If you’re moving into a new home, it’s only given that you’d want what’s best for yourself at all times. When it comes to disposing your wastewater, you have the choice between picking the usual sewer system which is often provided by the government. You can also choose to have a septic system installed which is preferred by many.
The EPA notes that one in five American homes are equipped with a septic system. Septic systems are efficient in disposing of your wastewater and bringing it back to the earth as safely as possible. At the heart of the septic system is the septic tank which is where your wastewater is directed to and filtered at.
You might be interested in getting a septic tank already but keep in mind – you’ll need to prepare your home for it first. Aside from the money, here are some of the things that you need to do beforehand.
Know if there’s a septic tank already
You might not know it yet but there could already be a tank inside your yard. For your septic tank to work, you need to know if your home already has one first. There are many ways to find out if there’s already one in your home. One of the easiest ways to do so is by checking if there are any lids inside your yard. These could be the access riser for an old septic tank.
You can also check with the installer if there are old ones installed. Even if there’s a septic system already installed in your home, it might be best to have it replaced if it’s already old. If you choose to have it replaced, then your installer will replace not just the tank, but also the pipes from within your home.
Having it replaced might be necessary if the system is already old. There could already be some leaks within the system so have it inspected beforehand.
Check with the local government
This is one of the most important steps you should take before even considering getting a septic system. While the government and its agencies do encourage getting a septic system, keep in mind that not every home is capable of handling one. By checking in with your local government, you can learn a few things about your home.
For starters, you’ll know if there’s already a septic system deep within your yard. Septic systems can last for over 40 years so it shouldn’t be surprising that some old homes come pre-equipped with this. If it’s not under the septic system, then your home will be under the sewer system meaning you’d have to pay a month fee on your water bill.
Another thing you’d want to ask from your local government is the layout of the utility lines. As installation companies are going to dig deep into your yard, it is a must for them to know if they are going to hit any utility lines. Some lines like the power and internet lines run underneath the ground. If you happen to hit one of them, you’ll have to pay for repairs which are costly.
Moreover, you’re putting the lives of the installers at risk but letting them dig around a yard they have no idea of. This process ensures that you are getting a septic system installed as safely as possible. Luckily, this information is easy to get from your local government so you can have this done fast.
Test the soil
The drainfield is the part of the yard where your filtered wastewater will be directed too. Not just any soil is capable of percolating the water that comes out of the tank so make it a must to test out the quality of your soil first. If the drainfield’s soil isn’t right, the water won’t percolate properly and you’ll end up having a pool of wastewater in your yard.
Ideally, you’d want the soil to be sandy. It shouldn’t be coarse. It should also be well-drained and undisturbed. Anything that goes beyond this standard like clay or other hard soils will make it hard for the water to distribute properly. If your soil isn’t suitable, then you might have to get it changed in preparation of your septic tank installation.
Installers can expect if your soil is well enough to be a drainfield. They might even conduct the percolation test for you.
Think about where the drainfield will be
Picking a spot for your drainfield should be thought of carefully. The septic tank is a few inches tall so the spot for it should be very deep. That means when digging the spot for the septic tank, you should first make sure that there won’t be any materials that will prevent the installers from digging further.
By other materials, we are referring to bedrocks, roots, or other hard objects that the installers won’t be able to remove. This also includes the utility lines that are deep within the ground.
Stock up on water
Now that the place for the septic tank is ready, you’ll need to do one more important thing – prepare water. When your septic tank is being installed, it’s not advisable to turn on any of the faucets in your home. Actually, you won’t be able to use your water at all as the installers will most likely turn off your valves once they begin work.
The installation of septic tanks usually lasts for a few days. It can be much longer if the other pipes within your house need to be changed as well. Make sure to stock up on a lot of water as you won’t have any other source once the installation begins.
There’s a lot of responsibility and planning that comes with getting a septic system. It’s something that you should discuss with your family first as they’ll have to adjust accordingly for a few days. Once the septic tank is installed however, you’ll rest easy knowing that your wastewater is being disposed of properly.