Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Is the Process For Septic Tank Installation in Taunton?
- 2 How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Taunton?
- 3 How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Taunton?
- 4 What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in Taunton?
- 5 How Often Do Homeowners in Taunton Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
- 6 Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in Taunton?
What Is the Process For Septic Tank Installation in Taunton?
Septic systems are simple systems, but the devil is in the details, and getting them right is important. The process is way more involved than simply envisioning where your septic system will be located or digging a hole and placing a tank in the ground. That’s why you should only let a professional like Mr. Blue Plumbing handle your septic tank installation in Taunton. If you’re preparing for a new septic tank installation, you may be wondering what steps are involved.
Test the Soil and Prepare the Property
The first step in a septic tank installation is to have a site survey and soil test done. Septic systems rely on permeable soil surrounding the tank to absorb and naturally treat liquid residue to prevent runoff water contamination or leaks into the water table. Before installing a septic tank in Taunton, you’re legally obligated to obtain a percolation test. Our septic tank installation experts will come out to your home to analyze the topography and soils where you plan to place your tank and septic field.
The percolation test will help establish what kind of soil you have, how well it will absorb fluid, and if the soil meets the city and local health department requirements. Usually, the soil is required to have adequate amounts of permeable contents like sand or gravel. This will help us determine which septic tank is best for your property.
The septic installation site will also have to be made accessible to large, heavy equipment, so any obstructions such as tree branches or overhead wires will have to be removed to ensure that delivery and installation are possible.
Removal and Excavation
First, you’ll need to get rid of your old system if you have one, but if you’ve never had a septic tank before, you won’t have to worry about digging up the old tank to put the new one in. Either way, you will still have to go through the process of excavating your yard so that you can have your new septic tank installed.
Septic tank installation requires a hole with enough clearance for the tank and any necessary work around it. This produces a large amount of dirt and rocks that will need to be removed from the site, so be sure to have a plan to dispose of these excess materials. If you currently reside on the land, make sure to budget landscaping costs to fix any damage incurred during excavation. If you’re building a new home, schedule the excavation at a time when it’ll have minimal impact on the construction process.
Septic Tank Installation
Once the area has been excavated, your septic tank can now be installed. After the septic tank is in place, it will be carefully inspected for cracks or damages. The tank will also require sealing to ensure it is watertight. The waste and wastewater that moves through your plumbing system will ultimately end up in your septic tank, so a significant part of the installation process involves adding suitable pipes to the system.
The septic tank needs plumbing and drainage pipes to receive waste from the house and still filter it out into the drain field. Before backfilling around the tank, our septic tank experts will fill the tank with water to measure any water loss. The tank shouldn’t lose more than an inch of water over 24 hours. Once the tank is proven to be watertight, it should be insulated to avoid freezing. We also ensure that the septic tank is well ventilated to prevent odor issues. This usually involves venting at the ends of percolation trenches or a vent located on your roof.
How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Taunton?
To install a septic tank in Taunton, you’ll need to obtain a permit to ensure the project is compliant and meets all applicable codes. Septic tank installation permits are necessary to ensure that the septic field is installed correctly and ensure the groundwater isn’t contaminated. It’s also important to note that if you install a septic tank without a permit, you might not be able to sell your home easily in the future.
Before you start your septic tank installation in Taunton, you must first conduct a percolation test. If the perc test is for new construction, you have to fax an application for percolation test to the city’s consultant and pay a $300 application fee plus a $250 consultant fee. Once you pay, a member of the Board of Health will be in touch with the engineer to witness the perc test. You must also submit your septic system plans to the city. The Conservation Department must stamp these plans before being submitted to the Board of Health.
Once the plans have been reviewed by the city’s consultant and approved, your licensed septic tank installer must visit the city of Taunton office to request the permit for new construction septic system installation which costs $300 plus $150 consultant fee. This permit and our licensed installer must be on-site at all times. The Taunton Board of Health conducts an open hole inspection before the system is installed and a final inspection once the system is in place.
How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Taunton?
This is a loaded question since many factors will affect the cost of a new septic tank installation. Generally, Taunton residents pay an average of $6,127 for a septic tank installation, but this price can be as low as $1,525 or as high as $10,730 for more complex projects. Here are some factors that can affect the cost of your septic tank installation in Taunton.
Cost Factor: Tank Size
The size of the septic tank you choose will play a large part in the final cost – the bigger the tank, the higher the cost. Larger tanks will need pumping less frequently, giving you lower upkeep costs but higher upfront costs. What’s more, larger tanks normally need to be installed below ground, further adding to your installation costs.
While the initial cost of a smaller tank is low, you’ll discover that you need to have the tank emptied more frequently, pushing maintenance costs up. A 1,000-gallon tank can support a home with 3 or 4 bedrooms and can cost an average of $600 to $1,000, while a 3,000-gallon tank can cost between $2,900 and $3,900.
Cost Factor: Type of Septic Tank System
The type of septic tank that’s best for your home will affect the overall septic tank cost. Because of its simple design, a conventional septic system typically costs much less than other systems, ranging between $3,000-$10,000. An alternative septic system is usually priced around $6,000 and $15,000, while engineered septic systems can cost on average between $12,000 and $15,000.
Cost Factor: Septic Tank Material
There is a significant difference in the cost of the various materials used to fabricate septic tanks. In general, the cost of the septic tank will be directly proportional to the quality of the material. For example, polyethylene is of a higher quality and one of the most durable tank materials applications, and therefore more expensive. On the other hand, concrete tanks are less durable and relatively inexpensive, but the difficulty of the installation could increase your costs. However, bear in mind that cheaper models typically require more frequent replacement.
- Concrete (average cost $750-$2,000)
- Fiberglass (average cost $1,600-2,000)
- Plastic (average cost $800-$1,900)
What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in Taunton?
Septic tanks made of different materials offer varying levels of strength and durability. There is a wide range of septic tanks available on the market and they come in all shapes and sizes. With this in mind, it is important to choose the right septic tank for your property that will provide years of reliable service for you and your family, so you can get the most out of your system.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all septic tank option. The best type of septic tank for one situation might not be the best for another. The best septic tanks Taunton homeowners can choose from include:
- Plastic septic tank: This is the most economical option for Taunton homeowners. It is much cheaper to buy and install. It is durable, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and less susceptible to cracking compared to concrete. Though the lighter weight makes them easier to install, they are prone to damage during installation and can float to the surface if they aren’t installed correctly.
- Fiberglass septic tank: This type of septic tank is an excellent alternative that resists any rusting, cracking, corrosion, and algae growth. Though fiberglass tanks are heavier than plastic tanks, they’re significantly lighter than concrete tanks, making them easier to install. However, this means they are more likely to shift when the surrounding clayey soil in Taunton becomes saturated.
- Concrete septic tanks: These are the most common type of septic tanks in Taunton. They are much more durable and can last up to 40 years with proper maintenance and regular draining. Concrete septic tanks aren’t usually affected by changes to their environment such as changing soil conditions, tree roots, or other problems. Because they’re so resilient, concrete septic tanks do not need as much maintenance as plastic ones. On the downside, concrete septic tanks cost more to purchase and install and can crack or corrode if not well-maintained.
Our septic tank installation experts will help you make an informed choice.
How Often Do Homeowners in Taunton Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
According to most experts, you should get your septic tank inspected by a professional like us at least every three to five years. The inspection usually lands around the time that you should also have a professional septic tank pumping service pump the tank. The Massachusetts government recommends septic tank inspection for large systems with a design flow of 10,000 to 15,000 gallons per day or more at full build-out and every five years after that.
Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in Taunton?
There’s no rebate program for septic tank services in Taunton. However, the city provides financial assistance to homeowners looking to repair or replace a failed septic system through the Septic Loan Program. The loan attracts an interest rate of 5% and is paid back to the City through the first quarter property tax bills. To qualify for this program, you must have documented proof that your system has failed. This can be by a Certified Title Inspector or the Board of Health.
