Question about septic tanks

[mgamber]

I have a small house out behind our main one. I would like to pour a concrete patio between the two houses.

However, it is my understanding that the septic thanks are located at one end between the two houses.

Questions;

1. Can I pour a 3 or 4" patio over the top of these thanks? I would assume I would need a "lid" that gave access for pumping.

2. What is the likelyhood of ever replacing these thanks and needing to did the patio up?

 

[mbohuntr]

Your going to have them pumped periodically, possibly replaced someday. I wouldn't put anything that can't be easilly removed. A paver patio maybe?

 

[Pirate]

Read http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/140612-septic-tank-driveway-6.html#post1648940 post.

 

[Lasgambler]

I have had jobs where we needed paving over the tank, you can pave over the tank, but as you know not the leach feild. You can go to a precast supply yard and buy "Lift Rings and a new Cast Iron Lid". The rings come in diff. heights so you can combine them to bring the new lid to the proper grade. Terry

 

[CurlyDave]

How about a ground level deck instead of a patio?

Use screws and PT framing under something like Trex and you can scoot it over for access to the tank.

 

[biggerten]

How about a ground level deck instead of a patio?

Use screws and PT framing under something like Trex and you can scoot it over for access to the tank.

I see all you folks live in the tropics. I'm in Northern Wisconsin and have had my septic freeze a couple times. I dug up my tank, put about a foot of styrofoam insulation on top and reburied it, made a 12" 'plug' for the access cover out of rigid insulation, keep about 12" of straw over the drainfield, and let the snow that falls on top of the tank and drainfield remain undisturbed to take advantage of it's insulative properties.

So, I'd never pave or build a deck over it. Down south? I like CurlyDave's idea.

 

[Lasgambler]

I see all you folks live in the tropics.

LOL I wish the Tropics. Forecast for about 104 here the day after tomorrow. Good point about the ground freezing. We don't have that problem here. If we did I would not consider paving over the tank. thanks for the insight. Terry

 

[mgamber]

How about a ground level deck instead of a patio?

Use screws and PT framing under something like Trex and you can scoot it over for access to the tank.

Ground level deck... How? Dig down the dirt and build a frame? That would seem to cause a problem with water pooling under the decking. I think the only options are to put some kind of surfacing there. Concrete would seem to be the cheapest, easiest, and lowest maintenance. Next would be a brick patio. I need to precisely locate the tanks. Maybe concrete up to the edge of the tanks and then use pavestones from there over the tanks. That way if it ever needs to be replaced it won't be too damaging.

 

[Soundguy]

assuming the same size / shape tank gos in...

course.. that's what abrasive saws and pick axes are for..

soundguy

 

[Highbeam]

There's nothing permanent about concrete. I've removed more patios than I have removed septic tanks. Do leave access for the one or two manholes, leave access for the inlet baffle port and the outlet baffle port. That could be four access ports that you'd need to leave for the routine maintenance.

Most of the time folks around here abandon a failed tank in place and put the new one in in a slightly different location. Attach the inlet and outlet and go on pooping. That is easier than extracting an old nasty tank.