Septic Systems
Spear Head Excavation specializes in new septic system installation and replacement. No matter where you are in the process, we can help, from site evaluation to finished product. If you know that you need a septic system, but you’re not sure exactly where or how to start, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get into the details!
The First Step
Every septic system ultimately begins with a state licensed Site Evaluator. This is the licensed professional who will come to your property and determine the septic feasibility and legality. They will take into consideration your property’s unique needs and create a code compliant design which becomes the blue print needed for your install. You will be given a state form, the HHE200, which you can bring to a septic installer such as Spear Head Excavation for the next steps in the process.
The HHE200 form serves as both the “blueprint” and permit for your new septic system installation. This form will go to your local Code Enforcement Officer for permitting.
Even if you don’t have your septic design done yet, we can help by connecting you to a trusted Site Evaluator or facilitating the design and permitting of your project.
Different Types of Septic Systems
There are many different types of septic systems out there, but only a relative few that are commonly used today for new residential construction. Each will have specific pros and cons. Determining the right system for your property is a conversation between you and a licensed Site Evaluator.
More information on each type of system can be found here. This is not an exhaustive list of all the different types of systems, but a brief overview of the most commonly used.
Common Septic System Questions…
What is a Septic System? Who installs my Septic System?
A Septic System is a waste disposal system designed to efficiently dispose of waste water into the ground.
Your septic system is installed by a licensed and insured site work professional. Spear Head Excavation specializes in new septic installations.
Can you install a septic system in the Winter?
The short answer is, yes. Septic systems can be installed year round. During the winter months, special precautions are taken to ensure that no frost can penetrate the ground underneath the devices. As with basically everything during the winer months, work efficiency goes down, but it is absolutely doable. If you have a failing system that needs immediate attention, we can help no matter the time of year.
Is there a Best Type of Septic?
People will ultimately have different preferences. Listed above is a brief overview on several different types of systems that gives some of the pros and cons of each. In many cases a site will be able to take any of the available septic system options. In that case, a conversation with your Site Evaluator can help you to either determine or understand the best system for your particular needs.
What is a Leach Field?
A Leach field is a subsurface waste water disposal system. This is the part of the septic system where the wastewater is treated with oxygen and bacteria to make it safe for dispersing into the soil.
What is an Effluent Pump?
My HHE200 says that an effluent pump is required, what does that mean?
An effluent pump is a mechanical system added to your septic when gravity drainage is not possible given the site conditions. Its function is to pump the wastewater from your septic tank up to the leach field.
Do I really need a Pump Station?
A pump station, or Effluent Pump, is always a net negative for your new septic system. It is a significant added expense as well as a mechanical point of failure.
Unless it is absolutely necessary on your site, avoiding a pump will give you a better long term product.
Spear Head Excavation works with trusted Site Evaluators to make sure that your septic system is optimized for your site. There have been many examples of septic installations where we were able to assess a site in more depth and provide a redesigned system that did not require an effluent pump.
How much will a new septic Cost?
Soil and Site Conditions as well as access are all major factors in how much your new septic system will cost. As such, estimates are always very general until all of the specific details can be factored.
The easiest factor by which we can give a general window of price range will be the house bedroom count. New septic systems are designed in size to match the number of bedrooms as an indicator of how many people it will have to support.
The price ranges below are a general range for a new septic system including, tank, leach field, and all exterior plumbing.
Your specific site conditions and septic design will need to be priced by Spear Head Excavation, but we can give some idea of what the cost may be.
1-2 Bed 17,000-21,000
3 Bed 21,000-24,000
4 Bed 24,000-28,000
5 Bed 28,000+
