Site and Soil
Where your septic is going to be located is very important. It would help if you thought about where it can go concerning a water well, or high-traffic areas with heavy equipment.
You don’t want your septic to be in a place that is frequently driven over by large equipment. Ideally, you want it to be somewhere that will be undisturbed other than mowing and regular yard maintenance.
Depending on the type of soil in your area, you may get a conventional septic system or an aerobic system. I will be covering some basics of the conventional system.
Equipment and Process
Putting in a septic system is a big undertaking. You will need a large excavator or backhoe to dig the tank holes and the septic line runs.
Before you can begin the process of breaking any ground, you will need to get a proper permit. Usually, the licensed installer will either get this for you or help you in this process. Most counties will not allow unlicensed installation of septic systems!
Once everything is dug out, my concrete storage tanks are lowered into the hole by a truck crane or a large backhoe.
Layout
These tanks will be put somewhat close to the house. The green lids of these tanks will come just above yard level. Next, they will be leveled and secured. They will tie these tanks to your house and with each other with a large PVC pipe.
The layout of your lateral lines (drainage field) depends on what your yard is like. In my instance, I was wide open behind my house so my runs went straight out. The size of your house will determine how many linear feet of lateral lines are needed.
If memory serves me correctly I have roughly 160-175 feet of lines for my 3 bedroom, 2 and ½ bath house.
Installation and Inspection
Although different materials can be used, commonly a black plastic ribbed dome makes up the lateral line. There is preparation in the ditch with gravel being installed underneath to allow for proper drainage.
Each of the sections locks together and is laid into the ditch with a very gradual slope underneath. Once everything is tied into the tanks and tied together, an inspection is needed from the county before covering everything up.
Cover-up and Cleanup
Once the inspection is performed, the dirt is pushed back over the trenches. This is done gently because you do not want to dislodge or collapse a section.
After everything is covered up, take into account that there could be some settling in the freshly moved dirt. You may need to come and fill in low spots to level your yard out.
Be careful not to drive super heavy equipment over the lateral lines or tanks (especially when it is wet). This could cause a line to collapse and result in sewage backups and having to dig up and replace all your lateral lines.
Grass seed can be sown on top of the freshly replaced dirt and you are well on your way to having a beautiful yard with a septic system underneath.
In Closing
A septic system is going to be out of most people DIY league. It is helpful that you as a homeowner know that process so that you can be involved with whoever is hired to do it. The cost I paid for my system was around $7500. My system was a relatively simple system that did not require advanced equipment or time. If your soil type is very rocky or clay that cost can rise quickly.
