Q: How can you tell if land is too wet for a septic system? Can an area be covered with a tarp during the wet season to help it pass the perc test?

A: Wet sites are challenging for septic system design and for home building in general. If the seasonal high water table is too close to the surface – less than three feet below the gravel trenches in the drain field – then most jurisdictions will not allow a conventional septic system. They are concerned about inadequate treatment of the sewage and possible contamination of groundwater.

If the depth of the groundwater is not an issue, but the soil is saturated from spring conditions such as rain and snowmelt, then you should still pass the perc test as long as the soil is sufficiently porous. Many towns require that the test be done in the wetter seasons in order to test under worst-case conditions. Also, test procedures typically require soaking the hold overnight to saturate the soil. The slower absorption is factored into the test.

Undisturbed Soil

Tarping the soil to keep it drier might improve the test results, but most agencies that regulate septic systems would consider this a form of soil modification and would not permit it. You would need to contact your local health department for an authoritative answer.

In general, septic system regulations require that perc tests be performed on “undisturbed” soil that has not been filled, graded, treated, replaced, or otherwise modified in any way that would alter its drainage characteristics.

A better approach would be to test the soil at the driest time of the year that is acceptable to the local authorities – certainly not after a week of rain. Drier weather would tend to increase the absorption rate of the soil, but will not change the location of the seasonal high water table, which is usually determined by visual inspection of the soil during the “deep hole” test.

One thing to keep in mind is that a site tested only in the dry season – and without proper saturation of the test hole – may result in a fair-weather septic system. The drain field may not function properly during the wettest parts of the year. You want a septic system with ample capacity year-round and for years into the future. Any effort to “cheat” the perc test could backfire on you in a most unpleasant and expensive fashion.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: buildingadvisor

Failing Septic Systems

How can I prevent a septic system failure?

• Regular maintenance is the best method to prevent a septic system failure. Septic maintenance includes inspecting the entire system every 1 to 3 years and pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years. The frequency for pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, the water habits and use, if a garbage disposal is used, and the amount of solids accumulated in the tank. A rule of thumb is to pump the tank when the solids are two-thirds of the volume in the tank. Routine maintenance is the responsibility of the home or property owner. If you rent a home, you have responsibility for the proper use and operation of the system.
• In general, you can avoid a septic system failure by:
  • Inspecting your system every 1 to 3 years
  • Pumping the tank every 3 to 5 years or as needed
  • Avoiding excess water use (e.g. spreading out laundry use over the week)
  • Flushing only human waste and toilet paper down the toilet.

What are common signs of a failing septic system?

• Water and sewage from toilets, drains, and sinks backing up into the home’s plumbing
• Bathtubs, showers, and sinks draining very slowly
• Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system
• Standing water or damp spots near or over the septic tank or drainfield
• Sewage odors around the septic tank or drainfield
• Bright green, spongy lush grass over the septic tank or drainfield, even during dry weather
• Straight pipe discharging untreated wastewater to the ground surface
• Algae blooms in nearby lakes or waterbodies
• High levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in surface waters or drinking water wells

Do you need a new septic system? Contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: EPA.GOV>

Does my new home have a septic system? How do I find it?

You most likely have a septic system if:

• You are on well water;
• The water line coming into your house does not have a meter;
• Your neighbors have a septic system; or,
• You live in a rural area.
• You can find your septic system by:
• Looking at the “as built” drawing for your home’s septic system, which you can request from your local (e.g., town, county, or state) health department’s records;
• Checking your yard for inspection caps, lids, or manhole covers;
• Working with a septic system service provider, who can help locate the system; and,
• Asking the seller or realtor.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will make, so you want to avoid any surprises after you purchase the home. Just like your furnace, the septic system is expensive to repair or replace so you want it to be in good condition when you buy the home. Have the system inspected by a septic system service provider before you purchase a home. Inspections may be required by your local or state government or by your mortgage lender. Inspection results can help you decide if the home is right for you.

What should happen during a septic system inspection?

The inspector will check for the following:

• Pumping and maintenance records;
• The age of the septic system;
• Sludge levels and scum thickness in the tank;
• Signs of leakage, such as low water levels in the tank;
• Signs of backup, such as staining in the tank above the outlet pipe;
• Integrity of the tank, inlet, and outlet pipes;
• The drainfield, for signs of system failure like standing water;
• The distribution box, to make sure drain lines are receiving equal flow; and
• Available records, to ensure the system complies with local regulations regarding function and location.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: EPA.gov

The national average cost for a septic tank installation is $6,000, according to home improvement network and information site Angi, and odds are, you’ll spend somewhere between $5,000 to $12,000.

Depending on the size and location of your home, as well as the size and material of your tank and your preferred type of septic system, you may find yourself paying even more. HomeAdvisor reports that aerobic septic systems, which use oxygen-loving bacteria to break down waste and require an air pump and more than one tank, can cost up to $20,000 to install.

Septic Tank Prices by Type

A septic tank can be made of four types of material:

• Concrete. This is the most common septic tank material and can last decades, which would make getting one a no-brainer, but it is prone to cracking. Concrete septic tanks prices range from $700 to $2,000, according to Angi.
• Plastic. This is a less expensive material, but plastic is lightweight, and that can lead to structural damage. Plastic septic tank prices range from $500 to $2,500.
• Fiberglass. While unlikely to crack or rust, fiberglass is a lightweight material that can be susceptible to structural damage during installation or if the tanks shift in the soil from the original position. Fiberglass septic tank prices range from $1,200 to $2,000.
• Steel. Steel can rust and the cover may corrode over time, which becomes a safety hazard in your yard. Steel is the least popular material used today; manufacturers and installers generally won’t even touch them. You may have a steel septic tank buried in your yard, but it's unlikely you will be able to purchase one.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

With proper maintenance, a septic system can last as long as 40 years, and some concrete septic tanks may last 100 years. But for that to happen, you can't ignore your septic tank.

The EPA estimates you’ll spend between $250 and $500 to service your septic tank every three years. The EPA suggests that repairing or replacing your septic tank (which is more likely to happen if you don't service it) could cost between $5,000 and $15,000.

Sometimes repairs are needed because the homeowner has been careless.

The most common reason homeowners have their septic tank backup is due to flushing items like wet wipes and feminine products. While some shrug off not flushing those items, it really is a rule that should be followed to a T.

Some wet wipe manufacturers market them as flushable and safe for septic tanks and septic systems, but it’s probably safest to be skeptical about these claims.

You will occasionally need your septic tank pumped, in addition to other maintenance, and the frequency depends on the size of your house. Some experts recommend that a home septic be pumped every three to five years. The cost of septic tank pumping is $550 on average, but it can cost between $175 and $1,600 or more depending on how large your tank is and your geographic location.

If you notice issues with your plumbing or experience water backing up into the home, call a plumber to diagnose the issue. It may be a clogged pipe, but it could also indicate a problem with your drain field, a cracked or damaged septic tank, excess water in the tank or items and chemicals in your septic tank that should not have gone down the drain.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

Before you contact a septic system installer, you'll need to check with your local governing body, such as the city or county, to see what is required to obtain a permit for the installation.

In many places, the local planning board or board of health will have a list of licensed engineers to choose from to design a septic system. The engineer's plans – which take into account the water table, underground water lines, wells and required setbacks from neighbors' property lines – will then go before the local governing board for approval.

Once any plans are approved, you can take the plans to different septic installers for pricing and guidance.

The total cost of your septic system installation varies based on your house, the size of your property, nearest flood plain, soil, preferred tank material and myriad other details. To find out the true cost of your installation, you’ll need to get an estimate. A septic installation professional will likely want to visit your property, take measurements and examine any issues if you’re looking to replace any part of your current septic system.

Reach out to multiple local septic installation or replacement companies to get a few estimates based on the details of your home. While multiple professional visits for estimates may seem like a lot, the knowledge you gain from each conversation can help you decide which company offers the best materials and timeline for you – not just which company offers the lowest price.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

The amount of time it takes to install a septic tank varies based on the weather, type of soil and other factors. Heavy rains saturating the soil will delay an installation, and rocky ground can also slow the process.

Where you install that septic tank really matters, and if you’re buying a home with a septic tank, you’ll want to do your homework to make sure it’s not going to create issues for you later.

Location is hugely important. A lot of buyers don't realize how much the surrounding soil composition and drainage can impact things. That's why it is recommended to potential buyers that they schedule a soil percolation test during their inspection period.

A soil percolation test will provide crucial information about whether the soil can adequately support a septic system, or if expensive upgrades like adding additional drain field lines or a sand filter may be necessary.

These types of fixes can cost tens of thousands and are definitely something buyers need to find out about before officially purchasing.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

First of all, nobody should be scared of buying a house with a septic tank. One out of every five homes has a septic tank, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But you do want to learn about them before you buy a house with a septic tank, and one good way to do that is to have yours inspected. You may have to separate this from your actual home inspection.

A septic inspection is not typically included in an overall house inspection.

Reach out to a septic tank cleaning company and scheduling an inspection before buying the house. You also will want the septic field inspected.

Septic field? Yes, there are septic tanks and septic fields. Both should be considered. Septic fields are the area where the waste drains to. This usually occurs on large properties. Over time, septic fields may become less efficient or too saturated, thereby requiring a second field to be approved by the local town.

While you’re at it, take a look at your trees and where they are in relation to your septic tank. Tree roots can damage a septic tank.

Even if the tree is not directly above the septic tank, they’re attracted to moisture and the waste nutrients.

For more information on septic system inspections, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com

If you are replacing or installing a septic system, you’ll need to know how big your septic tank should be, which is based on the size of your house. It often breaks down in this way:

A 500-gallon tank generally is for a one-bedroom house.
A 750-gallon tank tends to be perfect for a home with two bedrooms.
1,000-gallon septic tanks are advised for a home with three or four bedrooms.
1,200-gallon septic tanks are needed for a house with five or six bedrooms.

For a septic tank under 1,000 gallons, the tank itself will likely cost between $500 and $1,200, according to HomeAdvisor, while a tank that's 1,000 gallons is more likely to cost $900 to $1,500. A septic tank that is 1,200 gallons will likely run you as much as $1,600.

You really need to research what you’re buying.

There are so many factors that go into septic systems. One thing that should always be stressed is that not all septic systems are created equal. Some are very straightforward gravity flow systems that are inexpensive to operate for years to come. However, other properties may require more complex pumped systems that involve electric pumps and higher maintenance costs long term. It's so important for buyers to understand exactly what type of septic they're dealing with early on.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: realestate.usnews.com