufacture of septic tanks - they install a ventilation riser from the outer surface of the house. In this case, the septic tank will be blocked by the accumulation of frost.
You can not combine a chimney and an exhaust hood - this is one of the important conditions. To organize through ventilation from several sections of the septic tank, it is necessary to make holes in the partitions. Moreover, they need to be done a little higher than the level of wastewater. The second option is the manufacture of ventilation through a pipe through which effluents flow. The total area should be twice as large as the cross-sectional area of the exhaust riser.
As for the inspection neck, it is best to close it with a cast-iron hatch. Please note that they should not be airtight. If the hatch is completely sealed, the ventilation will only get worse.
If the ventilation part is replaced with an exhaust valve, then the probability of a siphon breakdown increases. And this means that an unpleasant odor will appear in the house. If there are no people in the house for a long time, then the siphon will dry out. It is almost impossible to avoid the appearance of a smell. Only thanks to the ventilation part displayed on the roof of the house, you will forever get rid of the problems associated with an extraneous odor.
Hardware Setup
Immediately after installing the device, you can create microflora. To do this correctly, you need to load the sediment at the time of construction. Sediment should be approximately 20% of the volume of the entire septic tank. If there is no sediment at start-up, then its normal functioning will begin in six months. The indicator of normal operation of a septic tank is the complete absence of the smell of hydrogen sulfide near it.
Building Resource
If you believe the articles of Andrei Ratnikov, then under normal conditions, a septic tank is able to work faithfully for at least 15 years. After this time, a complete replacement of the components will be required. Wells for filtration work without any problems for 10 years. In this case, you need to pay attention to one feature - siltation will be less if you use the maximum number of cameras. Consequently, the resource of the septic tank Andrei Ratnikov is also increasing.
How to clean the device
The first signal that it is necessary to unload the sediment can be considered that its level tends to the lower edge of the outlet pipe or is located at a distance of about 20 cm below it. And before the arrival of the pumping machine, a lot of time can pass, and the level will rise even more. Therefore, check the sediment level as often as possible, and you need to use another method: take a long rail, and then lower it into the well. So you will clearly see the boundary between runoff and sediment and runoff. After unloading, it is necessary to leave about 30% of the precipitation in the septic tank, so the rotting process in the septic tank of Andrey Ratnikov will not be stopped.