Leach field question.

[RedNeckRacin]

I'll add one more to the pile. A structure needs compacted fill for support and a leach field needs undisturbed soil to be able to percolate. 2 completely opposite desires for the ground use. I'll also echo the what if you get a backup problem? Just relocate the field even if you don't expand. Driving over it is a real bad idea.

 

[oosik]

I inspected septic systems for 18 years. Driving over/on them is an excellent way to find out how much a new one is going to cost you. Build over it and you will risk not being able to sell the build that is built over it nor the building that uses it.

 

[big bubba]

to continue this discussion. the above replies on this thread are much more educated in matters septic than myself.
am considering installing a bathroom/septic system at my hideaway cabin. the site is good for the leach field, however will be in an area where i mow with my 1100# zero turn.

so what problems can occur with the lead line, the tank itself, and lateral line using the mower? so would gravel help prevent compaction, etc. do not plan driving heavy equip or vehicles, just mower.....your thoughts? best regards, happy new year

 

[RedNeckRacin]

to continue this discussion. the above replies on this thread are much more educated in matters septic than myself.
am considering installing a bathroom/septic system at my hideaway cabin. the site is good for the leach field, however will be in an area where i mow with my 1100# zero turn.

so what problems can occur with the lead line, the tank itself, and lateral line using the mower? so would gravel help prevent compaction, etc. do not plan driving heavy equip or vehicles, just mower.....your thoughts? best regards, happy new year

I am assuming that you havery a soIL profile and a percentage test to make the previous statements so I'll only address your specific questions. Driving over the piping to the tank and to the field is ok as long as there is sufficient cover for the pipe you are using. Schedule 40 pipe is much stronger than schedule 20. If you are using a pre cast concrete septic tan you should have no problems running over it with a lawn mower but I don't recommend doing it just because of the risers are probably going to limit the access unless you bury them and at that point I wouldn't want to driver over a lid anyways. If you look online you can see how little cover there is over a correctly installed septic system and I do not suggest driving any equipment over it for any reason. The laterals in my system are 5' wide and 50' long and only take a few minutes to mow by hand. That little bit of aggravation is much less than the cost of a new system.

 

[GSVette]

Having just been through installation-you do have options that allow for driving over your laterals. I installed the drive over rated infiltrators which are rated for a much heavier ground loading than any of my equipment has-that being said, I still will avoid my drain field as much as possible in order reduce soil compaction over the Infiltrators.

 

[ch1ch2]

I do not recall anything special.
It was put in in '95.

Been driving over it with tractors and pu trucks and RV's for many years. No problems. You can see where the lines are buried in the summer by the green grass and in the dry times by the dead grass over the gravel.

 

[herm0016]

I would avoid driving over with anything heavy. my field of 8 lines 100 feet long of infiltraters is 4 feet down and the installer told me it was no problem to drive over it with my pickup. Maybe the older style pipes are more susceptible to damage of heavy weight over them. the Infiltrators are also designed to limit evaporation. I put a plastic shed over my field, but i would not put anything permanent.