Fraud Blocker Septic System Installation | Montgomery, Chester & Delaware Counties

Septic Tank Installation

The wastewater your household creates is full of dangerous bacteria. Having a fully functioning septic tank is essential to help dispose of it safely, and to keep it from backing up into your sinks and toilets.

For environmental and health reasons, wastewater cannot be released into the ground directly. Whether it is for a new septic tank or a septic tank replacement, this is why a proper septic tank installation is critical when it comes to the efficacy of a home’s plumbing system.

There are a lot of factors that need to be considered during a septic system replacement or a new septic system installation such as the type of septic tank, septic tank location, and your budget for the septic tank. Professionals can ensure that all aspects are put into consideration.

What Is a Septic Tank?

A septic tank is steel or concrete tank that can either be installed under or above the ground. It moderately treats domestic wastewater. The septic tank is designed to hold the wastewater long enough for solids to settle at the bottom and oil and grease to float. The liquid waste is then filtered out.

An underground septic tank requires a drain or leach field. A leach field makes the septic tank require less emptying because it allows for some of the wastewater to filter into the ground, which can reduce your spending over time.

Types of Septic Systems

Septic tank system design and tank size can vary widely, due to a combination of factors. These may include household size, soil type, site slope, lot size, proximity to sensitive water bodies, weather conditions, or even local regulations. Let’s discuss some of the most common types of septic systems used.

Anaerobic Septic Systems

Anaerobic septic systems require the use of bacteria that doesn’t require oxygen to live. In an anaerobic system, there is a septic tank with two main pipes. One pipe leads to the house, and the other pipe leads out into your yard. That main pipe splits into several pipes that sit below the surface of your lawn.

Inside the septic tank, solid waste settles and is eaten by the anaerobic bacteria. Liquid waste floats to the top. Wastewater from the tank moves out to the smaller pipes under the surface, which have holes at their ends. The wastewater then filters out into the soil.

Aerobic Septic System

The aerobic septic system installation uses many of the same processes as a municipal sewage plant, but on a much smaller scale. The aerobic system injects oxygen into the treatment tank.

The infused oxygen in the wastewater helps to add nutrients to the wastewater and efficiently begin the treatment process. Oxygen increases the natural bacterial activity and then provides additional treatment for nutrients in the effluent. Some aerobic systems may also have additional treatment tanks to further reduce pathogen levels.

This septic system comes in handy for homes with smaller lots, inadequate soil conditions, located in areas where the water table is too high, or for homes too close to a body of water sensitive to contamination contained in wastewater effluent.

Gravity Septic Tank System

Every septic system has a common purpose, receiving the wastewater from your home, separating the solids from the liquids, and then disposing of those liquids. A gravity septic system, relies on gravity to do the work.

Wastewater flows from the structure, out and into the septic tank. Here, the wastewater, or effluent, is piped from the septic tank to the drain field. A sturdy geofabric layer works to protect the gravel layer in the drain field from other potential contaminants.

Once the wastewater filters through the clean drain field, it continues to flow further into the soil and is continually treated by naturally occurring microbes as it slowly trickles its way through the soil layer and toward groundwater.

Conventional Septic System

The conventional septic system installation consists of installing a septic tank and a trench with a gravel bed, also known as a drain field.

With this septic system, effluent is piped from the septic tank to the drain field. A geofabric type material is placed on top of the trench so sand, dirt, and other contaminants do not enter the clean stone.

The effluent filters through the stone and is then further treated by the soil below as it seeps into the gravel trench.

Mound Septic System

A mound septic system are alternative septic systems as to other septic tank systems. It rests near the top of the ground and does not use a container for the waste. This type of septic system disposes the waste through sand, and the ground will absorb the waste.

Mound systems are an option in areas of shallow soil depth, high groundwater, or shallow bedrock. While mound systems can be a good solution for certain soil conditions, they require a substantial amount of space and periodic maintenance. 

New Septic Tank Installation Process

A new septic tank system installation or septic tank replacement should be performed through a professional installation by licensed septic system installers who have the experience and necessary equipment to perform the job properly the first time.

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 health department, and there are plumbing and environmental issues to consider.

Evaluating Your Septic System Site

Septic tank installation 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, and by an analysis of the soil in your yard.

Percolation Test

Also known as a “perc test”, which is soil testing that evaluates the rate at which water drains through soil.

Installing the Holding Tank

Before choosing the location to install your septic tank, a review with local authorities to check local regulations must be done.

Most municipalities require tanks and leaching fields to be located certain distances from houses, wells, streams, etc. Inlet and outlet pipes must also be planned for and laid during initial installation.

Installing the Leach Field

Dependent on the system installed, the size of your leaching field depends on a number of factors, including septic tank size, the type and absorptive capacity of your soil, and the particular technology you’ve chosen to absorb the wastewater.

Again, your contractor can help you through this process.

Septic Tank System Cost

There are several things that impact how much your septic system is going to cost. Some types of septic systems require a large amount of space to operate. Therefore, your installation costs will increase.

The price of your new septic system is based on the size of your home, including the number of bedrooms, the type of septic system selected, and the septic tank materials. If you install a new septic system, you must include the additional costs. Let’s review some of those added factors.

Labor Costs

Labor costs must be factored into your project. Typically, you would hire a plumber or other specialist to complete a septic tank replacement or installation construction process.

Percolation Test and Soil Types

Soil is a major factor of cost because if you have well-draining soils, your system will have an easier time filtering the wastewater. If your soil is poor, you’ll have to extend your drain lines more and more to make up the reduced capacity for the soil to filter.

In some cases, soil isn’t viable or you don’t have enough room. A larger drain field equals more materials and more labor.

Permit Fees and Engineering

Permit fees are what they are. Some places have much higher fees. Also, you’ll pay more if your lot requires some sort of special engineering.

Aerobic Systems vs. Anaerobic System

Based on your municipality, some locations require an aerobic system. The basic difference between aerobic and anaerobic septic systems is the presence of oxygen.

Traditional anaerobic septic systems operate with the absence of oxygen. Aerobic septic tanks are also located underground, they use an aerator to add oxygen into the tank. Because of the added complexity and equipment, Aerobic systems are more expensive.

Conventional System vs. Mound Septic System

In some instances, a mound system is required. This system uses a pile of gravel, sand, and other fillers to elevate the septic system. They typically cost more and require extra engineering costs.

Alternative Septic System

Homeowners with limited yard space or looking for more compact options should consider alternative septic systems. These systems are also used with a high water table, poor soil, or high bedrock. Let’s review the types of alternative septic systems are available for homeowners.

Chambered Septic System

Replacing the need for a gravel system, a pump chamber system uses a gravel-less drain field with leaching chambers for the filtration. They are ideal in areas with high groundwater tables or limited gravel.

Constructed Wetland Septic System

Similar to the natural process that occurs in real wetlands, this system cleanses wastewater using bacteria, microbes, and plants. The waste then helps those plants to thrive. This design is the most eco-friendly septic system available.

Drip Septic System

Drip systems are made to “irrigate” septic water over a larger area using long tubing throughout the leach field.

Evapotranspiration Septic System

These systems use a large open-air tank to allow the effluent to evaporate naturally. This type of system works best in climates that receive abundant sunlight and heat.

Pressurized Septic System

This system focuses on using pressure to distribute effluent evenly. It can be paired with other septic systems that focus on water treatment.

Experienced Septic Tank Installers

Our experts can conduct a successful septic installation, and they will ensure that your home is outfitted with a septic tank that is of the appropriate size. This is important as it will ensure wastewater from your home is handled with ease.

Our service providers will ensure your needs will be satisfied as they do everything to provide quality workmanship and excellent customer service. If you are unsure of what size your septic tank should be, give us a call today. We can give you critical information regarding septic tank installation. Make sure you hire experts of septic system and septic tank installation or replacement, call us today!

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