Replacing a residential septic system is a significant undertaking, and there are some things to consider before the system is installed. If your old septic system is not working, it is essential to determine the cause so the new system does not meet the same fate after it is installed on your property.

Septic System Failure

There are many reasons for a septic system to fail, and many of those are environmental issues that you can correct, but some are related to the design or the area that the system is installed in. It is crucial to determine what caused the issues that caused the failure so that the replacement residential septic system works correctly and lasts for many years. 

The septic tank can be cracked and leak, the leach field may stop working, or you may be dealing with tree roots infiltrating the system and damaging the pipes and tank over time. The contractor working on your residential septic system will inspect the system before any work starts to determine what has happened to require replacement of the system and can go over their findings with you before the work begins. 

System Placement

Residential septic systems need to be accessible so that the tank can be pumped and cleaned every few years, but the tank and drain field should not be in an area that can be exposed to vehicle traffic of any kind. The concrete tank used in these systems is strong enough to support the earth over the tank, but if a large vehicle drives over the tank, the pressure exerted on the ground can cause the tank under it to crack and begin to leak. 

The drain field is also fragile because the perforated pipes that make up the field are under the surface and could break or crack if they are driven over regularly. Because of this, it is vital that the septic system is installed in an area that will not have vehicle traffic over the system. The septic truck that will pump your tank has a long hose so they can reach the tank without driving over the system. 

Ground Quality

It is essential that the soil the system is being installed in will drain adequately. Selecting a part of the property for the drain field can be even more important than the tank location for a new residential septic system. If the soil does not drain well, the water in the tank may back up, and the system will need premature pumping, so the contractor installing the system must have the ground tested to ensure proper drainage. 

The soil can often be amended to help with drainage, and there are systems designed to use additional filtering and treatment if your soil has drainage issues, but they come at a higher cost and require more space on the property. Finding a suitable area on the property for the drain field should be the priority, and if there is no area that will work, talk to the contractor about the options and systems to remedy the issues.

Contact a local septic service to learn more about residential septic tank installation.