HOW A MOUND SEPTIC SYSTEM WORKS // How a Septic Field Works // Mound Septic System - Sand

Today's Down & Dirty is a quick overview of an engineered septic field called a mound system. This is a relatively common septic field that is installed on a piece of property in the north that doesn't perk.
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[@godfamilycountry4211]

Great smooth delivery of a septic systems form and function. Thx Bryan.

[@DieselandIron]

Thanks for watching my friend!

[@KadenLoeb]

This video helped my understanding a lot!!

[@DieselandIron]

Thanks for watching Kaden!

[@davidhughes4728]

I really love the video man you really learn a lot from it keep up the good work

[@DieselandIron]

Thanks for watching David! I'll try to keep the good stuff coming!

[@bozobennett]

Thanks for the nice explanation. Never seen those in Texas, but always wondered what they were all about.

[@DieselandIron]

They are pretty interesting systems. Where at in Texas are you? I'm from the Austin area originally.

[@gibsonlandscapeconstructio7984]

Very informative video Bryan🤙great video as usual🤙 We have Eljen sand which is specific to Eljen Systems Other then that septic sand & septic stone Most bed here are mounded but not as drastic. We only have pump chambers if needed Awesome video brother🤙

[@DieselandIron]

Thanks James! This was my first install of one of these systems. The main reason this one was so tall is because of the slope of the land. If it had been flat the mound would've only been about 2-3 feet tall.

[@jonathannycum5809]

A standard septic system is unheard of in my area anymore. Almost every new home has a mound system.

[@DieselandIron]

Where are you located?

[@gobadgers]

Great video. Building in southeast Wisconsin and we’re getting stuck with a mound system despite being high on a hill. I’m just not a fan of a 100’ long mound 2.5’ high. Not sure how to hide it.

[@natureinblum]

Is there an outlet ( take out water trough a sprinkler etc. ) out of the septic?

[@JJimmy647]

We’ve done lots of beds in clay. Just a layer of some regular bank sand first then clear stone, pipes, and clear stone flush with top of pipes to finish and cloth. Not up to code but never had any issuers

[@DieselandIron]

Unfortunately once you follow code you have to get way more complex with the system. I think this is WAY overkill but you know how the government is...

[@JJimmy647]

Yessir lol did a septic for a trailer home once the bed was like 4 runs and 90 ft long

[@DieselandIron]

@@JJimmy647 Good lord!

[@386Clarke]

Thanks for the informative video. Do you know how far up hill the effluent can reasonably be pumped?

[@DieselandIron]

Depends on the size of the pump. The stronger the pump, the higher you can go. These system have to be designed by an engineer who takes all of this into account.

[@nickroth8394]

Hi Bryan thanks for the informative video. I have a mound system thats pushing 30 years old at my home in Green Bay WI area. Last summer I noticed a couple of soft spots on top of the mound. I dug down to find the pipe to make sure there wasnt a break in the pipe. No break was found. Could I be looking at a clog which is causing concentration of the liquids in that spot or being 30 years old, is my sand clogged up and not allowing drainage. If there is a clog, can this be jetted out? If the sand is not draining anymore, is there a fix other than replacing the mound. Thanks for the help.

[@DieselandIron]

That could be a potential cause of the soft spot. We have local requirements that you have to clean out the system every couple of years to prevent blockages. You might look up what your local code is and see if you can run something through your lines to clear them out.

[@benji8969]

Will grass grow in that heavy sand mix on top? is there anything to be careful of when doing finish grade on houses with this system?

[@DieselandIron]

A little grass will grow in the sand but not much. We were able to go back and place a sandy topsoil mix over top of the mound that will actually grow grass. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you can't ever take a wheeled machine over this field, even a skid. Tracks will be the only vehicles that can safely drive over the mount. You also want to drive perpendicular to the mount as opposed to driving inline with the pipe.

[@jeniroosen]

Just bought a seasonal cabin in the Yoop with a mound system. Was installed in 99. Inspection shows cement tank is higher than it should be so decreased capacity. Would this be a frost issue - getting pushed up higher and higher every Spring or more likely a bad install?

[@DieselandIron]

Most likely a bad install. Those tanks go deep enough that you're below the frost line. They should be anyway.

[@NWfish509]

What size house is this system designed for? What are the rough deminsions of the leach field? Thanks!

[@DieselandIron]

I think this was around a 2000 sq ft home. The field was 6x120 with all additional material being added to keep a 4:1 slope.

[@ambitiousdirtwork]

Good vid Bryan I was wondering were you posting a video on this channel, podcast or the Dirt about talking with the CAT representativ about buying or financing CAT equipment?

[@DieselandIron]

That will post here: kzbin.info I'm not sure yet when the episode will go live because we are trying to get out ahead for the holidays. I would imagine it will air in the next 2-4 weeks.

[@kristianr702]

Those disks that cover your holes, what are they called and where can you purchase them?

[@DieselandIron]

I'm not sure what they are called since Rick does all of our purchasing. They should be available from your local supply house where all the other septic accessories are purchased.

[@needlessthing]

Does this system work on any sorta evaporation or the mount needs to breath? Asking cause neighbor has a raised bed garden on his and was told you cant put anything on top cause it will block evaporation.

[@DieselandIron]

These fields get a foot of sandy topsoil spread over top of them with a max cover of 2 feet. This allows the field to breath just fine. You can plant grass but as with any septic field, you wouldn't want to do any trees or decorative plants due to root infiltration.

[@salvatorelivreri]

If you had a sloped property could you install the mound system just being gravity fed? In other words, let’s say the elevation of the ground under house (or at the slab) was 20-30 feet higher than the base of the mound.

[@DieselandIron]

In theory you could. It would be constructed more like a traditional septic system with 4 inch perforated pipe instead of the smaller gauge pipe we use in pressurized systems. That being said, this is all theoretical. You would have to talk to your local municipality to get approvals for something like this.

[@truebengalsfan]

Would you have to use this type of if your property is prone to flooding

[@DieselandIron]

This is used on properties with a high water table or with poor soil conditions that don't allow drainage.

[@nietsnief]

Question…. Does the mound system always get placed inside the drain field?

[@DieselandIron]

Only if it is an engineered field. A normal septic system will leech into the ground without problems. Engineered systems are required when the ground doesn't perc which is why you make the mound. You are creating an above ground leech field.

[@Vermont_EarthWork]

Is there a rough estimate on how large a mound like this has to be per bedroom in a home?

[@detrickkadhills2138]

40ft wide by 80ft long 3bedroom home 450gallons per day flow

[@socialkruption]

In short, it's too expensive for me so a bucket from Home depot and saw dust is my new toliet system!

[@DieselandIron]

You always have options!

[@zackhopkins5185]

My mother in law is having serious problems with perc. The septic system is pretty old and they never had problems before. I've been out there digging and it's nothing but clay, everywhere. 1st 3 inches are dirt then it's just thick brown clay. I don't understand how this system ever worked to begin with.

[@DieselandIron]

Sounds like you are getting ready to install an engineered field!

[@zackhopkins5185]

@DieselandIron I dunno what the hell I'm doing but they are broke so I gotta figure something out. Thanks for the info! Wish me luck

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

Would'nt an infiltrator system be faster and cheaper?

[@DieselandIron]

Why yes it would! If only our area would let us use them! It drives me nuts that we waste this much time and material on something that can be done cheaper and better.

[@jfromtn7410]

how many bedrooms is this mound for?

[@DieselandIron]

I believe this was a 4 bed, 2 bath house.

[@mdbassin6267]

New house has LPP with backup mound septic - is that what is in the video

[@DieselandIron]

No, this is a fully engineered field with an above ground drain field.

[@davidhughes4728]

🐻👍

[@jfarrar231]

Ridiculous. Just dig a hole and poop in it. I have never heard of anybodys water getting contaminated from traditional septics. This is just a way for somebody to make crazy money for no reason. I have to have a presby system that's going to cost me $20k for no reason, in a rural area. #poopinholes

[@DieselandIron]

It's pretty amazing how we can take a simple concept, add a bit of bureaucracy and suddenly you have a $30k septic system? There are alternatives to this system that are substantially cheaper but our particular area doesn't like them and doesn't allow them to be installed. Gotta love government!

[@clifflange6582]

Totally agree.

[@Akcd11r2002]

"Washer Sand" or "Mason Sand"

[@DieselandIron]

Mason sand is a different mix than the sand used in this system. This is 2NS surrounded by Class 2 sand.