Septic Systems

[MomOfToo]

I am not sure where to post this but I need some advice and wanted to know if anyone knows anything about septic systems! We are buying a house that is in need of a new septic system. The sellers are paying for it and the septic guy suggests that the new system go to the front of the side of the house, there is a slight slope or hill, its not steep but that is where it most likely will go. When I mentioned this to someone they told me that is not a good idea because the tank can overflow if it is on a hill. But from my understanding from the septic person, the fields will be on the hill but the tank towards the backyard, which is flat. Does anyone know if the hill is a bad idea period? Also I heard that 'mound systems" are a bad idea, does anyone know anything on this subject? I want to make sure that we don't run into a problem with the location. Thanks!

[pushkins]

If it is a true "mound system" then the tank is in the mound and the leach lines are spread away from the tank, with this system and the tank being higher than the lowest plumbing in the house there is a smaller tank that collects the waste and then a pump that pumps it up into the tank, from there the normal septic tank system resumes.

Most if not all cities/counties have very strict codes for septic tanks and systems, contact your local plumbing department at City Hall or County Inspections dept. for who is in control of codes in your area.

Make sure you do this, if someone installs a septic system in the wrong/unapproved place they can make you remove it and then re apply for permits and allowable locations for installation. Nowadays most environmental/plumbing departments are very VERY concerned with unapproved installations.

[mrcaptainbob]

There are some really great updates for treating household effluent. The treatment causes the water to be so clean that it can be used for bathing or swimming! An additional treatment will actually make it drinkable!! We considered this approach on some property that was deemed undesirable because of non-perking issues. Many states and counties are getting on board with accepting this practice.

[canoebuilder]

Wether the system is on a slope or flat the gradiant of the lines in the system should comply with local septic codes.
You call him the "Septic Guy" if he is a licenced septic installer he should know all the laws.
The bed of the leaching field should come out of the D-Box or distribution box at a downward slope of no more then 1/4 inch per foot this so if it is on a slope the ditch on the upper end may be quite deep as will the tank and D-Box so the lower end of the leaching field is under ground the proper requiered depth.
Gerry

[MomOfToo]

Thanks for your responses. The sellers are having 4 different septic companies come out and see where is the best option to intall the new septic system. I know in my town the department of health has to okay the location. I just don't want to run into problems if it is put in on a slope. The septic company that we had do the inspection said that he thinks the slope is the best area because it is the driest. Does anyone know will heavy rains will disturb the area or will curtain drains need to be put into place to help soak up the extra water? Excuse me if these questions sound dumb but I have never had to deal with septics before and I am getting "advice" from other parties that suggest a slope is not the best place for a septic system.

[MomOfToo]

So far two septic companies have suggested it be put on the slope. Would they really suggest this if it was to have problems down the road?

[canoebuilder]

Depending on the angle of the slope and how well you can maintain the soil and grass on the slope and of corse how much rain you get.
My sister, whose leaching field is on a 20 degree slope in her front yard had no problem....until...she dicided to resead her lawn.
To do this she had a machine come in and chop the soil and grass on her lawn up so the seed would get into the soil.
After this was done they had a few days of heavy rain and all this disturbed soil just washed down into the road and left gullies down to the leaching bed so it was a costly lawn project.
If you can maintain the lawn above the field you should be OK. and also regular schedualed tank pumping so no solids get into the field should always be observed so leaching field will work.
All fields will fail after XXX years depending on the Perc Test that will give the amount of fluids that your soil can handle.
The driest place on the property is probably the best place for the field.
Gerry

[MomOfToo]

Thank You! This area is the driest area on the land.

[crabjoe]

Contact your county health department, because no matter what Septic people do, the health departments going to want to inspect it.

[MomOfToo]

your saying that you shouldn't disturb the land on top of the fields? I am assuming this is the same even if the fields were located on flat land as well. So it really doesn't matter if its on a slope or not-just basically keep up with maintaining the septic by regular pumping and no objects put down the drain/ toiliets and leave the land alone and everything should be okay, especially with a new system? The system they had there was 42 years old! Not bad I guess they did something right....