Are You Considering Converting from Septic to Sewer?

May 5th, 2015 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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Have you been given the opportunity to connect to a municipal sewer line at your home? While there are some advantages to owning a septic system, most people prefer the convenience of a city sewer service. While septic systems do not require a monthly fee, they do need ongoing maintenance and repairs that can add up to as much, if not more, than the costs of paying for sewer service. If you are considering switching, here are a few things to keep in mind.

No More Equipment Maintenance or Pumping

Owning a home with a septic system means you must perform regular maintenance on the equipment, plus have your tank pumped every few years. Once you convert to sewer, there is very little maintenance that must be done.

Get Your Yard Back

For years parts of your yard have been off-limits due to your drain field. By converting to sewer, you will eventually get the full use of your yard back once the drain field is no longer needed or necessary.

Increase Your Home’s Value

If selling your home is in your future, a conversion to sewer is a wise move. Many people will forego even looking at a home for sale if it is on a septic system.

If you make the decision to move forward with a septic to sewer conversion, you need a trusted sewer-septic company that can help you through this transition. There are permits and legalities that must be followed, so find a local company that has expertise in these conversions. A quality sewer company will handle many of the regulatory issues for you and help you transition smoothly from septic to sewer in your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Types Of Sewer Pipe Replacements

June 16th, 2014 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Although sewer pipes can last for forty to fifty years or more, eventually there comes a time when they will need to be replaced. The difficulty with replacing these pipelines is that they are buried underground, often below a homeowner’s lawn. Traditionally, these pipes need to be dug up by creating an open trench and physically replaced, which can destroy expensive landscaping and also be labor intensive. However, which new technology, there are alternatives for sewer pipe replacement.

Trenchless Versus Open Trench Sewer Replacement

When it comes to sewer pipe replacement, there are now two options: trenchless or open trench. For homeowners who are looking for a fast, economical way to replace old sewer pipes, trenchless methods can be a viable option. Here are the differences:

–        Trenchless. Using newer technology, sewer contractors are able to leave the existing pipes underground, rather than digging a trench to remove old sewer pipes. Instead, two holes are dug, one at each end of the sewer line. A bursting tool is pulled through the old pipe, shattering it into pieces as it pulls a new pipe into place behind it.

–        Open Trench. The traditional method digs an open trench, removing the old pipe, then replacing it with new pipe, usually PVC, ABS or cast iron. While this can make a mess of the lawn and take more time than trenchless replacement, sometimes it is the only option. If there is not sufficient space between sewer lines and other utilities, it may not be possible to burst the old pipe into the surrounding earth without causing larger problems.

Anyone who is considering replacing their sewer pipes should research all their options. Trenchless sewer line replacement can be less expensive, plus it is quicker and causes less damage to the property. To learn more, hire an experienced sewer line replacement contractor to have your sewer system inspected and find out what options are available to you.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Sewer

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Benefits of Changing from Septic to City Sewer Line

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Most people, if given a choice, would prefer to change from their septic sewer to city sewer line. People tend to prefer a city sewer system because major problems become the responsibility of the controlling municipality. Anyone who has ever experienced a septic system backup on their property can appreciate what a benefit off-site wastewater treatment can be.

  • Public systems are well contained and monitored.  This means the quality of our drinking water is preserved.  Septic tanks can seep and pollute drinking water.
  • Keeping and maintaining a sewer system falls on the homeowner’s responsibilities and can be quite costly. When homeowners don’t take care of their septic system, they can have a very large and expensive nuisance to deal with.
  • When wastewater is not properly treated it can contaminate surface and groundwater and threaten public health.
  • Another benefit of city hookup; your property value will automatically increase.  Most people don’t want to purchase property without the city hookup already in place.
  • In most areas, even if you have a septic tank, if public lines run adjacent to your property, you still have to pay the public sewer charge every month.

Contact your local septic system professional if you are considering changing from your septic system and hooking up with your city’s sewer system. A sewer conversion is not a job you should attempt on your own. This is not a weekend project you can do by yourself.

You will have much comfort in knowing you are no longer responsible for taking care of the beast in your back yard. These trained professionals will help you every step of the way.

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Septic to Sewer Connections

June 4th, 2013 Posted in Sewer Lines
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As cities and towns continue to grow and infrastructure improves, many homes and businesses are now able to access public sewer systems, which did not exist when the home or commercial building was originally built.  As a result, these homes and businesses, which have existing septic systems, now have the option to do a septic to sewer conversion.  While the cost of these conversions is not necessarily inexpensive in the short term, they are often cost effective in the long run, as the cost to of ongoing septic system inspections and septic tank pumping is eliminated.

A qualified and professional sewer and septic contractor, who is a licensed in the jurisdiction the work is to be performed in, will be able to assist in determining if a septic to sewer connection is the right choice by performing a detailed cost / benefit analysis.  In some cases it may be better to leave the home or business on the existing septic system, especially if there are very high “tap fees” associated with making the conversion.  In some areas, “tap fees” are accessed to help pay for the new sewer line, but the sewer contractor will be able to assist in determining if there are any “tap fees”.

If the project moves forward, the sewer and septic contractor selected will be able to economically perform all work related to the project including all necessary permits, coordination with the jurisdiction, installation of the sewer line, restoration of all disturbed areas and all necessary inspections.  In addition, they will work with the jurisdiction on the abandonment of the existing septic system as well, which will be required once the tie is made.

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What Does a Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Entail?

December 19th, 2012 Posted in Septic System
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Conversion from a home septic system to a city sewer system typically requires a fairly significant up-front investment, but can also easily pay for itself in terms of money saved on septic system maintenance and resale value of your home. Furthermore, the elimination of pumping requirements and the nuisance of unpleasant smells is another major perk. If you’re considering a septic to sewer conversion, learning more about the process is probably at the top of your list, as it can be a major undertaking and you’ll want to be prepared for all that it entails before committing to ensure that you’re not faced with surprises during the conversion.

In most cases, converting from a septic system to the city sewer requires disconnecting your home from the septic system, filling the septic tank with soil, and installing a sewer lateral from you home and connecting it to the main line of the city sewer. This is typically a fairly straightforward, if a bit time consuming, process. However, swimming pools, retaining walls, sidewalks and mature trees can present a challenge.

An experienced sewer and septic technician or specialist will be able to work through the obstacles, but it can make the process a bit more expensive and increase the amount of time the conversion takes. Upon completion, however, you will never be faced with the prospect of having your septic tank pumped or lawn saturation during grass dormancy periods. Consulting a technician or specialist in your area to discuss the pros and cons of a septic-to-sewer conversion on your property can help you to make an informed decision about what’s best for your family and your home.

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What Are Septic To Sewer Conversions?

September 27th, 2012 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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If your home is on a septic system, you may consider a sewer conversion if a public sewer option is available.  This idea is especially tempting if your current septic system requires constant repair and attention.  Many homes were built in areas that were not served by a municipal sewer system at the time, but municipal sewer lines were later run out to that area.  In some cases, local ordinances require homeowners in these areas to make the conversion.  In other areas, the choice is left up to the homeowner.

Septic to sewer conversions involve installing a new sewer line between your home and the municipal sewer and disconnecting the septic system.  This is a big job that should be handled by a sewer-septic professional or a plumber.  If your home is not located near a municipal sewer, a septic to sewer conversion is not an option.  The cost of the conversion depends on the distance between your home and the municipal sewer, the degree of difficulty laying the pipe, and whether the municipal authority charges a hook up fee.

Hiring a contractor with sewer conversion experience is a good idea.  Look at company reviews and ask friends, neighbors, and family for recommendations.  Septic to sewer conversions may also require a permit to legally connect to the main sewer lines.  A contractor who specializes in septic to sewer conversion will usually handle getting the necessary permits.   If you have a problematic septic tank, converting your septic tank to a sewer connection can help avoid future problems with the septic tank and also give you peace of mind.

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Septic to Sewer – Making the Conversion Decision

August 2nd, 2012 Posted in Sewer Lines
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Many homeowners whose homes were originally built in an area where there was no municipal sewer service later have an opportunity to hook up to the municipal sewers.  As the local area becomes more developed, sewers and other infrastructure slowly expand into new areas.  In some cases, local ordinances require existing homes to connect to the sewer system, but in most cases the decision is left up to the homeowner.

Septic to sewer conversions can be expensive.  Expect to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 or more to make the conversion.  Most municipal sewer authorities also charge a connection fee although the fee might be waived or reduced for conversions.

Whether it makes sense to convert from a septic system to a sewer system depends on a variety of factors.  Sewer systems have a lot of advantages over septic systems.  For example, a sewer lateral needs very little maintenance and modern PVC or ABS sewer lines are not nearly as susceptible to tree root infiltration as older clay and cast iron sewer lines.  That means that unless the ground shifts or a heavy vehicle drives over the sewer line and crushes it, the sewer lateral should last a very long time with hardly any maintenance.

On the other hand, a septic system needs regular septic tank pumping to stay in good working order.  Also, a leech field can last for decades if properly designed and cared for, but most septic fields need to be replaced after about 20 to 30 years.  Also, you have to be a little more careful about the volume of water and the type of waste material put into a septic system.  Septic systems can suffer from hydraulic overload and are less tolerant of food wastes, household chemicals, and other waste products.

Finally, converting from septic to sewer can increase the value of your home.  Buyers prefer homes with sewer connections and are especially wary of homes with old or failing septic systems.

 

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Septic To Sewer Costs

August 2nd, 2012 Posted in Sewer-Septic Service and Installation
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If you are one of those fortunate homeowners who has the option of converting from a septic system to a sewer connection, be sure to carefully balance the costs against the benefits to see if a septic to sewer conversion is right for you.  The total cost of converting to sewer varies widely depending on your situation, but it can range from$5,000 to $10,000 to complete the job.

First, the new sewer line has to be installed. This involves digging a trench from your home to the municipal sewer line, compacting the soil, and installing the new sewer lateral.  In many cases, installing the sewer lateral is pretty straightforward, but in some cases the sewer lateral will need to be routed under sidewalks, driveways, and patios.  In addition, it can be a little more complicated if the septic system was located in the back of the house because most sewer mains are in front of the house.

Another component that should be factored in is the fee for connecting to the sewer. These fees vary widely, but are commonly between $2,000 and $5,000.  Sometimes the hookup fee is waived or reduced for existing homes that hook up within a year or two of the sewer extension.

Finally, your old septic system will need to be closed.  The septic tank should be pumped, then the lid to the septic tank will be crushed and dropped into the tank.  The septic tank will then be filled with soil.  Abandoning your septic system should cost around $1,000.

 

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