started digging, My septic tank is under my garage!

[c6matt]

I had the footers dug, and we hit a pipe, hmmm, why is that there? when I bought the house last I was told the septic was in the back. Its on the side, and its dead center of where my 30x48 was going to go. I just spent 2 months getting the size and location past the planning board, and now no matter what I have done I have to have the environmental inspector sign off on it. Ugh, after all the waiting the footings and the floor were to be finished next week, I'm back to square 1.

Crazy idea, could I extend the leech field past the foundation and put a tank access in the floor?

Should I move the garage back?


So frustrated right now...any other ideas?

How it sits today..

 

[Stuart in MN]

Have you talked to the guy who stamped the plans? Since he is a surveyor/engineer I would have expected him to locate things like that before he placed the building.

Is the entire septic system there, or is it just a drain pipe passing through that area? You can't put a driveway over the septic system so if the building is put in the back yard will you be able to access it?

 

[CNGsaves]

Didn't you already have a thread on this garage??

I remember that pic and thought other GJers (me included) thought the garage would work better farther back in lot, even though that would have required lots of dirt work.

If you move it back, will you have big enough vehicles that you won't be able to drive over top of septic tank or leech field??

Final question, is there possiblity of city sewer service and just ditch the septic system . . . lots of areas end up with city sewer in the long-run??

 

[EOC_Jason]

There should be plans where the septic system was installed, all that has to be signed off by someone in the government too... I would check with their records department and see what you can find.

You can't build your garage over the tank, no way no how... Usually there has to be at least 5' between the tanks / pipes and anything permanent like a foundation or driveway.

 

[rodm1]

Well you now what you have to do it *****! I actually think it would be better if moved back, that is where I would put it. If you ever have to get heavy equipment behind the garage you would regret the present location.

You could look into moving the drain field. In any case you will never wont the garage over it MHO.

 

[aka Larry]

There should be plans where the septic system was installed, all that has to be signed off by someone in the government too... I would check with their records department and see what you can find.

You can't build your garage over the tank, no way no how... Usually there has to be at least 5' between the tanks / pipes and anything permanent like a foundation or driveway.

Correct. BTDT. A permit has to be pulled to install a septic system and accompanied by a sketch with dimensions of the tank and drain field. You can't build over the tank or within 5' of the drain field lines OR the repair area. This is why my new shop is sitting way at the back of my lot.

 

[lessersivad]

I'm going to simply throw my 2¢ in and say to NOT place any of the garage over the septic/leech field.

I worked in a shop a while back which was built where the leech field was and the floor had an access cover for the septic tank.

At one time the septic tank was getting pumped out every 4-6 weeks because the leech field had not had a chance to "leech" due to the concrete floor and silt had filled the leech field "runners".

At least that's what an inspector told us.

Options included tearing up the floor, relocating the whole system, or deal with having the tank pumped out every 4-6 weeks.

The owners opted for simply getting the tank pumped when needed.

Yeaaa, that was always a fun time. Shop smelling of sewage for at least a day. It was wonderful in the winter when the shop was closed up. Choices were open doors to get the smell out and drop the shop temperature or stay warm with the stench lingering for a few days.

Ah, fun times.

EDIT:

Wow, I'm a bit late in the response department....LOL. Good advice from others I see.

 

[c6matt]

The main issue with moving it back is the planning dept approval I already had to jump through hoops to get, will have to be redone, and hopfully still geta approved. I wish our planning department was open on fridays, this is a bit of a mess....

 

[c6matt]

and yes, I had a build thread, but this is more of an issue, not just the next step in building. People that re-wire a vintage compressr dont put it in their build thread.. sorry, just on edge, this whole thing ***** at the moment.


PS thanks for everyones input..

 

[srmofo]

Why Was The Tank And Leech Field Not Located Before The Planning Even Started? I Don't Think You Have Anyone To Blame But Yourself On This One. I Hope EveryThing Else Goes Smooth For You Once You Get This Sorted Out

 

[zcar751]

I understand you situation. When I was in Maine I built a garage and had to relocate it after we started to dig finding that the leach field wasn't below the septic tank as we had been told but being pumped up hill above the house. The septic tanks wasn't where we were told either, but about fifty foot way. I wouldn't have found the access cover if I hadn't accidentally turn off the power to the pump while doing some electrical work (rewiring a death trap) because all the breaker were incorrectly labeled or not labeled at all.

 

[c6matt]

of course, it is my fault for that. I bought the house last fall, was told the septic system was behind the house, had a bare spot in the lawn left from the septic inspection, why would I doubt what I was told... why lie?

 

[Kevin_b_c]

You may not have an option to move it back.
It looks like your property slopes back, which is where the pipe to the distribution box/leech field would be.
Call a septic company and ask them how much to come locate the distribution box, and each run of the leech field. Then you will know where you can place the shop.

When planning, always locate all services prior.

 

[c6matt]

I understand you situation. When I was in Maine I built a garage and had to relocate it after we started to dig finding that the leach field wasn't below the septic tank as we had been told but being pumped up hill above the house. The septic tanks wasn't where we were told either, but about fifty foot way. I wouldn't have found the access cover if I hadn't accidentally turn off the power to the pump while doing some electrical work (rewiring a death trap) because all the breaker were incorrectly labeled or not labeled at all.

exactly, you know the disappointment of things not being as they were portrayed.. live and learn.. I am going to have a perk test done next week and see what moving the septic is going to set me back. I don't have to deal with the town commissions on that one.

 

[Kevin_b_c]

of course, it is my fault for that. I bought the house last fall, was told the septic system was behind the house, had a bare spot in the lawn left from the septic inspection, why would I doubt what I was told... why lie?

Sounds like your Septic leech field is in your backyard. The bare spot is probably where the distribution box is. Is the bare spot behind where you were planning on putting the garage?

 

[c6matt]

You may not have an option to move it back.
It looks like your property slopes back, which is where the pipe to the distribution box/leech field would be.
Call a septic company and ask them how much to come locate the distribution box, and each run of the leech field. Then you will know where you can place the shop.

When planning, always locate all services prior.

I already spent my day digging it all up, its just the main tank, and a ~12 ft run of leech field. the area drains really well. The septic company's around here wont give me a quote on moving anything without a perk test first. If I move the septic I would move the whole works back ~30 foot or so.


I've learned my lesson on ASSumptions on this project for sure...

 

[c6matt]

Sounds like your Septic leech field is in your backyard. The bare spot is probably where the distribution box is. Is the bare spot behind where you were planning on putting the garage?

I thought so, but no, and I probed the bare spot, there is nothing there... it was a red herring.The bare spot is about 75' from where I actually located the tank lid (and opened the lid to see the direction of the leech field) so I know it was bogus, the tank had the footer dug all around it, the leech field fit in the 30x48 square...

 

[Kevin_b_c]

I already spent my day digging it all up, its just the main tank, and a ~12 ft run of leech field. the area drains really well. The septic company's around here wont give me a quote on moving anything without a perk test first. If I move the septic I would move the whole works back ~30 foot or so.


I've learned my lesson on ASSumptions on this project for sure...

That doesn't sound right, Septic Tank should have a solid line to a distribution box. Is the 12ft run perforated pipe, or solid?

 

[c6matt]

for those curious the lid for the tank is on the "D" of building on the plot plan... the bare spot is in the "O" in the stamp of "state of Michigan" of the surveyor..it would make no sense for that to be anything related IMO...I've been wrong before tho...lol, like, this thread

 

[c6matt]

That doesn't sound right, Septic Tank should have a solid line to a distribution box. Is the 12ft run perforated pipe, or solid?

solid coming out of the tank, I didn't dig it very far though

 

[LB-1911]

You need to track down a copy of the septic system "As Built", your county Health and or Bldg Dept should have one on file.


Good Luck

 

[c6matt]

You need to track down a copy of the septic system "As Built", your county Health and or Bldg Dept should have one on file.


Good Luck

they tell me 5 business days, but it is enroute..

 

[Kevin_b_c]

solid coming out of the tank, I didn't dig it very far though

So that is going to run down into a distribution box, and that is where your leech field will start.

What did you mean by "~12 ft run of leech field"?

 

[NUTTSGT]

of course, it is my fault for that. I bought the house last fall, was told the septic system was behind the house, had a bare spot in the lawn left from the septic inspection, why would I doubt what I was told... why lie?

What's the chance that a new septic tank was put in and the old one was never removed or collapsed ? You do have a spot of dark green grass in the back yard. That's a tell tale sign of the grass getting plenty of water.

 

[dirttracker18]

What's the chance that a new septic tank was put in and the old one was never removed or collapsed ? You do have a spot of dark green grass in the back yard. That's a tell tale sign of the grass getting plenty of water.

That's what I was thinking. Be certain that tank and field are still in use/connected.

What would the PO have to gain by lying about the location?

 

[c6matt]

So that is going to run down into a distribution box, and that is where your leech field will start.

What did you mean by "~12 ft run of leech field"?

I saw the pipe exit the tank ~24" deep, and the pipe was not exposed by a 5' deep trench 15 feet away.

What's the chance that a new septic tank was put in and the old one was never removed or collapsed ? You do have a spot of dark green grass in the back yard. That's a tell tale sign of the grass getting plenty of water.

that's the Previous owners herb garden. I probed all around that area, and several more, nothing solid 36" down.

 

[c6matt]

What would the PO have to gain by lying about the location?

that is what is so confusing/suprising

 

[NUTTSGT]

that is what is so confusing/suprising

Unless the PO had absolutely no idea what he/she was talking about. Septic tank ? What's that ?

 

[dirttracker18]

Is your basement finished? Can you see where the pipe exists the house?

You could look in the tank and have someone flush the toilet.
You should see water flow in.

Might be worth hiring a plumber with a locator to be certain where things go.

I know you are hot to get the garage build going but you need to slow down now and sort this out.

 

[j p smith]

I agree with dirttracker. It would be worth it to know for sure where the tank and the leach field is. How long did the PO live there? It is not unusual for a septic system to be relocated, tree roots got into our leach pit and we had to redo ours. We kept the tank in its location and ran a new line to a leach field in another location on our property. Jeff

 

[06lbzgmc]

Our county requires 3-60 foot leech pipes minimum. I'm betting its either an unused system or not permitted.

 

[c6matt]

I pulled the cover, its def the active septic tank. Fully finished basement, I had no way to trace the pipes. I probed the earth, found the 4 corners of the concrete tank, and looked at the direction the leech field goes. I should have the as-built plans from the county in the next few days, but I feel I am going to have to abandon this system and put in anther in a better location. time to start calling septic companies on Monday..

 

[Kevin_b_c]

I'm going to place my bet that the leech field is in your backyard.
That pipe going out of your tank has to lead to a distribution box, then to a field. It is quite possible that the pipe goes all the way over to that bare patch in your backyard. Like 06lbzgmc said, a standard size of leech field is pretty large.

In the case he suggested (3-60 foot leech pipes), 3 x 3foot wide runs spaced 6 ft apart on center, 60 feet long equals 540sq ft of infiltration surface. It would take up an area of about 15ft x 60ft (900sq ft). I think that's about right for a 3br house with soil that has a good hydraulic loading rate.

...and looked at the direction the leech field goes.

This makes me think you may have a misunderstanding about what the leech field consists of. That is the direction to the distribution box which would be the start of the leech field.

I am going through the same issue with my septic system. I am going to end up having to re-route the pipe from my tank to my distribution box, because it cuts across where I want to build my Garage.

 

[c6matt]

So my leech field went forward along the drivway towards the road.(its directly under "proposed drivway" on the print) I was able to get the original plans from the county, then I dug and found the field passing under the footers. (footers were 42" leech pipes were 46" so deeper than expected) . I got the perc test done, all sand, ideal conditions in the backyard, so for a 5 bedroom house they required 1500 gal 2 compartment tank and 370` of leech field. Then the old tank will be pumped/crushed and filled. Still getting quotes, but it should be done and installed within a week. then I can get back to pouring footers. Thanks for the help/advice so far.

 

[Kevin_b_c]

I'm going to place my bet that the leech field is in your backyard.

Ah, well I lost that bet. lol
What about moving the garage back so that the existing tank would be in front of your new garage? You'd have to do a lot of ground work to build up the back elevation, but it would save you having to replace the whole septic system.
Also, look into "Enviro Septic" systems. They require a much smaller leech field, although they are a bit more expensive.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Glad to see you're still getting your garage Matt but damn it's just got expensive.

 

[Kevin_b_c]

What about locating it here instead?

 

[c6matt]

that's a pretty steep hill with big oaks in the way, I don't want to loose my trees. Moving the garage back would mean re-applying for the variance.. not willing to risk it not being approved the 2nd time.

 

[c6matt]

Glad to see you're still getting your garage Matt but damn it's just got expensive.

yea, its pushed my finish date back a couple of months.. ah, well.. if this is my biggest problem, I'm doing ok..