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