AFFORDABLE SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN Charleston, WV

What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Charleston?

Having a septic tank installed in Charleston can be a time-consuming process, whether you’re installing a new septic tank or replacing an existing septic tank with considerable problems. 

According to West Virginia law, you will need to check the size of your lot before deciding to install a septic tank. If the deed for your lot was issued before July 1, 1970, you can install a septic tank on a lot that measures 10,000 square feet or more. On the other hand, if you purchased a lot and the deed was recorded after that date, you will need a minimum of 20,000 square feet on which to install your septic tank. 

Next, pay attention to your site. You will need to select a site that is a safe distance from all other water sources, including water wells, streams, and lakes. Mr Blue Plumbing will help you find a site that is located at a safe distance from those water sources both horizontally and vertically. The West Virginia Groundwater Remediation Program aims to help remediate sites with contaminated groundwater and soil, and the Groundwater/UIC Program helps protect that groundwater, including issuing a requirement to register the septic tank seal once the project is completed to ensure that the septic tank does not leak out into that groundwater.

You will then need to have the ground at your septic tank site tested for proper location. You need the ground in that area to be able to absorb the wastewater put out by the septic tank. According to West Virginia law, you will need to have your test conducted by a certified professional to ensure that you have chosen a safe location for your septic tank. We have certified soil testers on staff to help.

Your next step is making a detailed plan of your proposed septic tank system. You will need to include all the details of your septic tank installation, such as the holding capacity of the septic tank, the dimensions of the drain field, and how far away from the house the septic tank will be. 

Next, it’s time to get your permit. Keep in mind that the permit process can prove complex. (More on that in a minute.) You will need to fill out the required number of copies for your septic tank permit and include all relevant information. You will also need to include payment for any fees associated with the permit at the time of filing. We can help file permits and get them approved quickly.

Once you’ve received the official go-ahead, construction can begin on your septic tank. Usually, we will use heavy equipment to dig the hole for the septic tank. We will also need to build an appropriate drain field, including adding gravel and pipes to help with drainage. 

Finally, before completing construction on your septic tank, you will need a final inspection. The city inspector will need to come out to check your septic tank installation and ensure that everything is up to code and according to plan before signing off on the final paperwork. Once you receive final approval, we can cover your septic tank and you can begin using the system.

How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Charleston?

To get a septic tank permit in Charleston, you will need to start with a percolation test. The percolation test will determine how well the water in your preferred septic tank location will absorb into the ground. If the ground is too saturated or has other obvious problems, you may find it much more difficult to install your septic tank or you may need to change locations. 

You will need a six-foot hole completely free of water or solid rock and a percolation test that passes local standards. If you plan to install the septic tank yourself, you will need to pass a certification examination before conducting the percolation test on your own, or you’ll need to bring in a professional like us to take care of the percolation test for you. 

To be approved, holding tanks must be watertight and have no openings or pipes, except for the cleaning or pumping port. Holding tanks must be in areas readily accessible for pumping in all types of weather, including during the winter or rainy seasons. You must also make sure that your permit application includes the layout and specifications for your pump.

How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Charleston?

Charleston septic tank installation costs can range between $2,000 and $15,000, and they average around $6,250. Your total may depend on several factors related to your land and to the specific tank you’ve chosen. Take a look at these critical factors and how they may influence the cost of your septic tank.

Materials

Most septic tanks are made out of concrete, which usually helps avoid many of the common maintenance problems associated with septic tanks and can help keep your system running as efficiently as possible. However, in some cases, you may find that using polyethylene or fiberglass may help you better with Charleston requirements. The materials used to construct the tank may impact the cost of your septic tank installation. 

Septic Tank Location

Your tank’s location will depend on a variety of factors. Some tanks are in-ground tanks, while others may stand above the ground. You may need to take a look at where the tank needs to sit on your property. Ideally, it will use gravity to its full advantage as it helps drain wastewater out of the tank and into the drain field. Your drain field must be placed in a location where cars will never run over it, which can help keep it safe and protect against damage to the system. If your tank is located in a difficult-to-access location, needs to go deeper in the ground, or needs special handling to keep it above the water table in your neighborhood, however, you may end up paying more for your septic tank installation. You may also pay more for septic tank installation if you need to carefully choose the location due to local water sources, including wells, lakes, and rivers. 

Tank Size

West Virginia requires a minimum of a 1,000-gallon tank to ensure that it can process all the wastewater that comes out of the house during the day. However, in some cases, you may need a larger septic tank. You may have started your septic tank replacement project because you realized that the existing tank isn’t adequate to handle the wastewater produced by your family each day. If you have a large family, you may find that your household generally goes through more wastewater, and you may need a larger septic tank to handle it.

What Type of Septic Tank is Best for Residents in Charleston?

According to West Virginia regulations, the best type of septic tank for Charleston residents is typically a soil absorption or on-site effluent disposal. While you may choose to use other types of wastewater disposal systems, you may have a harder time getting approval to install them. Furthermore, you may find that a soil absorption system offers the simplest, most practical solution for installing a septic tank on your property.

A soil absorption system is the most conventional method for handling wastewater treatment on site. It relies heavily on local soil with the right microorganisms to remove organic matter, solids, and nutrients left in the water. Effluent flows into the soil from the septic tank, while solids settle into the bottom of the tank. Once the wastewater reaches the drain area, the microbes eat the remaining material out of the water. This, in turn, creates a biological mat that slows the movement of water through the soil and improves the efficiency of the process. 

To make use of a soil absorption system, the soil must remain unsaturated so that water can pass through freely. Most homes in Charleston have appropriately drained soil for these types of systems.

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

If you have a septic tank, regular inspections by our team can prove critical in maintaining the overall health of the tank and letting you know when you need to have your tank pumped. Failure to pay attention to those critical details, like ensuring that you pump your tank regularly, can leave you with significant sewage problems on your property, not to mention greater overall expense.

In general, you should have your septic tank inspected by our specialists every 2-3 years, and you should expect to have your tank pumped every 3-5 years. However, if you have a large family or send a great deal of wastewater through your septic tank regularly, you may need to have your tank emptied more often. 

You should also make sure that you call an inspector or qualified septic tank repair company like Mr Blue Plumbing if you notice any potential problems with your septic system. One of the most obvious problems is sewage backing up into your drains. If you notice clear signs of sewage or you smell a strong odor around your drains, you should have your septic tank inspected quickly to reduce the risk of further damage to your property.

Your lawn may also provide clues about the overall health of your septic tank. Pay attention to your yard and your grass, especially over the septic tank. If you suddenly have lush, green grass growing over that location, it could indicate a leak that you need to deal with quickly. You should also call us if you notice flooding or saturation around the drain field. 

Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in Charleston?

While Charleston does not offer rebates for septic tank installation, the West Virginia Housing Development Fund does provide an On-Site Systems Program that will help qualified Charleston residents get a loan that will allow them to conduct necessary septic tank repairs or replacement. Using this loan can help make it easier for you to pay for septic tank problems when they arise, rather than allowing them to get worse. The loan has a maximum amount of $10,000 and a maximum term of 10 years.