Installing new septic system

[kennyd]

I think your best option is a sewage ejector pump (lift pump) in the basement.

The rough-in for it is very cheap, it is just a basin under the floor just like a sump pump basin. All the drains for the bath rough-in just go to this basin. The basin also gets it's own vent line as well. Usually 2" PVC is used for both the vent and the discharge lines.

When you finish the bath, you will just need to buy the pump, drop it in the hole, and hook up the discharge line. The pumps sell for about $300.00 here, and the basin is about $50.00 or so.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

We did the live in the shop thing while the house was built also, I real nice way to go.

The septic line from the shop to the tank is 4" and runs almost 180'. Not a single problem in the 4-5 months of shop living. We have an RV dump at the shop and a clean out about the mid way point.

The septic tanks (the county requires engineered systems with a pump as the minimum, and some people get stuck with a mound system even), are about 75' from the nearest corner of the house. We wanted further also but the lay of the land would not have allowed for a pump truck to get there.

Then our drain field is several hundred feet away from the tanks.

As mentioned put in any plumbing needs and vents during construction as it is much easier and cheaper to do now.

Since you are in California, do you need to have a septic person design a system? They seem to have lots of rules down there.

Also on our septic tanks I had them put on two foot risers over them for the access points, backfilled with the digout clay and room then for top soil when the yard goes in. Are you able to put in a 9' riser? I have no idea if it is possible but it might be.

Also can you have a septic guy come out and give you a bid, and explain to them what you want. He/she may have ideas as I am sure you are notthe first one to have this problem.

steve

 

[stumpfield]

Since you are in California, do you need to have a septic person design a system? They seem to have lots of rules down there.
steve

I don't know about other parts of California... It seems pretty simple here. The county charges $150 permit fee for both the well & septic permits together. The county health dept. sent someone out to test the soil and give us the minimum design on the permit. Basically, a 1000 gal tank and 207' of leach line and specs on how deep and wide the trenches should be and min. distance from the well. This is the best $150 I ever spent and I thought it was excellent service and saw our tax dollars at work We are putting a 1500 gal tank because believe or not, the 1500gal tank is cheaper than the 1000gal tank because they made and sell more of those here. The septic contractor will install the get the health dept back to inspect the sign-off.

 

[Highbeam]

I don't know about other parts of California... It seems pretty simple here. The county charges $150 permit fee for both the well & septic permits together. The county health dept. sent someone out to test the soil and give us the minimum design on the permit. Basically, a 1000 gal tank and 207' of leach line and specs on how deep and wide the trenches should be and min. distance from the well. This is the best $150 I ever spent and I thought it was excellent service and saw our tax dollars at work We are putting a 1500 gal tank because believe or not, the 1500gal tank is cheaper than the 1000gal tank because they made and sell more of those here. The septic contractor will install the get the health dept back to inspect the sign-off.

That's the way it should be. Keep it simple, clean, and cheap. A bigger septic tank can only help the situation by providing more residence time in the tank for the slow anaerobic bugs to chow down.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

Stumpfield,

glad to here the county doing a good job for you.

steve

 

[LC Brewing]

Are you able to put in a 9' riser? I have no idea if it is possible but it might be.

Most places have a maximum riser height of 48" before you are required to make the riser 48" or more in diameter. It becomes considered a "confined" space because of the depth, narrow space, and hazardous (sewer gas) conditions. Also, you have to be careful with placing a tank that deep due to possible limitations in the tank strength - most tanks aren't designed to be able to withstand heavy traffic or loads, and putting more than 4' of soil over the tank may be too much weight.

 

[Nat]

Here in NC the line from the House to the tank falls under plumbing and from the tank on is septic. Here the code call for 4" sch 40 pipe with a cleanout every 80 feet. I had the tank 300' and 16 ft lower than the house on my last house and never had a second of problems with it. I had to install it that far away because the land at the house wouldn't perk. Go ahead and install it, you won't have any problems, and much cheaper and more dependable that a lift pump, remember the old addage KISS.
later, Nat

 

[stumpfield]

Septic system installation completed and inspected today. We were able to have the tank placed at 10' lower than natural grade of the house to accommodate a future bathroom in the basement.

Here are some pictures:

 

[Highbeam]

I am freaking amazed that they didn't use pick holes with the tank to lift it off the truck. That's a real nice place you have there with nice trees.

 

[stumpfield]

I am freaking amazed that they didn't use pick holes with the tank to lift it off the truck. That's a real nice place you have there with nice trees.

Thanks. The delivery truck came and drop the tank in the hole without a sweat. It took less then 5 minutes. I guess they got the right equipment for the job.