Design: The First Step In A Successful Septic System Installation

Homes and businesses that are located in areas without access to a municipal sewer system rely on septic tanks to dispose of waste. Installing a septic system sounds like a fairly straightforward process, but it can be easy to make mistakes during installation if you aren't prepared.

A detailed and comprehensive design is needed to keep the installation on track. Be sure that you are taking the first step toward a successful septic system installation by focusing on these three elements during the design phase.

Tank Size

Both solid and liquid waste that goes down the drain in a home or business makes its way to a holding tank in a septic system. The size of the holding tank can have a direct impact on the performance of the septic system as a whole over time.

Routine pumping is required to keep the septic tank from overfilling. You want to size your tank appropriately so that you can balance holding capacity with maintenance costs. Septic tank sizing is based on the number of people expected to use plumbing fixtures on a regular basis.

An experienced septic company can help you evaluate your needs so that you can size your septic tank appropriately.

Drain Field Size

A second consideration that you will need to make when installing a new septic system on your property is the size of the drain field. Liquid waste is moved from the holding tank into a percolation area known as a drain field.

The wastewater passes through perforated pipes and into the surrounding soil, allowing for natural filtration. The necessary size of your drain field will be dependent on the type of soil on your property.

A smaller drain field will suffice if your soil is highly permeable. You will need a larger drain field if you have soil that stays fairly saturated throughout the year.

Drain Field Location

The location of the drain field is another important factor to consider as you are designing your new septic system. It's important that you plan to install your drain field in a location that is void of any large trees. The roots of these trees can infiltrate the numerous pipes in the drain field, causing significant damage over time.

Your drain field should also be located in an area where no heavy machinery or automobiles will travel over the top of the buried pipes. The weight of heavy equipment or cars could crush the drain field pipes, preventing proper drainage.

To learn more about septic installation, contact a septic system service near you.

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