There's no way around it -- installing a new septic system is expensive. This can be even more painful if you discover that you need to install a new septic system while you're in the process of selling your house. And unfortunately, there's no generic answer to how much a septic system will cost. The only sure way to find out is to get a number of competing quotes.

Septic systems will vary in price depending on a few different factors such as material costs, the company which you hire to install the system, the area in which you live and the type of septic system which you have installed. In general, gravity-powered conventional septic systems are the least expensive.

Concrete septic tanks are generally cheaper than high density polyethylene tanks -- though they won't last as long. Other types of septic systems such as aerobic tank systems cost substantially more, as they require more complicated electrical pumps and alarms.

Other Costs

A quick call to your Town Hall should provide you with the costs for any permits you will need during the process.

The best approach to estimating your costs is to get on the phone with your friends and neighbors. Find out who had a septic system installed, and which septic companies they used. Local realtors are also likely to provide a wealth of information on this topic, as they have likely dealt with home sellers who needed to have a septic system replaced.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

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Whether you're installing a septic system in a new home, it is a costly and potentially stressful job. This post deals with the process of installing a conventional gravity-powered septic system.

Installing a septic tank is not a task to undertake lightly. There are regulatory issues that must be addressed, you'll often have to get a permit from your local town, and there are plumbing and environmental issues to consider. You'll want to work closely with a septic company -- if you haven't chosen one, now is a good time to choose a septic contractor.

Evaluating Your Site

Your septic contractor will begin by determining how large of a drainage field and septic tank you need. This decision will be influenced by an estimate of how much wastewater your house is likely to produce (generally based on the number of bedrooms), and by an analysis of the soil in your yard. There are a couple of different tests that septic designers use.

Installing the holding tank

Before choosing the location to install your septic tank, your septic contractor will need to check local regulations and the soil quality. Most municipalities require tanks and leaching fields to be located a minimum distances from houses, wells, streams, etc. The size of your septic system will depend as well on how many bedroom you house has (including any you plan to add down the road!) Since septic tanks are stored below ground, tank installation generally requires a backhoe to dig an adequate hole. Inlet and outlet pipes must also be planned for an laid during initial installation.

Installing the leaching field

The size of your leaching field depends on a number of factors, including the size of your septic tanks, the type and absorptive capacity of your soil, and the particular technology that you've chosen to absorb the wastewater. Again, your contractor can help you through this process.

The exact location of your leaching field within your yard will vary, based on a number of factors, including local regulations, the slope of your yard and your home's location on that slope, and the composition of the soil in different parts of the yard.

Other Issues to Consider

If you're installing a concrete septic tank, don't forget that they are immensely heavy, weighing up to 10 tons! The company delivering the tank will likely do so on a large truck and require a crane to remove the tank.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

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Where is the opening to my Septic Tank?

If it's time to have your septic tank cleaned this is a critical issue! It can get tricky, because the opening is typically buried several feet under the ground! It's no fun digging multiple holes in a yard, hoping to get lucky and hit the septic tank. If you have a septic system, but don't know where the opening is, go through the documents you received when you purchased your home. If you're lucky, the previous owner included a map. If not, can you get a hold of the previous owner? How about calling around to the different septic contractors that maintain systems in your town and try to find the one that serviced your home before you owned it?

How often does my Septic Tank need to be cleaned?

How often you need to clean your septic tank depends on a few factors, like how many people live in your household and how large your septic tank is. The general answer is 1-3 years. Most home owners usually have their septic tank cleaned every two years, this kind of steady, regular maintenance will help keep you trouble free.

Why should I bother cleaning my Septic Tank?

Think of all of the wastewater that is used in your home. You have wastewater from the toilet, and water that goes down the drain from when you cook and clean or even run the garbage disposal. It is full of food and grease and bugs and all of those things you will never (and hope never) to see again. Some of this matter accumulates at the bottom of the tank or gets stuck floating near the top, lessening the capacity of your septic tank and increasing your water bill.

The septic tank is cleaned by pumping all of the sludgy matter out of the tank to be hauled away and disposed of elsewhere.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

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A is a necessary procedure, especially for prospective homebuyers who are interested in a particular property and wish to determine if the septic system is working properly. Most septic inspections are done in a non-invasive manner, which means that the inspector does not need to dig up the septic tank and system parts in order to determine that it is working properly. Although septic inspections will vary from company to company, there are a few general steps which many septic inspectors follow in their inspections.

Basic Steps of a Non-Invasive Septic Inspection

The first step in a basic inspection is to examine the liquid level inside of the septic system access areas. After an initial review of the liquid level, the water is turned on in the home and left to run for a specified period of time in order to have the liquid fill up. The inspector will then check the access pipes as well as the absorption area surrounding the septic system. When inside of the home, the septic system inspector will flush toilets, run water and identify drain lines to determine how the drainage system is set up.

Defects may be noticed by the inspector in the way of too much water seepage in the absorption area or a liquid level which is too high. The inspector will make note of these potential defects and alert the prospective buyers of anything that appears to be concerning in nature. The inspector will be able to provide information to the buyer which can help them to determine whether or not the septic system is in faulty working order and to what extent. Based upon the information gathered by the septic system inspector along with the personal judgment of the buyers, the future potential homeowners must decide if going ahead with the purchase is a wise idea or if the possibly faulty septic system is too much for them to handle.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: septic.com