How to Install Septic Tank and Leach Field (with COSTS!)

[@drgil65]

Had to brush up on the install for this. Great video, we built one like this back in 1986 when we lived in Montana, but we used all pvc pipe for the 3 drainage lines, and the tank was round for the solids at that time. Lots of things have changed since then. Thank you for your video.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It was the first time we have had one installed...it was fun to watch. Thanks for watching.

[@PeeksPeakHobbyHomestead]

Very informative video! I’ve never actually seen a septic go in. Nice of the guys to let you get in there and really document the whole process. Looks like they did really good work! 👍. I never thought about spray foaming the lids. Nice touch!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks Lucas. I had never seen one installed either and it was fascinatingly simple. Deb really enjoys a flushing toilet on the farm now!!

[@karenlewis5666]

That nearby tree (roots) will love your new septic drain field!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

We know....it's Florida so a mature oak tree is pretty special and hard to cut down since we have mainly pine trees. We've got some time to make a decision on removing it. Thanks for watching.

[@jwmustang1]

I have the old type leach field gravel etc. oak tree 25’ away and it clogged the field

[@cougar7n10]

@@jwmustang1 battling that issue now, previous owner planted multiple oak trees all along the drain field. Some are 10ft away, some are as far as 50ft. Going to be a costly mess to remedy

[@SuperJmur]

You are very lucky that you had good soil for septic. You saved a lot of money.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Florida....kinda typical for here.

[@donaldblank8873]

Always install risers. Inspections, Baffle clogs and baffle repairs. If Ferncos are used on inlet or outlet pipes always use shielded ferncos. Rubber ferncos will sag and cause blockages.

[@migui423]

Very informative video! I’ve never actually seen a septic go in. Great video , nice job, maye in the future i will need your service.Thanks for sharing.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks for watching.

[@WichhartAcres]

Great vid Brad! That is cheap! The peat moss filter we are going to have to use costs $8k by itself. our ground didn't perk due to so much clay. Thanks for posting your experience!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Hey Derk. We learned a lot as this was our first time ever doing this and having soil that allows water to move through it is a plus for a septic.....not so much for a pond though! Thanks for watching. Brad&Deb

[@MrHodgeon5th]

I'm no pro, but shouldn't there be some gravel, leveled/tamped down underneath the tank?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

That's not how they do it in Florida....very sandy here.

[@Liledgy100]

Nice video. I wouldn’t want a 90 degree bend from the house to the tank. At most 2- 45 degree bends, prefer straight in. You would’ve been better off with the bends on the liquid side (field) rather than the solid side. How wide was the trench?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Width of the bucket....18" I think

[@CrawfordMethod]

Why would it make a bit of difference? There are plenty of underground 90's in the waste system of a house, perfectly normal and without issues.

[@donaldblank8873]

The h backguys did not know because you were missing a clean out. Are you supposed to be a clean out as soon as the pipe exits the house

[@The85F0X]

Great video but how did you pass inspection with that 90 degree bend. If we don’t long sweep that here then it’s a for sure no go.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

We watched the county inspector inspect everything. He saw it all.

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Beautiful job. I don’t think I saw this before. I like how hidden the drain field is.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks Ed. First one we had seen installed....no issues yet!

[@ORANGEBLOODS21]

Great video man ! I'm subscribed! I'm currently doing my own septic installation on my property in Texas. Did the inspector require water in the tank? I heard you say you had no water on the property. Curious because i currently dont have my well drilled yet, and on the permit plans it requires the 2 x 500 gallon tanks to he 2/3 full if water upon inspection. If yours required it also how did you do it?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

No water required. The installers had to set up the laser level and show the inspector that the pipes and leach field had the proper fall, but he didn't require to see water flow. It's probably different for each state....and probably each county.

[@ORANGEBLOODS21]

@@PineyGroveHomestead Got it! Thanks for the reply. I'll check with my local inspector and see if I can shoot the laser like you did.

[@cowboy9257]

Anybody know why a distribution box wasn't used? If that ground shifts over time around the manifold, wouldn't it risk the water favoring just one line?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Good point...maybe the sandy ground in Florida doesn't move?? We have not frost line here.

[@deerrudy]

Nice . And your lucky you have the soil you have. Perks well otherwise gets really expensive when they have to bring in special fill

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Yes, we thought clay would be a problem deeper but it's very sandy by the house. We did not want a mound system! Thanks for watching.

[@robc6310]

This was great and just in time. We will need to either upgrade ours or install a new one for our renovation. Thanks for sharing.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Each location is a little different....our soil was sandy enough to get it all underground with a gravity feed system instead of complex pumps and a mound. I've heard of some very expensive systems... 😨

[@rheaburns9829]

Thank you First time watching one install building East TN my cost estimate for 3/2.5 is 8,000 $$ 9/2024

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

We are getting ready to build our forever home, 3/2.5 and the estimate is $5500. We thought it would be more.

[@razor_clem]

I'm having that same size gravity system installed in Lewis County Washington (8/4/23) and w/o sales tax, my 3 bids ranged from $8,100 to $10,800.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's probably closer to than now here too....everything went up and stayed there.

[@Brady-bh3gl]

Did that include permit fees?

[@stuartkorte1642]

The video helped me see what’s allowed as far a bends between house and tank. I’m planning house and shop layout with a tank serving both. Did they say anything about the tree roots seeking water in the right drain field?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

They will eventually. I hate to take that tree down, but I might have to. Thanks for watching.

[@ernestgunraj9916]

Nice job. Which company did your drain field?

[@calebjackson1370]

I appreciate the video. I had a similar chamber system installed last June, we didn't start using it until this past April. Last weekend, we noticed a leak near our field. Turns out the contractor forgot to glue one of the connection points together. I've been going back and forth with them about how I think all the pipe needs to be glued, but the contractor is saying glue isn't needed. I'm not sure why you wouldn't glue the pipes together.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks! It was a first for us too. It has caved in around the septic tank and I have had to add buckets of dirt. And I think the distro out of the tank may not be level....one chamber has greener grass than the other!

[@charliewish4459]

​@@PineyGroveHomesteaddistribution boxes frequently settle sending more effluent down one of the drain lines.

[@greenacres1739]

How long is each drain line on this project?

[@danh4766]

Man did you get off cheap on that system. It looks good and gravity type too. well done.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's a bit more expensive now...more like $8K

[@Muddslinger0415]

Could you please let me know the amount of fall they put down through the length of the drain field because I have heard that it is pretty close to level

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It was level. I was surprised because I expect it to slope away.

[@Muddslinger0415]

@@PineyGroveHomestead thank you 😊

[@rosap2850]

Did you put k4sand or gravel under ARC?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It is naturally sandy there.

[@Ears82]

How long are the lines? I'm guessing 50 or 75 feet a piece? I have to redo mine at my house and am lucky enough to where I don’t have to get dhec involved since its a "repair". Thinking about doing it myself with some friends that know what they're doing.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

That's probably close. With a laser level, it probably wouldn't be too hard!

[@lourrainnerodriguez8301]

Nice job! Thanks for sharing!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks for watching!

[@beth6085]

Curious. what the cost of a septic system in NW FL cost these days.? I replaced ours for a 4 br house.. and it was almost $7000. That was 9 yrs ago.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's at the end of the video....I forgot exactly. But it's gone up since then.

[@davidvargas3852]

I got a septic and field line installed recent when the job is finished they have to make your land even again ? They left my dirt line a small hill and they said it has to sink in by itself and will take almost a year

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I really don't know about that. The leach fields were all graded smooth and have grass growing on them now over a year later. No sinking. But around the septic tank is all caved in because they didn't pack it as they backfilled it. I need to put a couple of buckets of dirt there to make it flat enough to mow.

[@andystop94]

Can you tell me the name of the company that did the installation for you? I'm looking at property in Ponce De Leon and struggling to find septic install. Great video also!!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Can you message us on Facebook? facebook.com/PineyGroveHomesteadAndMiniFarm

[@Fedgery007]

Great video! I’m going to need to install one on St George Island and was curious the work and cost to do.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I talk about the cost at the end of the video, but I think it's going to depend a lot on where it is. My friend just had one put in at his house in Panama City and it was $12k. And that didn't include the electrical for the pumps. Thanks for watching. Brad&Deb

[@Fedgery007]

@@PineyGroveHomestead Thank you!

[@NotTelling51]

How many feet of field did you have?

[@grumpyboz9535]

What company did you use to install your septic system?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Davis Plumbing in North Florida

[@weeweed86]

How much were the permits and engineer.....?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

$500

[@ragingbull1267]

You are not supposed to drive over the drain field, with it being in front of your pole barn that may cause issues down the road. I am surprised the drain field is so close to the house? I guess if its code there, but Id want my drain field far away from the house. Also take out that "manifold" and install a distribution box.

[@jyhl4373]

I can not believe you foamed the covers closed. Were you stopping rainwater from entering it lol it will rain all over the system .The guy pumping it will just love you .

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

They are the guys that will be pumping it

[@tomaskey6844]

@@PineyGroveHomesteadBam! LOL

[@audrybella6405]

Appears you've installed an infiltrator type drain field. Hopefully you've got the right type of soil for this type of system. An infiltrator system is not well suited for sandy or loam type soils. If you don't have enough clay in your soil your drain lines will eventually collapse and cave in. How long it takes for the lines to fail is a function of soil type, rainfall, system load and installation. Our system collapsed after ten years of low volume usage. Our soil type is 3 feet of loam top soil on top of a hard clay bottom soil. Good luck with your system. If you're interested in the types of common failures with infiltrator style leach field drain lines just Google "infiltrator septic system failures" and you'll get scores of YT videos showing how it fails.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

That's scary! We hired a local company that should know the soil type and the best type of system to put in. I hope they got it right!

[@audrybella6405]

From the soil sample you grabbed and clumped up in your hand in your video it looks like you have a reasonable amount of clay in it so you may be fine. As time passes keep an eye on your drain lines and watch for any forming depressions in the ground were the lines are buried. If you start to see some sinking you know the soil on top of and around the plastic arches has begun to find its way into, around and under the plastic channels. @@PineyGroveHomestead

[@EdEd-ty1tw]

TY for the updated video

[@vipinteriorsllcvillanueva6747]

thanks for your video buddy i learned a lot

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@jerrybowen1635]

Cool video! So, when you get water, who gets to "christen" the system?😃

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Water videos are lined up and they are their own story! I think Deb switched from the pine trees and porta potti to the A/C house first!

[@HuyNguyen-cw1dv]

How much for labor cost , and how much for septic tank , field line sir ?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

The cost is in the video at the end....It's about $2000 more now.

[@davidpoole6278]

If you put a riser and manhole cover on the tank make sure it is "traffic rated". Best not to drive over with it with heavy Vehicles/machinery but the mower needs respect. And your drainfield any word on its traffic rating of that design?

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Not sure of it's rating but we will only be using the compact tractor or zero turn there....no heavy equipment or cars.

[@maddierosemusic]

12:00 "..good separation to that oak tree on the right". Uh, no, hope you move the oak or chop it down. Not gonna be pretty in several years.

[@Jeremy-oo4ey]

I’m replacing my lines for that exact reason. Previous owner put trees near it thinking 3-4 feet was good. I don’t get it. Rotors can travel 20 ft o small trees. Oak get gigantic and will spread forever

[@СергейНазаров-с6д]

Не знаю как для жителей Флориды, а для жителя России информация которым вы поделились очень полезная. В России люди тоже посещают туалет и затем нужно знать что делать с этим дальше :)

[@bman6502]

Throw those cement lids away, or better yet, tell the yard to keep them. Install risers with bolt on lids… you’ll thank me when you have to open up for cleaning

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Good idea!

[@juanmartinezmbapmppmiacp2104]

Another terrific video. Thanks for sharing.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Thanks Juan! How's your place coming?

[@toddmiller4664]

No D box?

[@kennethjohnston1891]

No need for a bed of gravel underneath and around the leach chambers? First I've seen directly on the dirt.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's the way they do them around here? Maybe because we are so sandy?

[@mikegeorge9382]

How much fall is required in Tennessee

[@cdawg9149]

I never understood how the grey and black water make it to the ends of the tunnels. Seems to me the first ten ft get most of the drainage and the last ten ft get hardly nothing. I guess over time it makes it way down. Leveling the dirt is crucial but still depending on the type of perk with the type of dirt its hard to say how efficient theses tunnels really are. That being said I have been putting these in for the last ten years and have had absolutely no issues from them. The old style gravel and perforated pipe seem to only last ten yrs tops before they plug up and need replacing.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I thought they would have some down slope or grade to them, but the ground has to be level under the leaching chamber. From the green grass, it looks like liquids are making it all the way to the end of the drainfield. Interesting.

[@misaelgomez1277]

Cuanto es de separacion de cada linea donde van las conchas

[@leopitre7907]

So about $5000 for the tank and all the materials and the labor?....If so I figured it would be a lot more, I just watched a video and a couple needed a pump and sand mound and their cost was about $20,000. Im going to need a system and am not sure what it will cost so Im watching videos to get ideas of the different systems and the cost.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Yes, I said the cost in the video. This is a gravity system....a pump and a mound would be more complicated and costly. And permit costs will vary by region too.

[@jamesnorris3330]

Great video

[@juliadecoteau2131]

Very informative video. Definitely explained the process. We just had to replace our drain field and it cost $8,000 and that did not include the septic tank as well. I was curious how it was done. I definitely wouldn't be complaining about less than $5k for the entire system!😮

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I've heard as high as $25K!! Thanks for watching.

[@noahswarz4914]

wow that's good pricing even for back then. Can you believe a company just game me pricing for a "lift station" and drain/leach field and they want 12k 🤣 that's nuts

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

We're about to put in a new system for our forever home: $5500

[@OrangeismyNewGreen]

Another important step completed ✅, thanks for sharing the process 👍🏻. We had ours redone 10yrs ago. Have a great one 🙂👍🏻🙋🏼‍♂️

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Yes sir, Luc.....and it was one of the easiest ones as far as scheduling and it getting done correctly! Wish all things on the farm went as smoothly! Take care. B&D

[@ryankirby610]

How long is each leach line? The black ones.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

The building next to it is 55' long so I would say around 60'.

[@georgebella2486]

In Connecticut it costs $18,745.00 I know because this is what I’m paying for a 1,000 gallon tank and leaching fields. The only difference is they are taking a 750 gallon tank out to install the new one.😢

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's gone up to about $9K or so now for the same system here.

[@shigangzhang5662]

$5K is a great deal. Replacing my drain line from my house to the sewer system costed my $5K. That's a PVC pipe replacement.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's about $8K now.....

[@Johns_WRLD]

Great video

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Glad you enjoyed it! We'll be making another one on our new house build: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioOQdmmJo9Kmmrs

[@douglascole3842]

In tn our lines have to be 6 ft apart

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

thanks for watching

[@mikegeorge9382]

How much fall is required in Tennessee for the leach field

[@douglascole3842]

@@mikegeorge9382 from outlet to bottom of 1st ditch is 16 inches. 4 inches to first cross ovet

[@douglascole3842]

​@mikegeorge9382 we don't do a manifold type. We run to the first then it fills up and runs to 2nd and so on

[@adamkreutz3031]

That is a +$20K job in the Phoenix area.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

$30K in New Jersey....crazy!

[@TheGarywilliams]

Every thing looked good . Noticed the drain field installer did not apply solvent all the way around both sides of his connections a few times. Not a huge problem but could have been done better. Also , I would have installed a two way ,directional clean out , your code probably doesn't require it but they are really nice in the event of a stop up ,I bid them into every job I do. But I don't do septic systems ,I do city sewer jobs.

[@Jasper-ql3te]

How do you get started in that? Any advice for a young bloke looking to pursue something similar? Thanks mate

[@TheGarywilliams]

@@Jasper-ql3te I worked under a master plumber

[@juangomez7368]

25k in NJ

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

At least, right?!

[@AuburnElvis]

War Eagle to the dude holding the depth gauge.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

FSU?

[@tony3976]

You don't have to clean the tank every year 😂 mine has been here since 07 and I just had to clean it this year

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

They want you to clean the screen from the tank to the drainfield, not pump the tank for solids.

[@danstutzke3387]

That's a big tank for 2 bedrooms.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

That's what they recommended!

[@AlejandroTx22]

4400 is crazy cheap boss man probably didn’t even pocket a 1000 bucks I just took my class to get septic liscense in Texas cheapest would be around 8k

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's $7K now.

[@jprh96]

WHY in hell did you spray foam the covers closed ? Please don't tell me it is to keep rain out as it will rain all over the drain field. Rain water will be absorbed into the ground way before it get into that tank .Not smart wait till you try to remove the covers for cleaning lol

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

The company that installed the system sealed it and they will be the ones to clean it yearly.

[@miltonmatthews2138]

If you have a lift to take them out fine but you're screwed if you are doing it by hand.😊

[@coyotiess]

Wow the price more than doubled!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

you priced one in our area?

[@deathatthefeast5326]

Lol what's code?

[@sess9561]

Lost me at Florida

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Some people don't like freedom.

[@bodyshopmgr1]

Mine was 16,000

[@bodyshopmgr1]

16,000 did I pay to much

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

I think it's regional.....Permits in some areas can be more expensive that we paid for our whole system.

[@jimmygordon5045]

As an HVAC contractor, it infuriates me when HVAC companies install heat pumps next to dryer vents ! STUPID !!!

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Builders do stupid things...we're planning our new house now and trying to figure all this stuff out!

[@MikeWebb-be2uv]

Easy to put in but they are junk. Wont last long

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's the way they do it here in Florida.

[@jyhl4373]

JUNK

[@SandDuneProperties]

Watched this in anticipation of replacing a drain field on a 4-plex. i.e. 8 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms Cha-Ching $$$ 😀 ... part of owning rentals and absolutely budgeted for. While you said that the septic system is a "once in a lifetime" event, that' may not be the case in 40 years. Frequent pump-outs and absolutely NO TREES will extend the life of your system. Also, mark it somehow that no one EVER drives over the tank or the drain field with anything bigger than a lawn mower.

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

Good tips

[@_the_hammer_]

MAJOR OVER KILL ON THAT DRAIN FIELD...

[@PineyGroveHomestead]

It's sized for the # bedrooms in the house.