How To Install A Septic Tank

Septic tank is a part of a small scale sewage treatment system for a house/building that has no other connection to the main sewer lines that are provided by the local government in some places. It is designed to store the sewage waste while it settles. It is widely used in the rural areas across the globe. How it works - the waste enters the septic tank where it is left to separate itself into solids, out of which some break down through anaerobic process and the remaining settle down at the bottom and water that rises to the top from where it is leached off into the ground. The solid crap at the bottom is removed by the municipality at regular intervals. If you’re thinking about installing a septic tank, some prior experience in the construction work or help from someone who has experience will definitely come in handy along with the need for heavy machinery. Moreover, you’ll have to get various permits from the local or state authorities before you start off with the installation. Read further to know about how to install a septic tank.

Installing A Septic Tank System

Pre-Installation

The first step in installing a septic tank is making a visit to the local authorities and complying with the rules and regulations, which include deciding the size of the tank (an average-sized tank ranges between 1000-1500 gallons), nearby field properties, maintenance access and possible future expansion among various other things.
Taking into consideration all the rules and regulations, the next step is to prepare a blue print of the entire installation plan and get permissions regarding construction, septic tank, water rights etc. from the respective authorities. Before you get the permits, the authorities will send in an inspection officer who’ll test the soil for placement, soil’s leaching properties and construction material to be used etc.

Installation

After being done with all the legal work, you can start off with the installation work. If you don’t have any prior experience in construction work, it’s recommended that you hire a professional. You’ll need to rent or hire a backhoe for making the dig in the ground (keeping the measurements in mind). Level the ground using sand as tank will not function properly if it’s on uneven ground.
After the ground’s been dug out, it’s time for placing the tank into the pit. If it’s a concrete tank, you’ll need to hire a crane to place it in the spot. If it’s a plastic one, you can place it in the hole with the help of few people. Once placed, fill the open spaces outside of the tank, if any, with sand and gravel for a perfect fit.
After the tank is perfectly in place, connect it to the house/building’s plumbing system using PVC pipes. Connect it between your house/building’s drainage pipe’s outlet and the septic tank’s inlet. Seal the ends of the pipes using an appropriate leak-proof material. Make sure that the pipes run slightly downhill so that the sludge doesn’t stop midway inside the pipes causing further blockages.

Post Installation

Some authorities require a second inspection after everything’s been set up. Call them up and let them inspect. Once they’ve given you the nod, fill out the empty spaces around the tank with mud. A plastic tank, if left uncovered around the exteriors can float up to the surface after a heavy rain ruining all the hard work that went into the plumbing work. Make sure that doesn’t become the case.

These sequential steps of installing a septic tank will take the load off your shoulder. Do take the help of an experienced person to avoid injury and to ensure that it all functions properly.

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