Septic System - Infiltrator System

[radioman]

following -- in my situation is that the county is footing the bill to install a replacement system. their engineer is figuring on a 1275 tank for 6 bedroom but only 5 people with pump/filter and chambers lines as well.

 

[Pettrix]

following -- in my situation is that the county is footing the bill to install a replacement system. their engineer is figuring on a 1275 tank for 6 bedroom but only 5 people with pump/filter and chambers lines as well.

Wow, that seems like a small tank for a 6 bedroom. In my area a 6 bedroom home would require 2,000 - 2,500 GAL tank.

1,275 Gallons with 5 people in the home is a small tank. It will reach capacity pretty quickly and require pumping every 2-3 years. I would upsize to a 2,000 GAL tank. We are talking maybe a few hundred dollars in costs.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I am going with the Mutual Industries WF200 Polyethylene Woven Geotextile Fabric. It looks like heavy duty fabric.

For filter fabric, you really should be using the non-woven. The woven stuff is more for under roadbeds to keep the gravel from sinking down into the soil.

I've seen the Mutual stuff all over the 'Net, but one thing bothers me - I can't find the weight of it anywhere. It's standard to specify ounces per square yard, but Mutual doesn't. Check their spec sheet.

 

[Pettrix]

For filter fabric, you really should be using the non-woven. The woven stuff is more for under roadbeds to keep the gravel from sinking down into the soil.

I've seen the Mutual stuff all over the 'Net, but one thing bothers me - I can't find the weight of it anywhere. It's standard to specify ounces per square yard, but Mutual doesn't. Check their spec sheet.

The woven fabric is better that way. I don't want gravel or soil sinking into the chambers. The non-woven is the cheap landscape stuff that falls apart.

Not sure about the ounces. It's pretty heavy duty fabric according to the tests and specs it lists. Most big box store stuff doesn't even have specs.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

The woven fabric is better that way. I don't want gravel or soil sinking into the chambers. The non-woven is the cheap landscape stuff that falls apart.

Not sure about the ounces. It's pretty heavy duty fabric according to the tests and specs it lists. Most big box store stuff doesn't even have specs.

The ounces are what matters. If a manufacturer will not state the weight, be very very suspicious. That's like a tractor manufacturer refusing to state the horsepower.

You are thinking of the cheapo stuff you get at the home store. I'm talking about what highway departments and professionals use. I'm currently putting in 1000' of french drain to solve a problem on my property, and I've researched this extensively. I'm tying in to an existing french drain that was recently installed by a contractor on a neighbor's property. The shady contractor used the cheapo landscape fabric you are talking about. It's junk.

I'm using the 4 oz non-woven fabric that is spec'd by the Virginia DOT for such work. Looking at them side by side, mine is about 15 or 20 times thicker. It's like a decent blanket you'd put on your bed. It would keep you warm. Probably close to 1/8" thick. It is the CORRECT stuff for your application.

This is the stuff I'm using:

Non Woven Filter Fabric


See here for a decent competitor's citation of the VDOT specs. Note that this is specifically called, "filter fabric".

Virginia - Geotextiles & DOT Specifications - US Fabrics

US 12NW - Nonwoven Geotextile - US Fabrics

 

[Pettrix]

The ounces are what matters. If a manufacturer will not state the weight, be very very suspicious. That's like a tractor manufacturer refusing to state the horsepower.

I found one product that is 3.5 ounces:

Amazon.com: Mutual NW35 Non Woven Geotextile Polypropylene Fabric Cut Roll, 9 lbs Grab Tensile Strength, 3' Length x 6' Width: Industrial & Scientific

 

[Pettrix]

On the concrete D-Box, the box is level but I noticed that one distribution pipe is a tad lower than the other 3 pipes so during the test run that one pipe got more water flow.

I noticed that some people install the Roto-Flow or similar covers that fine tune distribution. Are those a good idea if I am experiencing the above?

 

[Pettrix]

following -- in my situation is that the county is footing the bill to install a replacement system. their engineer is figuring on a 1275 tank for 6 bedroom but only 5 people with pump/filter and chambers lines as well.

If the COUNTY is paying for it, that might explain WHY they only want to install a 1275 gallon tank for a 6 bedroom home. They are cutting costs at your expense.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I found one product that is 3.5 ounces:

Amazon.com: Mutual NW35 Non Woven Geotextile Polypropylene Fabric Cut Roll, 9 lbs Grab Tensile Strength, 3' Length x 6' Width: Industrial & Scientific

That's the stuff you want. They call it "filter cloth".

But check around you carefully. You might find a business that sells that stuff to contractors, and get it at a cheaper price. That's what I did. It's working really well for me to be able to run grab whatever I need locally.

Check your local phone book (I know, who uses a paper phone book anymore? ) and search the 'Net.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

If the COUNTY is paying for it, that might explain WHY they only want to install a 1275 gallon tank for a 6 bedroom home. They are cutting costs at your expense.

Yep.

Maybe offer to pay the difference to get the larger tank?

 

[Billrog]

In order to distribute the effluent evenly through out the field speedy levelers are necessary when all drains aren't getting equal flow.

 

[Pettrix]

following -- in my situation is that the county is footing the bill to install a replacement system. their engineer is figuring on a 1275 tank for 6 bedroom but only 5 people with pump/filter and chambers lines as well.

You will have to pump that 1200 gallon tank once a year with that many people/fixtures. Five people/6 bedrooms on a 1200 gallon tank is a recipe for tank failure, frequent pumping and headaches.

A family of 5 can use around 300-500 gallons of water in the home per day. So in 2-4 days the entire septic tank has seen a full turnover. That's not enough tank. You should be looking at a 2,500 gallon tank and an oversized leach field. Bigger is better. A failed septic system will cost you 3x more than building it correctly the first time.

That's the county government for you.

 

[Pettrix]

They installed the field and tank

 

[TomSeller]

WOW! Now that is a drain field !

 

[Pettrix]

WOW! Now that is a drain field !

It's a little overkill but that's just that way I do things. :dance1:

This septic system/leach field will outlive me and the next family living on that land will thank me for building it that way.

I went with 89 chambers and a 2,500 gallon tank. Total, including all supplies and labor was around $10k

 

[ultrarunner]

That is an amazing price... just about what my Washington neighbor paid for permit and engineering...

Looks very good and something to be proud of.

 

[Billrog]

Looks good . Some risers on the tank to bring the lid's to the surface may not hurt.

 

[roadhunter]

Looks good . Some risers on the tank to bring the lid's to the surface may not hurt.

+1. Looks great.

 

[Pettrix]

That is an amazing price... just about what my Washington neighbor paid for permit and engineering...

Looks very good and something to be proud of.

Thank you!

That's expensive out in Washington. If permitting and engineering costs around $10k, then what does it cost to install the system?

 

[Pettrix]

Looks good . Some risers on the tank to bring the lid's to the surface may not hurt.

I agree. I ordered some 12" risers to install. Is it OK to let the risers sit a few inches above ground? This way it's easier to find and to pump when that time comes.