driving over septic tank

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Ok guys the father in law is selling his house and moving into another one on the water. While i was over at his house the other day i asked him was he was doing with his shed. Its a 12x20 dutch barn style. he told me leaving it because there is a barn at his new house so he has no use for it. I asked if i could have it and he said you get it out of here its yours. So i w made some calls to some shed movers and was quoted about $300 to move. sounds great!!! here is my issue the only access to where i need my shed is across my septic tank. My house is about 12 years old and the mover doesn't seem to think its an issue as long as the ground is dry and even better if its frozen. not sure how i feel about that. i am gonna make some calls to some plumbers but wanted to see if anybody here has some first hand knowledge on the situation. thanks

 

[James E]

Could they drag it on skids over where the tank and drain field are before they load it up onto the truck? It's the point-loads at the tires that are the problem.

Also, do they have to drive over just the drain field or are they driving over the tank itself?

 

[Rookie2]

Tank = Yes ,drain field = No.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

they are just driving over the tank they will clear the drain fields

 

[chops101]

The risk of a truck breaking through the 12 year old concrete?
To me it wouldn't be worth the risk. Too expensive to replace.
I won't drive anything larger than a lawn mower over mine. They are not designed for heavy loads, and I have two 990 gal tanks.

 

[dynahoe]

sounds risky

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

A lot depends in how deep it's buried. My fathers tank is 8 ft deep to the top of the tank.
The top of mine is about 2 ft.
I don't drive over the tank or drain field any more than necessary but when it's necessary I don't worry too much about it. I do agree that dry or frozen ground is better than soft/wet ground.

 

[ishiboo]

The risk of a truck breaking through the 12 year old concrete?
To me it wouldn't be worth the risk. Too expensive to replace.
I won't drive anything larger than a lawn mower over mine. They are not designed for heavy loads, and I have two 990 gal tanks.

That's assuming it's concrete. Plenty are plastic.

What are the shed movers moving it with? Regular pickup with trailer I think would be ok. Big rollback or something I would probably not recommend.

 

[kbs2244]

They are typicly less that 2 feet deep.
And the ground doesn't freeze over them.

Don't do it with a heavy truck.
Do you know someone that has a Jeep with a winch?
Or a small tractor?

Then you could slide it into place.

 

[bcoke]

A couple sheets of 3/4 plywood and some 2x4s .....make an 8x8 "platform" plywood on bottom 2x4s x8 feet running perpendicular to long edge each side to keep it together as truck/trailer go over it ........load spread out over 64 square feet not 4 or 5 will keep the pounds per square inch low enough for it to work .......unscew when done and you have plywood and 2x4s for shelving!!!!! total cost around $60-$70....done deal ! Bcoke

 

[Jack D]

My neighbor crushed the top of his tank with a unloaded 3/4 ton pickup because he miscalculated the exact location of the tank. Cost him $10,000! Health dept regulations here would not allow a repair of a damaged (crushed/cracked top) tank so they had to install a new regulation compliant system.

When I installed a new system a last year the septic contractor ran over my tank a few times with a very old small bulldozer to do grading. He said that he keeps this dozer running because the sq ft load distribution was basically very small with the tracks.

Of course the tank was new and if he ruined it it was his dime!

 

[Old Steamer]

A couple sheets of 3/4 plywood and some 2x4s .....make an 8x8 "platform" plywood on bottom 2x4s x8 feet running perpendicular to long edge each side to keep it together as truck/trailer go over it ........load spread out over 64 square feet not 4 or 5 will keep the pounds per square inch low enough for it to work .......unscew when done and you have plywood and 2x4s for shelving!!!!! total cost around $60-$70....done deal ! Bcoke

Basically the same thing done with the cranes at work to protect underground lines. A bed of 8x8s is laid out for the cranes to move about on. Never had any issue with anything below the crane's tracks when the ground was properly prepared. I would think bcoke's idea would work here.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Pipes or wood 4x4's as skids to put under the shed, remove the pier blocks or other things keeping it in the air, and then roll/slide it over the yard. If you lay down several 4x4's as skids, then put pipes under the shed frame, you can literally roll it with a couple of guys in the direction you want, moving the pipes forward as you need to. Might be a good way to get the shed out to a safe area for a pickup / trailer.

Not hard, not expensive, and puts you in very good control of the situation unless there are inclines involved.

 

[nolimits76]

What kind and size of equipment is the contractor utilizing to move the barn? Is he insured? Does he accept liability for any damages to the septic system? Do you have a written contract stating any of this?

I realize this is a $300 quote, so you probably don't have any of the above. I manage much larger projects where these are valid questions and show stoppers. In an ideal world you would have all it, but again, for $300 I doubt the guy will do any of it.

That said, you need to take some other precautionary measures. There is such a thing as low ground pressure equipment. I used them quite a lot at an environmental company, and they spouted weights as low as 5lbs/sf loaded, came with rubber tracks, etc. Basically a human would exhibit more weight. You can rent such equipment if needed.

Another option might be to install some crane mats over the area you are traveling. I haven't tried this with a septic tank, but if it can keep the outriggers from a crane from settling in and causing problems I think you can make it work in this application as well.

Let's not forget the obvious either....having a concrete truck loaded with mud is a much different weight (and risk) than a pickup truck or a lawn mower. So the equipment he is planning on using plays into this equation heavily, which is why I suggested the LGP equipment rental.

 

[Showkey]

My vote........drag the shed..............keep vehicles off the tank.

 

[Dustball]

Seeing as how this is winter- have the shed moved to as far as it can go without going over your septic tank. When it's dropped off by the shed movers, have it placed on some kind of homemade skis. Assuming there's no snow on the ground right now- the next time it snows a couple inches, push the shed over the snow to where you want it.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

What kind and size of equipment is the contractor utilizing to move the barn? Is he insured? Does he accept liability for any damages to the septic system? Do you have a written contract stating any of this?

I dont really know the answers to any of these questions as i really have only spoke to him over the phone. he will be coming out next monday to check the place out.



I realize this is a $300 quote, so you probably don't have any of the above. I manage much larger projects where these are valid questions and show stoppers. In an ideal world you would have all it, but again, for $300 I doubt the guy will do any of it.

That said, you need to take some other precautionary measures. There is such a thing as low ground pressure equipment. I used them quite a lot at an environmental company, and they spouted weights as low as 5lbs/sf loaded, came with rubber tracks, etc. Basically a human would exhibit more weight. You can rent such equipment if needed.I have received a quote from a guy farther up the road from me who has such equipment and he was at $600 only because it would take him most of the day for travel at this point it might be worth the extra 300 for safety

Another option might be to install some crane mats over the area you are traveling. I haven't tried this with a septic tank, but if it can keep the outriggers from a crane from settling in and causing problems I think you can make it work in this application as well.

Let's not forget the obvious either....having a concrete truck loaded with mud is a much different weight (and risk) than a pickup truck or a lawn mower. So the equipment he is planning on using plays into this equation heavily, which is why I suggested the LGP equipment rental.

Thanks for all the good info guys

 

[lakeroadster]

Could they drag it on skids over where the tank and drain field are before they load it up onto the truck? It's the point-loads at the tires that are the problem.

Also, do they have to drive over just the drain field or are they driving over the tank itself?

My vote........drag the shed..............keep vehicles off the tank.

There's your answer, and it's a good one.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Pipes or wood 4x4's as skids to put under the shed, remove the pier blocks or other things keeping it in the air, and then roll/slide it over the yard. If you lay down several 4x4's as skids, then put pipes under the shed frame, you can literally roll it with a couple of guys in the direction you want, moving the pipes forward as you need to. Might be a good way to get the shed out to a safe area for a pickup / trailer.

Not hard, not expensive, and puts you in very good control of the situation unless there are inclines involved.

My only concern with that is its a slight decline/slant i would be worried of losing control of it

 

[brownbagg]

tank no, they no rebar in the lid, I have seen many trucks bust through one, orginal pickups

 

[AJO]

3/4 plywood overlapped on top off the tank to disperse the weight. Stay as close to edge of tank as possible. Use plywood over grass and drain field to cut down on compaction.You should be good but there is always a risk with anything.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

this is what Iam thinking about going with its about twice the cost but seems like the best way to do it

 

[Elginz]

I just moved my 8 x 12 by myself with pipes and 2 x 6s. Uphill and around a corner.

 

[jpinca]

To further the "don't risk it" argument, it is possible if damaged you would have to install a whole new system. Regs change over time, and while you are grandfathered now, a repair may require bringing the whole system to current code.

I had to install a whole new, backup drainfield as part of the permit process for my new shop. Regs had changed over time...

 

[elba]

A friend of mine put an addition on his house- on top of the septic tank ! Of course he had no idea till the stinky water backed up.

 

[firworks]

You can't get a few buddies over to move the shed to the other side of the septic tank where the movers can pick it up with no risk? That's a fairly large shed to do this with but I've moved sheds around just lagging a 4x4 to the side and then you just walk it along moving one side a few feet then the other. I was never moving long distances but it really wasn't too difficult.

 

[kaymccampbell]

If you actually do back that truck over the septic tank, take video. Every time I've been witness to one of these events, no one thought it would be worth the film. At least you'll have a shot at the AFV prize.

 

[jhelrey]

Just an FYI- If he already listed the house for sale, you can't take it. If he hasn't, you need it get it out of there before the house is listed. Even if you put that it isn't included, he will include it to make the sale.

So, hurry up!

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Just an FYI- If he already listed the house for sale, you can't take it. If he hasn't, you need it get it out of there before the house is listed. Even if you put that it isn't included, he will include it to make the sale.

So, hurry up!

lol its all covered already. House wont hit the market for a little bit and my sister in law is the Realtor. So she has all that covered

 

[Dave in Mass]

One more vote against driving over the tank.

My son rents a house from me that his grandfather owned and did everything to. Son parked his GMC Sierra 1500 on top of the (probably 40 year old) lid to load the bed with leaves and left a pretty big divot in the yard.

We got lucky. The homemade 3'x3' lid was basically a rebar grid with no cement left and this is why it fell in the hole. A morning of digging and two trips to the nearest pre-fab place (Couldn't find an open one on a Saturday afternoon) and about 30 bucks, we had a replacement.

For obvious reasons, he is now to leave his truck in the front of the house.

 

[readhead]

Did you talk to an actual shed mover or a tow company that would use a rollback? A shed mover will have a mule and dolly wheels. He might even be able to straddle the tank. He will not have to have the truck or trailer anywhere near the tank. Have him come take a look at the job and express your concern.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Did you talk to an actual shed mover or a tow company that would use a rollback? A shed mover will have a mule and dolly wheels. He might even be able to straddle the tank. He will not have to have the truck or trailer anywhere near the tank. Have him come take a look at the job and express your concern.

yes i did speak to a couple movers they one that has the mule quoted me $600 while the rest with just a truck and trailer were around the $300 dollar mark. I am just gonna spend the extra couple bucks to be safe moved is scheduled for End of january. Video to come

 

[theoldwizard1]

Could they drag it on skids over where the tank and drain field are before they load it up onto the truck?

Excellent suggestion !

Cut some plywood into 2' strip for the skids to slide on so that they don't dig in to any soft spots in the ground.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

Not to be a naysayer but is the new buyer cool with having the barn removed? That's a pretty big item and removing it could cause real trouble with the sale.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Not to be a naysayer but is the new buyer cool with having the barn removed? That's a pretty big item and removing it could cause real trouble with the sale.

The house is not on the market yet and probably wont be until march so as far as thats concerned its fine and for whatever reason if its listed sooner my sister in law ( the realtor) will put that it is not included in the sale in her contract

 

[jhelrey]

The house is not on the market yet and probably wont be until march so as far as thats concerned its fine and for whatever reason if its listed sooner my sister in law ( the realtor) will put that it is not included in the sale in her contract

While I understand that, if I was looking at the house I might agree to your asking price if you include the barn. If your Pops is giving you the barn for free... Would he rather not sell the house or take an offer for less, or give it to me, making the deal? Just saying.