Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of a septic system replacement varies depending on the site location, soils in the area, home size (number of bedrooms), water using applications and other considerations. In order to give accurate information regarding the cost of septic system installation, installers typically request the homeowner complete the design process so they have a complete picture of site requirements.
When these applications cycle they can use large amounts of water that can affect the life of a septic system. Instead of discharging the water softener and iron filter into the septic system, we recommend routing them to a separate drain tile where the used water can be safely discharged without endangering the septic system.
- It needs to be verified that the septic tank(s) are watertight and not leaking sewage. The tanks need to be pumped as part of this process. We contact the pumper and arrange to have them meet us onsite.
- The drain field must meet separation from seasonally saturated soil. This means that in septic systems built after 1996 or in shore land, there must be 3' of separation. In septic systems that were installed before 1996 and not in shore land, the requirement is 2'.
- We will verify the system is functioning hydraulically - that it's not backing up in the home or discharging to the ground surface.
Our field technicians are also homeowners, and they happen to be quite lawn-oriented homeowners. They treat your yard as they would want theirs to be treated. They look at the jobsite carefully and try to minimize the impact of their work. While any septic work will involve some digging, they are careful to replace and remove what they can.
What will be done in the yard depends on the job. Replacement septic system designs involve digging several pits. hand-augering and perhaps doing a percolation test. The equipment used for this is a small mini-excavator on tracks, a hand-auger as well as a shovel. For new construction, we may need to remove some brush in order to dig our pits to examine the soil.
For septic certification work, several hand-augerings will be done and the manhole on the septic tank will be dug up. We typically place the dirt removed from the hole on a large tarp so it can be removed from the job site or returned to the hole. We always leave the jobsite safe, and we always return things as best we can to their original state.
Sometimes yes, this is the case. At Watab, we work for our clients and we want them to be happy. We also work as a company licensed by the state of Minnesota and are required to follow the applicable rules and regulations for the state and as required by the county. At certain job sites, a 'mound' type septic system cannot be avoided due to the types of soils at the job site.
For additional questions, don't hesitate to call or email us!
