Septic System Installation & Replacement

How Septic Systems Work

Septic systems have been around for a long time, yet they’re still misunderstood by many homeowners (and soon-to-be homeowners). 

To make sure that you don’t need your septic system replaced, it’s critical to understand exactly how septic systems function and why they’re so important to your health and the health of others around you. Let’s take a look at what makes up this complex system and why it’s so important for you and your family to live safely in your home.

A septic system is a system that treats and disposes of wastewater and solids. These systems are typically located partially or entirely underground and consist of a tank and a drainfield. Septic systems are designed to take the wastewater from your home that doesn’t make its way into the sewer and processes it in a way that makes it clean enough to be released back into the environment – without doing damage to the environment.

Septic systems process waste that may include solid materials and liquids. This may include gray water (water from sinks and showers) or black water (water from toilets).

As the liquid enters your septic tank, bacteria break down particles of grease and other organic matter until they become small enough to be carried out by either percolation into a leach field or absorption into an absorbent bed (also known as a drain field). Leach fields carry effluent through pipes buried underground where it disperses into soil where bacteria then break down remaining nutrients. Absorbent beds consist of gravel placed in trenches surrounded by an impermeable barrier such as cement blocks or concrete slabs.

The purpose of the leach field is twofold; first, it allows any impurities left in the water after being treated by the septic tank to drip down into rocks or soil. Secondly, it releases partially purified water into groundwater.

The septic tank is divided into three chambers: a holding chamber for holding the solid waste particles and allowing them time to settle at the bottom of the tank, a clarifying chamber where liquid waste continues to separate, and an overflow chamber where completely cleaned water is stored until it’s ready to be discharged.

A properly functioning septic system is essential to having a safe place for you and your family to live.

Why Septic Systems Are Important

Septic systems are essential because they allow sewage water from homes with no access to municipal sewer lines to be treated before being released it into the environment. They keep those in your home, as well as those in your surrounding environment, safe from waste contamination.

Septic systems prevent untreated waste matter from contaminating soil or groundwater supplies in residential areas, thus protecting public health and safety as well as reducing pollution levels in lakes and rivers downstream from communities where, for example, many people rely on them for drinking water.

Reasons You May Need a Septic System Installed or Replaced in New Jersey

Many homes on the east coast are older than homes in other parts of the country. Therefore, homes in states like New Jersey may also possess septic systems that are decaying and in need of replacement. It’s often difficult to tell with the naked eye whether you need to replace your septic tank. However, by hiring a company to do a professional NJ septic system inspection, you can determine whether you need a new septic system installed and replaced for your home.

Some reasons that a septic system may need to be installed or replaced include:

• Septic system needs have changed for your home.
• Your septic tank may not be large enough to support the size of your home.
• Your tank may be deteriorated or damaged.

What Should I Know About Septic System Installation and Replacement?

Installing or replacing a septic system is a complex task that may differ from home to home depending on individual needs.

1. The first step in installing a septic system is to assess your property.

Before you hire a company to install a new septic system (or attempt to do so yourself), you must assess your property or ideally have a professional NJ septic system inspector perform an inspection for you. Such an inspection should include assessing the suitability of a septic system, as well as its drainage, soil type, and slope.

Your property must be assessed for its suitability by determining if it has a sufficient slope of at least 2-3% percent to allow wastewater to make its way into the drain field (depending on your particular state). If your lot does not have enough slope, there are other options for disposal of waste such as constructing an underground tank system or using an alternative water source such as rainwater harvesting systems.

Your property should also be assessed for its drainage capabilities, as this can affect how much rainwater drains away from your home instead of being absorbed into the ground around it (which could cause problems). Your septic builder may recommend grading techniques that can help improve drainage on-site so that excess water doesn’t pool up near the house but instead flows off toward natural waterways nearby.

Finally, a specialized engineer will need to be involved to provide an engineered drawing of the new septic system.

2. A septic system requires a lot of planning, and certain parts must be installed in a particular order.

A septic system requires a lot of planning and careful installation. When installing your septic system, there are a few things you should keep in mind. You’ll want to carefully follow the steps laid out by the manufacturer and make sure that everything is installed correctly. If you don’t do this, it could result in an improperly functioning septic tank or drain field.

For example, the drainfield often goes first when it comes to installation. The drainfield is a series of pipes that carry waste water from the septic tank to the soil. It’s usually installed before the septic tank, but it can also be installed after. The drainfield should be installed in ground that has good drainage, which means the soil will allow water to flow through it quickly and easily. This can be achieved by digging out a trench at least 18 inches deep and lining it with gravel or stones before installing pipes in it. The entire system is usually constructed by a professional who is licensed to install such systems, though some homeowners choose do this themselves using materials purchased at their local hardware store or septic supply company.

3. You may need a permit.

If you are installing a new septic system or otherwise drastically changing the nature of a current septic system, your county will require that you have a permit to make these changes. Many county and state governments have regulations governing where and how large septic systems can be installed.

There are some counties in New Jersey that have regulations governing where and how large septic systems can be installed, as well as the depth of these systems. Don’t worry, we know all the regulations and will be able to get you the correct permit and keep your system in compliance for an easy approval.

Be sure to reach out to knowledgable septic experts such as ATS Environmental to ensure you’re doing the right thing for your home and city.

4. A key part of installing a septic system is connecting it to the house.

This one may not come as a surprise, but it’s a critical part of the process nonetheless: connecting your septic system to your house is a big job and should be done by a professional. The process involves digging, trenching and installing pipes. It also requires a permit from your town or city, which can take several weeks to get approved.

5. Septic tanks are typically buried in your yard, so septic system installation requires thorough planning and preparation.

Septic tanks are buried underground, and each home and piece of land is unique. It’s essential that you carefully plan where you’re going to install a septic system before doing so. You will want to ensure that installing a septic system is easy for you or someone else to access the tank if there are any problems with it, or to perform routine checks on it. 

A professional should be able to help you determine the best place for your tank based on your yard’s terrain, soil, and drainage patterns. If a professional installs your septic system, they may also offer guidance on its location and placement as part of their service package.

6. If a pipe breaks during septic system replacement, it’s possible for the tank to shift, which could lead to further problems with the new system.

If a pipe breaks during septic system replacement, it’s possible for the septic tank to shift, which could lead to problems with the new system. This can occur if the old pipes are not removed properly and they’re left in place while new pipes are installed. 

7. It’s important to choose a team of experienced professionals for your septic system installation or repair project.

Many people think that septic tank installation is a simple procedure, but it is actually quite complex. Installing a septic system requires careful planning and expert knowledge of the many different parts involved in installation. The wrong choice of materials can result in a system that won’t function properly or lasts for only a few years before needing to be replaced. 

A professional company, such as ATS Environmental, can provide you with expert advice on how your specific situation should be handled in the most easy and cost-effective manner, including what type of tank would work best for your household and how large it should be. They will also know how to place your tank so that it does not affect the flow of water from nearby bodies such as lakes or rivers, nor the integrity of your yard. Keep in mind that this may require testing certain areas before deciding on where exactly to locate the tank itself.

8. Septic tank levels should be checked every three months to ensure proper functionality.

It’s essential to check septic tank levels every three months to ensure that your system is working properly. If your septic tank fills up too quickly, the system will not have time to process all of the waste in your home naturally. This can cause problems such as foul-smelling water in your home or flooding.

To check your septic tank, first, locate its cover and remove it. The cover may be on top of a concrete slab, in which case you will need to use a crowbar or other tool to pry it up; if there is no concrete slab covering the septic tank, simply lift off any lid on top of it. Once you have removed this lid, you should see two valves—one for releasing gas from inside the tank (known as an “effluent pump”) and one for releasing liquid into your drain field (“drain” valve). If there is no liquid coming out of either valve then everything is functioning properly; however if some amount of liquid does come out, call a professional immediately because there could be issues with this system that need immediate attention.

9. Professional help might be necessary for proper installation.

Working with a trusted septic company is crucial when you’re planning any type of septic system installation or replacement. The best way to ensure that your new septic system will be installed properly is to work with a highly experienced and well-established company, such as ATS Environmental.

Even if you’re an expert with plumbing and electrical work, having professional help can make all the difference when it comes to making sure that every part of your septic system is installed correctly. And even if professionals are on hand during installation, hiring them will ensure that everything gets done right from start to finish

We’ve been serving New Jersey for over 20 years, and we’ve learned quite a bit about how to do it right! When you choose us for your next Septic System Installation or Replacement job, not only can you rest assured that the job will be done correctly—you’ll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes from working with people who have an extensive background in this industry.