When do I install my septic system?

At each percolation test most of my customers will ask, "So, when should I install the septic system -- before or after the home is built?"

I suppose it's fair to say that you could choose either option but here's a few things to consider:

1. After you build the home will the Septic Contractor have enough room to access the site with a backhoe and crane truck?

2. Are you planning on living on the site while the home is being built? Do you want to use your own septic or pay for a portable toilet?

3. If you install the system first will it be far enough out of the way so that it's not damaged during the construction process?

4. Does your plumber have experience plumbing for septics? Most plumbers are used to hooking up to city sewer lines and plumb too deep. If your septic contractor has to follow a plumber who over digs the plumbing it could affect your engineering plan and raise the cost of your septic system.

If you have any questions about when to install your septic system give me a call at 520-406-3871 and I can help you with your decision. If you want to visit my website check out http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Fiberglass or Concrete Septic Tank?

Most of the septic systems installed in Pima County are concrete and range in size from 1000 gallons up to 2000 gallons. The concrete septic tank has stood the test of time in Pima County and is found on over 98% of all the septic installations I have performed.

When would you use a fiberglass tank? On rare occasions we will use a fiberglass septic tank when we are unable to access the excavated area with a crane truck. The fiberglass tank is substantially more to install due to site preparation and much weaker than a traditional concrete tank. While I would never recommend driving over a septic tank, you could drive a personal vehicle over a concrete tank, whil the fiberglass tank would probably cave in.

If you have any questions about installing a fiberglass septic tank or concrete septic tank give me a call at 520-406-3871. If you want to visit my website check out http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Septic Permits

For the last couple of years getting a septic permit has been frustrating. It was not uncommon for a permit to take four to six weeks and it seemed that the County was unwilling to do much about it.

Due to the huge slow down in septic permit requests new permits can be issued in less than one week. Seems we are back to the good 'ol days!

Give me a call if you would like to schedule your percolation test and install your septic by next week!

If you want to visit my website check out http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Septic Permits down 50%

At a recent meeting with the Department of Environmental Quality Septic Contractor's in Pima County were advised that requests for Septic Permits were down by 50% from the previous year. So, what does this mean for you?

When competition is more fierce and demand has fallen this means better pricing for you! While most of my competitor's are still installing septic systems above $4,000 my company is competitively priced at 15% below the competition for conventional septic systems. You can visit my website at http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com to see a price chart showing you pricing for complete septic systems. If you have a bid from another contractor and you want to know if you might be able to save a little money you can fax over your bid and I will guarantee to provide you a price quote at least 10% below my nearest competitor.

Tucson Alternative Septic Systems

In Pima County there are several cases in which you may not qualify for a conventional septic system. While there are many variables I am just going to give you the basics. Here are a few things that may disqualify you from a conventional septic system -

1. Ground has more than 50% rock
2. Ground is too sandy (believe it or not)
3. Ground is too hard not allowing profile holes of 10' to 12'
4. Ground percolates too slow

Like I said, I am making this pretty basic -- there could be other factors but these are the most common.

So, how do you know if you will need an alternative septic system? Well, during the "perk test" (percolation test) we will find out. The percolation test is performed with a licensed septic installer and a civil engineer. Soil profile holes are dug and the actual water test is performed. If the engineer determines that your land is not suitable for a conventional system you will get the bad news on the spot. If you need a perk test you can call 520-406-3871 the price is $875 and includes the actual test, the engineer fees and the written septic plan.

What is an alternative septic system and why is this bad news you might ask? Well, most people don't want to hear that their land will not percolate as the costs to install an alternative septic system will range from $11,000 to $15,000 on average - the engineering costs are about $1500-$2,000 depending on the design -that's the bad news.

Alternative septic systems work by taking the liquid from the septic system and distributing it up (evaporation), or laterally (using the top soil), or a combination of both. I will not go into any more details about these in this post, but you get the idea.

Remember that a perk test is very important if you are buying land near the foothills. You want to make sure that you do your own test. I have personally witnessed lots that have sold as "perking" by a Real Estate Agent, only to find out that some shallow holes were dug and stamped as "perking." Believe me, nobody is happy when they call a septic installer and find out that the lot fails.

Give me a call if you have any questions on this subject -- my number is 520-406-3871.

If you want to read a bit more about Alternative Septic Systems check out my page at http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Septic Safety

I was doing some reading around the web today on septic safety and ran across a website I wanted to share with you.

Believe it or not people can actually be killed for lack of safety or just plain old lack of knowledge.

Now, here in Southern Arizona this is not a major issue but I thought I would talk about three things that could be potential safety issues:

1. Septic manholes
2. Cesspools
3. Septic Repairs

The hazards of septic systems in Arizona are manole risers. In Pima County we are required to install risers to within 6" of final grade -- and many times these risers can be damaged if you are not careful.

A manhole riser can be 12" to 36" in height and they are easily crushed by driving over them -- never drive near your septic system as this could result in a collapse of your manhole riser and potentially result in a child or pet falling straight into the septic system. Check out this site and read some of the children who have actually died when this happened -- http://www.septicprotector.com/Deathpage.html

Cesspools are not very common for us in Pima County, but prior to the 1960's you might have had some systems installed in this way. A cesspool is an underground pit that was normally built with cinder blocks. Over many decades the cinder block can break down resulting in a collapse. Again, read the link above and you can read about this for yourself -- it is very scary stuff.

If you have an old cesspool call someone to come out and fill this in -- it is not worth someone dying over it.

Septic Repairs are necessary when the leach lines begin to fail, or the baffles inside the tank have disintegrated. This work should only be performed by a licensed contractor as there are many pitfalls here you may not be aware of.

Toxic fumes or trench collapse is the most common cause of injury or death when installing new leach fields. There are many areas in Pima County where the soil is so sandy that the new trenches being dug will cave in and bury a man alive. If you see that your septic system is more than two feet below the surface do not attempt to install a new leach field on your own.

If you have questions about your system you can call me and I will answer your question. You can reach me at 406-3871.

PS -- If you have a septic with a piece of plywood over the manhole get this repaired immediately. I have seen this on many jobs and this is a major safety issue -- think about it.

If you would like to visit my website check out http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Septic Trouble?

You are going about your daily routine -- taking a shower, using the bathroom, making breakfast, using the garbage disposal etc. You notice that the plumbing is moving a little bit slower than usual -- you may even begin to notice a foul smell coming from the drains - then it happens. After a brief stop to the restroom you notice the garbage disposal, toilet and other items have made their way into the shower floor!

In a panic, you realize that the septic system is full -- you can't remember the last time (if ever) you had the septic tank pumped. You pick up the yellow pages and dial a septic company to come and pump the tank. Now, that the tank is pumped the shower has drained and your plumbing nightmare is over -- or so you think!

You go about your life and forget about the septic nightmare you just experienced. You get back to life and your daily routine and it happens again. There in the shower is that familiar sludge! Yuck. What is happening?

While this is an extremely stressful it is all to common. In the desert southwest of Tucson, Arizona we typically begin to see leach lines fail at about 25 years. Your area might be a little different but most leach fields begin to fail for lack of care.

What are leaching fields exactly? Well, the leach fields are underground gravel beds that receive all of the fluids from the septic tank. Fluid runs to a distribution box and then to these gravel beds. After a number of years tree roots, or sediment begins to clog the gravel beds and perforated pipe. Eventually these lines become so completely stopped up that the liquid has nowhere to go but back into the tank, back up the drain pipe and into the lowest level of your home.

So, what do you do about this?

A number of companies on the web will attempt to sell you chemical products that they claim will repair your trouble. In my opinion you are wasting your money. Once the leach fields are in this sort of shape you will most likely need to consider replacing the leach fields.

For more information on leach fields you can visit my website at www.tucsonsepticsystems.com -- fill out the Get a bid form, or call 406-3871 for a free estimate. The process normally takes about 2-3 days and I can put your property back in the shape I found it.

Tucson Percolation Testing

What is a "Perk Test?" Why do you need to do this? What is involved?

A Percolation Test is performed by a licensed septic contractor and a civil engineer. Excavation is performed to measure the percolation rate of any fluids into the soil. Several holes are dug around the property to find the best absorption area for your new septic system.

Pima County Department of Environmental Quality requires that you do this test before intalling a septic system. You will not be allowed to pull a septic permit until you do so.

The cost for the engineering and excavation is $900 -- with a fee of approximately $270 and $170 for design review fee and the actual permit.

The percolation test can normally be done within 3 days and the permitting process will take anywhere from 2-4 days.

If you have questions regarding percolation tests feel free to give me a call at 520-449-5057.

If you want to read a bit more about percolation testing in Tucson please visit my website at http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com

Pima and Pinal County Septic Servicing

Most septic systems in Pima and Pinal County are pretty straight-forward. Unless you have rolling terrain, hillside construction, or incredibly hard ground -- we can get your system installed in two or three days -- this includes the entire project with inspection and final back fill.

We install septic systems in all of Pima and Pinal County, so it doesn't matter if you live in Green Valley, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Sonoita, Marana etc -- if it's Pima County or Pinal County we can help.

If you would like to discuss your project you can call me at 520-406-3871, or visit our website online at http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com and fill out the "Get a Bid" form. Once I review the information I can have a bid back to you within the same day.

Welcome

I am new to blogging but thought I might have information on septic systems that some of you might find useful.

I will write articles on this blog related to septic installations, leach field replacement, alternative septic systems, pumping and maintenance of your septic system.

Feel free to ask me your questions here and I will respond to them the same day I receive them. You can also read more about my services at http://www.tucsonsepticpumping.com