To start, let's look at conventional vs. alternative septic systems.

Standard Septic Systems

In a conventional septic system, gravity carries wastewater from the house into the septic tank and then to the drainfield. Water pools in the tank long enough for ingredients to separate.

The greases and oils that rise to the top as scum and the solids that sink to the bottom as sludge both get removed by a septic pumping company every few years and carted to an approved disposal site. The actual frequency of pumping depends on the tank size and household usage.

The relatively clear water in the middle flows out to the drainfield. This area must be kept free of trees and shrubs so their roots don’t damage it. The drainfield consists of perforated pipes or drain tiles buried in trenches or set on a gravel bed one to three feet below the surface (though some estimates suggest two to four feet, so check your local regulations). As water trickles out of the pipes, the soil and its microbes act as natural filters to clean the water.

Installing a new standard septic system can cost between $3,500 and $8,500, depending on your living location. But it’s not an option for every lot. Public health departments require a certain square footage of open land that's level with or downhill from the house for a standard-system permit. In some states, a state environmental agency handles such matters.

Alternative (Engineered) Septic Systems

Where the soil type, the property size, or proximity to a wetland prohibits a standard system, you’ll need an alternative system. That would be a system with an enhanced septic tank, drainfield, or both. These cost more to install than basic systems, but the prices vary widely, depending on your site, your local environmental codes, and the technology you need.

The following alternative systems help to purify the water more before it gets to the drainfield. That way, you can get by with a smaller drainfield — one in soil that doesn’t drain well — or a site that’s close to a lake or stream and therefore must meet stricter environmental standards.

Aerobic Septic Systems

An aerobic treatment unit installed can cost $10,000 to 20,000. They mix air into the wastewater, which allows oxygen-loving bacteria to flourish. They break down solids much more quickly than the anaerobic bacteria in standard septic tanks, so cleaner water goes into the drainfield. Some units also disinfect the fluid with chlorine or ultraviolet light. That’s an advantage if you live near water, where you may face tighter environmental standards on what your system releases. An aerobic unit can serve as a substitute for a septic tank or work in concert with one.

Sand Filter

Installing a sand filter septic can cost $7,000 to 15,000 and works in conjunction with your tank or aerobic treatment unit. The filter consists of a large buried or above-ground box filled with sand. A pump tank releases the partially clarified water to the top of the sand in measured doses. Water then trickles through the sand before moving into the drainfield. A bottomless sand filter takes things a step further: It doubles as a drainfield alternative by allowing the fluids to pass into the ground underneath.

Drainfield Alternatives

The other main category of alternative treatment systems — which also can be used in conjunction with or instead of standard equipment, depending on your situation — focuses on the drainfield end of the process. These systems help water disperse safely even where soil conditions aren’t great or where there isn’t enough open space for a standard drainfield.

Mound System

A mound system can cost $10,000 to 20,000. A mound septic system is a pile of trucked-in sand and gravel with a drainfield buried inside. It’s used where the soil is thin or has too much clay, or where the water table is too high. Disguising a mound is a major landscaping challenge, especially since you can’t use trees or shrubs, which might have invasive roots.

Drip Irrigation

This type of alternative septic system can cost $6,500 to $15,000. It's a shallow drainfield where water trickles out over a wide area in measured doses from a pump chamber. Installers can snake the flexible piping around trees and shrubs, which makes it easier to fit the drainfield into an established landscape. Because the piping is just six inches to eight inches below ground, though, you might need to purify the water first, perhaps with an aerobic unit. You’ll also need a filter and regular maintenance to keep the system from clogging.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: houselogic.com

If you are about to purchase a new home with a septic system, this homebuyer guide is for you! This guide provides information homebuyers need to know before purchasing a home with a septic system (also known as an onsite wastewater system), how a septic system works, and the importance of having it inspected prior to purchasing a home. In addition, this guide provides information on everyday, preventative, and corrective maintenance for when you are living in your new home. For additional information, contact your local health department, real estate agent or visit www.epa.gov/septic.

Septic System Type

Some septic systems are simple while others are more extensive and complicated. As a result, labor and material costs will vary depending on the simplicity or complexity of the septic tank system.

Septic Tank Material

Septic tanks are generally made from plastic, concrete or fiberglass.

A plastic septic tank is watertight and stands up to rust and corrosion. It’s also the most affordable option; it will cost $150 to $2,000 to repair, though due to its flexibility, you likely won’t have to worry about it cracking.

A concrete septic tank is heavy and can hang in there for the long haul if corrosion doesn’t get in the way; it will cost $500 to $5,000 to repair.

A fiberglass tank will offer excellent resistance to cracking and rusting, though because it’s so lightweight, it might be damaged during installation. A fiberglass septic tank costs $750 to $7,500 to repair.

Septic Tank Size

Like with most household systems, the larger your septic tank is, the more expensive it will be to repair or replace it. A 1,000-gallon septic tank, which is an appropriate size for a three- to four-bedroom home, will cost $900 to $1,500; installation costs will bring it up to $1,500 to $4,000.For more information contact

Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: forbes.com

Typically, you'll want to contact a licensed septic inspector or a professional septic service company to schedule an inspection. Consider getting recommendations from local friends, family or neighbors for contractors who work with septic systems. Make sure to check an inspector's credentials to see if they are certified and compliant with regulations. Membership in professional organizations such as NACHI, ASHI, or NAHI, is a good sign too.

Before the inspector arrives, you can do several things to support a smooth and efficient septic inspection process. Start by locating your septic system's design records; these documents provide valuable information about the layout and size of your system.

If you're planning to purchase a home, you may assume a septic inspection is part of your standard home inspection, but this isn't always the case. Most home inspectors aren't going to check if the septic system of your prospective home is running properly. You may need to pay extra for a simple visual inspection.

Aspiring homeowners are better off bringing in a septic inspector who’s properly qualified to check if the septic system is operating as it should.

Follow This Pre-inspection Checklist

Here's a quick checklist to guide you:

• Locate and provide septic system design records.
• List any signs of system issues (for example, slow draining, odors).
• Clear the area around the septic tank and drain field.
• Refrain from pumping out the tank right before the inspection, as this can mask issues.
• These steps will help you get an accurate assessment of your septic system's health.

For more information contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: houselogic.com

Knowing how to prepare for and what to expect during a septic system inspection can help you check that the process matches your expectations.

Septic Tank Inspections: A Step-by-Step Guide

Initially, the inspector will review the history of your septic system, including any maintenance records you have. This provides a baseline for evaluating the current state of your system.

The inspector will follow these steps:

1. Initial assessment: The septic inspector will review the septic system's history and maintenance records.
2. System location and access: Next, the inspector will locate and uncover access points to the septic tank.
3. Tank examination: Along with checking the tank for leaks, corrosion, and levels of scum and sludge, the inspector will check if the tank needs to be pumped.
4. Pipe and mechanism inspection: Next, the inspector will check the pipes and mechanisms for damage or blockages. They'll also assess the condition of the septic tank effluent filter if your system has one.
5. Drain field evaluation: Lastly, your inspector will evaluate the drain field's absorption capability and look for signs of failure (such as standing water or improper drainage)
6. Optional dye test: The inspector may conduct a dye test to detect leaks or system failures.

After the physical inspection, the inspector will discuss the findings with you. They'll point out any immediate concerns or potential future issues.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: houselogic.com

Handle problems when they arise by checking:

1. The Water Level

If you find sewage in your house, lift the lid of the septic tank and check the water level or call a septic tank pumping company to do this for you. If the water is lower than the outlet, the pipe between the house and tank might be clogged. In that case, call a plumber.

2. The Septic Tank Level

If the level is higher than the outlet, the problem might be the tank. Have your tank pumped. That way, you’ll have time to figure out what to do next and allow the pumping company to check for an obvious problem, such as a clogged screen at the outlet.

3. The Saturation Level in the Drainfield

If flooding has saturated the drainfield, however, wait to pump. Emptying the tank may cause the tank to float, breaking the pipes. Take precautions as you clean up the mess in your house, so you don’t get sick. As outlined by the EPA, if your septic system floods, minimize contact with sewage; wear gloves, shields, and long sleeves; and get extra support from your local health department.

4. The Drainfield

If the drainfield stinks or is soggy, keep people away from any standing water or soggy soil. There may be a biohazard. If you have young children or pets, you might need a temporary fence. Have your septic tank pumped and cut back on water use. These steps should reduce the odor, but aren’t long-term solutions.

Types of Drainfield Failure

When a drainfield fails, it’s often because the septic tank wasn’t pumped often enough. So, follow best practices in caring for your septic system. Sludge and scum layers can grow so thick that little space is left for wastewater to pool while ingredients separate.

This overgrowth lets grease and solids enter and clog the drainfield, causing stinky water to bubble up to the surface. By the time you notice, the damage is done, and the drainfield needs to be replaced.

A drainfield can also fail even if you haven’t done anything wrong. Over time — often 30 years or so — beneficial microbes in the soil around the drainfield can become so abundant that they clog the soil, preventing it from properly absorbing the water, according to Craig Mains of the National Small Flows Clearinghouse, a nonprofit that advises the septic system industry.

If your drainfield is plugged, the only solution is to abandon it and build a new one. The good news is that once you have a replacement drainfield, you’ll never have to build a new drainfield again. Eventually, the bacteria at the old site will die from lack of food and decompose. When the second field plugs someday, you can go back to using the first one.

When to Repair a Septic System

Some problems can be solved relatively easily. For example, standing water or a sewage odor between the septic tank and the drainfield may be nothing more than a broken pipe, a roughly $1,500 repair. If you have an advanced treatment system, the maintenance company might need to adjust or replace a part.

If you have an aerobic treatment unit — which aerates the tank to help speed the breakdown of waste — and were away for a long period, the beneficial bacteria might have died off. You may just need to use your system frugally for a few weeks while the population rebounds.

When to Replace a Septic System

There’s usually no repair for a failed drainfield. You probably need to replace your septic system.

There are many ways to combine treatment and drainfield options, and your decisions can hugely affect costs, as well as landscaping rework and the use of your property in the future. If you want to reserve land for a future garage, for example, you might be willing to spend more on a compact system.

Even if the drainfield needs replacement, the septic tank may be OK. Reusing the tank can save you $1,000 or more — and keep that part of your yard intact. But if moving the tank would solve a landscaping issue or make future pumping easier, now’s the time to do it.

For more information contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: houselogic.com

Since each septic system is installed a little differently, it's difficult to give an exact how-to on installing each one. But, the overall process for septic system installation has some similarities.

1. Site Prep

First, you evaluate the site’s size, soil type, water table, etc. so you can decide which type septic system will work best for you. This may require a PERC test to evaluate soil absorption rates. Contact your county health department to find out more information regarding testing requirements in your area.

2. Health Approval

Most states have specific guidelines in place for septic system installation, as sewage naturally could have a large impact on public health and safety. You will need to receive the necessary permits and licenses to continue with the procedure.

3. Excavation

Once you have received the go-ahead from the correct authorities, you may begin excavating the site for system installation. Excavation involves a lot of measuring and drilling so that you can get the pipe to distance ratio correct. You will need to dig a hole large enough to fit the tank into comfortably.

4. Installation

It is important that you refrain from going into the installation blindly. That is, don’t just begin haphazardly digging holes and placing pipes. Call a professional septic system company for advice, or do your research online.

5. Final Inspection

It’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your work once completed. This ensures that everything is up to safety standards and that you won’t run into any unexpected issues.

6. Coverup

Cover everything back up, clean it up, and enjoy your money-saving handiwork!

For more information contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Source: Nextmodular.com

Happy New Year! Thank you for choosing Morse Engineering and Construction Industries and putting your trust in our service, we enjoy serving clients like you and hope to serve you again in 2025.

As this year comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to send warm wishes to you and your family. We hope your New Year is filled with the warmth of family and an abundance of happiness and health.

Our valued customers and clients have been the backbone of our success. We hope you enjoyed 2024 and we wish for you an even better and refreshed new year. Here's to a New Year that is as amazing as you are.

As the holiday season approaches, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. We hope you and your loved ones have a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and happiness, food, laughter, and beautiful memories. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support throughout the year. Here’s to a fantastic holiday season, may this special time be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories!

Yes, it’s been said, many times, many ways, but we still mean it just as much! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, we appreciate your business and look forward to being your provider in the new year!

Ground managers need to plan well ahead of winter to ensure the best care for their storm cleanup needs.

As winter approaches, winter challenges become even more pronounced for managers tasked with securing reliable snow removal services at institutional and commercial levels. Choosing the right snow removal company early can alleviate some of these pressures and ensure smoother operations throughout the season.

Here are six reasons why grounds managers should sign snow contracts early, meaning before October 1 at the latest.

1. The best companies fill up fast

Securing a reputable snow removal company early in the season is crucial. The best companies tend to fill their schedules quickly, leaving latecomers scrambling for less reliable options. Early signing allows property managers ample time to thoroughly vet potential contractors.

• Be sure to:
• Check references
• Verify current and adequate liability insurance
• Assess important aspects such as after-hours communication opportunities
• Once these top companies are fully booked, securing their services becomes impossible, so acting early is essential to get the best.

Early contracts ensure reserving the best personnel and equipment for snow removal needs. Reliable snow removal services are often in high demand, and many companies may over-promise their capabilities. By signing early, managers can secure a commitment that includes consistent and efficient service tailored to the property. This is particularly important for larger properties that require substantial resources. Ensuring that the best equipment and skilled workers means better overall service and reliability.

3. Supplies aren’t infinite

Salt, calcium, brine, and magnesium are not in infinite supply. During peak winter months, these supplies can become scarce. This drives up costs and potentially leaves some properties without adequate coverage. By signing a snow contract early, managers can ensure that their properties will have a guaranteed allocation of these crucial materials, which helps maintain safety and accessibility throughout the winter season.

4. Familiarity with your property

When snow removal workers are unfamiliar with a property, it can lead to inefficiencies and mistakes. Early contracting gives the snow removal company enough time to get a lay of the land. They can map out all service areas, train staff specifically for the property's needs, and familiarize themselves with any unique challenges or requirements. This preparation is vital for ensuring that when the first snow falls, the service is seamless and effective. Knowing the specific areas that need attention, such as hidden walkways or tricky driveways, can make a significant difference in service quality.

5. Better rates and budgeting

Contracting snow removal services in advance often leads to more competitive rates. Contractors are more willing to negotiate and offer better deals during the off-season as they are eager to fill their schedules. This early engagement not only helps secure better pricing but also provides an opportunity to combine snow removal with other seasonal services, such as landscaping, under a single contract. This can simplify budgeting and ensure a comprehensive approach to property maintenance, potentially leading to additional cost savings.

6. Tailored solutions for your property

• Engaging snow removal contractors before the snow season begins allows for a tailored approach to the property’s specific needs. Contractors can visit the site to provide accurate quotes and develop effective snow removal plans. Several factors need to be considered:
• Scope of services: Understanding exactly what services are required ensures that all aspects of snow removal are covered.
• Equipment needs: Identifying the types and numbers of vehicles and equipment necessary for efficient snow clearing.
• Manpower allocation: Determining the appropriate staffing levels to handle the property's snow removal effectively.
• Snow hauling: Assessing whether snow needs to be hauled away and the logistics involved.
• De-icing materials: Deciding on the types and quantities of de-icers needed to keep walkways and parking areas safe.

By working closely with contractors before the snow season, grounds managers can ensure their properties receive the most effective and tailored snow removal services. This proactive approach saves time, money, and reduces the likelihood of service disruptions during critical winter months.

Signing snow contracts early is a strategic move for property managers. It ensures access to the best service providers, guarantees the availability of necessary equipment and supplies, allows for thorough property familiarization, secures better rates, and results in customized snow removal plans.

Taking these proactive steps not only enhances the safety and accessibility of the property but also provides peace of mind throughout the winter season. Don’t wait until the first snowflake falls—start planning now to secure the best possible snow removal services for your property.

For more information contact Morse Engineering and Construction. 

Source: https://www.facilitiesnet.com/