3 Things You Need Before Installing a New Septic System

A new septic system is a large undertaking; months of planning often occur before the system can finally be installed. The land must be perc’d, inspected and permits must be obtained to begin the final process. Septic systems require the right distance from the home, soil that will allow for filtration and the pipes in place for waste transportation. There are many steps that must accomplished before the system can be completed. Here are three of the things you will need before your septic system can be installed.

  1. Layout. A layout plan is needed to prepare for your septic system installation. This is like a blueprint for a home, outlining the different components of the septic. The layout will show where the pipes, tank, drain field and distribution box will be located. Keep in mind the trees and landscaping that are in place that could interfere with your plumbing.
  2. Permits. You will need permits from your county or city for your septic system. Your septic system installation company can often help with this process. An inspection is usually required before permits will be issued.
  3. Tank size. Before you can install your system, you need to decide what size tank will be needed for your home. You want a tank that will be large enough for your current and future needs. Your septic professional can help you decide what size you need.

Of course, these three steps are just a few of the many factors that should be considered before installation. Having a professional septic company to help you navigate the preparation process will make sure that your installation goes smoothly and your system will last for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

What Size of Septic Tank Do You Need?

When you are adding a septic system to your property for your home, the size of septic tank you use will be important. Not only are there building and environmental regulations that you must meet – building codes require certain size tanks based on the size of the home – but you want to plan for future needs as well. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when determining what size septic tank is needed for your home.

Most residential septic tanks range from between 750 and 1250 gallons. The specifications in most building codes look at the size of the home and number of bedrooms, since there is no way to know for sure how many people will live in the home. A smaller tank of 750 gallons is designed for a home with one or two bedrooms and less than 1,500 square feet. Larger homes with three or four bedrooms may need a 1250-gallon tank or larger.

However, meeting the minimum requirements is not all you should consider. If you plan on having a full household or entertaining many guests, a bigger tank may be needed. And, you want to plan for any additions you may make in the future – adding more rooms could require you to put in a larger tank. It will save money to have a larger tank installed from the beginning.

If you are not sure what size of septic tank you should use for your home, talk to your local septic service company. They can help you determine the best size and material to use for your new septic tank, as well as the right placement and installation.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Choosing the Right Size Septic Tank

If you are building a new home with a septic or replacing an existing system, choosing your tank size is a crucial decision. You don’t want a tank that is too small; that will mean frequent pumping and possible backups if it gets too full, too quickly. But a tank that is too large can be a waste. Although there are set parameters you can follow based on the size of your home, there are other considerations. The number of bedrooms or bathrooms in your home is just the basic measurement. Here are a few other factors to keep in mind:

  • Daily usage. The rule of thumb for septic tanks is that it should hold at least double the amount of your daily usage. While this is a good estimate, keep in mind your usage can change. For young families, that usage may grow.
  • Plan for growth in household. Are you planning to have more kids or have parents move into your home in the future? If your household will grow in the next few years, consider the extra space you will need in your septic tank to accommodate a larger family.
  • Excessive use. Make sure to consider any additions you may make to your home. If you may run a business out of your home or do other work that will use excessive water, you may need a tank that can handle the extra use.

Of course, you will need to meet the legal requirements for your municipality or county. Talk to your local septic service company for help choosing the right size tank for your new septic system.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

Do Your Have The Right Size Septic System For Your Family?

When a new septic system is installed, it must be rated to handle the size of home it’s servicing. However, many home builders may choose to install the smallest system necessary. If you have a large family, you may be pushing your septic to its limit. This means you will need to have your tank pumped more often, and most likely will need more maintenance performed. When all factors are considered, it may be a wise investment to upgrade your system to a larger size.

Do You Need A Bigger Septic Tank?

The biggest difference in septic system sizes is the tank. When determining what size tank to install for a home, most builders base this on the number of bedrooms and total square footage of the home. However, many homes have additions built over time, or may have more people living in the home than was originally planned. This could mean that the tank is much too small for the current family living in the home.

Some indicators that it may be time to upgrade your septic tank size include:

–        Your family has grown by two or more people

–        Your septic tank needs to be pumped every year

–        You have remodeled or added rooms to your home

Upgrading your septic system is not as expensive as installing a new septic system. Many of the same components can be still used with a larger tank. Upgrading can save you money in the long room on maintenance and repairs, plus add value to your home. Discuss the option of upgrading your septic tank with your local septic service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

Proper Tank Size Is Critical For An Effective Septic System

If you are building a new home with a septic system or replacing the septic system at an existing home, properly sizing the tank is important to ensure the septic system operates properly and provides many years of reliable service.   The main components of a septic system are the drain line that collects the waste water from the residence, the septic tank, and the drain field (or leach field).

The drain line routes the waste water to the septic tank where it is held for about 48 hours to allow solid material to settle to the bottom and form the sludge layer and grease and oil to rise to the surface to form the scum layer.  A series of baffles hold the sludge layer and scum layer in the tank while allowing the liquid effluent to flow into the drain field where it percolates into the soil.

Installing a septic tank that is too small will cause it to be overloaded with wastewater.  The solid material will not have sufficient time to sink to the bottom or float to the top and will instead flow out into the leach field with the effluent where it will clog the drain field and ultimately cause the system to back up or for untreated sewage to make its way to the surface of your yard.

On the other hand, installing a septic tank that is oversized does not cause much of a problem.  In fact, you may be able to go longer between scheduled septic tank pumping.  Be careful not to get complacent – have the system inspected every couple years to see if it is time to have the septic tank pumped.

 

Septic Tank Size Considerations

If you are installing a new septic system in your new home or replacing the existing septic system, it is important to make sure that the septic tank is properly sized for your situation.  Your sewer-septic professional will be able to help you determine the minimum size for your septic tank, but a basic understanding of the variables to consider will help you make an appropriate choice.

A septic system is made up of a drain line, a septic tank, the leech field, and the soil under the leech field.  Each of these components has an important job to do and the septic system will fail if any of these components is not functioning properly.

The septic tank is designed to hold wastewater from your home long enough to allow most of the solid material to settle out to the bottom of the tank.  The septic tank also allows greasy scum to float to the top of the tank.  The septic tank is designed with baffles to hold the scum layer and the solid waste in the tank, but allow the effluent to flow out to the leech field.

A properly sized septic tank will be large enough to hold the wastewater for about 24 to 48 hours before it flows into the leech field.  Based on average water usage, a septic tank for a three bedroom home should be at least 1,000 gallons.  A 1,200 gallon tank is appropriate for a 4 bedroom home, and a 1,500 gallon tank is suitable for a 5 to 6 bedroom home.

If your home is equipped with a garbage disposal or if you anticipate unusually high water usage, it is a good idea to use the next higher septic tank size.