PRO TIP
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What are you looking for when you come to my site?
First and foremost, we are looking for the best and least expensive place for the drain field of your septic system. Thankfully, the most reliable system, with the lowest chance of failure, is also the least expensive.
There are many factors that determine a site's suitability for septic. The physical features like gullies, slope, tree throws, etc. can be major factors. The properties of the soil like absorption rate, clay content, evidence of disturbance, evidence of a high water table, etc. are also important. We will also be looking to see how large an area of usable soil you have on your site. The number of square feet required is based on sever factors, but is typically between 0.25 and 0.50 acres.
Can separate structures share a septic site?
IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY: The only way that two structures can share a septic site is if they are within 20 feet of each other and are connected by a breezeway. Otherwise, each structure will need a separate septic site.
IN SOURROUNDING COUNTIES: This is an option in some scenarios
Where can your septic system be in relation to your house?
The field lines of the septic field may not be any closer than 25 feet from any structure. However, it can be almost as far away from the house as is needed. Frequently it is cheaper to pump several hundred feet to a better soil site.
What is "conventional", "LPP", and "MLPP"?
A conventional septic system is where gravity moves liquid waste to and through your field lines. This is the cheapest and most tried-and-true system and is always our primary goal. LLP systems are Low Pressure Pipe systems. These are pressurized systems that "dose" the liquid waste into the field lines. The main advantage of these is the smaller footprint and the main disadvantage is the increased cost compared to a conventional system. MLPP is a Modified Low Pressure System, This is the same as an LPP system, but topsoil is moved onto the site to decrease the installation depth to take advantage of better soil higher in the soil profile. This can be very expensive, but is a last resort and is usually the difference between having a suitable site and not.
What happens if you cannot find good soil on my site?
That depends on the situation. If you have a failure, the county will work with you on what to do next. If you are wanting to build a new structure that requires septic, that will not be possible without a soil site.
Who should I use as a surveyor?
Please contact me for recommendations
What happens if my survey stakes get knocked over?
Don't let your stakes get knocked over.
Setting metal fence posts (T-posts) right next to stakes soon after they are set in the ground by the surveyor is the best way to ensure that the grid stakes stay intact. If you have horses or cattle in the area, you need to protect your stakes immediately as they have a tendency to knock them over and even pull them out and toss them (not joking). Temporarily fencing the area off is also an option, but if you want to continue grazing the area, setting T-posts is the best bet.
If your stakes do get knocked over, it is possible that the surveyor will have to come out and re-set the stakes. You should anticipate them charging you for this.