Best way to remove 3’ of bed rock to burry septic tank?

[4570Man]

So I need to install a septic tank and the bedrock isn’t much over 2’ deep maybe 3’ tops. I could add some dirt to the top but not enough. Is something like that in the range of Dexpan or a handheld jackhammer? Should I look into renting a mini excavator with a rock breaker? Any other ideas? This system has to be inspected so burying anything besides a proper tank isn’t an option.

 

[Diggin It]

So I need to install a septic tank and the bedrock isn’t much over 2’ deep maybe 3’ tops.

2-3 feet below the surface? How thick is it?

 

[4570Man]

The bed rock is 2-3 feet below the surface but I need a hole 6’ deep. The top foot of the rock is pretty soft so if I’m lucky I’ll be able to dig 4 foot deep but I haven’t started that project yet. As to the thickness I have no idea. That doesn’t really matter.

 

[RNeumann]

I had the rock here blasted. $2400/day.

If that isn’t an option they make skid steer and excavator mounted hammers. Because of the underground nature of the rock I’d go for the excavator. Renting one for a day vs hiring it done will be close in cost- get quotes for both.

How’s the leach field?

 

[4570Man]

It’s only like 30 feet from other houses so I don’t think blasting is an option. I think the leech will be fine.

 

[Diggin It]

Have you talked to the plumbing/septic inspector to see how they handled other similar situations?

 

[Streetcar]

What type of rock?

 

[4570Man]

Sand stone.

 

[ruffdog]

It sounds like a civil, wastewater, or septic engineer should be involved.

 

[4570Man]

They’ve already given the specs I have to meet for the leech field. They don’t care how it gets buried.

 

[Professor Marvel]

where is this going to percolate or drain to?

 

[Oldpath05]

Sounds like a jack-hammer job to me, just make believe your riding a Harley...............

 

[Oldoak]

Re: Best way to remove 3 of bed rock to burry septic tank?

I would get a quote and possibly hire it done. You would want to clear the rock deeper than just the minimum to lay a bed of sand in order to set the tank level. Rather than setting the tank on jagged rock creating voids and high pressure points on the tank bottom.

A small excavator with a hydraulic hammer would make short work of it.

 

[4570Man]

Sounds like a jack-hammer job to me, just make believe your riding a Harley...............

I’m still recovering from a broke ankle. I can operate my backhoe but the man behind the jackhammer won’t be me. One of my buddies has a jackhammer. I might try to get him to try it before renting a mini excavator.

 

[Morning Wood]

Get it blasted. They can do small charges and not disturb the house. You still have to dig it out with an excavator.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve got a full size backhoe to do the digging but I don’t have a rock hammer or the hydraulics to run one so I’d have to rent the whole machine. I’ll check into the blasting option but I don’t have high hopes in finding someone to do it.

 

[Oldoak]

.................................... I’ll check into the blasting option but I don’t have high hopes in finding someone to do it.

Only 30' from other houses, blasting bedrock? I don't think you are going to like the cost even if you can find a licensed contractor to do the blasting.

Hope you have good neighbors. Even small charges will be felt from the vibration of the blast. Then someone could be looking for a freebee to repair their long ago cracked drywall, ceiling plaster or whatever.

 

[4570Man]

I don't think you are going to like the cost even if you can find a licensed contractor to do the blasting.

I don’t either. I figure somewhere on the $500 range to rent a mini with a rock hammer. I hope the mini is up for the job. I watched a 320 cat hammer all day to put in a culvert at gas station they’re building.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Re: Best way to remove 3 of bed rock to burry septic tank?

Drill it then use an expanding compound to crack it.
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Then the hoe might work.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Sandstone does break well in layers,