Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Morrilton?
- 2 How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Morrilton?
- 3 How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Morrilton?
- 4 What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in Morrilton?
- 5 How Often Do Homeowners in Morrilton Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Morrilton?
In cooperation with Environmental Health Protection, a septic tank installation in Morrilton is overseen and managed by the Arkansas Department of Health. This section will go over the lengthy process of planning, applying, and getting approval to begin work on septic systems.
Site Planning
If you need septic tank installation in Morrilton, you will first need to start with a site plan. Arkansas has many regulations regarding which properties can install septic systems. The plan will also need to be submitted with the permit application and associated fees. We need to know what tank size and type will work for the location and where it will be in relation to any freshwater systems.
Evaluations
During the site planning for the septic tank installation in Morrilton, we will need to have some evaluations done. These evaluations may include;
- Soil Testing – In order to determine if the soil can handle the wastewater that exits the septic tank into the drainage field, it needs to be tested for quality.
- Waste Production – This is the amount of waste the home produces based on the size of the house and how many people live there. The larger the home and the more people living on the property will need a larger septic tank installation in Morrilton.
- Plumbing Evaluation – It is a good idea to have your plumbing inspected by our plumbers. We may be able to find leaks in the plumbing that might cause your septic system to work harder than it needs to. By reducing the amount of water processed, you may be able to extend the life of your system.
The information gathered during the evaluation process will be submitted with your permit application. The City of Morrilton and the State of Arkansas require this information to help make a decision. For example, if your site plan includes a tank that the Department of Health determines to be too small for the home’s occupancy, they will deny the permit. You will not be refunded for any of the permit fees if this happens.
Permits
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, you must apply for a permit and receive approval before you can begin any septic tank installation in Morrilton. Doing work without a permit is considered a violation. You are also expected to pay the application fees at this time. We will talk more about the fees later in this guide.
Installation
There are four main components of septic tank installation in Morrilton. These include your home’s exit pipe, the holding tank, distribution tank, and the drainage field, sometimes referred to as the leaching area. Typically, the holding tank will be installed first because these are underground, and a backhoe will be brought in to excavate the yard. They also need to be at a depth that will allow the home’s waste to run through using gravity.
Next, the drainage field will need to be dug up and installed. After the two main components are in place and level, lines will be connected from the home’s exit pipe to the holding tank. Then the distribution tank will be connected to the holding tank at the drainage field. From here, we will need to wait for the inspection before burying the septic system. The inspector will need to see all the components before they are covered up with soil.
Inspection
Before the septic tank installation in Morrilton is completed, an inspection must be conducted. The inspector will evaluate the work to determine if the work passes state coding regulations. They will see if rules and specifications were met and look for any indications that may later cause a failure in your septic system. This is an essential step because any future problems could contaminate and pollute groundwater in the area and affect more than just your property.
If all the work passes inspection, the new septic system can be buried. At this point, the system can be used by the homeowner as well. Make sure that you keep the inspection report and all the paperwork for your new septic system. You will need it later if a problem comes up or if you plan to sell the property.
How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Morrilton?
The permitting process can be confusing for most people who are not used to it. This is not a step that can be skipped because septic systems that are not installed properly are considered a health hazard. Here are some things you can expect to see on the application:
- Home Size – The size of the home helps determine the amount of waste it will create. If you are planning to extend the house, you will need to include this information to ensure you choose the correct size of the tank.
- Number of people – The size of the septic system is determined based on how many people will be using it.
- Treatment Type – This may include aerobic treatment, recirculating sand filter, holding tank, or gravel filtering.
- Waste Disposal – This will include the size of the leaching area and where it is situated on the property.
- Additional Paperwork – You will need to include all the evaluations and site planning with your application. We will provide these to you.
You will also need to pay for the permit, which can cost about $25 – $1,500 or much higher, depending on the extent of the work. If all this sounds a little overwhelming, that is okay. Most people use our professionals because we know how to get permits, do the job to specifications, and get fast approval on inspections.
How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Morrilton?
If you are trying to figure out how much a septic tank installation in Morrilton will cost, you’re in the right place. Many factors can influence the price. If you need a quote for your property, we can help. Most jobs will range between $4,000 and $9,200. In some cases, the price can be above $15,000. Below are some factors that commonly increase the cost.
System Size
As stated earlier, you will need to choose the right size tank for your property. The State of Arkansas requires a minimum size of 1,000 gallons for a three-bedroom home. However, your site planning may show that you need to go bigger depending on other factors. The plan may also need a larger drainage area depending on what the soil evaluation shows. If you need septic tank installation in Morrilton, you will pay more as the size of the system increases. Many homeowners choose to go a little bigger to ensure the system can keep up with future demand.
System Type
You will likely have several choices of septic systems to choose from. Usually, your first choice will be the type of tank. The three primary materials are concrete, plastic, and fiberglass. While many people swear by one or the other, your choice should be based on your soil type. The idea here is to go with a compatible material with your soil, not which type is more popular. If the soil test says that you have high amounts of clay, which commonly happens in Morrilton, concrete may not last you as long. In this case, our plumber may advise fiberglass.
Soil Quality
The quality of the soil is a big factor in cost because it is an integral part of your system. This is what determines how successful the leaching field will be. If the wastewater cannot absorb correctly, it will either sit on top or flow into fresh or natural water supplies. This is considered a health hazard and we need to prevent possible contamination.
What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in Morrilton?
Most of the soil in Morrilton is high in clay, making it a problem during very wet and dry periods. Too much moisture from rain or flooding can cause the soil to swell. Too little moisture in the soil from drought conditions can cause the soil to shrink. This constant swelling and shrinking can be hard on your septic tank. Concrete is vulnerable to clay soil because of this and has a tendency to crack.
Depending on what your soil test shows, you may need to go with either fiberglass or plastic. Both choices will be more pliable than concrete. However, plastic does not have the same life expectancy. Fiberglass, on the other hand, will last longer, but it will also cost you more. The goal is to try and get 30 to 40 years out of your septic system.
How Often Do Homeowners in Morrilton Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
If you need septic tank installation in Morrilton, you will need to be familiar with the necessary routine maintenance. This will include things you can do daily, like only flushing biodegradable debris down the toilets and reducing excess water usage.
It also includes getting regular inspections by our team and pumping the system. The Arkansas Department of Health recommends that you have an inspection every three years by professionals like us unless you notice any warning signs. This is also a good time to schedule your routine pumping with us to dispose of the sludge at the bottom of the tank.
If you notice that your showers and sinks are slow to drain, your drainage field is squishy, or there are any bad smells inside or outside, you will need to call us for an inspection immediately. These are signs that your system has a problem. The longer you wait, the worse it can get, making it a bigger liability.
