drain fields

[deere_x475guy]

I want to put in my own drain field. The inspector has been out to show me where it goes and how big it needs to be but I have no idea how deep I have to go. Does anyone know of any info on the web. I tired google searches didn't come up with much info on construction.

TIA

 

[Inspector507]

He's also the one that will inspect it. Did you ask him for the guidelines?

 

[Bird]

Bob, are you putting in a new septic tank? Unless you are pumping the effluent to the drain field, the depth of the tank will determine the depth of the drain lines where they come out of the tank. From that point, you want only a slight slope toward the other end of the field. I wouldn't want you to entirely trust to my old memory, but I think the slope is a quarter inch every 10 feet. Of course, I'm assuming by "drain field" you're talking about what we call a leech field for a septic sytem. An installer in my area told me they are supposed to have 6" or more dirt on top of the tank, although I've seen some that were less and I've seen some that were over 2' deep.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Inspector, yes I did and he tired to steer me to some contractors.

Bird, we are building a new home and the tank is already going to be much higher than where he wants me to put the field. The run from the septic tank to where he wants the field is over a 100' with a drop over over 6 feet in that span.

 

[Junkman]

You might think that you are going to be saving money by doing it yourself, but if it isn't done correctly, it will cost you double..... once when you do it, and once when you pay to have it done. If you have never done one with someone that knows what they are doing, then you definitely shouldn't be doing one on your own without first learning exactly the correct way to do it. There is more to a septic system leach field than just a bunch of plastic pipe, some stone, and then covering it. If it were my home, I would pay an experienced contractor to do the work. Failure is not a viable option in this endeavor. The other thing to keep in mind, if you do it yourself and the inspector doesn't approve the system, then he might not allow you to install the next one in the same place. Once you disturb the location, then that alone, might disqualify it for further development.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Well you have me thinking junkman. I guess I will wait for the bids to come in.

Thanks

 

[LarryRB]

In order to sell my house in Massachusetts we had to have the leech field replaced. Now I've run excavators and backhoes for many hours and thought I could do it no problem.. Wait until you need a 6', 2 minute perc buffer, three different sizes of stone, and the board of health guy comes every day, sometimes twice, and checks each and every grade by laser.. Around here, they are pretty strict and they should be. After all, isn't this where the Pilgrims landed? So, our soil conditions and the fact that people been using this same soil for 228 years straight, dictates extremely tough designs.. You're area may have certain soil conditions dictating a certain stone or buffer.. I'd leave this one to someone who knows how to do it. Doesn't hurt for you to stand and watch every move. At least you'll know what your getting and how you got there..

 

[SPIKER]

I( agree with others, septic fields are very zone dependant, meaning the neibors property may be better suited than you'rs for the field... this is somethign an experiance contractor will see right off, you will not. I haven't done one but know the BASICS, and that is not much help if you ran into large under ground rock deposits ect. some areas you can't even put in a level or under ground field. you have to build sand mounds and or use across land sprinlker systems... all stuff WE here can't help you with even if we were IN THE BUISNESS.

now that being said you may be more than qualified to do it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Just remember you're well water will come from the area under the property so what will you be drinking some day /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Mark M

 

[SCB]

Here in WA state, we have to have a licensed design engineer do the soil tests and design the system. I will be installing mine from the plans he has drawn up. Our code for drainfeilds specifies putting in the lines on a level. Yes, it will be checked with a laser, but it will be installed by me with one. Every place has different codes, but mine won't be that difficult to install. However, I have easy soil to work with and will only have to use 1 1/2" rock and clean fill over the lines. You might want to check with the designers in your area. Mine said I can call him at any step of the way if I have questions. Good luck with yours

 

[rozett]

Every state is different in their regulations for waste systems. New Hampshire allowed you to install your own system, but it had to be designed by a licensed designer and approved by the town building Dept. If you didn't install it yourself, you had to use an "approved" contractor.