Septic questions

[adams77]

I currently have well water and septic for my home, and would like to tie into the shop. The previous owner and builder of the shop has a "home-made" septic tank that I am sure will have problems if I try to use it. So the plumbing is there for the drains and water.

What would I be looking at pricewise to either install a new septic tank for the shop or tie into the one for the house.

The tank is 50 feet from the shop....if that helps.

 

[russlaferrera]

The previous owner of my home put a 275 oil tank with a leach field. . The shop has a complete bathroom set up. The sinks and toilet are used by 3-4 people a day and the shower gets used 2-3 times a week. I have been here for 14 years and have not had any problems.

You have to estimate your needs and determine should you go for this additional work, or wait and see.

What I did not mention is I do not put any chemicals down the drain ie. antifreeze, oil. I rinse all my parts outside.

 

[Bib Overalls]

If you have sufficient drop between the shop and the approved septic tank you should be able to tie in. Alternately, you could pump your shop waste to the tank. Asecond take will require a leach field or a connection to your existing leach field. I think a new tank will be more expensive than a properly sloped 4" line to your existing tank or a lift pump and a 2" line.

 

[Namocsid]

I agree, tying in to the existing system is probably the way to go. Since you're not adding any additional bedrooms and therefore not increasing the "use" of the system you shouldn't have any problem tying in to your existing tank.

Check with your local health department, you may need a permit for expanding your system. They should be able to tell you what is required for your area.

 

[bluesman2a]

Adam,

Are you in Gwinnett county? I'm interested in your solution either way, but especially so if you are in gwinnett. I have much the same question facing me with my shop. I'm not sure if I have enough slope to tie into the existing septic, and not sure how much a pumped system would cost.

 

[Beegs]

You need 1/4" per foot min. for waste with solids here in NH.

 

[Falcon05Dad]

Understanding that my new construction situation is different from yours, I bit the bullet and installed a separate system for my garage. My detached garage is far enough away from where I'm building the house that I was afraid of future problems if I tried to go for a "common" system site before building the house. My sub knows he's getting the house job too (excavation and septic), so he only charged me $1000 for the small 1000 gal./150 ft. system. Once the house is completed, the garage system will not be used much except when we put up out of town guests in the garage "apartment"....or if I'm in the doghouse.....

Greg

 

[Junkman]

Every jurisdiction is different. Some will allow you to add on, and others will cause you to jump through hoops and then they might just deny the permit. I know that in MA, if you have an old system and it is working fine, there is no problem. If there is any failure of the old system, then you have to put in a completely new system and it has to be up to the current code. They will not allow you to fix just the part that failed. I would hate the thought of installing a new system to the current code, because I know that it can cost $10,000 - $15,000.

 

[adams77]

Adam,

Are you in Gwinnett county? I'm interested in your solution either way, but especially so if you are in gwinnett. I have much the same question facing me with my shop. I'm not sure if I have enough slope to tie into the existing septic, and not sure how much a pumped system would cost.

Sorry Herb, I am in Barrow county. I will let you know what the solution is when I find it.

 

[Franz©]

Adding the grease and oil from shop drains to an existing system will definitely effect the digestion in the existing tank. Plumbing the wastewater from fixtures into an existing tank will merely increase load.

The best way is to just do it, and if you get busted claim you didn't know you needed a permit since the system was already there. It's always one hell of a lot easier to apoloigize and feign stupidity than it is to get permission.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Adding the grease and oil from shop drains to an existing system will definitely effect the digestion in the existing tank. Plumbing the wastewater from fixtures into an existing tank will merely increase load.

The best way is to just do it, and if you get busted claim you didn't know you needed a permit since the system was already there. It's always one hell of a lot easier to apoloigize and feign stupidity than it is to get permission.

Very good advice.....I often use this logic when doing my taxes....If I get caught I would just play stupid........no law against being stupid, but several against cheating on purpose.....lol

 

[john56h]

What's the "home made" tank like? I've seen oil drums with pick-axe holes utilized as makeshift leaching tanks.

The main thing is the soil conditions around the leaching tank or leaching fields. If the soil is able to absorb water, then it might work just fine.

You'll want a tank with a baffle to settle out solids, then the leaching tank or fields. The size of the leaching tank or field is determined by the absorption qualities of the soil and the anticipated maximum use of the water/sewer system that drains to it.

Important things to consider are the proximity to your and neighbors' wells and proximity to water bodies such as streams and lakes. Due to the potential for septic systems to contaminate water sources, most states require that they be designed by a licensed engineer.

Having the system professionally designed and installed will be expensive. If you only plan for very minimal use...and your Certificate of Occupancy doesn't depend on certification of the septic...inatalling a home-made system isn't a terrible thing.

 

[Junkman]

Very good advice.....I often use this logic when doing my taxes....If I get caught I would just play stupid........no law against being stupid, but several against cheating on purpose.....lol

and all along, I just thought that it came to you naturally........