Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Douglasville?
- 2 How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Douglasville?
- 3 How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Douglasville?
- 4 What Type of Septic Tank Is Best for Residents in Douglasville?
- 5 How Often Do Homeowners in Douglasville Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Douglasville?
Sometimes a septic tank is the best option for your property. Sometimes it’s the only option. Either way, before the installation starts, you’ll need to do some prep work. Fortunately, Douglas County has very clear rules about septic tanks and makes the process pretty easy. Here is what you’ll need to do:
- Get a percolation (or perc) test. This test will determine how good your soil is at drainage. Knowing what type of soil you have and how it drains will help you determine the type of system to install. It can give you a better idea about the size of the tank and leach field you’ll need as well. Douglasville’s soil tends to be high in clay content but still good at draining. That means there is a good chance you’ll have plenty of options to choose from once you get your perc results back. We may be able to do the perc test for you or you may need to hire a separate service.
- Decide on your system type. Once you know how your soil performs, you can start to think about the type of septic system you want. This is a good time to start talking to us in Douglasville if you haven’t already. The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a list of approved installers, so you can start your search for a provider there. They can advise you on the best type of system for your property based on their land survey and your perc results.
- Prepare for excavation and installation. Once the prep work is complete, the process to install your system usually takes about a week. The timeline will depend on the type of tank you choose and the size of your drain field. Once the installation begins, there is little you’ll have to do yourself. Our installation crew will dig and level out the pit along with the drain trenches, then install all the equipment.
Once they install equipment and backfill the pit and trenches, your installation provider will give you basic information on maintenance and answer any questions you might have. Then your new septic system will be ready to use.
How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Douglasville?
Before you can install a new septic tank system on your property, you’ll have to get a building permit. First, you’ll need to get your system design signed off on by the Douglas County Department of Health. You can get the application online. They check the system to make sure it meets all the health and safety code requirements for Douglas County and the state of Georgia. This includes rules like keeping the system at least 50 feet away from any water sources.
Once you have their approval, you can apply for the required building permit through the city of Douglasville. During the installation of your system, a Douglas County inspector will need to survey the work. They will make sure it meets the minimum standards according to Georgia building codes. Once they sign off on the work, we can start filling in the pits and trenches.
Make sure you keep all your building permits and documentation. This can be very handy if you decide to sell your home in the future. It will assure any potential buyer that the septic system was correctly installed and is up to code.
How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Douglasville?
What you’ll pay for septic tank installation will vary. Douglasville residents can pay anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 for their septic tank, with most households paying an average of around $5,500. The reason for this huge cost variance comes down to these three factors:
The Type of System
Some septic systems just cost more. Aerobic systems tend to be the most expensive. They are essentially complete miniature waste treatment systems buried in your yard. If you opt for this system, you can expect to be at the higher end of the scale. Gravity-powered septic systems tend to be the least expensive, as they rely on the power of gravity and not expensive pumps. These generally cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for installation.
The Amount of Labor
Installing a septic system is a labor-intensive process, even in the easiest installations. Several conditions could increase the amount of labor required, though, including:
- Tank size: The bigger the tank, the larger and deeper the pit will need to be.
- Leach field area: Some Douglasville soils contain a lot of clay, which may be slow to drain. That means your leach field will need to be larger and will require more labor to dig all the trenches.
- Ground clearing: This is common in Douglasville, where we have a dense and healthy tree population. We may be able to clear the ground for you, or you may need to hire a separate contractor.
We will take all this into account when we provide you with an initial estimate. We’ll need to estimate how many people we need on the job site to get the work done, and then add that labor cost to your estimate.
Testing, Permits, and the Market
There are several miscellaneous expenses you’ll want to take into account when budgeting for your septic tank installation. First, the perc testing. You won’t be able to get a septic system without one, and they’ll cost you around $1,000. It may be slightly more if you have a large area to test or aren’t sure where to install your system.
Permits are another expense. In Douglasville, a septic tank installation permit and inspection start at $250. You’ll pay more if you need additional inspections.
Finally, the market can be a big determining factor in the cost of your installation. If the housing market is booming, then you can expect to pay more for your installation. That’s because the companies are busy and will need to cover the cost of additional labor. The population in Douglasville has leveled off in recent years, though. That means you shouldn’t have to worry about paying a premium for installation.
What Type of Septic Tank Is Best for Residents in Douglasville?
Which system is best for you comes down to the type of soil that you have. Douglasville has a variety of soil types, but most of them are clay loams. That means there is a good chance that the soil in your backyard contains a lot of clay. Sometimes, clay can be bad for a septic tank system. That’s because clay naturally expands when it’s wet, and that reaction to moisture can make it difficult for your septic tank to properly disperse the effluent, which is the water by-product that leaves your tank and is naturally cleaned by the soil before it returns to the groundwater system.
However, the clay that’s in the soil in Douglasville doesn’t impede drainage too much. Our soil is generally classified as well-drained or exceedingly well-drained, so effluent should be able to pass through the soil and into the ground without much issue, even with the clay content. Because of that, most residents can use a traditional gravity-fed system with a leach field. These systems are the most common, and also the least expensive. However, they aren’t your only option. Some homeowners prefer to have an aerobic system installed, which acts as an in-ground wastewater treatment plant. While this system is more expensive, there are some big benefits. You won’t have to worry about drainage as much, it works with all soil types, and you can even use the effluent to water your landscaping.
You can talk to us about all your options, though, and decide what will work best based on your soil type, household size, and budget.
How Often Do Homeowners in Douglasville Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
Septic tanks don’t require too much of your attention as long as you regularly maintain them. The EPA recommends having your tank inspected at least once every three years. You should have your tank inspected sooner, though, if you experience an issue such as:
- Toilets, showers, or sinks draining very slowly
- Bubbling or gurgling sounds in your drains
- Soggy ground around your tank or leach field
- Unpleasant and persistent smells around your tank or leach field
- New depressions in the ground around your tank or leach field
We can determine if there is an issue, where the issue is occurring, and provide you with options to fix it.
During your inspection, you may want to get your tank pumped. How often you need to pump your septic tank will depend on the size of your household and your usage. The average household in Douglasville has two to three people. A household of that size should expect to pump their tank one every three to five years. If you add members to your household or host a lot of events, then you’ll want to have the tank pumped more often. During an inspection, your service technician can let you know how full the tank is and whether you should have it pumped.
