The septic system is one of the fundamental parts of a house that homeowners cannot afford to leave out. It accepts wastes coming from the house and distributes them to secure designated areas to be decomposed by micro organisms. Although the construction of a septic tank is highly regulated because of health issues, building one on your own is not entirely an improbable task. The key to tackling this project is to follow all permitting practices and proper planning. This article provides a few helpful tips when building your own septic tank.
Required Materials
- sand
- gravel
- PVC piping and ends
- PVC glue
- cement or plastic tank
- string
- pencil and paper
- paint brushes
- tape measure
Required Tools
- shovel
- backhoe
- stakes
- surveying equipment
- measuring pole
Instructions
- Knowing the Necessary Permits – Coordinate with your municipal and health offices for the necessary applications and approvals for the project. Make sure that you have secured all signatures before you start building your septic tank.
- Acquiring Test Pit Approval – Make a sketch of your entire property. Submit this to the building and health departments for preliminary approval for the number of test pits to be dug. The plan should locate all the structures found on your property and the number of bedrooms, plantings, fences and poles, power transformers as well as rights-of-way, big rocks and slopes.
- Digging of Test Pits – Dig out the test pits as directed by the authorities. Hire a contractor or a backhoe to do this job. Arrange for an inspection once the holes are dug.
- Securing Health and Building Permits – After the soil has been tested, obtain the necessary requirements for gaining approval for building the project. You can secure this from the health and building departments. Have a plan drawn to meet these requirements. Approval from the authorities will determine the size of the septic tank and where it needs to be located.
- Knowing the Final Grade – Dig out the hole for the septic tank with a backhoe. Survey the project to determine the final grade. Make sure that the grade meets the plan.
- Connecting the Septic Tank – Sand and stone the tank area according to the design requirements. Put in the tank, drain field and distribution box in accordance with the plan. Connect the septic tank to your plumbing system. Have your set-up checked by an inspector.
- Verifying the Requirements – Make sure that all the signatures and forms have been filled for inspection before backfilling the trenches and holes. Check that all the requirements have been inspected and met.
For more information on How to Build a Septic Tank read:
How to Build a Septic Tank
How to Build a Septic Tank
How to Build a Septic Tank
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