Work Shop Septic Tanks

[Modifieddriver]

Doing a 3,600 sq.ft. shop. Broke ground last week and building was delivered today.

Question for those that know their "stuff" .

If there's a sink and toilet which will be used on an infrequent basis and the only users are myself, my wife and an occasional visitor, what are the septic system requirements?

This will probably never get inspected by the county.

Is it common to down size septic systems that won't see shower, laundry, etc. high volume use ????

And, if so, what kind/size system would you install?

 

[trbomax]

Its common if its never going to see an inspection.I'd use 2 55 gal plastic barrels and either one or two sections of 4" plastic drain pipe sitting in stone.The kind of soil you have matters to,sand is best,clay *****.

 

[justanengineer]

Can you not just "T" into an existing system for the house?

Personally, if theres no inspection possibliity you likely live far enough out that I'd be tinkling out in nature.

 

[JDishong]

Doing a 3,600 sq.ft. shop. Broke ground last week and building was delivered today.

Question for those that know their "stuff" .

If there's a sink and toilet which will be used on an infrequent basis and the only users are myself, my wife and an occasional visitor, what are the septic system requirements?

This will probably never get inspected by the county.

Is it common to down size septic systems that won't see shower, laundry, etc. high volume use ????

And, if so, what kind/size system would you install?

My 28 x 32 is currently under construction and my main home is on aerobic septic. I have a utility sink plus provisional plumbing for a toilet just as you described.

City code does require septic tie-in. Since I am below grade of my existing septic tank I have to purchase a lift-pump. I've 2 quotes for $1,500 - $2,000 range using a 250-gal lift pump. At 250 gal, it may only pump once every 2 years . If you are not below grade, just a simple tie-in and let gravity do the work ... much cheaper.

The city will inspect this (at least my town will).

 

[DCarr]

Where I live you are only allowed one septic tank to property.

What they dont know what hurt them ....

 

[JDishong]

Where I live you are only allowed one septic tank to property.

What they dont know what hurt them ....

Technically, it is one septic tank. Lift pump only used to transfer the "stuff" ... the main septic tank does the rest.

 

[Sureshot]

I have a two compartment tank for my shop. Mine pumps out into a tree row on surface.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I teed mine into my house septic. 100' of pipe and a clean out is all I had to buy. Fortunately my shop is up hill from the house. For my shop floor drains and laundry tub/slop sink I put in a fairly large and deep french drain solely to keep any chemicals out of the septic system.

 

[DCarr]

Technically, it is one septic tank. Lift pump only used to transfer the "stuff" ... the main septic tank does the rest.

with a lift pump and a line of 200' ( in my case ) up hill your correct.

 

[PWC Repair]

aA 500 gallon tank with proper baffles and two 50ft field lines will be sufficient if your soil drains well.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Thanks for input.

Perhaps I should've more specific about the layout here.

I have two lots side by side. Both long rectangle shaped.

Lot #1 is 2 acres with house and already existing 2,200 sq.ft shop #1.

Lot #2 is 3 acres that has been graded for new 3,600 sq.ft. shop #2.

Both shops are equal distance from the house, approximately 375 feet, and parallel to each other about 65 feet apart.

Grade between shops is almost level, but grade from shops to house is not level. It drops below house septic tank level in that run. So tying into the house septic probably isn't feasible. Plus the pipe run would be about 400 feet.

I'm running a water line from the house to both shops. Shop #1 will have a sink and a wash/paint booth bay. Call it gray water only. Looking at a French style drain here. It's to the rear of the shop, as far from the house as you can get.

Shop #2 will have a toilet and two sinks. All near the front of the shop. The septic and drain line will be off the front/side of this building. The grade runs slightly down hill.


I could tie both buildings together to one septic, but I'd rather keep them separate in case on down the road I sell the properties separate from each other. The water is a separate issue.

The attached pictures are off the house patio. It shows some of the distance and grade levels that complicate what's going on. The house septic is to the right and close to the house. The grade drops in that direction.

AND, as you can see, I've been doing the tinkle (#1) thing outside for years. The toilet in the new shop is for the wife and that #2 thing. It's a long way to the house for that, especially when ya' get older .

Also, we've lived here 32 years and have never pumped the septic tank. The soil below grade is red South Carolina clay. The water is going someplace.

 

[6768rogues]

I used 5 plastic barrels. I dug a hole, drilled the barrels full of holes, interconnected them with 4" PVC, and surrounded them with 6 tons of #1 crushed stone. Then I put fabric over them and put about 6" of dirt over it. They see weekend use for a shower and bathroom, and they work great at 4+ years old. The land is sandy, in a clay environment it wouldn't work as well.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I used 5 plastic barrels. I dug a hole, drilled the barrels full of holes, interconnected them with 4" PVC, and surrounded them with 6 tons of #1 crushed stone. Then I put fabric over them and put about 6" of dirt over it. They see weekend use for a shower and bathroom, and they work great at 4+ years old. The land is sandy, in a clay environment it wouldn't work as well.

That's good info. Thanks

 

[joe_padavano]

aA 500 gallon tank with proper baffles and two 50ft field lines will be sufficient if your soil drains well.

This is exactly what I did for my shop bathroom. I installed it myself. I'm in a rural area on a large farm. I used a plastic septic tank, it was much cheaper. Just be sure to cover it and fill it before it rains!

 

[burleyfarm]

I used 5 plastic barrels. I dug a hole, drilled the barrels full of holes, interconnected them with 4" PVC, and surrounded them with 6 tons of #1 crushed stone. Then I put fabric over them and put about 6" of dirt over it. They see weekend use for a shower and bathroom, and they work great at 4+ years old. The land is sandy, in a clay environment it wouldn't work as well.

So do you have a containment tank for all the solids so you can pump them out or does everything go to the tanks with holes? If no containment tank, what is going to keep this functioning properly?

 

[Sureshot]

So do you have a containment tank for all the solids so you can pump them out or does everything go to the tanks with holes? If no containment tank, what is going to keep this functioning properly?

Look at how a cement tank works. Very easy to add that baffle.

 

[socapots]

If its used that infrequently. Why not a holding tank you have pumped when needed.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I want to bring this up again. I'm getting closer to the time of decision.

Do you think a single 55 gallon plastic drum w/proper baffle connected to a dual drain line leach field would be adequate? We're looking at this hi-tech leach field line that doesn't require gravel.

Attached is a pic of the building.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If its used that infrequently. Why not a holding tank you have pumped when needed.

That was going to be my suggestion. My parents church has a holding tank and it works for them.

 

[Sureshot]

I want to bring this up again. I'm getting closer to the time of decision.

Do you think a single 55 gallon plastic drum w/proper baffle connected to a dual drain line leach field would be adequate? We're looking at this hi-tech leach field line that doesn't require gravel.

Attached is a pic of the building.

I say yes but bear no responsibility. Worst case you have a redo with not alot into the first try.

 

[cyamaha2007]

Ive used the plastic square oil tubs. They are large 5x5ish and covered with a steel cage. Use 2 side by side one is a holding/ solids tank. The liquid waste then flows out of that tank into the liquid only tank. That goes to a small leach field. I have less than 400 bucks in the setup and it hasnt been pumped in 6 years it works great.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Ive used the plastic square oil tubs. They are large 5x5ish and covered with a steel cage. Use 2 side by side one is a holding/ solids tank. The liquid waste then flows out of that tank into the liquid only tank. That goes to a small leach field. I have less than 400 bucks in the setup and it hasnt been pumped in 6 years it works great.

Is this what you used for your shop build?

I've watched your build here in the past and just went to it again. The liner panel installation was interesting. I plan on the same in my old shop. Yours looks great.

 

[Spareparts]

I think one of the tanks (most or 250-275 gal) would work for the limited use you are talking about with a couple of laterals 50-75', just drop a couple of pkgs of Feldmans Yeast in anually to get rid of the solids, probally would handle a shower and that would get more liquid for the yeast to work. Why spend that kind of money to solve a small problem, spwnd that extra money on the race car.

 

[robertlynk]

hope this help
shttp://inspectapedia.com/septic/tanksize.htm

 

[eweber2112]

I would recommend a sun mar composting toilet. Getting the powered type should meet your needs without worrying too much about code issues down the road

 

[Bear]

I installed one 55 gal plastic barrel that I baffled with 50' of leach line. Has worked well for over 4 yrs now. No shower just toilet and sink.

 

[Highbeam]

If you can just keep the solids out of it, any of these systems will have a long life. Solids like doodoo and TP will be the problem that plugs up tanks and gravel. So no toilet, install a urinal instead. Do you really need to take a dump in the shop? Walk up to the house if you need to do that.

You can dang near dump everything out on the lawn if there are no solids.

 

[cyamaha2007]

Is this what you used for your shop build?

I've watched your build here in the past and just went to it again. The liner panel installation was interesting. I plan on the same in my old shop. Yours looks great.

Sorry not the shop garage journal knows. this is at our familys weekend/ hunting cabin. The shop bathroom only sees use during dear season so i did it quick and dirty with a expectation to redo it. From what ive read it seemed that the tank would be full and no longer working in less than a year. Ive got 6 years on it now with no issues at all.

 

[Modifieddriver]

I installed one 55 gal plastic barrel that I baffled with 50' of leach line. Has worked well for over 4 yrs now. No shower just toilet and sink.

That's all we'll have, a toilet and sink. From what I read, if the code folks get involved it means a 1,000 gallon tank , WTF for.

If you can just keep the solids out of it, any of these systems will have a long life. Solids like doodoo and TP will be the problem that plugs up tanks and gravel. So no toilet, install a urinal instead. Do you really need to take a dump in the shop? Walk up to the house if you need to do that.

You can dang near dump everything out on the lawn if there are no solids.

There's just two of us. I'll be the doodooer. 400' to the house is toooooo far when ya' really have to go , trust me, getting older is a *****.

 

[71stpsde]

I would look in to a composte toilet. At Texas rest stops, all the toilets are that way. They look expensive, but has to be cheaper than putting in a 1000 gallan tank.

 

[Modifieddriver]

Ive used the plastic square oil tubs. They are large 5x5ish and covered with a steel cage. Use 2 side by side one is a holding/ solids tank. The liquid waste then flows out of that tank into the liquid only tank. That goes to a small leach field. I have less than 400 bucks in the setup and it hasnt been pumped in 6 years it works great.

Think I found the tanks you used. Found them for sale locally on Craigslist. They come in white or black and have a significant metal cage around them.

About 250 gallon capacity for $75. 350 gallon ones for $85.

I think the cage is to prevent the tank from deforming when filled. Underground that shouldn't be an issue. I'd feel better with this capacity than a 55 gal drum.

Tanks on the right side of the pic.

 

[Sureshot]

You may want to fill it with water before backfilling.

 

[Modifieddriver]

You may want to fill it with water before backfilling.

Good Idea. Stop it from collapsing.

Here's some more I found. Less expensive and have a plastic pallet.

 

[kerr]

If you keep your septic system healthy , it will never need pumped out , ever . A 55 gal. barrel and 100" lat. line have serviced many a home in the past , should work very well for a shop.

 

[Highbeam]

If you keep your septic system healthy , it will never need pumped out , ever . A 55 gal. barrel and 100" lat. line have serviced many a home in the past , should work very well for a shop.

False, there are some things that never decompose and then even the things that do decompose do not disappear into thin air.

This is bad advice.