Any engineering/construction folks here?

[donsgal]

Can anybody draw a septic system plan here? I don't want to go to a local contractor (long, long story), but I want the drawing to look professional. I can provide the dimensions and will pay a reasonable fee.

donsgal

[PhilosopherStorm]

Not sure if it is available online, or not, but you might try to check out Backwoods Home. In a past issue (sorry I cannot recall which one) they went through the steps to building your own septic system, and I believe that it contained plans as well.

Though I am a contractor myself I can fully understand not wanting to use professional services for this, as the cost can be prohibitive. Then too, if you do decide to do it yourself, check about the true environmental impact, then if at all possible ignore the local thugs with badges and permits (bureaucrats, politicians and police) and you will not only get a better and safer system, but it will be far less expensive since you will not have to pay the institutional graft.

Good luck! :)

[gulfcoastguy]

I am a civil engineer but I am not liscenced to practice in your state. There are some engineering ethical rules and probably some legal laws that apply. If your locality requires an engineer to certify your system he will probably not do it without running a perk test on your soil at the very least. He will also charge you a fee, it is against the code of ethics to do work for free or to do it without meeting minimum standards of design. The reason for this is that he is legally responsible for the quality of his work and for the public safety of his work product. He wouldn't want to risk a possible $10,000.00 fine, a law suit, or the loss of his professional liscence.

[rjzatyko@yahoo.com]

Hi, Go to -- tim@askthebuilder.com-- his site has a lot of stuff and it might help you.But i could be wrong because you might have to do a lot of looking on his site to find what you want. If you can't find what you need on his site. You might find something if you just type in septic system plans and search the web. Good luck and good hunting in your venture. richard from ky.

[rjzatyko@yahoo.com]

Hi, Mr. gulf coast guy you make a lot of sense to me. richard from ky.

[flowerpower]

donsgal, are you replacing the old system? Do you know if there is a "gray water" line? You might want to situate your veggie garden near where it drains out. It cuts down on the watering ALOT.

Gulfcoastguy is right that there are probably tons of regulations when it comes to septics. It might be a good idea to have your water tested if you have a well. Just to be on the safe side and make sure there is no E Coli or anything.

[donsgal]

Not sure if it is available online, or not, but you might try to check out Backwoods Home. In a past issue (sorry I cannot recall which one) they went through the steps to building your own septic system, and I believe that it contained plans as well.

Though I am a contractor myself I can fully understand not wanting to use professional services for this, as the cost can be prohibitive. Then too, if you do decide to do it yourself, check about the true environmental impact, then if at all possible ignore the local thugs with badges and permits (bureaucrats, politicians and police) and you will not only get a better and safer system, but it will be far less expensive since you will not have to pay the institutional graft.

Good luck! :)

Right your are PhilosopherStorm. We found out that septic systems can be "owner installed" so long as they are of proper length and character. I am not fond of playing the beaurocrat game with local officials, and I am even less fond of having my little homestead torn to smithereens by contractors who would sooner go THROUGH my trees than take the effort to go around them.

Thanks to everybody for the information. I appreciate it very much and I will check out links given.

donsgal