When you are building a new home, one of the last things you probably think about is your septic system. After all, it’s not as much fun to shop for tanks as it is cabinets, appliances, and floor coverings. Yet, even though you’ll never show it off proudly, your guests WILL know if you don’t have the right septic tank installed.
septic tanks for new home construction
The correct size of the septic tank depends mostly on the square footage of the house and the number of people living there. Most residential septic tanks range in size from 750 gallons to 1,250 gallons. An average 3-bedroom home, less than 2500 square feet will probably require a 1000 gallon tank. Of course, all of this depends on the number of people living in the home and the amount of water and waste that will be put into the system.
A properly sized septic tank should hold waste for 3-years before needing to be pumped and cleaned.
The best way to determine the correct size of the septic tank for your home is to contact a reliable septic company. They can help you plan the specifics of your septic system, including which type of septic system will serve you best.
planning your drainfield
Here are some valuable tips for planning the location of your drainfield.
- Do not allow vehicles on or around the drainfield.
- Do not plant trees or anything else with deep roots near the bed of the drain field. The roots often clog the pipes.
- Don’t drain downspouts or sump pumps into the septic system.
- Do not tamper with or alter with natural drainage features without researching and considering how it will affect the drain field.
- Do not build additions over the drain field or cover it with concrete, asphalt, etc.
- Make your septic tank cover as accessible as possible. This allows for easy maintenance and inspection.
- Plant grass to assist with evaporation and prevent erosion.
a home addition may mean a new septic tank
Do not significantly add to or renovate your home or business without having the size of your septic system evaluated. If you are planning on installing a home addition that is bigger than 10% of your floor area, increases the number of rooms, or requires additional plumbing installation, you will probably need to enlarge your septic tank.
- If you are planning on a home addition that requires a building permit for more use of your septic system, your local health department will require a signed and authorized letter confirming that the new septic system is capable of accommodating the increase in wastewater.
- Do not attempt to replace your septic system without the help of a licensed and qualified professional.
how to maintain your new septic system
Norway Septic Inc. is a service-oriented company dedicated to providing excellent septic tank cleaning and septic tank pumping services to homeowners and business owners in the Michiana area. We take pride in doing the job that others leave behind. ” Our motto stands, “they pump, we clean!”
With over 40 years of experience, we know septic systems and recommend the following:
- Enlist the help of an authorized professional to design a maintenance plan.
- Schedule an annual inspection of your septic system.
- Install an effluent filter to reduce the number of solids leaving the tank, consequently prolonging the life of your septic system.
- Properly dispose of waste materials and use Energy Efficient Appliances.
- Have your septic cleaned by an experienced and licensed professional every 2 to 3 years, or as often as is appropriate for your system.
- Call a professional if you suspect that there are any problems with your system. It is far better to nip it in the bud than to pay the price later.
- Keep a record of any septic system repairs, inspections, etc.
common septic questions
Here are some common questions asked by our septic customers.
How do I determine the size of my septic tank?
If you have a rectangular tank, multiply the inside height by the length. Divide the result by .1337 to determine how many gallons your septic tank holds.
How many bedrooms does a 500-gallon septic tank support?
The correct size of the septic tank depends mostly on the square footage of the house and the number of people living there. Most residential septic tanks range in size from 750 gallons to 1,250 gallons. An average 3-bedroom home, less than 2500 square feet will probably require a 1000 gallon tank.
How deep in the ground is a septic tank?
You can typically find your septic system buried between four inches and four feet underground.
