Septic Services

Septic System Information

Well and Septic Inspections

Permitting Information

Septic System Information

The Department of Commerce has left designing of septic systems up to the plumber. They have given strict guidelines and minimum standards that we must design to. Because every property is different, there are limitless designs. In the last ten years, O’Leary Plumbing & Heating, Inc. has designed and installed over 650 septic systems on some of the most difficult sites in the area. We are up to date on all the latest technologies and are licensed in soil testing, septic system designing, and installing of septic system. We are the “one to call to do it all” plumbing shop.

Here is some information on the most basic septic system designs and components to give you a better understanding of a septic system.

1. Septic tanks come in a variety of sizes and materials such as concrete, plastic, and steel. The most common being the concrete tank because of its durability and price.

The function of a septic tank is to receive all the wastewater from the home. It must be sized so that the waste water stays in the tank long enough so that all the solids can settle out and allow time for bacteria to clean the out flow. On all new septic systems, a filter is installed on the outlet pipe. This filter is designed to help clean the water leaving the septic tank. After the water leaves your septic tank, it is called effluent and it still needs some treatment before it can be allowed to seep into the ground water table. This is completed by insuring that there is enough natural soil between the bottom of your drain field and the groundwater.

2. To design a drain field, now called a seepage cell, there must be a soil test conducted. A soil test is when we come out and dig holes with a backhoe in the area of the proposed seepage cell. We describe the soils and give them a loading rate. This will give the designer depth to ground water and the type of soil that we will encounter. From the soil test results and the homeowner’s wishes, we can then design the seepage cell.

Types of seepage cells are the in-ground and the above ground cells. In-ground septic systems are cells that are installed below the ground. These systems are typically installed in sandy soils where the water table is quite deep. Some of the types of in-ground cells are stone and pipe cells, plastic panel cells, and bags of Styrofoam pellet cells.

Above ground systems are required on sites where the soils are clay and clay loam and/or have a shallow water table. Two types of above ground systems are the mound system and the at-grade system. These systems are built above the ground.

3. On sites where we cannot get the minimum square footage of area or minimum separation from ground water, we are allowed to downsize the cells by producing a cleaner effluent. The way we do this is to install an Aerobic Treatment Unit or ATU. This is a separate tank with an air pump that supplies a constant supply of air bubbles into the bottom of the tank with extra filters. By increasing the amount of oxygen in the water, more useful bacteria can live in this tank and clean the water to a much higher standard. This will allow some systems to be as much as 50% smaller to fit into the smaller lots. ATUs have also been used to rejuvenate an old seepage cell.

4. When no other septic system can be used, we can install holding tanks. These tanks hold all your wastewater and when they are full, the wastewater must be pumped out and hauled away.

Remember your septic system is a living thing. It requires bacteria to clean the wastewater. Here are a few helpful hints in maintaining your septic system. The leading cause of seepage field failure and filter clogging is letting non-biodegradable items be flushed down your drain. Examples of such items are:

• Kleenex
• Plastic products
• Sanitary pads
• Tampons
• Condoms
• Cigarette butts
• Disposable diapers
• Coffee grounds, tea bags, & egg shells
• Excessive amounts of laundry soap, dish soap, and bubble bath
• Kitty Litter

There are also other chemicals that can kill the good aerobic bacteria that your septic tank generates which processes your sewage. Examples are:

• Washing paint brushes in the sink (either oil based or latex)
• Pouring paint thinners or paint cleaners down the drain
• Putting old medicine down the drain or flushed down the toilet
• Putting cooking grease or any grease down the drain
• Use of drain cleaners (chemical)
• Toilet bowl disinfectants like the ones that hang in the tank and turn the water blue or green
• Antibacterial soaps

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Well and Septic Inspections

Well and septic inspections are usually done for real estate transactions, refinancing your home, or by the owner’s request. O’Leary Plumbing & Heating, Inc. has all the licenses to perform these inspections.

For septic inspections in general what we do is schedule to have your septic tank pumped with a local septic pumping contractor. Then we complete a visual inspection of the tank looking for cracks, missing baffles, and/or signs of sewage up into the risers. We also clean the septic filter if applicable. For your drain field or seepage cell, we will locate vents or observations pipes in your system and look for evidence of ponding water or ground saturation. Then we report on the general location and setbacks as required.

For well inspections, we start at the well. We determine if it is a point well or a drilled well. We verify that it is the proper distance above grade and away from contaminant sources. We check that it has the proper well cap or seal and that the wires are protected. At the pressure tank, we will cycle the pump and check for proper run time, amp draw, and make sure the pressure switch activates properly. We make sure there is a sample faucet installed. We check for any signs of leaking. When completed, a water sample is taken and sent to a state certified lab.

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Permitting Information

1. A state sanitary permit, issued by the county, is required for installing a new or replacing an existing septic system.

2. Only a licensed plumber can apply for a sanitary permit.

3. For new construction, keep in mind that the sanitary permit must be applied for before you can obtain a building permit.

4. Permits for conventional septic systems and holding tanks can be reviewed at the county level and take a few days to obtain. Mound, at-grade and in-ground pressure septic systems require a state review also and may take a few weeks to obtain.

5. O'Leary Plumbing & Heating, Inc. does all our own designing and can apply for permits within one day.

6. Time required to obtain a permit may change per county. Please call for more information.

7. Information that O'Leary Plumbing & Heating, Inc. will need to obtain a permit for new construction will be: owner's name, owner's mailing address, owner's phone number, jobsite address, site plan showing home on the lot and a completed soil test filed with the county. O'Leary Plumbing & Heating, Inc. can help you obtain all of the above.

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Frequently Asked Questions.

How often should I have my well tested?

What can I do to make my Septic System work properly?

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