Addition and Zoning means a revamped septic system?
I have a house that is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home on 15 acres. At some point, we will add onto it. Our zoning and planning guides (like msot) base the size of the septic system on the number of bedrooms in the home. So, in going to a 3 or 4 bedroom home, I would need to increase the drain bed (according to the health dept). Its currently a 1000 gallon tank with a 1000 sq ft drain bed. How hard is it to increase the drain bed size? It is as simple as attaching the old tiles to the new tiles, and expanding into a new area? Would I simple just be laying perforated pipe in a sandy area, then filling it? any idea of the cost associated with it?
Public Comments
- lol
- That is a job I would hire a professional to do, need some earth moving equipment and the right knowledge. The correct method for increasing a leach field depends on your soil conditions, how well it drains.
- It should not be too difficult. You can either extend the existing pipes or add additional pipes parallel to the existing ones. Which option depends on the location of your existing drain bed. The health dept. will tell you what is required. You will need a permit and I would suggest a licensed contractor.
- In Wisconsin you have to make sure your system is up to current standards. In most cases this means an entirely new system. This is not something most governing bodies will allow the homeowner to do. Usually you are required to be licensed by the state. I would call a few septic installers and ask them they will be current on the code and be able to give you a ROUGH idea of the cost. I can tell you that a septic system can cost anywhere from $4,000.00 for an at grade system to $15,000.00 for a complete mound system (which is what 90% of the new or upgraded systems require).
- In MN, our code is 80 feet of drain tile per bedroom, your area might be higher/lower. You may be able to add additional lines with just a backhoe to dig the trenches, and install the drain lines yourself. I can't think of the brand name off the top of my head, but they make a 4"perforated drain pipe that is enclosed in foam pellets [like packing peanuts] and a hard plastic netting to hold it all together. The finished drain tile is about 14"- 16" in diameter, and about 12" in length, but weighs next to nothing. The sections link together to your desired length, and require no sand or washed gravel, you just bury with the excavated fill. It isn't the old "gravel-less sock system, they failed a lot in the freezing temps, but I just can't recall the name right now. Cost for this will be much cheaper if this is allowed in your county, because you can install most of it yourself. An inspection may be required before you cover it back up. Good Luck Here's a link for you, but it's unrelated to your question. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete
