If you're building a new house in the country, you'll probably need a septic system since the city's sewers won't be available. Since a septic system holds toxic waste, there are regulations to follow when you have the system installed.
A good time to do the septic tank installation is after the house is up but before any landscaping is done since the installation will tear up the land in the area. Here's a look at some regulations that affect septic tank installation and a look at how the installation is done.
Local Codes That May Apply
Codes governing septic systems vary by state and county, so contact your local codes office to get a copy of the regulations you need to follow. Codes probably specify the size of tank you need, which is determined by the size of your house. Codes may also state the type of septic tank you can install with concrete being common since it's heavy and won't pop out of the ground like a plastic tank might.
Codes also apply to where you can place the tank. It has to be away from the water well, your property line, and any structures on your land. You'll also want the septic tank away from trees so you don't have ongoing problems with tree roots.
Services You May Need First
Local laws may require that you have a soil percolation test done before installing a septic system to ensure the wastewater will filter properly. You will need utility lines marked unless they are already marked due to home construction. A survey could also be needed, but the survey done for building your house may suffice.
Once the prep work is done, your contractor can apply for a permit. Plans for where to install the septic tank and drain field are included so the code office can approve the plan before work begins.
Install The Septic Tank And Drainfield
A septic tank installation involves a lot of digging. The contractor has to dig a pit to hold the tank, a trench for the sewer line that goes to the house, a trench for the line that goes to the distribution box, and several trenches for the leach lines that go to the drain field. These parts have to be assembled and positioned so the septic tank drains into the field passively.
Septic tanks are usually delivered fully made. A crane or other heavy equipment can move the precast concrete tank to the pit and position it properly. Then, the pipes are connected and the trenches and pit are backfilled.
The last step of a septic tank installation is to put a riser on the lid. Eventually, the bare soil will be covered in lush grass and the lid may be lost if there isn't a riser to mark its place. The septic contractor needs to return in a few years and open the lid to pump out the tank, so having a rise makes the tank easy to find.
To learn more, contact a septic tank installation service.
