How to construct a cesspool of concrete rings: schemes + step-by-step guide

Do you choose the simplest way to collect and partially process sewage for your summer house or seasonal residence? Agree that the arrangement of the sewage system will significantly refine the site and make your stay in the country as comfortable as possible. An ordinary cesspool of concrete rings will cope with this task, but you do not know how to build it correctly?

We will help you deal with this type of septic tank - the article discusses the construction of the pit, popular building schemes. The process of designing a cage from the rings with the calculation of the required volume is analyzed in detail, its phased construction is described.

The material is equipped with visual photographs and diagrams, video recommendations for construction from experienced craftsmen are given. Also discussed are methods of decorating a technical hole.

Design and purpose of the cesspool

Cesspools, like septic tanks, are used to collect sewage. But these are primitive structures that are not able to purify the liquid.

In storage tanks, waste only partially decays, in contrast to VOCs, where the waste is divided into solid waste and liquid, which is subsequently clarified and reaches a purity of 60-98%.

All varieties drain pits can be divided into two categories:

• sealed storage tanks;
• drain holes with a filter bottom.

For users, 2 differences are important - the bottom of the tank and the frequency of waste collection. The first type stores the entire volume of sewage, so it is emptied quite often, once every 1-2 weeks.

For the second type, sewer pits are less likely to be called, since the tank is filling a little slower. Part of the liquid seeps through a kind of filter that replaces the bottom, and enters the soil.

Scheme of the simplest cesspool. Usually it is designed so that the volume of the tank is sufficient, and the drainage mass does not rise above the sewer

At first glance, the second option is more acceptable, but it can only be used for processing gray effluents.

At pit device without bottom A number of factors must be considered:

• sanitary requirements;
• soil type;
• the presence and location of aquifers.

If the soil in the selected area is clayey, not able to quickly absorb water, there is no point in making a filter bottom. The same with aquifers - there is a risk of infection and environmental damage.

There are many solutions to cesspools: build brick structuresconcrete or car tires. The most reliable are concrete structures and finished plastic containers.

Reservoirs made of concrete, created by the construction of formwork and pouring, are more difficult to build than the analogues of the finished rings, which we dwell on.

Scheme of the drain pit with a filter bottom. The air intake is discharged as high as possible so that the unpleasant odor characteristic of sewer storage tanks does not interfere with comfortable living

The rake from the concrete blanks of a cylindrical shape in finished form is a well from 2 m to 4 m in depth. Rings in the amount of 2-4 pieces are placed one on top of the other, seals are sealed.

The bottom element, depending on the type of pit, may be closed or completely absent. Sometimes, instead of a finished factory blank, a concrete slab is put to the bottom.

The upper part is designed in the form of a neck with a technical hatch and a tight-fitting lid.

The main accumulative part of the tank is deepened by about 1 m, since the inlet sewer pipe should be below the level of freezing of the soil. The capacity volume is selected, taking into account the number of daily drains.

Why are drain pits attractive?

The main advantage of drives is affordable cost. For this reason, many stop at the simplest device instead of acquiring a more expensive and functional septic tank.

The rake is also convenient for those who rarely come to the cottage - only in the warm season or exclusively on weekends.

If there is relatively little sewage and regular waste pumping is established, a cesspool is really a good option.

But with large volumes of wastewater is better pick up a septic tank - a more expensive device that partially cleans waste and minimizes pollution of garden land.

The latter is possible if a model with filter well or infiltrator.

Schematic illustration of an absorption well - a cesspool with a filter bottom. Installation conditions: sandy or sandy loam soil, low aquifers, crushed stone filter with a capacity of at least 1 m

Disadvantages of the cesspool, which may become a causal refusal from its construction:

• limited volume;
• the need for frequent pumping;
• low (or zero) degree of waste treatment;
• a specific smell that is difficult to get rid of.

Those who want to install a filtering sewage system should know that from time to time, along with pumping, it will be necessary to clean and even replace the filter - a gravel or gravel layer at the bottom of the pit.

Overview of popular building schemes

Even the construction of two main types of cesspools can have nuances. Consider the features of the most popular schemes of concrete rings.

The first scheme is a sealed hermetic well of two standard rings and one narrower neck ring.

Scheme with dimensions: 1 - concrete billet with a diameter of 1 m; 2 - wooden lid overlap; 3 - concrete billet with a diameter of 0.7 m; 4 - throat ring; 5 - hatch; 6 - ventilation pipe; 7 - overlap; 8 - concrete bottom; 9 - leveling cement screed

The following diagram clearly shows the difference between the storage tank and the tank with a filter bottom.

The concrete filter well has two fundamental differences: the perforated walls of the cylindrical billets forming the walls, and the complete absence of a bottom, which replaces the filter load from crushed stone

The third option is a modernized drive, a primitive septic tank.

Instead of one tank, two are installed: the first serves for the mechanical cleaning of sewage, the second plays the role of a filtering well. Anaerobic bacteria are processed in both compartments.

Using a two-section overflow drive more appropriate, as it increases the degree of environmental friendliness. Sometimes models from three compartments are used - the more there are, the more efficient is the treatment of effluents.

A brief photo-manual on the construction of the pit

The construction of a cesspool using concrete rings involves a number of traditional steps.

So that readers can visualize the process, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the photo-report of the builders:

Designing and calculating

Starting construction without preparation, you risk violating sanitary standards and creating a device with limited functions. In order for the cesspool to work 100%, it is necessary to provide for all the nuances and difficulties of construction.

Step # 1 - locating the drain pit

When choosing a place for a cesspool, it is important to consider two points: ease of maintenance and compliance with sanitary standards.

Accordingly, to facilitate the installation process and better functionality of the entire sewer system, the tank must be installed as close as possible to the house.

Many do just that - they dig a container 2-3 meters from the building, not paying attention to the smell and forgetting about the norms and rules for using drain pits and various septic tanks. By the way, the recommended minimum distance from the pit to the house is 5 m.

A diagram showing the distance from the sources of water, trees and the road should be a cesspool. Unfortunately, the rules are not always respected due to the limited area of ​​the garden

The scheme can be supplemented with the following information:

• sealed container set in any type of soil;
• filter tank - only in sandy, well absorbing and passing liquid.

The base of the filtering structure should be at least 1 m higher than the aquifer.

To determine the depth of the aquifers, it is better to contact the design or drilling organization that carried out geotechnical surveys or drilling a water well in the construction area.

Step # 2 - calculation of capacity

To determine the size and volume of the well, it is necessary to make simple mathematical calculations. If the permanent home has a shower, toilet, washing machine, then for 1 person there are approximately 150-200 liters of sewage daily.

Suppose you want to install a sealed cellar in the courtyard of a house where 3 people live - it turns out 450-600 liters per day.

Do not forget that in the calculation we take into account at least a 3-fold amount, that is, once again we multiply by 3, we get 1.35-1.8 m³. This is the minimum volume.

The dimensions of the neck and parts of the well located above the entrance of the sewer pipe do not need to be taken into account. That is, the volume obtained is the parameters of the part located below the pipeline.

Sometimes repelled by the timing of the call of the cesspool workers. If the same family of 3 people is served every week, then it turns out: 150 l (200 l) x 3 x 7 = 3.15 m³ (4.2 m³). Once every two weeks - 6.3 m³ (8.4 m³).

The barrels on the cesspool trucks are not bottomless, on average they hold about 3.5 cubic meters of waste, therefore they will not be able to drain a large capacity filled to the brim

If the public utilities or the private company serving your site has transport with a tank of 6-8 m³ in the park, it makes sense to install the maximum volume tank.

Step # 3 - Selecting Concrete Rings

The volume of the cesspool is calculated by the size of the rings, so it is easier to purchase models from the assortment of a company located nearby, since delivery is required.

Typical ring sizes:

• height - 0.89 m;
• diameter - 1m.

Rings with such dimensions are produced by almost all concrete products plants. For a small family, three blanks are enough, plus a neck and a bottom.

Reinforced concrete rings (indicating the height, diameter and wall thickness) and additional elements for the construction of wells and cesspools (+)

The construction of cesspools is so popular that factories began to produce complete kits for their construction.

The kit includes:

• bottom element with bottom;
• standard rings from 1 to 5 pcs. - a larger number will cause difficulties with cleaning and pumping;
• narrowed neck;
• upper slab with a hole for the hatch.

Rings can be plain and perforated for absorbing wells. Sunroof with cover purchased separately.

In addition to standard concrete rings meter diameter you can find more overall workpiece.

Preference should be given to rings with a locking groove-to-comb connection, which guarantees a higher degree of tightness and strength of the finished structure.

Step # 4 - preparing materials and renting equipment

In addition to a set of concrete blanks, the following building materials may be required:

• staples for connecting parts;
• joint sealant;
• bituminous mastic or other material for sealing the tank from the inside and outside;
• cement to strengthen the backfill;
• crushed stone, gravel and sand for the preparation of leveling screed or filter layer.

Do not forget about buckets, shovels and winches for excavation.

It is not possible to independently deliver concrete rings - for large and heavy parts it is necessary to rent a truck.

If a winch is not provided at the construction site, it is better to order special equipment with a manipulator. One person cannot handle it. The only thing you can do yourself is to dig a pit.

For the installation of workpieces, at least 2-3 pairs of working hands plus a truck driver are required.

The weight of the reinforced concrete billet with a diameter of 100 cm and a height of 89 cm is about 600 kg, so the installation of concrete rings occurs using a crane and a team of workers

The ideal option is the help of friends with whom you can agree on a low payment. If there are no special equipment drivers and installers among friends, you can rent a car and pay for the services of a team of workers.

Often the help of professional installers is offered by a company selling rings for wells and drain pits.

Cesspool construction instructions

The installation of each particular tank has its own nuances associated with the features of the landscape, soil, the location of the sewer network, etc. We will consider a typical scheme of a cesspool device.

Stage # 1 - excavation

The first stage is land work. They can be performed alone (long, hard and free) or with the help of a team (fast and fun, but for money).

If possible, you can attract a mini-excavator, then working hands will be required only for "grinding" the walls and leveling the bottom of the pit.

The shape and dimensions of the pit should correspond to the configuration and dimensions of the tank. Accordingly, a round well should be obtained, with a width exceeding concrete rings by 0.3-0.5 m on each side around the circumference.

This gap will be required to seal / warm the structure from the outside and then fill it with a seal.

Excavation pit for a sealed cesspool consisting of 2 concrete rings. The depth of the sewer pipe is about 0.8 m, the height of the finished tank is 2.5 m

There is one caveat that should not be forgotten - this is the level of soil freezing (information is relevant for residents of the middle zone and the north of Russia).

The sewer pipe for drains and the main part of the tank must be below this level in order for the system to function in winter. If you lay the net near the surface, the liquid will simply freeze when frost sets in.

In this regard, the height of the neck, which serves, in fact, as a technical hole, must be added to the dimensions of the working capacity. The neck should protrude 15-20 cm above the ground.

Thus, the tank will be buried, as well as a sewer pipe cut into it below the freezing level.

By the beginning of construction work, it is necessary to level the base with the walls and dig a ditch leading from the house (bath, summer kitchen, garage) to the sewage pit.

When installing the ditch, do not forget that in order to avoid blockages, the pipe should have a slope towards the pit - about 2 cm per meter.

Stage # 2 - arrangement of the bottom

If you install an ordinary storage tank, the bottom, like the walls, should be airtight. For the construction of concrete rings, the best option is to prepare from the same material.

The part is specially designed to design the bottom of the well and has a groove around the circumference. The only thing necessary for its installation is an even, dense base.

Reinforced concrete element equipped with a bottom. Designed for sealed cesspools; serves as an alternative to concrete slab or cement screed

Possible subsidence of the base is eliminated by pouring a cement screed. They prepare it according to a simple scheme: for each part of cement - 4 parts of sand. For strength, crushed gravel can be added in a ratio of 1: 6.

The mass is prepared in a container, then it is poured over the entire area of ​​the bottom of the pit and leveled. Within a week, the concrete screed is slightly irrigated with water so that it does not become cracked. The lower element of the structure is installed no earlier than a week later.

For those who value time, there is a more practical solution - a ready-made concrete slab of factory manufacture. It is laid on a flat bottom, and the first concrete ring is already placed on it.

The filtering well has no bottom as such. Instead, they prepare a “pillow” - a filter of building materials that traps solid sediment and allows fluid to enter the ground

Colonies of anaerobes, bacteria involved in the decomposition and treatment of waste, settle on the backfill from rubble or gravel.

The thickness of the underlying backfill is different:

• shallow pits - from 0.3 m;
• tanks of 3-4 rings - up to 0.6-0.7 m.

The power of the filter backfill placed in the wellbore should be at least 1.0 m.

The layout of the layers is as follows:

• bottom layer - sand;
• middle layer - crushed stone of small fraction;
• upper layer - crushed stone of a large fraction.

Unlike the concrete tank, the “pillow” and filter are interchangeable elements. When they become clogged with solid waste and stop passing liquid, they remove the old filling and put a new one on the bottom of the pit.

Stage # 3 - installation of concrete rings

The first ring equipped with a bottom is installed directly on a concrete slab (or screed). Smooth installation of the part is a guarantee of a strictly vertical position of the entire structure, without tilt and distortions. A second element is placed on the bottom element and the seam is immediately sealed.

For grouting and waterproofing of joints, various solutions, coating and roll materials are used. Using roofing material glued to the bitumen solution, joints and cracks are closed from the outside, it is not suitable for internal work.

Ordinary cement mortar is also considered weak: when the soil moves, its fragility appears, as a result of which it cracks and crumbles.

There are many modern modified mastics and solutions that have sufficient strength and elasticity. Some of them can be applied to wet joints or seams that are already under water pressure.

Involved various capable waterproofing concrete septic tank to protect the walls from the damaging effects of an aggressive chemical environment, which is often found in sewage.

Waterproofing the finished structure outside with bituminous mastic. It is carried out to protect reinforced concrete from the moisture which is in soil, and to increase degree of tightness

Here are some of the effective tools for joint sealing and internal sealing:

1. Water sealswhich expand upon hardening, tightly closing any cracks. Examples: Waterplag, Peneplag, Hydrostop. Their only negative is the high cost.
2. Solutions for application to the entire surface: Antihydron, Hydrotex, Bastion.
3. Caulking materials deep seamsimpregnated with Kiilto FIBERPOOL fibroresin - cords and ropes from jute, flax, hemp.
4. Rubber sealing stripse.g. RubberElast.
5. Liquid glassadded to cement mortar
6. Water based sealants: Peneplag, Penetron, Penekrit.

High-quality waterproofing ensures structural integrity for up to 35 years.

After making sure that the connection between the rings does not allow water to pass through, you can install the following part.

Approximately 20 - 30 cm below the depth of seasonal freezing of soils, it is necessary to make an inlet for the sewer line. At the same stage, a pipe is laid and connected to the tank. The junction is carefully sealed.

In the northern regions, pipes passing above the freezing depth are additionally insulated, as is the upper part of the storage tank.

With proper connection of the pipeline, the outlet of the line should be above the average level of wastewater. The top of the tank remains free.

A throat is mounted on a 3 or 4 ring, then a floor slab. The factory-made stove has a round hole for the hatch. Another hole, smaller in diameter, is required for the ventilation pipe.

The final touch is backfill. If dry cement is added to the soil, the reliability of the structure will increase, and the risk of destruction by soil movements will decrease.

Stage # 4 - technical hole design

The best option for outdoor decoration is sewer manhole with a tight-fitting lid. Its inexpensive counterpart is simply a wooden lid hinged.

The hatch is necessary for servicing the cesspool - pumping waste or replacing the filter layer.

Plastic decorative cover for the manhole cover in the form of large natural stone. Completely closes the inlet, against the background of the surrounding greenery it looks quite natural

Recently, it is customary to mask sewer structures, especially if they do not look aesthetically pleasing enough. For this purpose, they acquire decorative products imitating green spaces or large stones.

But it is not necessary to use purchased decor, you can collect an elegant flower stand from wooden battens and decorate it with flowering plants.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A few tips from professionals will help you determine the type of pit and build a tank of concrete rings in accordance with all the rules.

Stages of the construction of a cesspool with detailed comments:

Installation of concrete rings:

Useful information about hatches:

As you can see, the construction of a cesspool from concrete billets is available even to an inexperienced builder. But remember that for the construction of a functional structure, compliance with standards, a verified design, accurate calculations and, most likely, the assistance of installers.

If you are unsure of your abilities, consider installing. storage tank made of plastic or even a factory septic tank.

Do you have personal experience in constructing a cesspool of reinforced concrete rings? Want to share useful information or ask questions about the topic? Please leave comments - the feedback form is located below.