Septic tank installation

[thehagg501]

I'd go concrete for that price

 

[Harleymsn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also, I am doing some bartering for a new 1200 gallon poly septic tank for future use on my home in Arkansas. I will be storing this for a few years till I am ready to install it. Does anyone forsee any problems I might have by "bringing my own" tank vs. purchasing one through my install contractor? )</font>
Slydog, the only thing I might add is to check your codes there. I had looked at the poly tanks myself a couple years ago, with the thought like you have in mind. Of course, I went online and downloaded the Tennnessee code for ssds (about 600 pages) and found that the state only allows concrete tanks, at least that was the case about 3 yrs ago.

 

[slydog]

Thanks Harley! I didn't think about code not allowing it. I will call the Health Department in the county and ask.

well..just called and spoke with the guy at the HD over there. Certain polly tanks from certain manufacturers, at certain sizes are allowed. Depending on what is on their list of approveds. Luckily a couple of the brands from our distributor are on the list for the size we are getting. I wouldn't have gone with the more expensive polly if I was paying totally out of pocket.

 

[surfran]

I thought about a poly tank as well, but my contractor wouldn't touch them. Said they float too easy if any water table issues and they can collapse to easy if not filled before back filling. The cost difference wasn't enough on the job to make a difference, and I am much more comfortable mowing over the concreate tank.

 

[slydog]

Good points Surfran! I had wondered about the colapsability while moving over it. I'll have to call the HD guy back with some more questions, maybe talk to a few septic system installers in the area and see what they say.

 

[Currmudgeon]

The key to strength on plastic tanks is the backfill. It must be carefully and thoroughly compacted on both sides of the tank. That is labor intensive and significantly raises the cost of the tank if done right.

As others have pointed out, a plastic tank will float if it is empty and the groundwater table comes up. It happens to gas station tanks all the time.

 

[moeh1]

I too was going to get a poly tank. The most respected septic guy in the area talked me out of it. One, they have to be filled with water before backfilling, two the ground in my area was rocky and that is bad for them, and three the compnay wouldn't stand behind him and he always stands behind his product, so he was losing money on them. So, if you have sand or loam, it might be a good thing, otherwise go concrete!

 

[HuckBB62]

I just had a 1500 gallon poly tank installed. I can hardly understand how they'll float as they're never empty after the initial fill. Filling it before backfilling was no big deal at all so I don't understand that either. After seeing a truck collapse a concrete tank with my own eyes, I can't recommend driving over any septic system of any kind. That plastic will be there long after the bugs have damaged the concrete. I'm sure that installers prefer concrete, it pretty much guarantees a redo in future years. If you're worried about the back fill, have some sand or pea gravel delivered. The cost saving measures aren't talked about either, such as ease of installation, tight, easy connections and it being a better barrier in the long run. Seems like a choice to be made, the delivery and installation cost differences where I live made it a no brainer.

 

[slydog]

I don't think I will have any water table issues, as I'm up a hill from a lake at least 300 vertical feet off the water. My tank is pretty much a "freebie". The health department over there approves this particular tank (they don't approve all poly tanks) so I'm going to go with it. If I can't get anyone to install it for me, I'll cut it in half with my sawzall and make me a hot tub and row boat! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif