Anyone here install their own septic

[fried1765]

Why? It can be done fully legally and state inspected.

Yes it can, but most self installed systems are not permitted or inspected.

 

[PILOON]

Yes it can, but most self installed systems are not permitted or inspected.

My 2 DIY systems were fully inspected and I had permits.
Both those septic DIY properties have since been sold and both needed a city septic report for mortgage purposes.
Since both were also on wells I also provided water analysis to ease mortgage loan application.

 

[4570Man]

Yes it can, but most self installed systems are not permitted or inspected.

In my state it’s legal for a homeowner to install a septic. For a new construction it pretty well has to be permitted and inspected.

 

[Williy]

My second system had a perk test, county inspected system
got the go ahead to cover and everything works just fine.

willy

 

[nyone]

Yes it can, but most self installed systems are not permitted or inspected.

That's a prety ignorant comment. A home owner with a septic plan can install a system just the same as a contractor. An inspection is an inspection no matter who put the system in.

 

[fried1765]

That's a prety ignorant comment. A home owner with a septic plan can install a system just the same as a contractor. An inspection is an inspection no matter who put the system in.

What is "ignorant" about a homeowner installing an unpermitted, or uninspected septic system?
The only ignorance here, is that someone does not comprehend that this commonly done!

 

[PILOON]

I'm in what was cottage country back then but today we have become mostly a retirement community.

Out houses ruled then came DIY septic and some were scary, from a 45 gal holed drum buried and gravel filled to simple pits.
Fortunately most folks are very ecologically minded and have upgraded to proper systems.
I've been here since the '70's so I know a lot of what has gone on.
But there are always some holdbacks that think they can do as they wish on their properties.

What greatly helped was that tour city lent us an inspector to go door to door to inspect septic installations. Said inspector requested a member to accompany him and I was that person.

While there was moaning many complied and did approved installations and I'm sure they are thankfull to this day if U consider the dramatic raise in cost. ($3K then and $30K+ now)

Many of us made DIY systems and got full approvals following inspections.

As an association we organize an annual septic blitz which saves members good $$'s.

These days our common enemy is blue algae and milfoil which are very invasive and visiting boats the enemy.
Milfoil is so invasive that it can choke the life of a lake and there is no known cure.

New day, new battles.

 

[Williy]

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willy

 

[Williy]

Our tank is 1050 gal and by having a large tank and
adding the yeast helping the solids dissolve why pump
when system takes care of its self???? I prefer to have
nature take care of its self!

willy

 

[fried1765]

Our tank is 1050 gal and by having a large tank and
adding the yeast helping the solids dissolve why pump
when system takes care of its self???? I prefer to have
nature take care of its self!

willy

Not quite accurate!
A Loooong time ago it was determined that matter can neither be be created nor destroyed.
If you do not ever pump your tank, you will eventually fill it with sediment from the decomposition process.
Then......you will be buying a complete new system,..... because your drain field will be plugged.

 

[rScotty]

Regardless of where you live, if there is an option to design using infiltrators instead of perf pipe then you should use the infiltrators. Use tanks of more than minimally adequate size and those tanks should have at least two compartments. Put the system in yourself if you wish, but do have it inspected.
All this will cost you little more than a minimal system and you will be glad you did.
rScotty

 

[fried1765]

Regardless of where you live, if there is an option to design using infiltrators instead of perf pipe then you should use the infiltrators. Use tanks of more than minimally adequate size and those tanks should have at least two compartments. Put the system in yourself if you wish, but do have it inspected.
All this will cost you little more than a minimal system and you will be glad you did.
rScotty

Good advice!
I self designed/installed/inspected, back in 1986.
I have a CE degree, and likely knew more about septic systems than any local inspector would.
Infiltrators were not in use locally then, but they are a great design improvement!

 

[PILOON]

In this area the trend is to pump completely and then return the liquid thus actually the only remove the solids.
In this way they can pump more systems per truck outing.
While this sounds reasonable to me, I wonder how widespread is that practice.
My concern is that in the day or so following this practice I wonder how much suspended muddy particles make it to the field which could saturate it and deter absorption.

True that having removed all solids the tank level is down and presumably low enough for suspended particles to have settled before the flow restarts to the field.
At least I hope that's what happens.
Either way I try to limit water usage for the 24 hrs following pumping. (no laundry baths etc)

And speaking of truck outings, as an association we conduct annual blitz campaign and our pumper service passes on his fuel savings thus keeping the fee in a more reasonable range.
Generally about a $25/30. saving compared to a one of call.
We have used the same service for some 10/12 years (but have compared but never changed) as they have proven themselves to be honest and straight forward and haven't come up with 'addons' like extra hose etc plus they do all the required paperwork required by the city for conformity.

 

[fried1765]

In this area the trend is to pump completely and then return the liquid thus actually the only remove the solids.
In this way they can pump more systems per truck outing.
While this sounds reasonable to me, I wonder how widespread is that practice.
My concern is that in the day or so following this practice I wonder how much suspended muddy particles make it to the field which could saturate it and deter absorption.

True that having removed all solids the tank level is down and presumably low enough for suspended particles to have settled before the flow restarts to the field.
At least I hope that's what happens.
Either way I try to limit water usage for the 24 hrs following pumping. (no laundry baths etc)

And speaking of truck outings, as an association we conduct annual blitz campaign and our pumper service passes on his fuel savings thus keeping the fee in a more reasonable range.
Generally about a $25/30. saving compared to a one of call.
We have used the same service for some 10/12 years (but have compared but never changed) as they have proven themselves to be honest and straight forward and haven't come up with 'addons' like extra hose etc plus they do all the required paperwork required by the city for conformity.

Have never heard of that pumping method, and like you, I don't like the idea.
Maybe have the tank pumped while away for a couple of days?