Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
More than likely, someone has experienced a situation similar to yours.
The following are several questions & answers regarding septic system issues. If your septic system problem is unique, or if you just have a question not found here, please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan.
More than likely, someone has experienced a situation similar to yours.
The following are several questions & answers regarding septic system issues. If your septic system problem is unique, or if you just have a question not found here, please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan.
With a combined 55 years of experience in the septic system service and repair field, we have the knowledge and integrity to handle all of your septic system repair and maintenance needs.
Site evaluations: If you are having a septic system issue we will visit the property to provide the owner with repair recommendations free of charge. We will evaluate the site, research all available files with the Environmental Health Department and provide you with a comprehensive plan.
Upon bid acceptance we provide a detailed site plan, and assist in filing for the septic repair permit application. We hand deliver the permit application to the Environmental Health Department and coordinate meetings with inspector(s) from the beginning to the end of the project.
We specialize in all types of septic systems; leach field repairs, leach field replacements, septic tank repairs, water tight access riser installation, septic tank replacement complete gravity systems, pump up systems, pressure dosed systems and enhanced/ treatment systems. We are the approved Advantex and MicroSep Tec enhanced treatment system installers in Santa Cruz County. We are also the approved Roth and Orenco septic tank installers for Santa Cruz County.
Commercial grease trap installers, commercial waste water treatment repairs and replacement and Commercial enhanced system installers.
The septic system at your property requires service; based on the number of people using the system, the type of system that has been installed and the type of terrain the system is operating within.
A standard septic tank with a family of 4 should be serviced/ pumped every 5 years. With households of more than 4 or if young children live in the home we recommend servicing the septic tank every 3 years. Servicing the septic tank requires locating the septic tank, in some cases excavating down to the septic tank to expose the inlet side and outlet side access lids. After the access lids have been removed the technician should perform a thorough inspection, including the condition of the inlet and outlet elbows, the baffle, the tank top, sides and bottom of the tank for cracking, deterioration etc. The technician should report if there is evidence of present or past high water levels within the tank. There are micro organisms breaking down the waste within the septic tank so it is very important that chemical based cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as paint thinner never be poured down drains or flushed down toilets. Garbage disposals should be used sparingly and grease should not be poured down drains.
Try to avoid large trees from growing near the septic system components, root intrusion in pipes and the weight of large growing trees can damage septic system components.
A septic system properly installed and maintained could last up to 40 years.
After a thorough diagnosis and after all repair options have been exhausted the next step is for the contractor to discuss the types of septic systems that would be recommended for your property. There are many types of septic systems from conventional gravity systems to pump up systems to enhanced treatment systems. Each site offers its own set of challenges from accessibility for heavy equipment to the type of soil that is present. Septic system installers have a tremendous amount of information available to them through the local environmental health department, this information must be used to determine the best type septic system for your properties unique features.
Questions to ask your contractor:
• What type of leach field would work best on my property based on what you have discovered from your research?
• What type and how large of a septic tank does my property require?
• Why are you choosing to place the septic tank or leach field in the location you have proposed?
• How many square feet of leach field does my home require?
• I may some day expand my home, does it make sense to address that possibility now?
• Does the placement of the proposed system affect future building sites such as additions, driveways, outbuildings, etc.?
Make sure the contractor is using the space for a new leach field/septic system for the benefit of the property and not the easiest place for the installation. Your contractor should assist you in filling out the septic system repair permit application. Your contractor will provide a septic system site plan of the proposed type of system to be used and the placement of the components.
Included within the site plan must be setbacks from property lines, wells, dwellings and slopes. The project will require a permit fee based on the type of system being proposed. Enhanced treatment systems have special
requirements, such as an approved system designer providing detailed plans for the installation as well as additional permits and permit fees. Your septic system installer should provide you with a well thought out and detailed plan for the system installation. He/ She should use the best material.
SEPTIC TANK REPLACEMENT:
This depends on the access to the site where the tank is to be placed and if the new tank will be located near or at the same location as the existing/failing septic tank. In most cases we can perform a septic tank replacement within 3 days. You should plan on up to 24hrs without the ability to flush toilets or run water down any of the homes drains.
LEACH FIELD REPLACEMENT:
This again also depends on access & the size & type of leach field, typically if the site is average from start to finish requires up to 3 days. We will usually have the tank pumped to allow for waste water storage during the project, water conservation will be needed if the project is likely to require more than 5 days to complete.
SEPTIC TANK & LEACH FIELD INSTALLATION:
Average days required is 5-8 days depending on the site. In most cases we try to install the septic tank first as this dictates the plumbing elevations for the leach field.
ENHANCED TREATMENT SYSTEM:
The average days required is 8-12 depending on the site, the system type & system size. Most systems require multiple electrical supply circuits both 115v. & 230v. as well as some type of telemetry communication cable Cat5/6. Be sure to verify with an electrician if your homes existing electrical supply is sufficient.
Most of the Counties within the State of California have been required to establish fairly strict measures as it relates to septic system/Environmental Health within the last few years.
Each County is required every 10 -12 years to submit and have adopted into law/code their current version of the L.A.M.P or Local Agency Management Plan. This document essentially is the counties code book as it relates to septic system repairs. The state through the Regional Water Board has forced most counties to implement some very strict standards in regards to septic system repairs which has a direct affect on the sizing requirements for septic system repairs.
The standards that were in place previously may no longer apply to a replacement leach field, meaning that it is likely a much longer & shallow trench/leach field will be required to support the home depending on bedroom count & the percolation rating of the soil at the site. Changes to septic system design standards are heavily influenced by the following:
• Leach field trench separation from ground water has been greatly increased.
• Setbacks have been increased from surface water both seasonal & perennial.
• Slopes in excess of 30% are no longer able to support a leach field without an official fully satisfactory geology report.
• Flow lines for leach field trenches have been reduced to as shallow as 12” in some cases. As an example, a 3 bd home requires a 900 sq. ft leach field, with a 10’ flow line a roughly 45’L x 18”w x 11.5’d leach field trench was permitted in the past. That same trench under current Santa Cruz County code for example is now 225’L. Many properties in the area are unable to support the linear feet required for a replacement leach field.
• Most replacement septic tanks now require that they be fully water tight, meaning that during the installation the tank must be filled with fresh water. The inspector will monitor the level for 1hr (for occupied homes) or 24hrs for vacant homes.
• Properties with limited space available for replacement leach fields must have additional documents submitted with fees applied.
• Perc testing may be required, test holes may be required to prove that ground water is not present. Perc testing must be completed by a registered Geologist in most cases. These are just a few of the key changes to most of the local counties Environmental Health/Septic system standards.
With a combined 55 years of experience in the septic system service and repair field, we have the knowledge and integrity to handle all of your septic system repair and maintenance needs.
Site evaluations: If you are having a septic system issue we will visit the property to provide the owner with repair recommendations free of charge. We will evaluate the site, research all available files with the Environmental Health Department and provide you with a comprehensive plan.
Upon bid acceptance we provide a detailed site plan, and assist in filing for the septic repair permit application. We hand deliver the permit application to the Environmental Health Department and coordinate meetings with inspector(s) from the beginning to the end of the project.
We specialize in all types of septic systems; leach field repairs, leach field replacements, septic tank repairs, water tight access riser installation, septic tank replacement complete gravity systems, pump up systems, pressure dosed systems and enhanced/ treatment systems. We are the approved Advantex and MicroSep Tec enhanced treatment system installers in Santa Cruz County. We are also the approved Roth and Orenco septic tank installers for Santa Cruz County.
Commercial grease trap installers, commercial waste water treatment repairs and replacement and Commercial enhanced system installers.
The septic system at your property requires service; based on the number of people using the system, the type of system that has been installed and the type of terrain the system is operating within.
A standard septic tank with a family of 4 should be serviced/ pumped every 5 years. With households of more than 4 or if young children live in the home we recommend servicing the septic tank every 3 years. Servicing the septic tank requires locating the septic tank, in some cases excavating down to the septic tank to expose the inlet side and outlet side access lids. After the access lids have been removed the technician should perform a thorough inspection, including the condition of the inlet and outlet elbows, the baffle, the tank top, sides and bottom of the tank for cracking, deterioration etc. The technician should report if there is evidence of present or past high water levels within the tank. There are micro organisms breaking down the waste within the septic tank so it is very important that chemical based cleaning products, harsh chemicals such as paint thinner never be poured down drains or flushed down toilets. Garbage disposals should be used sparingly and grease should not be poured down drains.
Try to avoid large trees from growing near the septic system components, root intrusion in pipes and the weight of large growing trees can damage septic system components.
A septic system properly installed and maintained could last up to 40 years.
After a thorough diagnosis and after all repair options have been exhausted the next step is for the contractor to discuss the types of septic systems that would be recommended for your property. There are many types of septic systems from conventional gravity systems to pump up systems to enhanced treatment systems. Each site offers its own set of challenges from accessibility for heavy equipment to the type of soil that is present. Septic system installers have a tremendous amount of information available to them through the local environmental health department, this information must be used to determine the best type septic system for your properties unique features.
Questions to ask your contractor:
• What type of leach field would work best on my property based on what you have discovered from your research?
• What type and how large of a septic tank does my property require?
• Why are you choosing to place the septic tank or leach field in the location you have proposed?
• How many square feet of leach field does my home require?
• I may some day expand my home, does it make sense to address that possibility now?
• Does the placement of the proposed system affect future building sites such as additions, driveways, outbuildings, etc.?
Make sure the contractor is using the space for a new leach field/septic system for the benefit of the property and not the easiest place for the installation. Your contractor should assist you in filling out the septic system repair permit application. Your contractor will provide a septic system site plan of the proposed type of system to be used and the placement of the components.
Included within the site plan must be setbacks from property lines, wells, dwellings and slopes. The project will require a permit fee based on the type of system being proposed. Enhanced treatment systems have special
requirements, such as an approved system designer providing detailed plans for the installation as well as additional permits and permit fees. Your septic system installer should provide you with a well thought out and detailed plan for the system installation. He/ She should use the best material.
SEPTIC TANK REPLACEMENT:
This depends on the access to the site where the tank is to be placed and if the new tank will be located near or at the same location as the existing/failing septic tank. In most cases we can perform a septic tank replacement within 3 days. You should plan on up to 24hrs without the ability to flush toilets or run water down any of the homes drains.
LEACH FIELD REPLACEMENT:
This again also depends on access & the size & type of leach field, typically if the site is average from start to finish requires up to 3 days. We will usually have the tank pumped to allow for waste water storage during the project, water conservation will be needed if the project is likely to require more than 5 days to complete.
SEPTIC TANK & LEACH FIELD INSTALLATION:
Average days required is 5-8 days depending on the site. In most cases we try to install the septic tank first as this dictates the plumbing elevations for the leach field.
ENHANCED TREATMENT SYSTEM:
The average days required is 8-12 depending on the site, the system type & system size. Most systems require multiple electrical supply circuits both 115v. & 230v. as well as some type of telemetry communication cable Cat5/6. Be sure to verify with an electrician if your homes existing electrical supply is sufficient.
Most of the Counties within the State of California have been required to establish fairly strict measures as it relates to septic system/Environmental Health within the last few years.
Each County is required every 10 -12 years to submit and have adopted into law/code their current version of the L.A.M.P or Local Agency Management Plan. This document essentially is the counties code book as it relates to septic system repairs. The state through the Regional Water Board has forced most counties to implement some very strict standards in regards to septic system repairs which has a direct affect on the sizing requirements for septic system repairs.
The standards that were in place previously may no longer apply to a replacement leach field, meaning that it is likely a much longer & shallow trench/leach field will be required to support the home depending on bedroom count & the percolation rating of the soil at the site. Changes to septic system design standards are heavily influenced by the following:
• Leach field trench separation from ground water has been greatly increased.
• Setbacks have been increased from surface water both seasonal & perennial.
• Slopes in excess of 30% are no longer able to support a leach field without an official fully satisfactory geology report.
• Flow lines for leach field trenches have been reduced to as shallow as 12” in some cases. As an example, a 3 bd home requires a 900 sq. ft leach field, with a 10’ flow line a roughly 45’L x 18”w x 11.5’d leach field trench was permitted in the past. That same trench under current Santa Cruz County code for example is now 225’L. Many properties in the area are unable to support the linear feet required for a replacement leach field.
• Most replacement septic tanks now require that they be fully water tight, meaning that during the installation the tank must be filled with fresh water. The inspector will monitor the level for 1hr (for occupied homes) or 24hrs for vacant homes.
• Properties with limited space available for replacement leach fields must have additional documents submitted with fees applied.
• Perc testing may be required, test holes may be required to prove that ground water is not present. Perc testing must be completed by a registered Geologist in most cases. These are just a few of the key changes to most of the local counties Environmental Health/Septic system standards.