When you think about design, it’s likely that things like clothes and houses come to mind before septic systems. In fact, you might not even realize that septic systems come in different styles. The right design is actually key to ensuring that your septic system performs as you need it to and lasts for many years. There are several elements that are important in ensuring that this is the case.
Location Is Everything
This saying doesn’t just apply to real estate. It’s also important when it comes to placing your septic tank in the optimal spot. Factors include accessibility, the slope of your yard and the water table.
Soil type is particularly important. It affects the design of your drain field. Sandy soil is ideal for a traditional drain field. Rocky or clay soil may require an extra treatment system or other adjustments.
Deep Dive on Drain Field Layout
The drain field is where liquid waste goes, and there are several different design options. Trenches are the standard approach with sandy soil and plenty of space. If there’s less room, a better choice might be beds. Poor soil could mean using mounds built above ground. These options all use gravel. However, another design possibility is chambers, which are plastic.
Get the Right Tank
Septic tanks come in varied sizes and are made of different materials. When choosing the right size, it’s necessary to consider the size of your household and how much water you tend to use.
The tank may be made of concrete, plaster or fiberglass. While each material has advantages and disadvantages, proper installation is the most important factor in longevity.
All three types should last for decades. Concrete may have a slight lifespan advantage, but plastic and fiberglass are more resistant to corrosion. Anchoring might also be necessary for plastic and fiberglass tanks to prevent them from floating.
Don’t Neglect Future-Proofing
Your family may just consist of two or three people now, but do you plan on having more children? Or perhaps you anticipate moving a set of elderly parents into the home with you down the road. Keeping these kinds of future plans in mind can help ensure that your septic system has the necessary capacity to handle growth.
Another consideration is code compliance. Code compliance provides minimal standards. You may want to consider going above and beyond those standards to ensure that your system won’t need any major work in another decade or two.
A septic system may last anywhere from 25 to 40 years, but the wrong design can take decades off that. You can work with professionals to ensure that the design and installation of your septic system is right for your property and lifestyle. This helps protect your investment and saves you money and stress in the years ahead. If you live in Muncie, IN or a surrounding area and need septic tank installation services, make your first call to Happy & Clean Septic Rescue.
