septic tank installation

[brother chris]

I bought a 36' travel trailer and my friend said I could live in it on his property.<br />The question is: I can't use the tank that is with the trailer as the trailer will be staying in one spot for a couple years. <br />I need to put in a septic tank for the waste, but I am not sure how deep to put it or if there is anything I have to know before I install it. <br />I don't have a tank yet because I wanted to know if there is anything I'm forgetting. <br />Is there anyone out there who has installed a septic tank with any info for me?<br />Thanks in advance.<br />Bro Chris...

 

[roscoe]

Re: septic tank installation

Can't help with the tank install, as local laws will dictate what you need to do.<br /><br />But, we have a trailer set up on a permanent site and you will need to do one of two things to keep the solid waste from building up in the tank and lines.<br /><br />Either replumb the waste line so that it will bypass the holding tank.<br />Or use the tank(s) and then empty them when full, every couple of days.<br /><br />I vote for bypassing the tank(s). And use pvc pipe, not the ridged flexible hose that came with the trailer. That hose is meant to be rinsed out after each use.<br /><br />Also, make sure the toilet flushes enough water to send the waste all the way to the septic tank.<br /><br />And be aware that a tank installed in the ground will probably become the property of the land owner. He will want it done legally, or he could be responsible for its repair or removal.

 

[Grant S]

Re: septic tank installation

Your local authority will have all the details.<br />I'm guessing this is on a rural property, have you thought of a portable chemical toilet that you could bury the treated waste,and a soakage line for grey wastes.<br /> A properly installed septic tank is an expensive proposition. A crude soakage test to see the soils suitability for septics is to dig a one foot square and deep hole and fill it up with water and observe how fast it drains away.Quicker is better. The soakage field should zigzag across and down any slope, and be well away from any watercourse. the tank suppliers will probably have the info you want that is relevant to the local situation.

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

Thanks for the replies. <br />Since I have posted, I have read up on installing them...wow, they are expensive. <br />A proper one is anywhere from $3000-$20,000. <br />And yes the place I am parking it on is out in the country, on 5 acres. <br />I only plan on staying there for 1-2years max. <br />Another option I have is to make a trailer with a septic tank on it. I have an extra axle and everything to make a 4x8 trailer. <br />Does that make any sense? A portable septic tank which can be towed and emptied at a moments notice. <br />Just hate to get into an accident whilst towing it. <br />If anyone else has any ideas, please help cause I am not sure what I am going to do.<br />Thanks,<br />Brother Chris...

 

[one more cast]

Re: septic tank installation

If I were doing it I think I would just get a backhoe, drop in a 300 gallon steel septic tank and run about 100' of leech field. When your through with it just ask your friend if he wants it left set up for future use, if not just pump it out and fill it with dirt. note: check with local building codes first.

 

[Barlow]

Re: septic tank installation

well this really depends on a bunch of variables that are 'area' specific to you. <br /><br />I certainly wouldn't just drop in a tank and assume its ok for a drain field!<br /><br />nothing like possibly tainting the water table for you and possibly 1000's of other people getting sick from consuming your fecal matter and brown water discharges if soil conditions aren't correct for it.<br /><br />Make some calls and get someone out there *thats certified* to take a look at the situation and advise you on your options. Paying for tests may be required but thats life. Nothings free.

 

[one more cast]

Re: septic tank installation

Barlow, Thats why I wrote

note: check with local building codes first.<br /><br />

The code people around here check things out with a fine tooth comb.

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

Thanks fellas,<br />I think I am going to have to get a proffesional out there. This is not as easy as I thought it was going to be.<br />Although I might just do the "trailer" idea if worse comes to worse.

 

[cajun555]

Re: septic tank installation

I've done work at field offices doing highway work and at some of these offices they use what look like a 500 to 750 gal holding tank. You might call the port-a potty people to see what they can set you up with. Just a thought.

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

Hey, thanks cajun, I never thought of that. <br />I think I will give some of them a call.<br />Cheers,<br />Brother Chris...

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: septic tank installation

I know I am on the other side of the world, but the 1st stop for you is your local authority.<br />I am sure they will happily discuss your situation and supply you with the requirements specific to your area. <br />Then work from there. <br />Until you do that, everything else could be a waste of time.<br />I have both septic and sullage, plus I also use Proportional Dosing Pumps in my business.<br />There are very strict rules, but they are very easy to follow.<br />I am sure you will have a Code to follow set by your Local Authority. <br />Believe me, it is critical you conform, other wise you are 3rd World stuff.<br />It is things like this that seperate us from the 3rd World.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip

 

[Barlow]

Re: septic tank installation

I'm with ya OMC. <br /><br />Just thought it was a good idea to add a 'for instance' in having things properly done with the situation ...<br /><br />I meant no cut on you... or the information. <br /><br />Again, .. just clarifying the info.<br /><br />if the mistake was made it'd cost someone dearly.<br /><br />-barlow

 

[Barlow]

Re: septic tank installation

BC -- just had to add this.<br /><br />I did a search on 'soil conditions in Vancouver, Canada' out of curiosity<br /><br />The first site on the list I entered was a Marijuana Horticulture site!! <br /><br />...sound about right?<br /><br />

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

Yeah, that sounds about right. <br />Most of the people here are laid back, snowboarding, pot smoking hippies who live in vans down by the river. <br />Just kidding, but it is a close accurate statement.<br />We have a marijuana political party here...go figure.<br /><br /><br />But on the other topic of sewage, I am on my way to see the city for bylaws regarding septic tank installation.<br />I'll let you all know what they say.

 

[aspeck]

Re: septic tank installation

Hey Bro Chris, Since you are only planning on being there for 1 - 2 years, I would go with the porta-tank. If your friend has a house on the property, then he has a septic system. You will only need to go there and dump into one of his clean-outs (assuming he has one). If not, it would not be hard or expensive to add a cleanout where you dump your sewage. That way you would not have to travel far to get rid of it. Just a thought.

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

Thanks aspeck. <br />So what you are saying is that his septic lines have a cleanout(where a snake would go into it to unclog the pipe). And I could just dump the waste in there?<br />That sounds like a feasible idea.<br />And if he does not have a cleanout, I can just add a "tee" to his existing pipes to dump the waste in there?<br />Is that what you are saying? <br />I guess that sounds alright. <br />That would save me close to a $1000 if I do that instead of adding a septic tank.

 

[rwise]

Re: septic tank installation

Chris<br />I looked into putting in a tank and lines a few years ago on my farm. It was going to cost me more money to do it myself than to hire it done turnkey! You may want to get a bid or two. Like I said a few years ago, but the whole job was $1200 with 300' of line, Included everything needed.<br />Richard

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

I've talked it over with my bud and I am going to dig up the existing line and put a "tee" on it, then I can just dump it into the existing line.<br />Of course this is all talk, I'll see if it is that easy once I begin this crappy job.<br />Thanks for the input guys.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: septic tank installation

why not contact a port a potty company or septic company and see what they would charge to come and pump once a month? <br /><br />Dig a line for the gray water - shower, sink but waste to the tank, that way you wont have to pump it too often. <br /><br />Here they are building the waste lines with packing peanuts instead of gravel, the peanuts never compact, they will last forever and are cheaper. The idea is that the dirt washes off the gravel and it seals the trench<br /><br />Here they rent the POP for $75 a month, they might do it for less than that since all they are doing is pumping out.<br /><br />If you do it out of code then you run the risk of fines and if your friend goes to sell the property and they find the tank buried he will have to deal with getting rid of it, <br /><br />i have a neighbor who bought a house and did not know there was a another tank that the previous owner had secretely put in for his travel trailer when he went to sell the house the 2nd inspector found it and he had to have it dug out before selling.

 

[brother chris]

Re: septic tank installation

So we rented a porta-potti for $100/month. <br />I plan on running a line from my trailer to the porta-potti. The company comes and cleans it out every 2 weeks. <br />Then my friend told me he had an extra septic tank which is around 300 gallons. He wants $25 for it. Sounds good to me, only thing is that the tank is now filled with grease which I have to get rid of first. <br />So after all that stuff I had planned I ended up getting a FREE septic tank. Not bad.<br /><br />So I guess now I have to talk to the city and find out the regualations for septic install.<br />Thanks for all the help guys.