AFFORDABLE SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN Walden, NY

What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Walden?

Septic tank installation is never a simple process, but it’s good to know what to expect before we begin. Most septic tanks need to be replaced due to the septic tank failing an inspection. A septic tank will fail inspection if the inspector finds too many cracks or discovers some irreparable damage. You might also receive the bad news that you need a new septic tank when you notice sewage backing up in your home or your yard, and we find that there is no way to repair it.

Another reason you may need a brand new septic tank is that there currently isn’t one on the property. Walden, NY may not be that big, but new construction jobs are popping up frequently enough. If you’re building a new home, you’ll need a new septic tank installed.

When installing a new septic tank, the first thing we will do is test the soil. What we hope to find is soil that can adequately drain. This matters because soil that is not porous can contaminate runoff water or leak into the water table. Ideally, the soil will either be sandy or have small pebbles in it. If this is the case, we’ll have no problems installing a septic tank.

So what if your soil isn’t porous, and doesn’t drain well? In this case, it means your soil is mostly clay, and it will cause some problems. It doesn’t mean that we can’t install a septic tank by any means, but it does mean that the soil must be altered to make it suitable for a septic tank. This will take some time, and will increase the price. The EPA reports that there are alternative septic tanks that use sand, peat, or other plastic media instead of soil, but it requires annual inspections.

In Walden, the USDA reports that the soil can vary from silt loams that drain very well to rocky soils that do not drain well. We won’t know what type of soil you have until we test it. 

Once we test the soil and determine if a septic tank will work here, or if we need to work with the soil, you can apply for a permit. We’ll talk more about the permit process later. Once the permit is approved, an inspector from the city will visit the site. After that, we begin digging. This can take a few days and can last up to a week. Once that part is finished, we’ll install your brand new septic tank. This will take up to 2 to 3 days depending on the weather. 

Once the tank is installed, we’re not quite done yet. It will require some testing to make sure that everything is working as it should. Once this is done, you’ll have a septic tank that should last you many years to come if properly maintained.

How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Walden?

The Village of Walden requires that you get a dig permit if you’re doing any digging within 25 feet of the curb or sidewalk. If the area we plan to install the septic tank in is far enough away from the sidewalk, this won’t be an issue, but it never hurts to call the Village of Walden Superintendent at (845) 742-0619 to be sure. This must be submitted and approved before any work begins. For the application to be approved, it will require that you pay any fees, proper bonds, and insurance beforehand. An inspector must come out to check out the work before there is any backfill. 

It will take about 2 days for the Village of Walden to review the permit, at which point they will contact you and discuss anything you need to do before they approve your permit. It’s also important to note that no digging is allowed on Fridays and the weekend.

As far as an actual septic tank permit, it’s included in the building permit. You’ll have to fill it out, but we’ll be happy to help. The Village of Walden will take up to 7 days before approving a building permit, and may request more information. They also warn that you will not get a permit approved the same day it is given, so if you’re in a hurry, it’s better to act sooner rather than putting it off until tomorrow.

How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Walden?

There’s no getting around it. Installing a septic tank is not cheap. Some factors can increase the cost even more.

New or Replacement Tank?

This is a huge factor to take into consideration when trying to come up with a quote. If we’re replacing an existing septic tank, it will require digging up the tank, removing it, and then installing a new one. This will require a lot of work, and it will be reflected in the price. It’s not quite as high as installing a new tank will be, however.

This is because installing a new tank will require more digging. While we’re not removing an existing septic tank, nor dealing with any clean-up that might be needed, we will have to install new pipes. This means you’ll have to purchase the pipes, which will drive up the cost as well with the purchase of a new septic tank.

Size of Your Home

Bigger homes will require a bigger septic tank. This means more digging for us, as well as the increased price of purchasing a larger septic tank. The amount of water and material that goes into the tank will also increase the price.

Soil Type

This is one of those things that is hard to avoid, unless you have the soil tested before you purchase the land. If the soil is not porous, then you’ll either have to work with the soil to make it porous or buy an alternative septic tank. Neither option is cheap, although going with an alternative septic tank will probably get you out cheaper in the short term. 

What Type of Septic Tank Is Best for Residents in Walden?

There’s no right or wrong answer for this. If Walden was prone to earthquakes, it would be a good idea to invest in a concrete septic tank, which tends to be more sturdy, but this isn’t the case. The last earthquake to hit Walden was in 1931. The risk of earthquakes in Walden is relatively low, so you don’t have to worry about this when considering what type of septic tank you want.

With that being said, it’s better to invest money into something that will last, as opposed to installing something cheap to save money. Concrete septic tanks tend to last longer than other types, but are prone to cracking.

Steel sounds good, at first. It even looks good when you install it. However, the wastewater in the septic tank can begin to corrode the steel, so it’s best to avoid this type of septic tank if you can.

Fiberglass and plastic are easy to install and don’t corrode as easily as steel does. They’re both also very cheap compared to other types of septic tanks. The problem is that it doesn’t last as long as a concrete septic tank does, which means that the money you save in the short term may end up costing you even more in the long term.

In general, concrete tanks will stand up to the weight of the heavy clay soil in the Walden area and will resist ground movement with changes in moisture.

How Often Do Homeowners in Walden Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?

There is no set amount of time that you are required to contact us to inspect your septic tank. With that being said, the EPA recommends that you do so at least every 3 years. This is because small cracks can be fixed far more easily than large cracks. It may also prevent you from having to replace your septic tank.

As part of the inspection, you should have your septic tank pumped. This will help to remove grime, as well as any accumulated waste. It won’t do much to make your septic tank look any prettier, but it can help prevent clogs. This is important because clogs can create cracks or lead to total septic failure.

If you use an above-average amount of water, you might want to contact us to have your septic tank inspected every 2 years. Just like anything else in life, the more you use your septic tank, the quicker you wear it out. 

There are a few things that will cause your septic tank to fail an inspection in the Village of Walden. These include sewage that is leaking into your home, sewage in the yard, liquid above the outlet invert, structural failures such as cracks that could lead to the septic tank leaking, or contamination of off-site groundwater.

It’s also important to note that your septic tank must be in good condition before you sell your home, so if you wish to move in the future, then it’s highly recommended that you don’t skip inspections. You don’t want to be hit with buying a new septic tank just when you thought you were going to move.

If you notice any standing water in your yard where your septic tank is, or if there is sewage backing up in your home, then give us a call. We’ll be happy to come to take a look and see what we can do.