Crossing Leach Line to access workshop.

[zooklm1]

I have discovered a situation that could cause me to revise my plans for a detached workshop. I was trying to find and mark our septic system leach lines because we are having an extra large dead tree removed from our back yard and they will need access for equipment. It seems that the lines run somewhat diagonally across the back yard. I would need to drive over the drain field line to access and bring in building materials for construction. The line is 30” deep with about 12” of soil on top and 36” wide.

I am interested in thoughts/ alternate approaches.
Thanks,
Lee

 

[Worsedog]

My septic tank and drain field are in the front yard.

 

[mikegt4]

Your situation is very common. Depending on the weight of the equipment you may have to put down plywood or some other protective material over the leach lines to protect them. My next door neighbor's FIL suffered a fatal heart attack at their house and the ambulance had to drive across the back yard to reach him (300#) which broke some of the leach lines. As heavy as an ambulance is it still will be less than a truckload of building materials. Most likely your building dept. won't allow a driveway to cross a leach field to a detached shop.

 

[zooklm1]

Thanks. The tree people are going to put mats down over the field to protect it when they take the tree down. I was hoping to be able to do something to have access beyond the tree removal.

 

[larry4406]

When I applied for my permit to build my barn, my site plan had to show the drainfield as well as my planned ingress/egress route for construction materials/crews.

 

[CraigStu]

When we did an add-on bay in No Virginia 6 yrs ago it was my second choice. 1st had been a detached but the permitting people said no because of how close it would have been to the septic system. I don't remember the exact reg. I just remember the no. This wasn't a case of planning to drive over it, just the proximity to it.

 

[matt_i]

I would try to plot a path that crossed the feeder line (modern ones would be tougher and easier-to-repair PVC) or else use an easement -- possibly negotiate with neighbors to use part of their grassy property for construction access and then pay to restore it at the end. I don't know if this is possible in your situation, just an idea to think about.

Imo you really really don't want to drive heavy equipment over the drainfield/leachfield. The repair can be very expensive and finding out you need a repair can be unpleasant as well. Also imo, plywood is pretty much a joke when it comes to supporting heavy equipment. Its so flexible that most of the load would just be concentrated right under the wheel. Tracked vehicles would be somewhat of an improvement but still very dangerous.

Another thing to consider...what I've been told is there are no "septic field repairmen" its "tear out and rebuild with new" which would typically come with a 5 figure price tag....

 

[pmiranda]

For a short term access for construction you can put down mulch and plywood and basically bridge over it, but if you need permanent access, there should be an unused area between the field and the property line that could be a driveway. If the utility company ever needs to dig it up that'll be on you, but it's really common to have a driveway in an easement.