Septic Tank Installation
Septic Tank Installation
Septic tanks are underground containers designed to contain wastewater before it can be sent down the drain field. Solid waste will settle at the bottom of the tank while oil and grease accumulate on its surface as scum.
Installation of a septic tank involves prepping the soil, digging up, connecting the inlet pipe to drain field and conducting percolation tests – this requires preparation, excavation and an additional test called percolation test.
Preparation
Your site of installation for your septic tank should be free from trees and large rocks, overhead wires, underground utilities and anything else that might obstruct its delivery and installation. Furthermore, it must be accessible by trucks that can haul heavy loads.
A septic tank is an underground, watertight storage device used to hold all the wastewater generated from your home. It stores solid and liquid waste separately, with solids settling to the bottom while effluent (effluent) rises towards its top layer. Compartments and T-shaped outlets prevent excess sludge or scum from exiting through and into drain fields.
Installation of a riser at both ends of your septic tank for pumping, maintenance and inspection must take place regularly and must be at least 12 inches above grade to allow access by pumpers and inspectors. Furthermore, it should feature an additional lock to protect against children or unauthorised persons entering.
Excavation
Septic tanks can save money on property taxes by keeping sewer costs lower than similar properties, while providing an environmentally-friendly means to dispose of household waste. They do, however, require more careful consideration about what goes down your drains.
Septic tanks are typically underground precast concrete tanks approximately 5 feet tall and 9 feet long that sit at ground level, their size being determined by how many bedrooms and bathrooms a house contains.
Once wastewater leaves a septic tank, it flows through an absorption field – which consists of pipes in gravel trenches – where it's further treated by filtering into the soil and being absorbed by grass above. Soils that don't clog easily such as loamy soils work best with this treatment method; cover can include filter fabric, newspaper articles, four inches of straw or untreated building paper according to local health department requirements.
Tank Installation
Once your contractor has secured proper building permits, a design, and passed a percolation test, they can finally install your tank. Prior to excavation beginning, however, they must backfill around it to prevent shifting and settlement in the future – most manufacturers recommend gravel, sand, or concrete for this task.
Once the site has been prepared, pipe 4" Sch. 40 will be laid afoot inside and beneath each footing before stretching five feet beyond it with 1/8" pitch (sloping) toward it – this must also be protected from vehicle traffic.
Be sure to make provisions for water usage, as your septic system will likely be out of commission during this work. Stock up on bottled water, and speak to your plumber about renting a portable bathroom as necessary. Also ensure the area where this is happening is cleared of debris and lawn furniture before beginning this project.
Drain Field Installation
Drain Field (Leach Field) – To complete any septic system, the drain field or leach field (sometimes also referred to as leach pad) must be present. These trenches lined with coarse sand or gravel provide the channel through which wastewater from perforated pipes is dispersed and eventually absorbed by the earth. Their location and size is determined during permit processing.
Your tank's inlet and outlet piping should consist of watertight 4-inch schedule 40 PVC or cast iron pipe with watertight 4-inch schedule 40 PVC or cast iron fittings featuring watertight sanitary tees or baffles to prevent floating scum from clogging the inlet and absorption fields. Six-inch inspection pipes should also be located above these baffles or tees and be capped when not in use.
As your septic tank and pipe installation begins, water service to your home will be interrupted for an installation period. Be sure to have enough drinking water available during this period and may consider renting out a portable bathroom so your family has somewhere comfortable to use during installation.
Septic Tank Installation Process information written by Franklin TN Septic Pro. We meet all your septic system service needs.
Septic Tank Installation Septic tanks are underground containers designed to contain wastewater before it can be sent down the drain field. Solid waste will settle at the bottom of the tank while oil and grease accumulate on its surface as scum. Installation of a septic tank involves prepping the soil, digging up, connecting the inlet…