When it’s time to consider a new septic system for your home, things have gotten serious. Homes that aren’t connected to a municipal sewer system all have one and they need the same sort of attention as many other parts of your home, even though they’re designed to be out of sight and out of mind. Here are the top five questions and answers about septic system installation in Bedford and Amherst, NH.
Related: THE PROCESS OF SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLATION FOR A MILFORD, NH, HOME
How Will I Know When It’s Time to Maintain or Repair a Septic System?
These first three issues with your septic system may be solved by maintenance and repair before the problem gets out of hand:
First, your drains back up or drain poorly. If one or more of your drains don’t immediately and efficiently drain, you may have a problem with the septic line or the tank.
If you smell odors that you normally don’t smell - especially sewage smells - you could have a broken pipe or an overfilled septic tank.
And worst of all, if sewage is backing up, your tank is probably overfilled or tree roots have infiltrated the pipes, which can quickly cause problems for your home and your health.
How Will I Know When It’s Time to Replace a Septic System?
If you’ve noticed any of these problems, call your septic installation company as soon as possible. In some cases, a pump-out may do the trick and extend the life of your system. But if you notice any of the following, it’s time for a full replacement.
If you notice puddles forming over the leach field even if it hasn’t rained, either the pipes or the tank itself are cracked and leaking into the leach field. This is raw sewage and needs to be dealt with immediately.
If your system needs frequent repairs, your system has reached the end of its lifespan.
And finally, if you have recently added more members to the household and the number of occupants exceeds the capacity of the system, it’s time for an upgrade. Perhaps your elderly parents have moved in with you, or you recently married and joined families… Either way, the increased pressure on the system may quickly overwhelm the original septic system.
What Kinds of Septic Systems Are Commonly Used?
The two main kinds of septic systems in use across America are (1) Gravity-Fed and (2) Pump systems. The only reason you’ll have to make a choice between the two is where you’ll place the septic system in your yard. If placed on a slope, you can use the gravity-fed model. If on completely flat ground or in the case of no usable space downhill from the home, a pump system will be necessary.
What are the Steps of a Septic System Installation?
First, your septic system professionals will survey your property to determine where to build and which system to use. Second, they will apply for the permits from the municipality as soon as possible to get your project going. Third, they will begin excavation and lay down the pipes from your home to the tank. Fourth, they will cover the system and schedule an inspection. Once the inspector approves the work, your new septic system is good to go.
How Long Will Installation Take?
A successful septic system installation can take as little as seven days. This doesn’t take into account the time it takes for permits to be approved and post-installation inspections, which may take a few more days.
