how close can a deck be to a septic tank

Full Answer

How far should deck footings be from a septic tank?

Even if your locality allows footings closer than 5 feet, it is still wise to keep the deck footings at least five feet from the tank. Doing so will ensure that you never compromise the integrity or effectiveness of your septic system.

How close can a septic tank be to a house?

. at least 15 feet between septic tanks and basements, embankments, drainage system side-slopes, and swimming pools.. at least 25 ft. from property line. at least 25 feet setback for groundwater lowering ditches and devices, and the down-slope of drainage systems. at least 50 feet from any lake or pond

Can you put a deck on top of a septic tank?

We recommend only building a wooden deck on top of a septic tank. Wood is light and the least likely to put too much pressure on top of your septic tank. And one more thing; this is no place to ‘experiment’, so go with treated wood instead of untreated.

What is the average size of a septic tank?

The average size of a septic tank is between 750 and 1250 gallons. This is enough for the tank to filter and treat a few years of water and waste. Most of the time, these tanks will be rectangular and about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long and 6 feet tall.

How close can you build next to a septic tank?

The federal US laws obligate property owners to build 10 feet away from where the septic tank is located. This way, you won't have to worry about landslides, wastewater ending up in your basement, or anything like that.

Can you build around a septic tank?

It is never recommended to build a structure over any portion of your septic system. The most common problem we see is when someone wants to pump out their septic tank but doesn't know where their tank is located.

How do you build a patio with a septic tank?

You can't build a paver patio on top of a septic tank, and doing so could be against the planning laws of your state or local area. Septic tanks can take very little weight without getting damaged, and you'll also need access to the tank in the future too. You shouldn't build a deck on one either.

How close to the house can the septic field be?

Well, when it comes to having either a septic tank or field, you need to have it placed at least five feet away from your home. However, most tanks are placed even farther, commonly around 10 feet away in most cases and the leach fields are placed at around twenty feet away from the home.

Can I put a deck over my septic tank?

You should never build a deck over a septic field; doing so will prevent the natural draining and dissipation of the effluent. This can ruin the septic system, not to mention releasing foul smells into the air all around your deck. The dissipating effluent can also rot the deck from underneath.

Can you build a deck over a sewer line?

No - If you wish to build over a section of sewer main that contains a sewer junction, you will need to arrange a new junction to be “cut-in" clear of the proposed building.

Can you put a fire pit over a septic field?

A fire pit directly on the field increases the chances of melting the drain pipes underneath, but a fire pit that stands on legs would eliminate that and still allow you to make the most of your limited space. That said, compaction is one other possible problem of which to be aware.

What can you put around a septic tank?

Put plastic sheets, bark, gravel or other fill over the drainfield. Reshape or fill the ground surface over the drainfield and reserve area. However, just adding topsoil is generally OK if it isn't more than a couple of inches. Make ponds on or near the septic system and the reserve area.

Can you put a shed over a septic field?

You Can't Install Structures Sheds, workshops, and garages have the same issues as decks, with too much weight and too little access.

Can you cement over a septic tank?

You should never pave over your septic tank. Although soil compaction is not a major issue for septic tanks, there are other dangers presented by placing an insecure septic tank underneath concrete and heavy vehicles. Certain materials and structures must be used to make it safe to pave over septic tanks.

How deep is the septic tank outlet pipe?

approximately 3 inchesAfter the solids settle out, effluent leaves the septic tank through the outlet pipe and flows to the drain field. The outlet pipe should be approximately 3 inches below the inlet pipe.

Where should a septic tank be placed on a property?

Ideally, a septic tank should be placed on level ground. If possible, the tank should be placed on high ground in order to avoid flooding and seeping. It will be important that you look around and avoid steep slopes or areas of dense tree roots that can damage your entire system.

How high should a deck be for a tank?

Since you are making your deck at least 6 to 8 feet high, you can attach a heavy duty net under the deck to ensure no one (or nothing) falls through on top of the tank. Another option you have is to build a multi-layered deck. The one below would only be for support, in case the worst happens.

How long does a septic tank last?

The average lifespan of a septic tank is 15 to 40 years, after which the tank itself starts degrading. When that happens, the gases within start leaking, or worse, the sewage water finds a way out. This is not only a risk to human health, but also to the environment.

What Is a Septic Tank?

Septic tanks or septic systems are wastewater treatment structures that are normally used in rural areas. Usually, these tanks are situated at a distance from houses, but it’s not uncommon to find some underground tanks near houses where there is constricted space.

What happens when sewage water flows into a tank?

When sewage water flows into the tank, the organic matter is digested by bacteria within. Oily matter floats while solids settle down. Soil drain-fields usually direct the water from the tank into several perforated pipes (filtered to ensure no organic matter or solids make their way into the pipes).

What does air circulation mean under a deck?

Air circulation under the deck will mean that the ground temperature won’t be much of an issue.

Is it dangerous to break deck boards?

Remember to make contingency for broken deck boards, though. It is very important that you remember that exposure to gases or water from the septic tank is extremely dangerous and can prove to be fatal.

Can you build a deck over a septic tank?

If your septic tank is exposed, we wouldn’t recommend building a deck over it. If, however, it is completely underground and you are sure there is no chance of damaging the tank, you can build a deck over a septic tank, but be very careful.

How much setback do you need for a septic system?

Most zoning ordinances will require that you maintain at least a 5' setback from an underground septic system. Installing frost footings and applying deck loads over a septic tank could result in damaging the tank or waste lines.

What happens if a septic tank is punctured?

A punctured septic tank will create a terrible mess and an expensive problem. Septic tanks also require access for maintenance. Abandoned or out of use septic tanks should also be avoided. Some older properties have buried septic systems that are not marked on surveys along with other utilities and easements.

What happens if a septic tank is inactive?

If the septic tank is inactive, though – if it was from a system no longer used, or has been converted to city sewer – then the tank needs to be properly abandoned so nothing can collapse in it. Once that's complete you can build over or around it. Good luck!

Is it bad to build a septic tank?

Our Answer. If the septic tank is active, it's a bad idea to build anything over it because the tank will need to eventually be accessed to be pumped. Secondly, if the field was to ever fail – which eventually they do – the whole area will need to be dug out.

How Close Can a Deck Be to a Septic Tank?

Depending on where you live, the footings of the deck should be at least 5-10 feet from the tank at every point. This could lead to the deck shrinking or growing in size to accommodate these rules. You can use this link to find state-level code about septic systems. For a better perspective, consult your local building codes or speak to a knowledgeable plumbing contractor or home inspector!

How deep should a septic tank be buried?

Most septic tanks are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet deep. This depends on the type of soil, the slope of the yard, tank design, and other conditions. Before building a deck over your septic tank, you should find out the exact location and depth of the tank and septic lines.

How to build a floating deck without a septic tank?

A simple solution to this is to build a hybrid floating deck: using buried footings like a normal deck, but keeping them short and separate from the dwelling like a floating deck. This will give the appearance of a floating deck without forcing the soil above the septic tank to support additional weight.

How big is a septic tank?

The average size of a septic tank is between 750 and 1250 gallons. This is enough for the tank to filter and treat a few years of water and waste. Most of the time, these tanks will be rectangular and about 5 feet wide by 8 feet long and 6 feet tall.

How to avoid building over septic lines?

To avoid building over the septic lines and drain field, locate their exact locations and mark them off with flags while planning your deck. If you have recently purchased your home or have the paperwork from inspections, there should be a map or diagram displaying its location!

What is the liquid that flows out of a septic tank?

The lines and drain field allow liquid waste to drain out slowly after it is treated by the tank. This liquid, known as effluent, flows out into the drain field and dissipates in the ground and air.

What happens if a septic system is damaged?

A damaged septic field will result in the ground becoming muddy and wet, and the air is filled with a putrid smell.

How Much Weight Can Go On Top of a Septic Tank?

Some models have a “traffic rating” and axle weights.

What Can You Put Over A Septic Tank?

The short answer is not much. Septic tanks are built to be water-tight to prevent leaks out of the tank and entry into the surrounding soil.

Can You Build a Deck Over a Septic Field?

You should never build a deck over a septic field because it will prevent the effluent from naturally draining and dissipating.

What is a septic system?

A Septic System is a self-contained tank and a drain field system is designed to treat household sewage. It consists of one or more tanks, pipes, and absorption fields.

What are the components of a septic system?

In addition to the septic tank, there are two other septic system components: the drain field and the drain lines (the pipes). The drain field (also known as a leach field) contains the drain lines that run from the tank, and you don’t want these to be damaged as well.

What to do if you have a septic field?

If you have a septic field on your property, try building the deck over an area of the yard that isn’t used for anything else.

What to do if you have a tank in your house?

If you’ve bought a house with a tank, have it inspected to see what it’s made of and whether it’s in good condition. If you are installing a new one, make sure it is made of strong concrete and meets all of the specifications.

How far apart should a well be from a septic tank?

Common guidelines require at least 50' clearance distance between a well and a septic system tank or 150' between a well and a septic drainfield or leaching bed but you will see that different authorities may recommend different distances. Local soil and rock conditions can make these "rules of thumb" unreliable.

How far is the septic tank from the well?

200 feet is from the septic tank to the well. The septic tank has a perforated leaching pipe attached; the end of the pipe is approx. 100 feet from the well.

What is the normal septic system loading rate?

"Normal septic system loading" rate is defined as a soil application rate of effluent at 1.0 gallons per day per linear foot of trench along the bottom area of the trench.

How far from a septic line is a property line?

Septic to property line distance requirements vary by country state or Province and are given as examples in tables above on this page. 10 feet or 3M is a common example.

How far is the phosphatr mine from the well?

The Mosaic Phosphatr Mine has a hidden Effluent Pipe 127 ft from our well .

Where is the effluent pipe in Mosaic Phosphate?

Mosaic Phosphate Mining Company has an EFFLUENT pipe hidden in field 130ft from our home and 127 feet from our well.

Where do you dispose of septic effluent?

In general, septic effluent must be disposed of on the property from which it originates.