Septic Question????

[Dodgepu360]

Well I just bought a new house on a .68 acre wooded lot in the country.
My old house had a pretty decent 20X30 shop but it only had one 9 foot door so I could only get one vehicle in it so I am now planning at least a 24X36 or maybe a 30X40 I will just have to see what I can fit where once we move out there
One potential spot is behind the house but the septic tank and lateral line run on the side of the house
Is it safe to drive over and/or park on the area where all this stuff is?
I will be getting a new Dodge 2500 diesel 4X4 in the next couple of months so that would probably be the heaviest thing driven/parked over that area

Also about how deep is this stuff usually buried?

 

[twostory]

It is not a good idea to drive anything over the septic tank or the drain field. If you crush the drain field area with tire tracks, it will not work properly. The septic/drain field is usually pretty close to the surface, probably the first 30 inches of soil. It has to be near the surface to work properly.

You will never get a building permit if the septic tank or drain field is in the way. That is the first step you have to do when you apply for a permit, get the Environmental Dept to approve the buildings location.

If the septic sytem is in the way, think about moving it. The newer drain line use a half pipe design that only requires 1/2 the horizontal distance that the old gravel pit design requires. It will cost you $, but not as much as you think.

 

[TonyMazz]

You would have to have a perc test, depending on if you have a conventional septic or mound system.

Do not drive anything on a septic system....also keep in mind that your county will require an inspection and system pumped every two / three years.... the septic pump company has to notify if there are issues with the system.

Do not simply move the septic drain field on your own...you will sustain a mega fine. Perc test, county permits are all required...that's before you even think about building ....twostory is exactly right.

 

[Dodgepu360]

thanks for the info

I dont think the septic system will be in the way of the building, since the drain field turns toward the front of the property

o well I'll just have to drive around the other side of the house and cut down a few more trees

also there no buliding permits requiered out here
But I still want to do things right so there are no problems later

 

[cw_racefan]

Yalso keep in mind that your county will require an inspection and system pumped every two / three years.... the septic pump company has to notify if there are issues with the system.

Sort of off topic, but that is interesting. Where we are in MD there is no requirement for inspections/pump out. That is left completely to the owner.

Also, to the OP, I realize you said no permits needed, but in our area also you are required to have space for a second (replacement) drainfield. That means you can't build anything there, and have to leave that area open.

 

[1320stang]

I'm sure there is a reason you can't move the shop to the right side of the property, correct?

 

[Dodgepu360]

Yes there is a good reason
That map doesn’t show the topography the north east corner starts dropping in elevation it would fit over there but would have to be closer to the house
Also that side is the thickest with trees (post oaks) and borders a large ranch to the east so we want to keep the wooded view (the reason we like this house)

One of my initial thoughts was to put it on that side but my fiance didn’t like that idea, didn’t want to look out the windows in the dinning room and see a shop

We close on May 18th so after we get moved in I will stake it out and see how it looks