We know, you weren’t expecting this. But the inspection revealed a failing septic system. What now?
Don’t worry. Replacing A septic system in Connecticut can seem like a daunting and an expensive undertaking. The following steps can make it easier for you to get thru this process. (Although this article is based on working with a Septic Installer in Connecticut, many of the principles would apply in other states.)
1. Find a Reputable Licensed Septic Installer
If you hire someone who has never cooked before to cater your wedding, things will go poorly. A wedding lasts a day… a septic should last 20-30 years! Hire a installer that cuts corners and hides mistakes, and you will be very sorry!
Although all septic systems must pass an inspection in the state of Connecticut, the city inspector (called a sanitarian) only visits the site a couple of times. There are plenty of occasions for an installer to cut corners and hide mistakes. And these mistakes may not show up for a few years. Find an installer with a guarantee, who has been in business for many years. In the state of Connecticut installers must be licensed, it is also important that they are insured.
2. Soil test.
Generally, once you have hired your installer, they will schedule the test work with the sanitarian of your health department. There will usually be a fee to do this test work, which would cover the cost of the machinery needed to perform the digging involved, as well as the fee for the town.
Generally referred to as Percs and Deeps, this test will usually take a couple of hours. They consist of digging one or more deep holes, which are typically around 7’ deep (with a piece of heavy equipment, i.e. excavator/backhoe) which will determine the area that the septic system can be placed.
The drainage capability of the soil will also be tested, by digging a small hole, called a perc hole/or percolation test, which is usually hand dug, and is approximately 10” round by 30” deep. It is then filled with water and timed for an hour to determine how quickly the water will be absorbed into the ground.
The soil testing will generate the information required to determine the size of the septic system needed, as well as what type of septic system can be installed on the property.
3. System Design
Once the soil test information is combined with the number of bedrooms in the house, the septic installer can then apply the health code to the homeowner’s site condition and properly design the septic system for that property. The health code is a Connecticut state wide code.
When designing systems, we at AJM Septic always try to match the septic system to the property. A system in Brookfield by the lake may not be the same system put in a field in New Milford, and may still be different from a system placed under an asphalt parking lot in Danbury.
Note: There may be restrictive conditions, such as high ground water tables, ledge rock, and poorly draining soils that may require an engineered septic plan. The local sanitarian would determine this during the soil testing if these kind of conditions are present during the test work.
4. Get Your Quote Before You Begin
At this point, a septic installer has plenty of information to submit a quote. This should be in writing and will include such information as the materials, labor and the condition the property will be left, when completed. Changes to your original quote should always be made in writing.
5. Get Approvals and Permits.
The installer will submit a septic plan to the health department for approval, which will be determined from the test work that was performed. The plan may or may not be changed by the sanitarian, once approved, permits will be issued and the installer can begin the process of installation.
6. CBYD
(this will be handled by the installer)
7. Installation
Barring unforeseen circumstances (like hitting ledge rock, unearthing unmarked utilities, or finding Jimmy Hoffa…)
the average installation will take 7-10 business days. Throughout the process the sanitarian will perform inspections to make sure that the system being installed is the right size, that all approved materials have been used, and that it is installed properly.
Generally it is preferred to install a septic system in a different location than the original, for the expense of removing the old one. However, if space is limited, the old one may have to be removed and a new one put in it’s place. If an existing septic system is being removed, you can remain living in the house by pumping the existing tank frequently during the installation of the new system. Once the change over to the new system is made, you should not experience any interruption in use.
8. Final Inspection
Depending on the type of septic system installed, this final inspection may include tests. For example, if a electric pump was needed, a test will be preformed to prove the pump is in working order. Once the final inspection is complete, the town inspector signs off on the system, and your up and running!
9. Finish Landscaping
Every big cut leaves a scar. Same applies to your lawn. When your property is dug up, it will take some time to come back to normal. Once completed, your septic may even change the look of your lawn.
If your contract included finish landscaping, your installer will now rake and seed your lawn. A proper landscaping will include a raking to remove all rocks big enough to damage your lawn mower, and a seeding that covers the soil with the proper amount of seed. A final layer of hay or mulch should be placed on the seed to help it stay in place until the new lawn takes root. Depending on the time of year, a lawn may begin to regrow in 2 weeks!
10. Make it Better than it Was…
We generally encourage the homeowner to take advantage of this opportunity to do some beautiful EarthScaping. Your lawn is already dug up, and there are big machines on your property, there is no better time to reshape your yard into the place you’ve always wanted to live!
Do you day dream about listing to a babbling brook in your back yard? How about a nice patio to do some grilling on?
Do you wish your property was flatter, so you and the kids could kick the ball around back?
Take advantage of this chance to change the earth around you with some Beautiful EarthScaping!
Leave your property better than you found it!
